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April 16th - 22nd

We’ve looked at sins of jealousy, envy, pride and gossip, and we’ve briefly read what Scripture tells us about each.

This week, let’s take a closer look at the resurrection power that lives in each of us when we put our trust in Jesus. He gives us the power to resist and overcome sin. We find our worth is not in ourselves but in Whose we are.  God has a purpose for our lives and each day is another opportunity to fulfill it and to be fulfilled.

God assures us of this in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV):  “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As I continued my walk on the beach that brisk February day, I picked up pieces of shells that were almost non-existent. I could hardly tell what they used to be.  My thoughts turned to the people who think that their lives are worthless – the tortured souls who believe that God could never love or change them because of who they are or what they have done.  These individuals are confused by Satan’s deception and may even have contemplated suicide; they feel that life has no value or objective.  With aimless desperation, they seek what this world had to offer in an attempt to be fulfilled and find meaning.  Instead, bad decisions, continual sin and the lack of a true personal relationship with Jesus leaves them empty, feeling alone and unworthy with no purpose or direction.  But the incredible Good News is that there is no one who is beyond God’s reach and the redemptive power of Jesus’ blood! Absolutely NO ONE!  There is no sin anyone can commit that has not already been conquered by our precious Savior.  When Jesus rose from the dead, He brought the keys of Hell with Him.  He conquered death once and for all.  When we ask Jesus into our hearts and truly repent of our sins, we have His assurance that one glorious day He will call us unto Himself and we will live in Heaven forever. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

God says in Isaiah 50:2 (KJV): “Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.”

And in Isaiah 59:1-3 (KJV) we are assured that: “ 1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:  2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.  3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.”

Not only will we joyously live with God, we will have no more pain, no more tears, no more suffering – no more separation from God or our loved ones who put their trust in Jesus.  If this incredible free gift to us was not enough, the Bible tells us that: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (KJV)   This Scripture refers to the “land of the living” which means now – life on this earth.  When we seek God will all of our hearts, we will find Him.  We can learn of Him by reading the Bible and spending time with Him in prayer.  Our relationship will deepen and God will reveal Himself in ways that are personal to each of us. We are God’s and He will never leave us or forsake us!

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

"But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.'"  Isaiah 43:1-2 (KJV) The next shell I gathered was quite interesting; apparently, it was damaged by other shells or barnacles that attached themselves to it.  The residue of those parasites is still evident.  Isn’t that the way it is in our lives?  Sometimes, we fool ourselves into believing that we are free from the demons that control us and the sins that so easily sidetrack us from what God wants to do –  we’re oblivious to the effects that stuck to our spirit, to our souls.

The only way to overcome the past is to give it to the Lord, and not allow the circumstances of pain and ensuing anger to cloud your mind.

Remember what Romans 15:4 (KJV) says about the Scriptures: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Satan’s lies can be revealed to us through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.  In John 8:32 (KJV) the Word promises: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

In James 8:36 (KJV) we read: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Praise God – we do not have to be prisoners anymore to Satan’s evil deceptions and discouragement.  It is our choice.  Will we walk out of the jail cell that Jesus has opened or will we subject ourselves to the painful memories of past sins?   We need to remember Philippians 4:8 (KJV): “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

You may have heard it before, but it bears repeating: the next time Satan knocks on your door, let Jesus answer it.  Out loud rebuke Satan with God’s Word just as Jesus did when He was tempted, and Satan and his demons will flee!

James 4:7 (KJV) promises us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

God’s amazing grace is simply that – amazing.  Our finite minds cannot comprehend it. But one glorious day we will, when we stand face-to-face with our Redeemer we will, indeed!

Thank you, Abba (Daddy), for Your amazing grace. Thank You for Your precious Son that You gave so we might be reconciled to You and accept Your gift of eternal life.  Oh, Father, we can’t imagine Your pain as You watched Your only Son spit upon, horribly beaten and nailed to Calvary’s Cross – Your perfect, sinless Son from Whom You were never separated until You had to turn away from Him as He became our sins hanging on that Cross.  How the pain grips our hearts, Lord, when we realize that is was our sins that drove the spikes through Jesus’ hands and feet.  We talk often about Jesus’ crucifixion but do we stop to contemplate what it did to His body, His mind and to You?  How did you endure that day, Lord – how did You endure it?  Please never let us take lightly Jesus’ death – without which we would have no hope.  Because He was crucified and died, was buried but rose the third day, as those who have put our trust in Him, we too, shall rise from the dead one day to live eternally in Heaven.  Glory be to You, Father, and our blessed Savior, in Whose Name we pray.  Amen.

 

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