Today’s Readings: 1 Chronicles 5–6; Hebrews 10; Amos 4; Psalms 148-150
This past week I wrestled with the daily events between home, work, school and other commitments sprinkled in and out. In the midst of my yearning for putting the “No” in November I was juggling many things. In the middle of this circus I was losing sight of God and His will for how I should be handling everything. In hind site, much of what I was trying to accomplish was on my own. This selfish attitude lead to a shortness of patience, love, and understanding for those around me. I sinned and fell short by my own selfish desires to control a situation. Unfortunately, my lack of faith had succeeded once again.
After many prayers and apologies I still felt this guilt over letting my family and God down. I turned to God’s word and asked for direction. Prayerfully, there is only one way out of this situation and it was through Him. I needed to surrender it all to Him and hear His voice instead of my own. In Hebrews 10 I’m reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Back in Hebrews 10:3 as people gathered for sacrifice on the Day of Atonement , people would be reminded of their sins and felt that guilt all over again. But by His grace, Christ has provided us with permanent forgiveness that once we have confessed this we need not think of continue to cause pain. We are all broken and yet cleansed by an amazing God who sent his only son to die for all of our sins. Encourage growth in our daily lives by applying and living out God’s scripture in all areas of our lives.
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds,“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
As we face these struggles its important to continue to encourage and meet with other Christians sharing our faith and love. We can help provide the strength we need to make it through each day. I’m grateful for this daily group of writers, our weekly small groups, and the messages we hear each Sunday that deepen our relationship with God. Yesterday, I was talking with Micheal Summers about this scenario and he reminded me of the conversation Jesus had with Peter in John 13. What a timely reminder. In Humility of Love by Grace to You, the authors remind us how Jesus provides us with spiritual washing when we confess and submit to Him. Thanks Mike!
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Thank you for reading and being in the scripture together daily. Psalm 150 reminds us to, Praise Him for Everything!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Psalm 150:2
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6
So what spiritual cleaning do you need?
Any dust collected on your feet?
We need our feet washed every day. As we walk through this world with our earthly desires we can get our feet dirty. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us [literally, keep on cleansing us] from all unrighteousness.”
Thank you Jesus for washing our sins away. Amen
Because He Lives – Matt Maher
Read Humility of Love by Grace to You.
