Tag: forgiven

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Time to Clean Up

There’s an interesting phenomenon, that occurs where we live, each Labor Day weekend. Most years I forget about it. This year was no different.

I went out yesterday to fill the hummingbird feeders in our backyard and I heard it…the whirl of weed eaters. Neighbors all around – east and west were in their yards, cleaning up weeds that had been growing, unhindered for months.

Very few people who live on our mesa have grass lawns. Most of us have desert landscaping with cacti and flowering shrubs that flourish in the warm, arid, desert climate. However, there is that contingent that allow the weeds to grow, unhindered, for months. And on Labor Day weekend the clean up, which takes several weekends to complete, starts.

Why? I have no idea but it is a process embraced by more than a few.

I guess that “fall clean-up” is a bit like “spring cleaning”. I find it much easier to do neither. Instead I have found that a little time each week working in the yard and cleaning the house are tasks that let me enjoy the beauty of my yard and home all year long. I’m glad Dave feels the same.

Isn’t that just like life?

We’ve all seen those movies where people are on their death beds and someone sends for the preacher or the priest. Death bed confessions they call them. Those who have lived their lives, letting them fill up with weeds, but before they die that want to make sure that they have asked forgiveness for the wild seeds they have sown.

I am so grateful that our Father hears those confessions, answers their cries and forgives. Just like the thief who hung next to Jesus on a cross. He recognized his guilt and his need for the Savior. His death bed confession was heard by a compassionate, merciful Savior.

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 NKJV

Unconditional love, total forgiveness. How amazing! It’s never too late while we are here on earth to be reconciled to God. How much sweeter it is to walk in relationship with Him each day and experience the abundant life He has promised us.

“All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6:37 NLV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

It is so wonderful to live each day wrapped in the Father’s love! We don’t have to wait for “Fall Clean-Up”, we can be enjoying the fullness and beauty of life in Christ each and every day.

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Broke is Broke

When we first moved into our house we noticed that one of the bedroom windows had a rock chip in it. Yes, the bedroom window. We figured it must have been someone working with a weed eater and a small rock was pitched up and hit the window. The window was shattered so we didn’t think too much about it at the time.

However, broke is broke! We should have asked for it to be replaced. You see we have dual pain windows and that chip released the seal between the panes, the gas escaped and now the view through the window is cloudy.

Broke is broke and sin is sin!

With God there is no big or little sin, it’s sin. Look at the two brothers in the story of the prodigal son. The younger son in the story was guilty of some pretty “big” things while the older son looked respectable but he was obviously holding bitterness in his heart toward his younger brother and his father. Which do you think was worse?

Neither! Sin is sin. Kind of like my broken window; if a brick had shattered it or the little chip cracked it and broke the seal the result was the same. The window was broken.

“One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ If you obey this law, you are doing right. 9 But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law. 10 You might follow all of God’s law. But if you fail to obey only one command, you are guilty of breaking all the commands in that law.” James 2:8-10 ERV

The Old Testament teaches us that God hates gossip and murder yet we find one more socially acceptable than the other. Sin is sin and we are all guilty.  The penalty for sin is not based on a sliding scale.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 NLT

“When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 ERV

Jesus words were so powerful when he spoke to the Pharisees about the adulterous woman. They felt superior to this obviously sinful woman but they were willing to overlook their own sins of deception and self-righteousness.

“They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” 8 Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground.” John 8:6-8 ERV

How many times have we played the role of the Pharisees or the older brother? We condemn “the idiot driver”, the person holding up the line, the unintelligent cashier, the negligent phone representative, the ill-informed newscaster or worst of all, the person with an opposite viewpoint than ours.

What they are doing may certainly be wrong but when we judge our attitude about the situation is equally as wrong. We are to do all that we do from a loving and compassionate heart.

Since God sees all sin the same, He makes the payment for that sin the same.

“So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life.” Romans 5:18 ERV

We have forgiveness, payment for our sin, with the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That sacrifice is available to all – we simply need to receive it!

“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 KJV

I’m so glad that God doesn’t grade on a curve but He accepts us all. It’s not based on what we’ve done but on what Jesus did!

Now that’s called grace!!!

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Built on Love

Years ago Dave and I had the privilege to share God’s love with the working cowboys of Arizona, Nevada and even into California. Cowboys would gather, sometimes for just a Friday night or a Sunday and other times for a long weekend at what we called Cowboy Campmeetings.

I miss those days. The time with friends, the great Country Gospel music, testimonies of what God was doing on the ranches and in the hearts of the cowboys and the Word. The teaching of the Word was so rich; lives were changed. Folks were saved, baptized and freed from past sin and guilt.

We made dear and life time friends. But the thing that touched me most was the sincerity and simplicity of the faith of those who were there. There was no pretense, no hypocrisy. It was just genuine love for the Lord. Yes, I miss those days.

Wonderful times!

A song we use to sing in Cowboy Church was “I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days so by – oh, what a love between my Lord and I; I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again.”

This was and is still my daily ambition. Falling in love with Him and getting to know the depth of His love for me. That’s what the Apostle Paul prayed for the Christians who lived at Ephesus nearly 2000 years ago. It is my prayer for us today.

“I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.

20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21 ERV

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Given Not Earned!

There’s an old song that we sang when I was a girl, Calvary Covers It All.

I was thinking about that song this morning. How thankful I am for Calvary!!

Thankful that the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, blotted out my sin!

In the Old Testament the priest would offer a lamb once a year for the forgiveness of sin. The priest would lay his hands on the head of the lamb, signifying a transfer of the sins of the people to the perfect lamb of sacrifice. When this transfer was complete the Israelites could experience freedom and cleansing for another year. The blood of the lamb “covered” their sins but never completely blotted it out. Each year they would have to come again, offering another sacrifice, to receive their forgiveness.

“The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn’t the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. 3-4 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.” Hebrews 10:1-4 CEV

But Jesus Christ, as our lamb of sacrifice, only had to be offered once for the forgiveness of sin! We, who have accepted that sacrifice don’t just have our sins covered but we can rest knowing those sins are completely blotted out.

“You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. 14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:13-15 CEV

This is significant. If something is just covered, we can lift the covering and find what was being hidden. However, if it’s blotted out or wiped clean, there is nothing to be found.

Remember when we were in school and the teacher erased the blackboard. Sometimes you could still see the shadow of the writing on the board but when she wiped it clean with that chamois eraser, all the words were gone – completely gone. That’s a crude illustration because the blood of Jesus is so much greater than a chamois eraser but I think you get the point.

“The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God. 15 The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said, 16 “When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts. 17 Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds. 18 When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.” Hebrews 10:11-18 CEV

Forgiven! Forgiveness is not something that is earned. There is nothing we could do to earn the forgiveness that God has FREELY GIVEN. By the very nature of the word it is given. We can’t rationalize or justify or make enough excuses for our actions to “earn” forgiveness. It is an act of pure love that leads to restoration. Restored in perfect relationship with the Father.

We have been wiped clean by the blood of Jesus. The next time the devil, or some well meaning person, tries to remind us of the things we’ve done wrong, we should stand up and remind them that the precious blood of Jesus has wiped us clean. And because we are forgiven we should be willing to give that same forgiveness to those around us.

It’s given not earned!

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No Longer Ashamed

Have you ever been publicly ridiculed and humiliated? Called out in front of a group of co-workers or maybe in a classroom. Or what about that person who has never wasted an opportunity to point out all your faults and tried to demoralized you to your family and friends? Maybe in a divorce court or at a bankruptcy hearing?

What do you do in that type of situation where you feel the most vulernable – feeling like you’ve been stripped naked and are standing all alone?

I’ve been to that place and if I allow myself to go back in time I can still feel the humiliation, the shame and the heart ache. How do you get past that? There’s only one way I know to come through a situation like that better and not bitter, you meet Jesus face to face and let Him defend you!

I have a hard time reading the story in John 8 about the adulterous woman without tears in my eyes as I feel her shame. Jesus is teaching in the Temple. I imagine there were lots of people around. She is dragged in, probably naked or at least almost naked. She’s thrown to the ground in front of Jesus and the Pharisees demand that she be stoned.

“At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:2-11 NIV

These men had no concern for this women, she was a pawn in their attempt to trap Jesus. Jesus was not only concerned about the woman but the Pharisees too. He could have humiliated the Pharisees publicly by calling out their indiscretions, their sins, but he didn’t. Instead He quietly wrote on the ground.

And when everyone was gone I can see Jesus compassionately lifting the woman up, probably covering her with a garment, placing His hand under her chin and lifting her head and telling her she was forgiven.

“Everything will soon come to an end. So be serious and be sensible enough to pray. 8 Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.” I Peter 4:7-8 CEV

I have felt that kind of forgiveness. I have experienced that compassion. I have seen the love of God cover my sins and remove my humiliation!

“Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:2-3 NIV

Thank you Father!

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Forgiven

This morning my Bible reading took me to two distinct places in Scripture; both of them dealt with forgiveness.

Not our forgiveness to others, however, the Bible is filled with teachings on forgiving but these two dealt with the forgiveness that we have received from God, our Father.

Forgiven!

I don’t have to ask you to remember because I’m sure, like me, you remember the most awful thing you have ever done. But it’s forgiven…Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and the Father has forgiven us!

He’s even forgotten our sins – He chose too. He wants us to forget too so that we can become the powerful person He has designed us to be.

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,  whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,  whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin,  my body wasted away,  and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. 7 For you are my hiding place;  you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule  that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. 11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” Psalm 32 NLT

Forgiven – we should tattoo that on our hearts!

This Psalm, which was written by King David, should be one we read often. The devil will work to remind us of our sin. He wants us to feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness; if we buy into that thinking we stay focused on ourselves and not on God and we become useless when it comes to telling others about the Father’s wonderful forgiveness and amazing grace.

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:1-2 NLT

Jesus IS the sacrifice that atones for ALL sin! He is the only one who could be the perfect offering for our salvation. In Him, we are not only forgiven but we are made completely new. Our past, present and future transgressions are blotted out and we are restored to relationship with the Father.

If you are struggling with your past re-read Psalm 32 and then shout for joy because your heart has been made pure by God’s forgiveness!

Now share the message of forgiveness with those around you, I just did.

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Sounds of Joy

For years we lived in a small town in Southwest Montana. On one of our first visits there we were walking down the street when the fire siren went off. It blew long and loud, we were startled to say the least.

Come to find out, that’s how they announced the noon hour to everyone in town. At twelve o’clock the alarm rang! We learned to get used to it and we also learned that if it rang at any other time it was a call to bring the volunteer fire fighters to their posts. That sound  brought assistance and silent prayers to those who were in need.

In towns throughout the world the sound of the church bells tell another story. They ring-in celebration; weddings, births, liberation. Is it any wonder that there are so many carols with bells mentioned in them? Silver Bells, Jingle Bells, Carol of the Bells.

What should be more celebrated than the birth of Christ?

I wanted to find out if there was any reference in Scripture to bells. I only found a couple of verses and they really had nothing to do with celebrating. But wait…maybe they do.

“ Make pomegranates of blue and purple and red cloth to put all around the bottom of this clothing. And put bells of gold between them. 34 Put a gold bell and a pomegranate, then a gold bell and a pomegranate, all the way around the bottom of this clothing. 35 Aaron will wear it when he serves Me. The sound of the bells will be heard when he goes in the holy place and when he comes out so that he will not die.” Exodus 28:33-35 NLV

These verses describe the special garment that the high priest, Aaron, was to wear when he went into the holiest place in the tabernacle to meet with the Lord. It was in this place where the Ark of the Covenant, the stone tablet with the Ten Commandments, and the other sacred things of the Lord were housed. This was the place where the high priest went to receive forgiveness from the Lord for the sins of the people.

Around the hem of his garment were bells. The bells would ring to indicate that the high priest was meeting with the Lord. Meeting there to obtain remission of sins and to find mercy. It was a meeting of the highest importance, only happened once a year, and it was a time of great joy for the people of Israel. They knew that God had accepted their sacrifice and forgiven their sins.

Yes, ringing bells were a sound of celebration!

Here are the words to our youngest daughter’s favorite Christmas Carol.

Carol of the Bells

Hark how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seem to say,
throw cares away
Christmas is here,
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and the bold.
Ding dong ding dong
that is their song
with joyful ring
all caroling.
One seems to hear
words of good cheer
from everywhere
filling the air.
Oh how they pound,
raising the sound,
o’er hill and dale,
telling their tale.
Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.
On on they send,
on without end,
their joyful tone
to every home.
Ding dong ding dong!

Ding, dong, ding, dong Christmas bells are ringing.

On Saturday, while I was out for a bit, I was greeted with that sweet sound, the ringing of the bell. There was a dear man wearing the uniform of the Salvation Army standing at his kettle, ringing his bell of good cheer. He warmly smiled and offered everyone that past his way a joyful “Merry Christmas, God bless you.”

Each time you hear the celebratory anthem of the bells this year, stop for a moment, give thanks for the marvelous gift they remind us of; the gift of being in God’s presence and having our sins forgiven.

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Paid It All

Keeping the focus on the absolute truth of God’s word again today.  

Here are a couple of verses that point out the absolute atonement that Jesus provided for our reconciliation with God.

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2

Propitiation is an old word that meanings atoning sacrifice. Jesus is THE atoning sacrifice for sin. He freely gave his life so that we could be brought into right relationship with the Father.

And He’s not just the propitiation for a few but He died for the sins of THE whole world. He has made provision for ALL. No one is excluded or left out.

But why?

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10

Jesus is THE propitiation – the atonement, the reconciliation, the reparation – for our sins. His death was more than enough to provide atonement for all that we have done.

“All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:23-24 ERV

Have you ever looked through binoculars? You know that when you focus in one object the ones around it become blurred.  We need to do that with Christ.

The focus isn’t on us but on Christ and what He has done.

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Everyone – there is another absolute – no one is excluded. Everyone is offered the gift of eternal life because the price of sin has been paid in full!

 

 

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Made Special

I know we all want to feel special. There is something about us that “entitles” us to the little extras. A bigger piece of pie, an extra scoop of ice cream, more money per hour at work, the bigger bouquet, the nicer car, the corner office and the list goes on.

However, I’ve never been the one to win the trophy buckle, to graduate valedictorian, be promoted to executive team or even win the state championship. But there is one thing I’ve done that puts me in the top group every time!

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone (whosoever) who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. ” John 3:15 ERV

Yes, I’m a member of the world – I’m an everyone! That makes me a recipient of the Father’s love and a participant in life eternal. I’m one of millions/billions of people who lived but I am one in a million in God’s eyes! He knows the number of hairs on my head, He knows when I fall and He knows my name.

“Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too. 9 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: 10 We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle. 11 Command and teach these things.” I Timothy 4:8-11 CEV

Father God is the Savior of ALL but we have a part to play and that is we must BELIEVE in Him.

If I came to your house with a big box, wrapped in beautiful paper, tied up with a gorgeous ribbon and I had put your name on the box, would that present be yours? Well of course it would!

If you took that present and set it on the dining room table and looked at it, each day, admiring how pretty it was and how nice it was of me to bring it, would it benefit you? No, not really. It’s not until you open the gift, fully accept it, that it truly becomes yours and is a benefit to you.

Many people have seen the gift the Father brought them; the gift of forgiveness and restoration but for whatever reason have failed to open it and appropriate it for themselves.

“My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He always did what was right, so he is able to defend us before God the Father. 2 Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:1-2 CEV

“no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 CEV

So you see if you are a whosoever, an everyone, an “all people”, the gift is yours! Accept it and take advantage of what is being given – it definitely makes you a winner!

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