09
Oct '19
Walking in the Light
09
Oct '19
It’s October and that means fall festivals, trick or treating and Halloween. The stores are already filled with scary costumes and spooky yard decorations. This one event is all about fear and fright. From haunted houses to corn mazes, it’s all about scaring people. Have you ever noticed the connection between fear and darkness? As a matter of fact, no one wants to go to a haunted house during the daytime. No one ever goes on a haunted hayride during the daylight. People are more likely to be scared in the dark. And isn’t that why you are there in the first place?
Spiritually speaking, people sometimes use darkness as a veil as if to cover up their sins or intentions. They live afraid of being exposed. They fear they will never measure up. This fear can be overwhelming.
So one way to help overcome fear is to walk in the Light. As a matter of fact, we read in John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” Jesus said he is the light of life. Anyone who follows him will never walk in darkness. If you are a follower of Jesus, darkness shouldn’t even be an issue.
I don’t know if you struggle with fear or not but if you do why not spend a time walking with the Lord Jesus today. Spend a few minutes reading the Bible listening to his words. Then talk to him a few minutes in prayer. Be open and honest about your fears and concerns. Jesus loves and understands you, even your failures. He will forgive you if you are honest with him. So don’t run from the light in fear. Run to the Light! If you’re walking with him you’ll never be in the dark and less likely to struggle with fear.
Spiritually speaking, people sometimes use darkness as a veil as if to cover up their sins or intentions. They live afraid of being exposed. They fear they will never measure up. This fear can be overwhelming.
So one way to help overcome fear is to walk in the Light. As a matter of fact, we read in John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” Jesus said he is the light of life. Anyone who follows him will never walk in darkness. If you are a follower of Jesus, darkness shouldn’t even be an issue.
I don’t know if you struggle with fear or not but if you do why not spend a time walking with the Lord Jesus today. Spend a few minutes reading the Bible listening to his words. Then talk to him a few minutes in prayer. Be open and honest about your fears and concerns. Jesus loves and understands you, even your failures. He will forgive you if you are honest with him. So don’t run from the light in fear. Run to the Light! If you’re walking with him you’ll never be in the dark and less likely to struggle with fear.
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09
Oct '19
Forgive and Forget
09
Oct '19
Over the month of September, we talked about disappointment caused by people or circumstances that have let us down. We wrapped up the series by talking about forgiveness. We learned that if we are going to find real lasting hope and healing
of the hurt caused by those who let us down, then we’re going to have to decide to forgive them. Regardless of whether we feel like forgiving them or not, we’re going to have to decide to forgive.
of the hurt caused by those who let us down, then we’re going to have to decide to forgive them. Regardless of whether we feel like forgiving them or not, we’re going to have to decide to forgive.
Well I made a point that because we’ve been forgiven such a great debt by God we are indebted to forgive others. After the service someone asked me about forgiving and forgetting. That’s something we’ve always been told we need to do as Christians: to forgive and forget. So I was thinking…do we forgive and forget? Is it even possible to forget when someone who has wronged us or hurt us? I’m not sure it’s humanly possible to forgive and forget? But what about God? What does he do with our wrongs? What does he do when we disobey him and hurt him?
The Bible says in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” Did he say I will forget your sins? No! He said I will not remember your sins! So what God is saying is that he doesn’t look at our sins when he looks at us. Rather than remember that we have wronged him, he chooses to look at the cross of Jesus where the blood of his only Son washes away our every sin.
The Bible says in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” Did he say I will forget your sins? No! He said I will not remember your sins! So what God is saying is that he doesn’t look at our sins when he looks at us. Rather than remember that we have wronged him, he chooses to look at the cross of Jesus where the blood of his only Son washes away our every sin.
So what about when we can’t forget? What do we do when the hurt and pain from those that we have forgiven resurfaces and we begin to remember it all over again? What should we do? We need to do exactly what God does. Rather than look at the one who is guilty of hurting us, look to the cross of Jesus at the suffering Savior. Think about why he is on that cross. Remember it was because of your sin and my sin that he had to suffer and die. Unlike any of us, Jesus was innocent. Yet he loves us enough to die in our place.
So the next time you’re tempted to remember the hurt caused by someone you’ve already forgiven, picture Jesus on the cross and take some time to think about how much he suffered for you. Then ask him to help you to remember his love and mercy he displays to you each day. Sure, we may not be able to forgive and forget, but we can certainly choose to not remember.
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