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THE POND BY THE WOOD

Copyright 2017

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

There's a pond up behind our house. You get to it either by following a trail through the woods or cutting through the hillside collection of maples and beech. It's uphill both ways. But the climb is rewarding, especially when a dreary, rainy morning changes into a clear, sunny, amazing one. Just at that moment, when the sunlight hits the pond, light reflects to chase away all the gloom of dark clouds.

That's how it is with God's grace to my soul. In my awakening, I realize how merciful God is to me.

But because of his great love for us,

God, who is rich in mercy, 

made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions—

it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5

Grace is God's blessing that I didn't deserve. It's unmerited favor. It's the joy of knowing I'm forgiven from my Heavenly Father who is perfect, holy, kind, good and patient. It's God going the extra mile for me in the giving of His Son.

God made him who had no sin

to be sin for us,

so that in him we might become

the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

and

For if, by the trespass of the one man,

death reigned through that one man,

how much more will those who receive

God's abundant provision of grace

and of the gift of righteousness

reign in life through the one man,

Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:17

I hope you can visit a pond this Good Friday and think about God's amazing grace to us. Keep praying, remembering to give praise and thanks and to raise up petitions. It's to the one who sits upon the throne of grace that we pray.

Let us then approach the throne of grace

with confidence, 

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace

to help us 

in our time of need.

Hebrews 4: 16

God's grace is sufficient. Maintain your prayer life remembering grace and hope.     

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THE WATERFALL

Copyright 2014

THE WATERFALL

In prayer, remember to include asking God for forgiveness of sin. Today's poem is based upon 1 John 1:9 and in the beginning of the verse, we read: "If we confess our sins..." If—that's a big word, isn't it? I'm amazed there are people who think they have no sin. This verse confirms the type of thinking. A co-teacher once told me he was perfect in his own way and as he goes through life, imperfect layers are peeling off. How messed up is that?

If we claim to be without sin,

we deceive ourselves and

the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8

People who go through life thinking they're perfect in their own way are destined for a rude awakening some day because they're only fooling themselves. A lie is in them. When we rely on ourselves and our own philosophy even if it seems right, it leads to death.

 For all have sinned and fall short

of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but in the end it leads to death.

Proverbs 14:12

But, those who rely on God's Word will live forever. Those who confess their sins are forgiven and purified, like it says in 1 John 1:9. Oh, to have your sins be as white as snow! Oh, to have them forever wiped away...ripped up...forgotten...not held against you. Forgiven by God.

Synonyms for the word confess are: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, disclose, divulge, own and reveal. So, what is sin? It's something God can't look at. That's why He sent His Son to die for our sins...to pay the price. The Bible tells us the blood of the Lamb covers our sin. This is proof that we're not born children of God. If we were, God wouldn't have sent His Son (see John 1:12).

In the case of an infant death, all I can say is I trust God's judgement. I hope you do too. He is trust-worthy.

What is sin? The Bible gives definitions. Here is a small list of some:

looking lustfully at someone (Matthew 5:28)
taking God's name in vain (Exodus 20:7)
not honoring the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8)
murder, adultery, stealing (Exodus 20:13-15)
homosexuality (Romans 1:20-32)
sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 6:9)
not honoring your mother or father (Exodus 20:12)
malice, deceit, envy, slander (1 Peter 2)
vengeful (Romans 12:19)
foul talk (Ephesians 4:29)
love of money (1 Timothy 6:10)
drunkenness (Galatians 5:21)
not believing (Hebrews 3:19)
worrying (Matthew 6:25-34)
idolatry, witchcraft, jealousy, discord, fits of rage, selfish ambition, factions (Galatians 5:20)
hatred (Proverbs 10:12)
unfaithful, pride, cheating (Proverbs 11)
being rude (1 Corinthians 13:5)
lying (Proverbs 26:28)

For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Have you heard the saying 'The seven deadly sins'? Well, that's just not true because all sin is deadly, not just 7. All of us are born with a sinful nature...we're born condemned. Salvation is found for the repentant heart. Jesus came to save, not condemn. If we were all born children of God, there would be no reason for God to send a Redeemer.

A waterfall washes away dirt and hurt. God's waterfall— forgiveness— cleans up. Forgiveness purifies. It cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Forgiveness means 'I love you'. It means revenge is not on the agenda. It means following the way of love is better than following the way of hate.

'He is able and just'. No one can forgive sins but He who is able. Jesus is the only one able. He has been given the power to do so. Being God incarnate and willingly going to the cross for us, even for those who'd never believe, dying and then being raised again, Jesus is given ALL power. God's gift to us is His Son, Jesus. If you believe in Him, you'll be saved. There's no other way to be saved.

I hope you can visit a waterfall this spring. We are fortunate to have one in the woods across from our woods. From our house, we hear it pouring off the rocky ravine when there's been a lot of snow melt or heavy rain. When you stand there by your waterfall, remember forgiveness and to be forgiving.

Mirror forgiveness...be a waterfall of forgiveness and hope.