Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 23
Monday


MY HEART
CONDEMNS ME

READ:
1 Timothy 1:12-17
______________________________

If our heart condemns
us, God is greater than
our heart, and knows
all things.
__1 John 3:20
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Do you sometimes feel guilty and unworthy because of something you did years ago? You have confessed it and asked God to forgive you, but the memory of it still haunts you.

I empathize with you. Feelings of guilt still sweep over me when I recall how I failed an elderly, childless woman while I was training for the ministry. She was a regular customer in a store where I worked part-time. After a whle, I became a friend and spiritual counselor to her and her husband. I even conducted his funeral.

When I moved to a nearby town to become a student pastor, I lost touch with her. I intended to contact her but kept procrastinating. One day I saw her obituary notice. I was overwhelmed with grief and confessed my sin to God.

More than 30 years after Paul's conversion, he referred to the time when he had been "a blasphemer, a presecutor, and an insolent man" (1 Tim. 1:13). He even called himself the "chief" of sinners (v.15). Yet he repeatedly exulted in the certainty that he was a forgiven sinner.

God, who is greater than our heart and knows us thoroughly (1 John 3:20), has forgiven us for the sins we've confessed (1:9). We can believe Him! __Herb Vander Lugt
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~~~~~~~~~~~~Come now to the fountain of cleansing.~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Plunge deep in its lifegiving flow.~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~His mercy and grace are sufficient,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~His pardon He longs to bestow. __Robinson~~~~~~~~~
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Confession to God always brings His cleansing.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Timothy 1:12-17**********

12 And I thank Christ Jesus
our Lord who has enabled
me, because He counted me
faithful, putting me into the
ministry, 13 although I was
formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent
man; but I obtained mercy
because I did it ignorantly
in unbelief. 14 And the
grace of our Lord was
exceedingly abundant, with
faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful
saying and worthy of all
acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom
I am chief. 16 However,
for this reason I obtained
mercy, that in me first
Jesus Christ might show
all longsuffering, as a
pattern to those who are
going to believe on Him for
everlasting life. 17 Now to
the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, to God who alone
is wise, be honor and glory
forever and ever. Amen.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In his ignorant and misguided zeal, Paul (Saul) ruthlessly persecuted
the infant church and tried to destroy it (Acts 9:1,21; 22:1-21; 26:9-
18) testifies to the wonder of God's merciful grace and saving power,
transforming him from the most-feared persecutor and enemy to the
fiery proclaimer and defender of the Christian faith. Paul makes it
clear in today's Bible reading that if Jesus could save and use him,
the worst of sinners, then He can save and use anyone. __SKT