Perpetual cleansing

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

During the day, the devil may whisper in your head, “You cannot go into God’s presence because you have not been reading your Bible and serving in church.” Or he will tell you that it is because of the sin which you have just committed.

The devil will always make you feel that you are not qualified or clean enough to go near God. But the truth is, regardless of how you feel and what you have done, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

The word “cleanses” here means a present continuous action. It means that once you are a believer, the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing you from every sin!

So you can rest knowing that you are always forgiven in this continuous “wash cycle” of Jesus’ blood. Because you are continually cleansed, you are always in the light. Of course, you will fail here and there, but you are still in the light because the blood is continuously washing you!

The Bible says that we overcome the devil, the accuser of our brethren, by the blood of the Lamb. 

If you have sinned, remind yourself that Jesus’ blood keeps on cleansing you from every sin - 24 hours a day, seven days a week - and move on with God! The devil cannot defeat you when your faith is in the blood that cleanses you continuously.

Don't be guilt-ridden and allow the consciousness of your sins condemn you. Although Jesus’ blood continuously cleanses them, some Christians would rather hold on to their past mistakes and feel bad about them, thinking that they are being humble and holy when they do this. But this is nothing more than self-righteousness.

The eternal blood of Jesus Christ offers you eternal redemption and everlasting righteousness. Accept the payment of His blood as the final, perfect and only sacrifice you will ever need!

Ready for the rain

"And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places, and give strength to your bones; Isaiah" 58:11a

In times of drought the government will impose a hose pipe ban to conserve water supplies.  During that period gardeners watch their lawns turn an unappealing brown and despair that they will never be restored to their former glory.  Yet as soon as the rain returns within a matter of days new grass is sprouting through and soon it’s hard to tell that there was nothing but brown earth there a few weeks previous.

I wonder if you are in the middle of a really dry period in your life right now? You feel frustrated and unfulfilled, your heart has been broken or you are grieving over a loss.  You have not been abandoned or thrown on the scrapheap – God is still guiding you, providing for you, watching over your every move.  

Let Him satisfy your inner being in the middle of this drought so that you can see the rain when it comes and be ready for it – ready to see new life, new hope and joy.

Wonderful things

“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV

The other day I was listening to a song that sang, "May we never lose our wonder." It reminded me that our God is wonderful! Our God brings wonder. Wonder, is exactly as it sounds... Something we can't understand but we are in awe of.

When I look at God and how He loves us, I don’t really understand it. I wonder how He could love me that much…and it makes me think surely there is something else that I have to do? It just doesn’t fit with the way we look at so many things. But God’s ways are not the same as our ways - they are so wonderfully different!

Sometimes in life there are no words for a situation, we lack understanding. During these times it is crucial that we are committed to turning to God. He loves us beyond measure, He is with us and just like the psalmist in this verse, our response should be to raise Him up above all things.

His faithfulness is perfect.

Wherever you are today, God has planned for this moment…a long time ago. He is in control; He is the alpha and the omega. Be at ease, He has done wonderful things!

 

The joy of sacrifice

"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.” Psalm 27:6 ESV

The bible mentions joy 218 times, but this one stands apart! 

Here King David is saying that he will offer "sacrifices with shouts of joy". I don't just find this fascinating, but unbelievably liberating. We often think of joy as an emotion that is based on results. By this I mean that we wait for it to happen as a result of something else, and quite often, that something else is a exterior thing. It may be a promotion, a good report, a specific day of the year. 

The truth is that joy is not a results-based emotion; joy is a knowledge-led emotion. Joy comes from the knowledge of who you are in Christ, who you are created to be and the favour that is on your life. 

Joy is a person, already placed deep in us, called Jesus! It's a tool you can use against any situation, and it can be tough, that's why David can shout with joy during sacrifice. In those times where you feel like you could curl up in a ball and cry, or when you are so angry and about to make a bad choice - make a sacrifice of joy. 

Choose to remember you incredible identity in Christ and the favour and love he has for you!

All we need in Him

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matt 6:33

As Christmas approaches I begin to dread my kids watching adverts on TV! All you hear is “I love it! It want it for Christmas!” and so the list goes on and each day the latest thing is more exciting than the last! The lists that I ask them to make are in their heads in the hope that they will have forgotten half of the things they asked for by the weekend!

God knows all about our wants and needs. He knows us intimately. When I used to read the verse above I thought it meant that I should just concentrate on serving God and not be distracted by earthly things because God has it all in hand. In a sense that is what the Lord is saying and yet there is so much more to it. When we seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness we are reminding ourselves of His righteousness that he laid down his life to give to us. 

As we seek our life in Him and everything his Kingdom bestows upon us our eyes and heads are lifted up to see our rightful place in this world. As sons and daughters of the King of kings. We no longer have to hope for the best or think well God if I serve you, you will take care of me. This love and grace that is lavished upon is not conditional on our works or acts service. It is because we have been set free that we can freely serve with a heart of full assurance. 

Everything we need in this life and all our dreams and desires are fulfilled in him because He reigns over all and we belong to him.

What do your priorities look like this week?

"Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. God’s kingdom belongs to such as these." Mark 10: 14

How many of you like to share? If you grew up with brothers and sisters you will understand that the ability to share is not something you are born with, it’s something you grow into.

Sharing our resources, our time even our dreams is not easy. This verse today shows us that everyone matters to God, and it is often the people we might overlook that get the greatest attention in God’s economy. God’s love is for everyone. The disciples didn’t want to share Jesus with the children. They thought he had better things to do and more important people to be with. But that’s not the way God’s kingdom works. Being part of God’s kingdom and knowing Jesus is for everyone. There is no one on the outside. Nobody is excluded.

What do your priorities look like this week? Who do you give your time and attention to? Do you consider serving the children in church beyond your stage of life or just not convenient at the minute? Do you make excuses about why it’s not possible to visit your elderly aunt. Often the places we least expect it are where we find the greatest blessing and fulfilment in life. Listen to the leading on the Holy Spirit. We can’t do everything but if we are prepared to allow our schedules to be interrupted by his nudging we might find ourselves spending our time and attention in areas we never expected and meeting Jesus in a fresh and exciting way