Good Morning!
Despite the snow, spring is marching right along as evidenced by the birds. Also, we noticed the storm had left roads covered with packed snow and ice. These cleared off in what seemed like only an hour once the sun poked through the clouds. Despite the cold air, the sun is powerful! Soon, my friends, we will see the green of spring.
Here’s a verse we’re going to look at today:
Joshua 18:3 So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your Fathers, has given you?”
Here’s another.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
We all have issues we need to deal with. Some of us have been dealing with the same problem for years, maybe decades, heck, maybe a lifetime.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
I know Christians who have died because of their sin of choice. I know others who still have their chains on, maybe not life-threatening sin, but sin nonetheless. I still have some. You know as well as I do that we are free to enjoy life to the full if we only take hold of what has already been given to us.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
1 John 3:7-10 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Colossians 2:13-15 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Folks, who knows where to even stop, so many verses come to mind? Can we simply come to the mindset that we already have all we need to beat any sin that besets us? We ALREADY have it. Yes, of course, we need to learn how to use these tools, including repentance, studying God’s word, prayer, discipleship, and discipline. We may need to study some books, take some classes, join some groups. Some sin God will simply take away if we ask. Others, we have to learn and work. He is still the one who removes the sin from our lives, but we must be cooperative.
Is today the day you give up one significant sin? Why would you hold on to that nasty security blanket that Satan has to comfort you?
Father, let us be taken aback regarding the simplicity of this all. We are making things too hard. Let us enjoy the freedom your Son has paid for and has so freely provided for us. Amen.
Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers