Once any person has been saved by the blood of Jesus they are no longer separated from God because of their sin. That is to say, not eternally separated. Though sin unconfessed and unrepented in a Christians life can build a barrier in their relationship with God.
You know, both the devil and the Lord make us aware of our sins, however they result in different ends. The devil says, " You sin; you're only human! The sin you committed is exactly your nature. There is no hope trying to change, the sin will last your whole life. (And that's really not so bad!)"
He is a lair.
He comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. He wants to steal the truth from your heart, he wants to kill your hope, and he wants to destroy your every opportunity to seek salvation. But the Holy Spirit gives a different message altogether. He says, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Cor. 9:8)
I take the life of victory.
Not I, but Christ Himself in me.
He conquers now, He sets me free.
He gives, I take, the victory!
When we take that life of victory through Christ we are set free from our slavery to sin. But it seems to me, that we Christians sometimes forget that when we must first confess our sins, then Jesus and only Jesus is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
Our little sins are as deadly as our big ones! Why do we only entrust the big ones to the Lord! Surely if He is capable of saving our souls He can keep us from our little sins! Or are we so foolish that we think think that although Jesus had to begin the work in us we are now able to complete it? When I look at myself I must humble myself dare I see any good in me and become possessive of my "little" sins. Constantly I must seek Him that He may increase His work in me.
Turn your eyes away from yourself and onto the cross today. Only then can we see the truth: that we can do nothing, but Jesus, oh sweet Jesus, He can do everything! "...When I am weak then I am strong"! (2 Cor 12:10)
"Seek the Lord. Keep seeking through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians. Give Him opportunity to multiply what He gave you. He longs to open His resources to you. God is more grieved by powerless Christians than powerful atheists." -Corrie Ten Boom
What joy we can find because Jesus, Wonderful, Victorious, Saviour found us! Hallelujah!
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Because today is national day of prayer, I can't really help myself, I must write a little bit about prayer. I know last year on National Day of Prayer I posted four blog posts on prayer, but this year it will be really short I promise!
I think our biggest battles as Christians, our greatest strength, our best defense comes when we get on our knees. Since I've been a Christian, I've felt passionate about the need for prayer, and more praying. But I don't know how much or how "well" I can pray. God is constantly changing my beliefs and making them more in line with His. I think it is eay to have our own idea of what a "good idea" is, but we need to match it with the Bible.
I want to become more and more like the Man who has stolen my heart. To be like Him I must know Him and what He did. When I think of Jesus and prayer, I think of John 17 and Matthew 6 (vs. 9-13).
First, I'd advise that you read through John 17 today, it always blesses me when I do. Did you know Jesus prayed for you? Check it out. Next is the Lord teaching us to pray. First He tells us "your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Then He gives us the model prayer: "In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. "
He starts with praise and ends with praise. As many needs as you and others have, do you spend more time on you list of "Can I please have this?" and "Will You please do this" than you do just praising God. Important though our petitions may be, spend more time in thanks and praise. Spend more time in prayer proclaiming who He is. Shepherd, Judge, Healer, Holy, King, Counselor, The Beginning and the End! Also, I'd like to mention that I see five requests being made to God in Jesus' prayer, four of them are for spiritual need, only one is for our physical needs. Sometimes we tend to reverse that.
Anyway, I think that's short. *shrugs* Short enough for me anyway. =)
I pray you all have a blessed day, that you rejoice in hope, are patient in tribulation, and continue steadfastly in prayer.
~ Ashlin
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