gospel of christ

DEAR GOD: CLeanse Our Sins-Wash Us Clean~

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Pin on Said very well!Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:16-17 (NLT)

Isaiah 1:16-17 calls for a profound transformation, urging individuals to cleanse themselves not just outwardly but inwardly, to cease doing evil and learn to do good. These verses highlight a pivotal theme in the prophetic literature: the importance of genuine righteousness over mere ritualistic compliance.

The passage begins with a command to “wash yourselves, make yourselves clean” (Isaiah 1:16), which echoes the purification rituals of the time. However, the prophet Isaiah is not merely concerned with physical cleanliness. The call to “remove the evil of your deeds from my sight” suggests a deeper, moral cleansing that is required, one that involves turning away from wickedness and embracing ethical living.

The subsequent verse, “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1:17), expands on this idea. It is not enough to stop doing evil; one must actively pursue good, particularly by seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. This reflects a core principle of the Hebrew prophets: social justice is an essential aspect of religious life.

Isaiah’s message is timeless, reminding us that true spirituality is demonstrated through actions that reflect God’s character, especially His concern for justice and mercy. The prophet’s words challenge us to examine our lives, to move beyond superficial piety, and to embody the divine attributes of justice and righteousness in our daily interactions.

We are not to be “holy” only one day a week at Sunday gatherings, church – but to do so daily and with an obedience to the LORD in all we say and act upon. We are to be reflections of the LORD’s light, as we encounter people along the way in life. We are to establish our roots of Christianity in a profound and dedicated fashion, offering all we do to the LORD!  We are to strengthen our resolve in affirming our faith all the days of our lives, and then to embrace the rewards of Eternity.

” Father, I come before You, humbled and aware of all my shortcomings. Your Word, through the prophet Isaiah, has shone a light on the path of righteousness that You desire for your children to walk. Lord, help me/us to wash away not just the dirt from my/our hands, but the malice from my/our hearts. Teach me/us to cease doing evil and to learn to do good. Instill in me/us a spirit of justice, that I/we may seek it fervently, correct oppression boldly, and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. May I/we bring Your justice to the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause with the strength and compassion You have shown us. Grant me/us the courage to live out my/our faith through actions that honor You and may my/our lives reflect Your love and mercy to the world. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”

L

DEAR GOD: How Do We Help Someone To Forgive?

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Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin ...Forgiveness is not easy, especially when someone has hurt us deeply. We may feel angry, betrayed, or resentful, and we may want to retaliate or seek justice. But the Bible teaches us a different way of responding to those who hurt us. It teaches us to forgive, as God has forgiven us.

Forgiveness is not a feeling, but a decision. It is not condoning or forgetting what happened but releasing the offender from our debt. It is not denying or minimizing our pain but choosing to heal and move on. Forgiveness is not a one-time act, but a process that may take time and effort. It is not a sign of weakness, but a mark of strength and maturity.

Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves and to others. It frees us from bitterness, anger, and resentment, and restores our peace and joy. It opens the door for reconciliation, restoration, and renewal. It reflects the character and love of God, who forgave us while we were still sinners. It honors the sacrifice of Jesus, who died on the cross to pay for our sins. It follows the example of Jesus, who prayed for his enemies and forgave those who crucified him.

The Bible is full of verses that encourage us to forgive those who hurt us. Here are some of them:

– “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

– “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

– “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

– “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

– “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

– “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

– “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
(1 Peter 3:9)

Forgiving those who hurt us is not easy, but it is possible with God’s help. He gives us the grace, the strength, and the motivation to forgive. He heals our wounds and restores our relationships. He blesses us when we obey his command and follow his example. He makes us more like him, as we forgive as he forgave us. So, for those of you who need to hear/read this today, because you may be going through a similar circumstance, or know someone going through this, please let go, choose to forgive, and move on in Christ’ Light and Grace.

“Father, should I encounter a wrongdoing, may I be of Jesus’ Spirit in terms of forgiving and praying for the individual, may I be tolerant and humble in moving forward, and may I be a witness to Your commandments and Your doctrine in all I do and say, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Here I am For You Not The World~

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Alleluia to the Lamb by Kim Coleman - YouTube

 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV 

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

 

Go out and separate from them, “says the LORD.” Did you ever take the time to realize what that means? Today in this vastly unstable and impure world, it can apply to almost all we encounter on a daily basis. God is telling us to be an example and set forth on the right path and establish ourselves as followers in all we do and say. Although we are in the world, we are not “of the world” and all it enforces in terms of immorality and salaciousness.

We are to be different and that is not to say, “high and mighty” because NO ONE is. There is only One pure and Mighty One, and that is the LORD.  What we need to do is be on guard, don’t take interest in superficial things or things of ill gotten measures in entertainment or otherwise, but in things of godly nature.

We are not to “repel” and think we are better than others, again we are not. We are to present our light to those we encounter and to represent Christ in all we do, say, think, and feel.

Eventually things that are not godly or pure will be like “poison to your soul” and you will shrink away from it. Things that are foul and unsightly and vulgar, will be like an electric shock to your soul. As we get deeper into a relationship with the LORD and we connect our spirit with His Spirit more intimately, we become less enamored of the world, but more enamored of Him and His ways. It’s a natural transformation.

Today, as you go out and do what you need to do…shine your light, stand up and be a faithful follower and be an example to others of what a Christian is all about.

“Father, may I do all according to Your will today, may I be a humble servant and example of Your light, and may I never stray from Your Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”