by Charity Pence
Sin has been a part of our world from the beginning. Satan enticed Eve to eat forbidden fruit, and she in turn enticed Adam to eat. Genesis 3:6 says, "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate." By reading the entire passage we see what really happened there. Satan fooled Eve. He knew what would happen once she ate of the tree. But did he share that information? Of course not. Instead, he showed her all the great things the fruit had to offer, nothing else. You know something? Satan still operates the same way today. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Sin is deceiving. Sin often looks pleasant; we believe it will make us feel good or bring about something beneficial. The path of destruction runs far, however. The lustful thought that turns into an affair can destroy a marriage. A lie at work or an immoral business decision forces one out of work which may lead to bankruptcy or prison. An addiction destroys the one addicted and those around him/her. There are consequences for our sins. The consequence we should be most concerned with, though, is the separation from God sin brings about if we let it.
Are you ready for the good news? Romans chapter 6 can be difficult to grasp, but it is worth reading. Verse 14, one of my favorites from this chapter, offers the following assurance: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Throughout the chapter, we come to see that by believing Jesus to be our Savior, accepting what He has done for us, and turning our lives over to Him, we are set free from the curse of sin. That is wonderful news! It means sin has no power over us unless we give in to Satan.
In order to deflect Satan's attacks, we must protect ourselves. How? By putting on the armor of God. Gird your waist with truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. (See Ephesians 6:11-20)
Keeping a close relationship with our Heavenly Father offers the best protection. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10. God offers His strength to us so we can resist temptations. But we have to strive to remain close to Him. And when we do mess up, we must repent. God forgives us when we admit our wrongs. "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18.
God loves us, and I hope you understand how much. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believer in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. 1 John 4:10 further states, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His son to be the propitiation of our sins." God's love is nothing short of amazing. After all, He not only knew how sin would entice us but also prepared a way for us to still enjoy eternal fellowship with Him. Hallelujah!
Still looking for instruction? Open your Bible. God's Word is filled with instruction and knowledge. The Bible is not just a book of stories or information. It's a journey. One which will take you directly to your Heavenly Father and away from sin.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us all to get this, to take this message to heart. Show us where we have taken the wrong steps. Convict us and show us Your truth. Cover us with your security so that the devil's attacks bounce away harmlessly. You have sacrificed your son for us. Help us to understand how powerful your love for us. Thank You for never forsaking us. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
The Slow Fade of Sin ~ Part 1
by Charity Pence
I love the song "Slow Fade" performed by Casting Crowns. Each time I listen to this song, I am reminded of how quickly, and sometimes unintentionally, we can slip into sin. Reflect for a moment on the following lyrics:
It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white are turned to gray
And thoughts invade, choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just may be sinking
The path to sin may sometimes be like a fork in the road. There are two clear directions we may go, and we make a conscious choice. However, more often sin is like a road that gradually takes us further and further from our Heavenly Father. We start on the path with what we believe to be a minor sin. But the longer we travel that road, the more comfortable we become with that sin. And then the sin grows into something bigger. Before we realize what happened, we've travelled so far from where we began, we cannot see where we started.
It's like a thought, or a fantasy. We toy with an idea we know is wrong, but we let it play in our minds until we're comfortable. And as the lyrics say, "the journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you're thinking." Thoughts become actions.
It's like a lie, or an omission of the truth. We get used to leaving out certain details until we suddenly find ourselves telling flat out lies. Yet it isn't sudden. It's a process we've allowed to take place.
The slow fade can take place with any sin. A glimpse at an indecent photo can lead to an addiction to pornography. "Playing around" with a particular substance such as alcohol or drugs can lead us to require more and more of the substance to be satisfied. And as our lives begin to crumble, we wonder how we came so far.
Proverbs 5:21-23 offers the following warning: "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."
We need to realize how serious the slow fade of sin can be. However, we are not without hope. We are not lacking in instruction. We are not destined to go astray. Our Heavenly Father who loves us and knows us better than we know ourselves has given us His Word; that is where we find instruction. And in God, we find strength to resist temptation. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you. Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Psalm 26:3, 4.
Dear Heavenly Father, how easily and quickly we allow ourselves to stray when we do not keep our hearts and minds on You. Please forgive us the sins we've allowed ourselves to grow comfortable with. Help us to see what we are doing. Convict us when sin, regardless of how trivial we may think it is, tempts us. Give us strength to prevent ourselves from straying further away from you. We need you, Lord. I need You. Thank You for never forsaking us. Help us to reflect on this message and to understand the consequences we may face if we do not turn away from the path we've chosen. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Part 2 will be posted next week. What to expect:
~How a close relationship of God protects us
~How to guard ourselves from the evil of Sin
~How to use God's word as daily instruction
~The importance of repentance
~God's great, never ending love for us
I love the song "Slow Fade" performed by Casting Crowns. Each time I listen to this song, I am reminded of how quickly, and sometimes unintentionally, we can slip into sin. Reflect for a moment on the following lyrics:
It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white are turned to gray
And thoughts invade, choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just may be sinking
The path to sin may sometimes be like a fork in the road. There are two clear directions we may go, and we make a conscious choice. However, more often sin is like a road that gradually takes us further and further from our Heavenly Father. We start on the path with what we believe to be a minor sin. But the longer we travel that road, the more comfortable we become with that sin. And then the sin grows into something bigger. Before we realize what happened, we've travelled so far from where we began, we cannot see where we started.
It's like a thought, or a fantasy. We toy with an idea we know is wrong, but we let it play in our minds until we're comfortable. And as the lyrics say, "the journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you're thinking." Thoughts become actions.
It's like a lie, or an omission of the truth. We get used to leaving out certain details until we suddenly find ourselves telling flat out lies. Yet it isn't sudden. It's a process we've allowed to take place.
The slow fade can take place with any sin. A glimpse at an indecent photo can lead to an addiction to pornography. "Playing around" with a particular substance such as alcohol or drugs can lead us to require more and more of the substance to be satisfied. And as our lives begin to crumble, we wonder how we came so far.
Proverbs 5:21-23 offers the following warning: "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."
We need to realize how serious the slow fade of sin can be. However, we are not without hope. We are not lacking in instruction. We are not destined to go astray. Our Heavenly Father who loves us and knows us better than we know ourselves has given us His Word; that is where we find instruction. And in God, we find strength to resist temptation. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you. Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Psalm 26:3, 4.
Dear Heavenly Father, how easily and quickly we allow ourselves to stray when we do not keep our hearts and minds on You. Please forgive us the sins we've allowed ourselves to grow comfortable with. Help us to see what we are doing. Convict us when sin, regardless of how trivial we may think it is, tempts us. Give us strength to prevent ourselves from straying further away from you. We need you, Lord. I need You. Thank You for never forsaking us. Help us to reflect on this message and to understand the consequences we may face if we do not turn away from the path we've chosen. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Part 2 will be posted next week. What to expect:
~How a close relationship of God protects us
~How to guard ourselves from the evil of Sin
~How to use God's word as daily instruction
~The importance of repentance
~God's great, never ending love for us
Monday, April 7, 2014
Multitude of Mercies
by Charity Pence
Just a quick word that touched my heart today.
"Nevertheless He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry, and for their sake He remembered His covenant and relented according to the multitude of His mercies." - Psalm 106:44, 45
The 106th chapter of Psalms discusses the great works God had done for His people Israel and the numerous times they rebelled against Him. The few short lines of verses 44 and 45 offers a rich message. Let me break down what this passage says to me.
Nevertheless. - It didn't matter that the Israelites had strayed so many times.
He regarded their affliction. - God knew how many times they had messed up but still cared.
He Relented. - God's love was too great for his anger to continue.
Multitude of His mercies. - God's mercy does not run out.
This passage applies to me and you as much as it did the Israelites. We screw up. Often. Yet God opens His arms to us when we acknowledge our sins and return to Him. How amazing! He has no three strikes and you're out rule. Regardless of how many mistakes we make, His mercy never fails.
Praise His name! Hallelujah!
Just a quick word that touched my heart today.
"Nevertheless He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry, and for their sake He remembered His covenant and relented according to the multitude of His mercies." - Psalm 106:44, 45
The 106th chapter of Psalms discusses the great works God had done for His people Israel and the numerous times they rebelled against Him. The few short lines of verses 44 and 45 offers a rich message. Let me break down what this passage says to me.
Nevertheless. - It didn't matter that the Israelites had strayed so many times.
He regarded their affliction. - God knew how many times they had messed up but still cared.
He Relented. - God's love was too great for his anger to continue.
Multitude of His mercies. - God's mercy does not run out.
This passage applies to me and you as much as it did the Israelites. We screw up. Often. Yet God opens His arms to us when we acknowledge our sins and return to Him. How amazing! He has no three strikes and you're out rule. Regardless of how many mistakes we make, His mercy never fails.
Praise His name! Hallelujah!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Draw Near to Him
by Charity Pence
This Week's Verse: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NKJ)
Some days God seems so near to me that I can feel Him holding me, uplifting me, and, yes, even pushing me when necessary. Other days He feels distant, as if the sound of my voice crying out cannot reach His ears. Do you have days like that? Ever wonder why? In my case, it's never that God is drawing away from me; I am drawing away from Him.
Unfortunately, drawing away is much too easy to do. I get caught up in the things I need to accomplish and don't make the time for God. Perhaps one day I don't read my Bible. The next, I read a quick chapter or two but don't pray. Or maybe I read and pray, but my mind is focused on what's in store for me that day which denies my Heavenly Father the opportunity to enter my heart. Knowing I've neglected the relationship that should matter the most to me is heartbreaking. My God wants so much more for me than what I allow.
The way I treat my relationship with God has a direct effect on how distant He feels. Keeping in contact with my Heavenly Father is a must. After all, I don't ignore my friends, my family, or my spouse with hopes of keeping the relationships intact. Why do that to God?
Next time you feel God's distance, consider how much time you have been spending with Him. Have you neglected Him? Are you not as close as you once were? Examining how you spend your time may make you uncomfortable, but spending time with God should be our priority no matter what else is going on. If you find an area you've grown lax, change it. Do whatever is necessary to draw close to Him again. You won't regret it.
Dear Heavenly Father, I have neglected You in so many ways. I am ashamed of my behavior toward You. Yet I am thankful that You are never too far away to hear my voice. Please forgive me and help me to re-focus so that You are my priority. And Lord, please be with those who have struggled as I have. Help them to return to You, to open their hearts to You, so that You can be their best friend and closest ally. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 58:9 "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer, thou shalt cry, and He shall say, 'Here I am.'" (NKJ)
Isaiah 30:19 "He shall be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."
This Week's Verse: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NKJ)
Some days God seems so near to me that I can feel Him holding me, uplifting me, and, yes, even pushing me when necessary. Other days He feels distant, as if the sound of my voice crying out cannot reach His ears. Do you have days like that? Ever wonder why? In my case, it's never that God is drawing away from me; I am drawing away from Him.
Unfortunately, drawing away is much too easy to do. I get caught up in the things I need to accomplish and don't make the time for God. Perhaps one day I don't read my Bible. The next, I read a quick chapter or two but don't pray. Or maybe I read and pray, but my mind is focused on what's in store for me that day which denies my Heavenly Father the opportunity to enter my heart. Knowing I've neglected the relationship that should matter the most to me is heartbreaking. My God wants so much more for me than what I allow.
The way I treat my relationship with God has a direct effect on how distant He feels. Keeping in contact with my Heavenly Father is a must. After all, I don't ignore my friends, my family, or my spouse with hopes of keeping the relationships intact. Why do that to God?
Next time you feel God's distance, consider how much time you have been spending with Him. Have you neglected Him? Are you not as close as you once were? Examining how you spend your time may make you uncomfortable, but spending time with God should be our priority no matter what else is going on. If you find an area you've grown lax, change it. Do whatever is necessary to draw close to Him again. You won't regret it.
Dear Heavenly Father, I have neglected You in so many ways. I am ashamed of my behavior toward You. Yet I am thankful that You are never too far away to hear my voice. Please forgive me and help me to re-focus so that You are my priority. And Lord, please be with those who have struggled as I have. Help them to return to You, to open their hearts to You, so that You can be their best friend and closest ally. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 58:9 "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer, thou shalt cry, and He shall say, 'Here I am.'" (NKJ)
Isaiah 30:19 "He shall be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."
Monday, December 16, 2013
More Than Words
by Charity Pence
This Week's Verse: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
I love the book of James. There are only five chapters, yet the book of James is filled with several great lessons. One day as I was reading, God placed on my heart a lesson that is so true and so necessary to be shared. It is a lesson I believe we all need to hear.
We call ourselves Christians, right? We find comfort in that. We believe Christ died for our sins, we accept Jesus into our hearts, and we're saved. Hallelujah! And we're done, right? We know who wins in the end, and now we're on the winning team. But are we really part of the team? Last time I checked, being part of a team did not mean standing on the sidelines, watching others do their part while we slack off. Webster's dictionary defines "team" this way: a group of people working together. Working together.
I believe there is a danger in declaring ourselves Christians while doing nothing to back up that claim. Sometimes we are even proud of ourselves for becoming a Christian. But becoming a Christian requires much more than hollow words. James 1:22-27 says, "We deceive ourselves by saying we are Christians if we do not conduct ourselves as such. We have to be doers." (NKJ) The danger I mentioned comes in many forms. You see, if we were part of God's winning team, we would act in such ways that drew others to our Savior Jesus Christ. Instead, we tell the world we're Christians while gossiping, lashing out in anger, using vulgar language, telling crude jokes. We're filling our hearts and minds with movies and/or activities that increase our lust for things God does not desire for us. And all the while, the world is watching. People are watching with diligence, waiting for an opportunity to point their fingers and cry "Foul!"
Sometimes I swear when really angry. I don't do it often, but that doesn't matter. There is one word that pops out of my mouth; it's always the same one. And it's ugly. Some people who know me find it amusing. "Ha ha, she just cussed!" I laugh it off with them, but you know what? Inside I cringe. I am filled with shame. Because I confess to be a Christian, and I worry about the damage I have just done to God's kingdom. Those people who are watching me, waiting, will not see Jesus in my behavior. My actions may even offer proof for their belief that we're all a bunch of hypocrites. And instead of showing others the way to God's team, I may be leading them to their eternal destruction.
Perhaps you think I'm being extreme. We all make mistakes. We don't always get it right. We repent and move on, as we should. There are many verses throughout the Bible which assure us of God's forgiveness. Here are two. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (KJV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
However, sin is never okay. Forgiveness isn't necessary unless someone has been wronged. And in our cases, we are wronging our Heavenly Father. We should be reaching others for Christ, not turning them away from Him. It would be easy to say we're saved because we declare with our mouths that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. But James 2:14 says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" (NKJ)
I have been convicted. I hope you have too. Please do not deceive yourselves by thinking you are safe over there on the sidelines, out of the action. Be more than words. Be doers of the Word.
Dear Heavenly Father, I deceive myself by saying I am a Christian while not striving to live in a way that brings me and others close to you. It is so easy to make this mistake. I acknowledge how wrong I have been. Please forgive me. I thank You for your mercy. Please continue to convict me, Lord, so that I will not be a speaker of hollow words. Help me to be a doer- to follow Your command to Love others and show them the way to Your kingdom. In Jesus' most precious name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Luke 16:15 "And he said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (KJV)
John 5:44 "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" (NKJ)
Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (NKJ)
This Week's Verse: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
I love the book of James. There are only five chapters, yet the book of James is filled with several great lessons. One day as I was reading, God placed on my heart a lesson that is so true and so necessary to be shared. It is a lesson I believe we all need to hear.
We call ourselves Christians, right? We find comfort in that. We believe Christ died for our sins, we accept Jesus into our hearts, and we're saved. Hallelujah! And we're done, right? We know who wins in the end, and now we're on the winning team. But are we really part of the team? Last time I checked, being part of a team did not mean standing on the sidelines, watching others do their part while we slack off. Webster's dictionary defines "team" this way: a group of people working together. Working together.
I believe there is a danger in declaring ourselves Christians while doing nothing to back up that claim. Sometimes we are even proud of ourselves for becoming a Christian. But becoming a Christian requires much more than hollow words. James 1:22-27 says, "We deceive ourselves by saying we are Christians if we do not conduct ourselves as such. We have to be doers." (NKJ) The danger I mentioned comes in many forms. You see, if we were part of God's winning team, we would act in such ways that drew others to our Savior Jesus Christ. Instead, we tell the world we're Christians while gossiping, lashing out in anger, using vulgar language, telling crude jokes. We're filling our hearts and minds with movies and/or activities that increase our lust for things God does not desire for us. And all the while, the world is watching. People are watching with diligence, waiting for an opportunity to point their fingers and cry "Foul!"
Sometimes I swear when really angry. I don't do it often, but that doesn't matter. There is one word that pops out of my mouth; it's always the same one. And it's ugly. Some people who know me find it amusing. "Ha ha, she just cussed!" I laugh it off with them, but you know what? Inside I cringe. I am filled with shame. Because I confess to be a Christian, and I worry about the damage I have just done to God's kingdom. Those people who are watching me, waiting, will not see Jesus in my behavior. My actions may even offer proof for their belief that we're all a bunch of hypocrites. And instead of showing others the way to God's team, I may be leading them to their eternal destruction.
Perhaps you think I'm being extreme. We all make mistakes. We don't always get it right. We repent and move on, as we should. There are many verses throughout the Bible which assure us of God's forgiveness. Here are two. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (KJV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
However, sin is never okay. Forgiveness isn't necessary unless someone has been wronged. And in our cases, we are wronging our Heavenly Father. We should be reaching others for Christ, not turning them away from Him. It would be easy to say we're saved because we declare with our mouths that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. But James 2:14 says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" (NKJ)
I have been convicted. I hope you have too. Please do not deceive yourselves by thinking you are safe over there on the sidelines, out of the action. Be more than words. Be doers of the Word.
Dear Heavenly Father, I deceive myself by saying I am a Christian while not striving to live in a way that brings me and others close to you. It is so easy to make this mistake. I acknowledge how wrong I have been. Please forgive me. I thank You for your mercy. Please continue to convict me, Lord, so that I will not be a speaker of hollow words. Help me to be a doer- to follow Your command to Love others and show them the way to Your kingdom. In Jesus' most precious name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Luke 16:15 "And he said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (KJV)
John 5:44 "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" (NKJ)
Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (NKJ)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)