lifeatlifepointealliance

I'm so glad that God is a god of second chances.  In life, as much as we try, we end up giving in to temptation.  It's often not from an intellectual perspective that we do sinful things.  If we were to analyze what we are about to do or if someone else were to come to us and ask us an opinion of the subject we would certainly respond negatively.  And yet for some reason so many continue the life of sin. And it is that forever pattern that marks their life. Never quite being able to get past it.  The New Testament apostle, Paul says that he  does "what he hates to do." Lots of you can relate to that.

Understand however that the voice that whispers in your ear telling you what a rotten horrible person you are, if you are a Christian, is not from God.  The Bible says in Romans 8:1 (NIV) "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," 

Satan wants to convince Christians that they are of no use to him, that they should be put on the shelf until they can get their act together.  It's a lie that millions of Christians believe.  The net effect is they remove themselves from serving God. Life a life of mediocre existence and miss the real joys of being used by God in His kingdom. Those folks come to church, sing the songs, drop a dollar in the offering plate, tolerate the message and then go home. They lack real joy. They lack the Holy Spirits power in their life.

So what do we do?  The first thing is to stop listening to Satan. The Bible says he is a "liar and father of lies." (John 8:44)  The second thing is to simply confess our sin.  1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Did you catch that? "All unrighteousness."  When God forgives he casts our sin, "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12) and that he will remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).  In other words God chooses to forget them.

One of my favorite verses in all of the scriptures is from the Old Testament book of Lamentations, Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  God is the God of second chances.  Every  morning we have a chance for a fresh start with Him.  Today, every day, when you  get up in the morning, thank God for that fresh  start.  Allow Him to use you in His kingdom.  Experience the joy of walking closely with Him.

If you are not a follower of Jesus, most of this will not make sense to you.  I, however, want you to know that God loves you.  God from the beginning of time has provided a way for you. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. " Confess your sin to God, repent (turn from your sin) and confess that Jesus is Lord, believing what comes out of your mouth is  a true reflection of what is in your heart.  Romans 10:13 says "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  Once you've done that. Find yourself a good Bible believing church. Read God's word and pray. God will even show you how to do that!

Pastor Jeff

BTW - I read these blogs over several times, but  be aware that typos can and will occur.  I guess that means I'm only human.

LifePointe Alliance Church is part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance

Join us Sunday  Mornings at 11:00 for worship.

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