Ongoing forgiveness needs

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We will continually need forgiveness, first we must repent of our misdeeds. Jesus gave us a prayer to pray and it intimates a continual need: ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us’.

Notice we forgive first. Next we are forgiven by our Father.

Try it today! Amen!

Repentance

“And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence. And he will send you Jesus, the Messiah, the appointed one.” Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭TPT‬‬

These verse were part of Peter’s first sermon after he was baptised in the Holy Spirit. Before being baptised in the Holy Spirit Peter was not able to boldly stand and preach to thousands, however, annointed by the Holy Spirit he was on fire and three thousand people came to believe.

Repentance was something Peter had to experience, he had denied he knew Jesus when Jesus was facing death. Fear was in control. Repentance, therefore was a familiar friend. We see Peter speak out several times in the gospels, but always in the wrong spirit. Here, he was in the Holy Spirit’s control.

We all need the Holy Spirit to guide, correct, empower, teach and comfort. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of repentance. Repentance is heartfelt and not superficial. Peter’s listeners were convicted in their heart of their sins. It is here we find forgiveness. Amen!

Above all

““So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Above all God’s thoughts are more important about everyone and everything.

It is raining again, a really wet set seems to have taken hold. I am supposed to go to Bible study tonight but am cautious in the wet on bikes. I did not go to college today as the last time I tried that it took 11/2 hours and it was the day I hurt my arm. Perhaps will try a taxi.

My friend from Australia has finally secured his 12 month visa. We might celebrate before going out to study. This friend has been a great challenge to me, stretched my grace and compassion and faith.

We all need stretching friends. Amen!

A right spirit

““So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you know what the less important things are? What you eat or drink; what you wear; what you drive; what you live in. Yet, these things can preoccupy us.

Eternity is forever. This life is but a flash in comparison. It is this life that determines our eternity. How we allow God’s Holy Spirit to direct us, chasten us, teach us is important.

Create in me a clean heart, oh God, renew a right spirit within me. Amen!

Free indeed

““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 No matter what time it is, no matter how bad things have become, it is never too late to call out to the Lord for forgiveness and deliverance from the bondage you find yourself in.

John Newton sank so low he became a slave trader, yet, he had someone praying for him, he came to the Lord in such a way that Amazing Grace, the hymn, tells his story. ‘I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see!’

Jesus has touched terrorists, drug dealers, homosexuals, drunks and more. He has called them to Himself and set them free from their bondage.

Each Christian can attest how Jesus set them free from their own personal hell. New life in Jesus is life indeed. The sceipture comes alive, no more darkness, only light. Amen!

Return to the start

““Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Lord is looking for the inward change not a performance. Many believe that because they attend church they are safe, or because they are a particular religion they are safe. However, if we read the scriptures we can see there is more than an outwards show of contrition. Our God is looking for the heart to change and genuinely seek Him.

Last night I had a dream about a person who sold their company, it was a small building amongst many tall buildings. This person had decided to serve the Lord instead of business. Someone asked why they had sold the business and they said something lame and the other person persued the question and asked a deeper question about the Lord, and the person selling said, ‘yes I am selling it all to go and serve the Lord’.

Why do we have difficulty confessing God and His goodness? If we are His and serve Him let the whole world know. His kingdom is more powerful than business and more important. Eternity rests with our God, success in business is an earthly, carnal thing.

If God we serve then God, is everything! Amen!

Take a breath and obey

“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Most of our testing comes in relationships, many close to us. When we have difficulties with each other we are then tempted to go outside the sorting of our problems and indulge in things that make the situations worse. Addictions to alcohol, drugs, food, sex all make for a bigger mess. It is much better to prayerfully address the problem. Always!!!

Our Bible instructs us in problem solving, we must take a breath and,  obey the word of God! Amen!