Forgiven and Reconciled

Psalm 51:1-12 KJV

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

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We, through our own sins, have separated ourselves from God. The Good News is that through Jesus the Christ our sins our blotted out. There is nothing we can do to erase them. Because Jesus was willing to pay the penalty for our sins we who turn our backs on God are forgiven and are reconciled to Him. As forgiven children of God the Holy Spirit creates in us clean hearts and renews a right spirit within us.

The Psalmist prays that the Lord will not take His presence from us. Rejoice for through Jesus Christ he has not! He is with us always; for all of eternity. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Swearing: Using God's Name In Vain

 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7 KJV)

"The Second Commandment.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

What does this mean?-

-Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks."

                                               (http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

It is troubling though, that so many do not even seem to recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I know many love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that because of their language they have made it evident to me and others who might be around us that He is not their God; that they do not worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner and so very often.

There have been times when I've been in discussions (usually with younger people) and I've gotten responses like "OMG" or "Oh My G_ _!" (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away.

I find the language today atrocious. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even called upon when used to bully others; to persecute them.

I have also been known to use the phrase "speak with integrity" on rare occasions. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. Sometimes you have to let people know that if they want me others to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tale. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when the one who is speaking claims to bear the name of Christ.

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. 

May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Cleansed By The Blood Of Christ

Psalm 32:1

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest." 

                                                                                (Psalm 51:1-4 KJV)

The Psalmist prayed that God would forgive him all of his sins. He acknowledged that he had sinned against God. No matter what offense we commit it all comes down to a sin against God. When we use or abuse anyone whether it is in word or deed it is a sin against God. When we cheat or slander our neighbor, that is not just a sin against the neighbor. It is a sin against God who gave life to the neighbor.  

David acknowledges his sins and asks to be cleansed of them. According to the First Epistle of John in we must acknowledge that have sinned. If we do not or cannot acknowledge and confess our sins we are nothing more than liars. In other words, in our lack of confession we sin against God. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (John 1:7-10)

The first man and woman welcomed sin into the world. We continue to exist in a sinful world being sinners ourselves. Humankind was kicked out of that beautiful garden in paradise. We could no longer walk in the presence or talk in person to the creator of all things. But, God so loved humankind he had a fix for that. He had a sacrifice that would make us worthy even though we were not worth. He sent his only begotten Son, Jesus to die on the cross so that we might be forgiven; that we might be cleansed of our sins; and that we might live in communion with our Father in heaven today and for all of eternity.

In the Revelation of John he writes to the churches what he has seen and heard in his visions from God. He begins by reminding them that Jesus who was the first begotten from the dead washed our sins away with his own blood.

"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  

                                                                                      (John 1:4-6)

Let us give thanks that God has sent His only begotten Son to die for us in order that our sins might be washed away by his own blood on the cross. We give thanks for our sins have been completely forgiven and we have been reconciled to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Rejoice; for in Christ your sins are forgiven!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Remembering

We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;

   we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

When our ancestors were in Egypt,

   they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,

   and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,

   to make his mighty power known.

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;

   he led them through the depths as through a desert.
He saved them from the hand of the foe;
   from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
The waters covered their adversaries;
   not one of them survived.
Then they believed his promises

   and sang his praise.

                            (Psalm 106:6-12 NIV)

Over and over again, God's people rebelled against him.  Over and over again, they suffered because of their rebellion.  Over and over again, the Lord saved them from their own iniquity.

It's the same old story.  It's not just Israel's story.  It is ours.  We have gone astray.  We have all experienced the consequences of our sins. Yet, God, whom we have offended most, continues to forgive. He continues to give to us salvation through Jesus Christ.

As often as we turn and call out to Him, He hears. We remember and confess our past sins and God forgives.  Remembering where we have been is a good thing.  It reminds us who we are not.  We are not God. It reminds us who it is that saves. It is not us.  Only Jesus can save.

But, sometimes we have a different motivation for remembering; especially remembering the sins of others. That motivation is sin itself. It is sin when we remember the past sins of others to make ourselves feel better about our own sins. "I'm not as bad as so and so...."  It is sin when we remember the sins of others, but cannot acknowledge the sin within ourselves.  It is sin when we live in the past and refuse to live in the day that God has given us to live in today, when we do not receive the gift of light and life today; rather choose to live in the darkness of yesterday. 

Remembering the past can be a good thing.  Remembering can help us live fuller lives in Christ today as we remember not to turn our backs on the One who has had mercy on us. But, if you choose to live in the dark past, stop trying to drag others back there with you. There are those who prefer to follow Jesus and now live in the light of God's grace and love.

"Praise the Lord!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   his love endures forever."
                               (Psalm 106:1)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Glorify His Name

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.  (Exodus 20:7 NIV)  

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three or even that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

It is troubling; though, that it seems many do not even begin to recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I know many love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.  

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that they because of their language have made it evident to me and others who might be around us that He is not their God. They blaspheme Him; rather, than worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner.

There have been times I've been in discussions (usually with younger family members) and I've received the response with much attitude: OMG or Oh My God! (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away. 

I find the language today if often disrespectful toward God and toward each other. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even used in conversations to bully others; to persecute them.

Now and then I find myself reminding people that they are to "speak with integrity." Yes, that is when I question the honesty of their conversations. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. I have let people know that if they want me to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tales. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when it is one who claims to bear the name of Christ that is speaking.

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

You Of This Generation, Consider The Word Of The Lord

"You of this generation, consider the

     word of the Lord:

“Have I been a desert to Israel

    or a land of great darkness?

Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam;

    we will come to you no more’?

Does a young woman forget her jewelry,

    a bride her wedding ornaments?

Yet my people have forgotten me,

    days without number.

How skilled you are at pursuing love!

    Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.

On your clothes is found

    the lifeblood of the innocent poor,

    though you did not catch them breaking in.

Yet in spite of all this you say, ‘I am innocent;

    he is not angry with me.’

But I will pass judgment on you

    because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’"

                          Jeremiah 2:31-35 NIV                                         

Stand your ground! I read in the local news last night about a man who is appealing his conviction of murder by using the "stand your ground" defense. He claims the man he was arguing with, who was standing on his own property on the other side of a fence, was threatening him. Indeed, they were arguing. But, the man that was shot and killed did not have a weapon. The man who claimed it is was not murder but self-defense was carrying a weapon. After arguing with his neighbor, he had gone into the house purposely to get the gun to threaten his neighbor. He came out and continued to argue with his neighbor with the end result being that he shot his neighbor five times, killed his neighbor, and then claimed self-defense. He had been found guilty. Yet, he still claims that he did no wrong. He did not sin. 

Just because we think our stories will justify us does not make it so. We do a lot of justifying of our sins. We would really like our sins to not be considered sins. It would be nice if everyone (including God) smiled upon our sins and let us keep on keeping on as we were. It would be nice to be able to do whatever we want; whenever we want; to whomever we want without consequences. But, it does not work that way. There are consequences for sinning against others and there are consequences for sinning against God.

Jeremiah reminds us not only how it is that we sin against man; but, how we neglect and sin against God, as well. He reminds us to consider that there are many who would say that they worship the one true and Almighty God. Yet, they neglect and forget to give God all glory and honor; while they would never forget to put on their jewelry before they leave the house! They forget to worship the One who gave His very life, that we might drink from the waters of life; eat from the tree of life. Is the life of Christ less valuable than our jewelry? 

Yes, we are free to roam wherever we please. We can do that. But, remember that there are consequences in this world and in the next for our actions and inactions. Confess your sin and return to the LORD destroying the false gods that you worship that you might be truly justified by the blood of Christ shed for you. The lies and the false gods can do nothing good for you! They can do nothing! They are worthless! But, the One who loves you enough to save you from your sins, by dying for you, can and does do all things for the good of those who love him. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J