Find Mercy

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."  

Acts 3:19-21

Justice or Mercy?  This past week I had a conversation with a colleague and while discussing God, they asked, "Do you believe we have a God of justice or of mercy?"  I very quickly responded, "Mercy!"  We finished our conversation, but as the days have passed, I keep coming around to that chat.  WHY did I respond so quickly to mercy?

Justice, judging - those are words that we can completely get a grasp on.  Mercy is like grace or righteousness.  It's one of those words that every now and again, I need to find a dictionary and pull that word apart, seeking why it is so close to my heart and my God.  As I did, I realized that mercy is granted by someone who can punish another for a sin, yet provides forgiveness.  That certainly wraps up the God that I know and love.

The verses above that we have been studying in the past few weeks can be summed up in one word - MERCY.  Our God, who created the earth and all in it;  our God who saved the world from a flood, our God who saved his people from slavery; our God has mercy on ME.  God came to earth through his son Jesus, our Messiah, who was appointed for ME.  As I would seek my sins, acknowledge and admit them, share them with Jesus and turn away from those sins and back to God, Jesus would be waiting for me - at every step.  He is there with an outstretched arm, inviting me to the mercy only He can grant me.

As we move away from these verses and enter a new one next week, may we spend time in the truth that our repentance brings mercy from our God who invites you into His kingdom.  As a son or daughter of God, He loves us so much that He gave us Jesus - a true gift.  There is nothing we have done that earns that gift of salvation.  It is a pure gift from one who loves us more than anyone.  Revel in that glory.  Smile with that joy.  May the peace that comes with mercy fill your heart.  Blessings!!

Dearest God - thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus.  Through this heavenly gift, and all that He did, we are awarded a place with you in paradise.  May our hearts come to you in a repentant state, and may we feel the love you so graciously give to us.  The love that brings true salvation.  In your name we pray.  Amen

Pivot From Sin

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."  

Acts 3:19-21

Pivot your thoughts!  I recently read an article that shared when we are doing something that is taking too much time away from more productive things (like engulfed in social media and such), that we should pivot our thoughts to something more productive.  It has actually become a bit of a game for my husband and me.  If one of us is looking for a bit of attention (yes, that is usually me), I will say "pivot" and he will smile, look up from his phone and we both chuckle.

Pivot defined means "to turn".  During these past weeks, we have looked at repentance from deeply seeking our sins, acknowledging that they truly are OUR sins, and then ensuring that we share them with God.  All of that has to do with the sin itself.  Now it is time to move from the sin to a new direction.  One may see it moving from the darkness to the light or from the wicked to the righteous.  However you view it, it's time to take action - to pivot to God and his ways.  

Many times, as Christians, we focus only on the repent part of sin.  This is important, as Jesus asks us to repent for our sins.  Yet, just because we repent for doing wrong doesn't mean we can continue in that sinful behavior.   No, it isn't always easy to pivot from the bad things I do to behave in only the way God wants me to behave.  There have been times in my life where I have justified my sinful behavior - believing if I asked God for forgiveness "I was good"; I could continue doing wrong because I asked God to forgive me.  God wants more for us than that - he wants us to, "Repent, then and turn to God . . ." 

How do we do this?  How do we make that turn?  Sometimes it is easy - I missed a night of reading my devotion - I need to get back on track.  Other times it may be more difficult - I spoke poorly of someone behind their back.  Gossip is wrong in all facets.  That can be more difficult to change.  Either way, God wants us turning to Him in all that we do.  We need to find something that works for us and strive to change our behavior.  

Setting up small triggers to help us move our behavior can work.  Maybe it is an alarm on my phone to ensure my day doesn't end without prayer.  Maybe it is a Bible verse near me so I don't gossip and only speak kindly.  Whatever the reminder, it is important to realize that Jesus will forgive our sins, but it is important to turn back to Him on all occasions.  Living in God's way is the true freedom from sin that we all strive for.

Pivoting to God leads to the freedom we all desire.  By seeking out our true and deep sins, acknowledging them and not justifying them, sharing them with those who can hold us accountable (here on Earth and in heaven), and pivoting towards God, we will receive the forgiveness that Jesus endured for us - the forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting with Him.  Is it time to pivot??

My Dear Jesus, I know the right things to do, but many times my sinful pride or lack of self-discipline can get in the way.  It can yield to me repenting, but not pivoting.  Help me Jesus.  Help me to turn to your ways - freeing ways - ways that can bring me the peace I deeply search for in my life.  I know when I do this, I walk into your light.  Thank you for never giving up on me Jesus.  Amen!

Sharing Brings Peace

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."  

Acts 3:19-21

"I have something to tell you!"  I remember those words distinctly.  My husband and I were sitting on our back patio on a warm spring afternoon.  I had thought about sharing something with him all morning and the Holy Spirit was nudging me - now, share now.  No, it wasn't something like, "I would really appreciate it if you could close the kitchen cabinet when you get a glass".  It was time to share with him something that was locked away inside of me - something that was locked away long before I met him.

I know that all sins are equal.  I know that one sin, no matter how small, is still a sin in God's eyes.  Yet, for me, I was carrying around a sin that happened long ago.  One that I thought about every day.  One that kept reminding me why I needed God so much.  The guilt, the heavy load, dragged my soul down.  Sin can do that to us - drag us down so low that we wonder if we are worthy of God's love and salvation.  On that spring day, I wondered if I shared that sin, would I still be worthy of my husband's love.  Although the sin was long before "us", would he still love me with this "black mark".   I took the leap, I shared.  He listened.  I cried.  He told me he still loved me.  My soul breathed.  

To seek and acknowledge our sins can be difficult.  To share our sins can be even more difficult.  When we ask God for forgiveness, His forgiveness is immediate.  He doesn't hold that sin over our heads saying, "Wait for it, wait for it - there - I forgive you."  When we ask, He wipes that sin clean.  It is us, in our imperfect human state, that holds onto sin.  We harbor the guilt, the fear, the anguish of our sins.  Jesus took all of that to the cross with Him.  On that spring day, I found peace.  Yes, there was peace when I shared my sin with my husband, but there was greater peace when I realized that God had forgiven me long ago.  Then I talked to God.  Goodness knows I had asked for his forgiveness time and time again.  I knew He no longer looked at that sin as a "black mark" against me.  For the first time, I felt that!  I felt cleansed - I had experienced the refreshing times that can only come from Jesus.

As I reflect on that day, I realized that sharing our sins with our Heavenly Father, and leaving our sin with Him, on the cross, brings everlasting peace in our lives.  As we walk through repentance, may we take the time to not only search and acknowledge all our sin, but let us talk with Jesus.  Let us hold true to the simple faith that our sin, that weighs on our hearts, is no longer there.  As Jesus hung on the cross, so did our sins. Alleluia!

Oh Jesus, how grateful I am that my faith in you provides me forgiveness for all my sins.  As I bring my sin to you, and share with you all my "black marks", I know you are looking upon me and saying - "Your sin is no more".  What peace that sharing brings!  Help me, Jesus, to search my soul, acknowledge those sins, and share them with you.  Only then can I feel the peace that sharing of my sins can bring.  Thank you Jesus."

Repentance is Freeing

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."  

Acts 3:19-21

I can justify just about anything!  That piece of cake?  I had a hard day.  That sharp word out of my mouth?  They deserved it.  The roll of my eyes?  They should be moving faster.  Frustrated through our actions?  They should be more accountable.  Many times, we are quick to justify our actions that are less than acceptable.  Believe it or not, this can also happen through the act of repentance.

Last week we discussed seeking our darkest sins.  Today, it is about actually acknowledging them, getting them out of the darkness, and asking for God's forgiveness.  Yet, how many times during the act of repentance do we try to justify sin?  Instead of taking accountability for sin, we justify it.  When we get to those deep-rooted sins, many times it is easy to justify why we behave in such a manner.  "My childhood was difficult" or "My boss is horrible" or "My family is demanding", etc.  We tend to justify versus accepting our sinful nature.  What this leaves us with is a prideful self.  "It's not all me".

It is all us - it is our own sin.  A great example of this was Judas at the Last Supper.  Jesus gave Judas the opportunity to repent, to take accountability for his sin when Judas turned over Jesus.  Judas responded, "Surely, you don't mean me Rabbi?"  He refused to acknowledge his sin!  He felt he was justified in his actions and when given the chance to repent - right in front of Jesus, he declined.

When we react to our sin in such a manner, we are diminishing the sinners that we are.  Accept it - we are human and we sin!  Our ability to take accountability for sin provides us the chance to be free.  Free from our sinful nature?  Yes!  We become free when we seek and acknowledge our sin to Jesus.  When we do so, we are able to say, "I need your help, Jesus.  I am a sinner, a grave sinner, and I need the salvation that only YOU can bring.  Help me!!"  When we respond to our sin this way, our shoulders are lifted, our step is lighter, and our desire to turn around becomes stronger. 

This is not easy.  It's not easy to say, "Look at me, Jesus.  I am a horrible sinner.  I deserve eternal damnation.  I take full responsibility for my actions and my behavior."  No, it isn't easy - but it is freeing.  Once we are able to share all that with Jesus, we can then take the next steps of repentance, to turn our actions and behaviors towards that of our Savior!  Is it time for you to be free?  Is it time for you to acknowledge and turn around?  During this Lenten season, let's all take some time to seek and acknowledge so we can be free.

Dearest Jesus, our sin is so much a part of us that we can easily justify it.  Yet, we know, deep down, that there is nothing that justifies our sin.  There is only one way out of this, to repent our sin to you, Jesus, and ask for your forgiveness.  You provide us the path to freedom through your journey to Calvary.  May we always remember this as we take the step closer to you.  Forgive my sins, Jesus.  All of them!  In your name I pray, Amen.

Seek to Turn Around

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."  

Acts 3:19-21

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent, a time of repentance.  The word repentance has many stark images for people.  When some hear that word, they think of God standing in heaven shaking his finger at us humans.  Other see a minister preaching "fire and brimstone" from the alter.  I actually have the image of the one I use today, to turn around.

Lent is a time for people to reflect upon our lives, the sinful nature that is in all of us.  It is a time for us to truly search our souls for the areas where the devil lurks the most.  As I begin this reflection season, I immediately see the ones that are most prevalent.  

• I see my inadequacy in ensuring my body reflects God's temple.  The type of food that I put in my body, or my unwillingness to truly dedicate to a exercise plan doesn't reflect this body God gave me.
• I see my shortcomings in controlling a situation - whether it be where we go and what we do (yes, there are two or more people in we - my perception is more I).
• I notice my thoughts are not always positive in nature and can have a negative vibe.

Yes, this is behavior that I need to repent for - to acknowledge and turn.  During this Lenten season, I pray that I dig a bit deeper and seek the areas that are truly not pleasing to God - that the devil has dug his heels into, and that I need to turn around.  Oh there are many for me to choose from, my friends.  Those deep areas are the ones that weigh heavy on my shoulders.  Those sins are the ones that I carry around and have a hard time releasing.  It is more convenient to hide them under the rug.

Not this time!  My friends, it is time for us to:

• Seek:   to spend time diving deep to find those areas we have hid
• Acknowledge:  to admit the truth of our sins. not justify them
• Share:   to discuss them with Jesus and let him know what you have found
• Turn:    to pivot and move in a different direction than the one leading to sin

Let's start by seeking those areas that need washing.  Spend time reflecting upon your ways that are not aligned with God's ways.  Peek under those covers and let Jesus' light shine in.  It is in that darkness that Jesus' greatest light is revealed - the light of hope, grace, mercy and love.  As we begin this month reflecting on repentance, we can keep our eyes focused on our Messiah.  For it is He who came down from heaven.  It is He who taught us how to live.  It is He who suffered for our sins.  It is He who rose for our redemption.  Praise Be To Jesus!!

Dearest Jesus, let us enter the season of Lent seeking those dark areas where we are not aligned with your ways.  Help us to find them, Jesus, so we can then bring them out of the dark and into your light of forgiveness.  In your holy name we pray, Amen!