Soap and Water for a Guilty Conscience?

           Remember the words to this familiar song? "What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." 

           Years ago after I rededicated my life to the Lord, my sister looked at me one day and asked, "Why did it take you so long?" I thought for a moment and then replied, "Can you imagine how great the distance is between where we are and a far away continent? You know, it's so far, you can't see beyond the horizon?"

         I didn't quite know how to put it into words, but I was trying to explain to her that I felt my life was so messed up that there had to have been a great gulf between God and me, and He didn't want anything to do with me in my condition. That is honestly how I felt, because I had listened to the wrong voices for so long.

         Oh, but one day I found out I did not have to live my life apart from God, and it only took a decision to make things right,  even in my condition. I was in church that Sunday morning (sinners go church because it's a hospital for the spiritually sick), and I wanted so desperately to respond to the pastor's invitation to get my life right, but I was scared. 

        Long story short, I found out I still had a will! Satan had no power over me, so I took one foot and moved it into the aisle. At that moment something broke over me, and my life was changed forever! I found out I really could have a new life in Christ.

        So, if you are looking for wholeness or restoration today, there is hope. It's not too late! One thing is for sure, though. You can't wash away a guilty conscience with soap and water or with good deeds. If you are  looking for wholeness and cleansing from sin, only the blood of Jesus can make you whole.

       And although church is a good place to be, you don't have to be in a church building to get your life right with God. You just have to mean it in your heart and reach out to Him. He will meet you where you are and help you.

       Only Jesus Christ can do the job. I invite you today to accept Him as Lord over your life or recommit your life to Him if you have fallen away. You'll be so glad you did!

Scripture Links:

II Corinthians 5:17;  John 1:12; Ephesians 2:13; I John 1:7; I John 1:5

To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):

Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

"Where the Mind Goes the Man Will Follow"

         Have you ever wondered why you and a certain person always seem to bump heads? That person could be a spouse or a child, a co-worker or a friend. No matter how hard you try, he always seems to 'hit a nerve' in you (or you in him) each time you communicate. 

       What are your thoughts about this person? Most of the time we can't control negative actions toward people because we have not controlled our thoughts. A well-known minister said, "Where the mind goes the man will follow." Your dominant thoughts about people will always take you in the direction of the thought. So, if you're thinking anger, resentment, disappointment or disgust about someone, then guess what's going to come out of your mouth when you are around him? Nothing good!
       Satan is crafty. He knows our strengths, but he also knows our weaknesses. If he sees us struggling in a particular area, he will subtly and little by little use the power of suggestion through us, or the other person, to create division. We've got to know who our enemy is. It is not people. We are in a war with satan and the rulers of darkness. The good news, though, is that we are on the winning side.
       There is something good about everybody. When we seek to find the good in others and keep it in the forefront of our minds, our communication can be positive and uplifting to others. It is then that we will begin to be conformed to image of our Creator, and people will automatically be drawn to the Jesus in us. It will produce life and peace in our relationships.
       Choose today to think on things that are true, honest, just, lovely and of good report. Then you won't have to relinquish your 'last nerve' to anyone!

Scripture Links:

II Corinthians 10:4-5;  Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8;
To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

100-Year-Old Still Tells of His Goodness

         Yesterday I visited my 100-year-old grandmother---her name is Polly. I don't like too much time to pass without seeing her, and I hadn't seen her since the Christmas holidays.

Pauline and Ambrose Lucas, my grandparents.
(They were married for 68 years.)

        My aunt, a beautiful Christian woman, is a wonderful caregiver to grandma. She has created such a godly and peaceful atmosphere in their home. Grandma outlasted her original house so it had to be torn down about seven years ago. In its place a new 3,000-square-foot home was built. God blessed her with the largest house in the community---it was the talk of the town!
        Although grandma has experienced some dementia, she is alert, cheerful and the peace of God is all over her. I remember when her husband of 66 years, Ambrose, passed away four years ago. She was understandably grief stricken, so we all stuck close to her and offered her the encouragement and support she needed to get through that time.  After we had returned home from Ambrose's homegoing service, I began reading scripture to her. I noticed she quoted every single verse along with me, word for word. The Word inside her infused her with strength.

My precious mother, (1929-2010) and my grandma
(best friends). on the porch of grandma's new home. 

       These days grandma says very little. Most of the time she just sits and listens to gospel music and meditates on God's goodness (and sleeps). Yesterday, though, even though she was her usual quiet self, when she sat down for lunch and began to bless her food,  I saw a boldness come over her. I watched and listened intently as she spoke to her God clearly and confidently, as one who knows another intimately. Her usual raspy voice was clear.
      I know my grandma has a true personal relationship with Him. When she does talk, she talks of Him, thanking Him for waking her up and for His goodness. The words of the Lord are in her heart and on her lips. She has taught them to her children and to her childrens' children.
       Common to other centenarians, she eats well (thanks to my aunt), she exercised well into her 90's (She retired her bowling ball and won her last Senior Games medal just a few years ago.), and she never smoked. For Polly, though, I believe her love for God and her love for people supersede all. (Pauline Lucas Story)
       Sing psalms of thanksgiving to Him today. Talk of His wondrous works.  Love God. Love people.  Share His love with someone today.

Scripture Links:
Psalm 105:2; Deuteronomy 6:6-7

To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

God Loves You So Much

   I would just like to share with you the love of God this week. Psalm 139:1-18 says it very well and illustrates just how intimately our Creator knows us and cares for us. Share this with someone you know needs to hear this today.....

    "O Lord, you have examined me, and you know me. You alone know when I sit down and when I get up.

You read my thoughts from far away. You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways.

   Even before there is a single word on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me. Such knowledge is beyond my grasp. It is so high I cannot reach it.Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run to get away from you? If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there. If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me. If I say, “Let the darkness hide me and let the light around me turn into night,” Even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother.

   I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop. Your eyes saw me when I was only a fetus. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place.

   How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God. How vast in number they are! If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you."

Scripture Reference: Psalm 139:1-18 (God's Word translation)

To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.