Though We Die; We Will Live...

Psalm 51:1-19 KJV;; Ash Wednesday; Wash us and we shall be clean; create in us clean hearts.

Create In Us Clean Hearts

Psalm 51:9-12 KJV; Blot out our sins and create in us clean hearts.

Just Stop Doing Wrong!

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isa 1:16-17 NIV

I just finished reading a bit of news on the internet as I do every morning. There were some articles that I chose not to read because the headlines pointed to some pretty gruesome and despicable conduct. I get tired. I imagine much of the world gets tired of reading and hearing about the evil that is done. Some of the evil is so bold and in your face that it is nauseating.

Other evil deeds are more behind the scenes and are often looked at as lesser evils or maybe not even evil at all. What is evil is sometimes called good. This lesser evil can have an even more far reaching effect on the world than some of the seemingly worst atrocities because this type of evil has become generally accepted in society as something that we just need to learn to live with. It is often justified with the excuse that someone was exercising their personal rights without considering that someone else's personal rights just got trampled on. Just because one thinks that the damage they do to others is not as horrible as what others do does not make it right.  

Other evil deeds are perpetuated daily by a world that has forgotten what evil is. Sin abounds. The Lord's name is taken in vain. People curse one another and act like their words are said in jest. The filth that is seen on television makes it appear that these words and activities are actually good things. The list goes on. Do we really think that the youngest people who see and hear this evil can discern what it good and what is evil unless someone teaches them? And, who can teach them if we ourselves no longer know?

Evil is evil. Sin is sin and when we say that sin is no longer sin it changes the world's perception of what is right and what is wrong and wrong gets perpetuated and approved at an even more alarming rate. There is way too much evil in the world. Let us focus on doing what is good and right.

Create in us clean hearts, O God, And renew steadfast spirits within us. (Psalm 51:10)

God's Peace - Pr. J

My Jesus!

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 51:10-11 NIV

Happy New Year!

"My Jesus!" I don't recall what I was dreaming about last night. But, I do remember that just before I woke up, sitting around a huge round table I was asked who I would most like to be with. My response was "my Jesus."

Jesus promised to be with us always and he is. Who could ask for anything more than to abide in the presence of God for all of eternity? Living in God's presence is a gift from God. But, we are not worthy to even kneel at His feet by anything that we say or do or don't say or do. There are no new year's resolutions that are going to get us to heaven. Our hearts; are whole lives, are heavy with the burden of sin. But, thanks be to God, He can change our hearts!

And, so this new year's day we pray: create in us clean hearts, and renew steadfast spirits within us. Do not remove us from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us. Grant that we should always live in your presence!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Joy Of Salvation!

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

So the world's bogging you down? Not everything going the way you want it to?

There are more important things than the little details of every day living. Supper does not have to be on the table exactly the right time. The employee that was late may have had problems with the car; that's why she's late. Or, maybe, they had some unexpected emergency at home. Children will not always do what you want them to. Maybe you don't care for the way the presidential race is being run. Relax, you are not alone. Not many people are happy about it. In the big picture, these are all minor things. There is something more important and that is your salvation. Do not let the devil steal the joy of your salvation!

We all make mistakes. We all sin. Sometimes those sins are unintentional. Sometimes those sins are very intentional. The bottom line is: Jesus knew this when he went to the cross for us. Even though he knew that we would intentionally and unintentionally turn our backs on him and on one another, he was willing to bear the consequences of our sins, even our most grievous sins. He loves us so much that he was willing to be executed in our place so that all who believe in him might be declared innocent. The debt has been paid! Rejoice in your salvation!

May the knowledge of a love so great for you, restore in you the joy of your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J