Don't be a slave any longer!
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:39 amDon't be a slave any longer!
Job 11:13-17
13"If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 If iniquity [were] in your hand, [and you] put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
15 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;
16 Because you would forget [your] misery, And remember [it] as waters [that have] passed away,
17 And [your] life would be brighter than noonday. [Though] you were dark, you would be like the morning.
NKJV
Its amazing how much sin can corrupt our lives! Sin may seem so pleasurable in the moment, but it will always, always, always lead to pain. Sometimes not just in our own lives, but in the lives of the people around us. I remember when I was in kindergarten, the teacher was giving out prizes for good grades. I had gotten a poor one, but she didn't remember my grade, and I quickly lied telling her what a great score I had received. She smiled, and obligingly offered me the box of prizes. I took out a little plastic ring, and I thought it was the greatest thing that was ever invented since.... well chocolate. I played with the other children who were all showing off their prizes too, but as I went home with it, I began feeling guilty. My dad questioned me about my prize, and he coaxed the truth out of me that I had lied and stolen it from my teacher. Needless to say, he told me in the morning that I would have to tell the teacher the truth, and give back the ring. I dreaded it, I spent all night anxiously worrying about what I had done, what the teacher would do when she found out I had lied and stolen from her, and I began to hate that stupid ring that was now the source of all my anxiety. I deeply regretted what I did, the little plastic ring that I wanted so badly was just not worth all the pain it had brought me. In the morning I my stomach was so full of butterflies I thought I was gonna be sick, but my dad marched me over to the teacher anyway, and I couldn't even look at her face when I told her what I had done. Then the teacher took me by surprise! Instead of scolding or punishing me, she gently took the ring back, thanked me for telling the truth, and then she rubbed my back while she told me all I had to do next time was get a good a grade. I didn't know it then, but she was showing me the same love and forgiveness that Jesus showed the adulteress in John 8:1-11. When all her accusers had left, He didn't condemn her, He simply said “Go and sin no more.”
After I gave back what I had stolen, told her the truth, and she forgave me, I was overwhelmed with relief and joy! I felt as if I had been set free.
John 8:31-34
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
33 They answered Him,"We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
NKJV
If a sin is holding you captive, run away from it and into God's arms instead! Turing away from sin can be painful, but when you right a wrong it can be the most liberating thing you ever experience. Don't let sin hold you captive any longer!
*God please give me the strength to put my iniquities away from me so that I can be free in You once more.*
Thought of the day:
What is holding you captive?
Job 11:13-17
13"If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 If iniquity [were] in your hand, [and you] put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
15 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;
16 Because you would forget [your] misery, And remember [it] as waters [that have] passed away,
17 And [your] life would be brighter than noonday. [Though] you were dark, you would be like the morning.
NKJV
Its amazing how much sin can corrupt our lives! Sin may seem so pleasurable in the moment, but it will always, always, always lead to pain. Sometimes not just in our own lives, but in the lives of the people around us. I remember when I was in kindergarten, the teacher was giving out prizes for good grades. I had gotten a poor one, but she didn't remember my grade, and I quickly lied telling her what a great score I had received. She smiled, and obligingly offered me the box of prizes. I took out a little plastic ring, and I thought it was the greatest thing that was ever invented since.... well chocolate. I played with the other children who were all showing off their prizes too, but as I went home with it, I began feeling guilty. My dad questioned me about my prize, and he coaxed the truth out of me that I had lied and stolen it from my teacher. Needless to say, he told me in the morning that I would have to tell the teacher the truth, and give back the ring. I dreaded it, I spent all night anxiously worrying about what I had done, what the teacher would do when she found out I had lied and stolen from her, and I began to hate that stupid ring that was now the source of all my anxiety. I deeply regretted what I did, the little plastic ring that I wanted so badly was just not worth all the pain it had brought me. In the morning I my stomach was so full of butterflies I thought I was gonna be sick, but my dad marched me over to the teacher anyway, and I couldn't even look at her face when I told her what I had done. Then the teacher took me by surprise! Instead of scolding or punishing me, she gently took the ring back, thanked me for telling the truth, and then she rubbed my back while she told me all I had to do next time was get a good a grade. I didn't know it then, but she was showing me the same love and forgiveness that Jesus showed the adulteress in John 8:1-11. When all her accusers had left, He didn't condemn her, He simply said “Go and sin no more.”
After I gave back what I had stolen, told her the truth, and she forgave me, I was overwhelmed with relief and joy! I felt as if I had been set free.
John 8:31-34
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
33 They answered Him,"We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
NKJV
If a sin is holding you captive, run away from it and into God's arms instead! Turing away from sin can be painful, but when you right a wrong it can be the most liberating thing you ever experience. Don't let sin hold you captive any longer!
*God please give me the strength to put my iniquities away from me so that I can be free in You once more.*
Thought of the day:
What is holding you captive?
Beautiful!
Lani