THE WATERFALL

Down in the gorge of mist and cold

pours out a gushing, strong and bold,

that makes the hemlocks surge up tall—

the power of the waterfall.

The water dances as it sings

and off the trees, its echo rings

to fill the woodland concert hall—

the music of the waterfall.

The flow that washes like a sea

removes the mud and creek debris

and smoothes the jagged, rocky wall—

the cleansing of the waterfall.

The Lord of Heaven gives the might

with mercies pouring day and night

to send my wrongs cascading all—

the beauty of God’s waterfall.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

THE WATERFALL

The little snow we had this past winter has melted, and combined with spring rains, the waterfall is ripping, here in Veery Glade. We had another mild winter but March is that unpredictable month. There could still be a snowstorm!

The Bible tells us that…

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and

the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8

I remember a man I used to work with. He told me he was perfect in his own way and that as he goes through life, imperfect layers are being peeled off. I said to myself, ‘Is that not a ridiculous bunch of gibberish!’ If we think we’re perfect in our own way, is there any need to be saved?

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12

It seems to me that from this verse in Proverbs, one can fool himself, or herself. We read in other Bible verses that people deceive themselves. But we know that Jesus Christ is the authority by which all things are measured. Our Creator’s Word stands forever.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Meaning no one is perfect in their own way. Ever since the disobedience in the Garden of Eden, we are born with a sinful nature which God cannot look at. Sin is falling short of our holy and just God. 

The Bible defines sins. Here are a few:

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) 

vengeance (Romans 12:19)

foul talk (Ephesians 4:29)

love of money (1 Timothy 6:10)

drunkenness (Galatians 5:21)

disbelief (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)

faithlessness, pride, cheating (Proverbs 11)

being rude (1 Corinthians 13:5)

lying (Proverbs 26:28)

Continuing with highlighting people in the Bible who displayed self-control, Moses comes to mind. We remember how he faced Pharaoh repeatedly to let the Israelites be freed from bondage, how they escaped being chased by soldiers when God opened the Red Sea, and then how Moses led the people into the desert, all as God had commanded. When Moses went up Mount Sinai and met with God and then return with the ten commandments and laws for the people, these actions took great self-control.

We can’t rely on our own merit because none of us measure up to Almighty God. The saying 'the seven deadly sins' isn’t true because all sin is deadly, not just seven. If we do not call upon the name of the LORD, we will die in our sin. Period. That’s why salvation is so important.

For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Galatians 3:13

God Himself provides the remedy. Jesus Christ, His Son, died for our sins on the cross. Sins can be washed away and not held against us if we confess the Lord Jesus as our Savior. Synonyms for the word “confess” are: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, disclose, divulge, own and reveal. When we acknowledge our Creator and admit need, we confess in prayer.

Satan doesn’t want anyone to think they need saving. He wants everyone to think they are perfect in their own way because he wants everyone dead. And that’s because he knows in the end, he will be destroyed. Satan hates God and His creation. Sin equals death and none of the devil’s words will stand. He doesn’t even hold the key to Hell. Jesus has the key!

The Living God will take His vengeance in the coming wrath and anyone not covered by the blood of the Lamb will perish, as His trustworthy Word states. I hope you have ears to hear.

A hike to the waterfall sharpens our hearing. The water gushing over the rocky edge reminds us that righteousness is being made right with God. We remember that whoever believes in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life. Forgiveness is free, like the free-flowing waterfall. The Bible declares salvation is found in no other name than that of Jesus Christ. Make salvation top priority!

Pray that churches will grow in faith, wisdom, and numbers.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

Colossians 1:21-23

Be refreshed by the waterfall of forgiveness, able to live in the way God wants you to live with discipline, soberness, and self-control.