Forgiveness

Every Morning

/ The Pastor / Leave a comment

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The truth of this verse brings me great joy and peace. When I have a bad day, the closing of my eyes in the evening is like the turning of a page. The opening of my eyes in the morning is the new chapter. Though people may remember my sins, God’s mercy is neverending. When I confess my sins, in the name of Jesus, God never fails to forgive me. He never fails to refresh me. He never fails to pick me up. Though I am a sinner and mess up each day, God never turns His back on me. His faithfulness is great and awesome and endures forever.

Father, I praise You for You are a God of second chances. You renew me and sustain me. You show awesome mercy and grace through Jesus. Thank You for Your steadfast love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Feeding

/ The Pastor / Leave a comment

But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” [Matthew 14:16 ESV]

The disciples thought it would be easier to send the people away to find something to eat and, in part, they were right. It would have been easier, for them (the disciples), but what about the people who were hungry? So Jesus says, “…you give them something to eat.” Obviously they themselves were incapable of feeding the people but they knew the one who could. In the same way I could sit here, “sending you away”, telling you to go to church or read your Bible or come to Bible study, and be fed. But if I know the one who can feed you now (and I do), why would I send you on a holy scavenger hunt to find the Bread of Life for yourself? Jesus gave himself to people immediately and so, here it is:

YOU are a sinner, but,

JESUS died for the forgiveness of your sins and rose from the dead to give you New Life.

JESUS is the bread of life that will never run out.

JESUS is Lord and Savior. And,

JESUS will return to bring you home.

Chew on that and enjoy, now 😊

Faithful

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

If you believe you are a sinner (and the truth is, you are) then believe that God is faithful to forgive any and all sin in the name of Jesus:

1 John 1:5-10 ESV
[5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Confessing Like David

/ The Pastor

Sinner, have you confessed your sins recently?
I mean, have you REALLY confessed your sins?
Sure, you may attend a liturgical church where you are given some lines to recite as part of the worship service, but have you confessed your sins, and not just as a passing phrase or petition in your prayers? I am talking about confessing like David…

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
[Psalm 51:1-2]

This is the heart of guilty man throwing himself at the feet of a judge who has the authority to condemn him. This is the heart of a man who knows the steadfast love of this judge. This is the heart of a man who knows he has hurt this judge through his sin. This is the heart of a man who knows he deserves nothing but condemnation. This is the heart of a man who is not rattling off some liturgical phrase or passing line in his daily prayers. This is the heart of a penitent man.

And so I ask you again, O sinner, have you confessed your sins recently? In the name of Jesus Christ – the Son of God, who died on the cross and rose from the grave all FOR YOU – I implore you:

Confess your sins like David, for the abundant mercy and steadfast love of the Father is amazing.

A Prodigal Poem

/ The Pastor

I wrote the following poem for a sermon I wrote and preached on 03/27/22. The text was Luke 15:11-32, The Parable of the Prodigal Son (you probably figured that out from the poem title). I haven’t written a poem for a while but when I wrote the sermon title, “From Pig Slop to Fattened Calf”, the poem began to flow. I share this with you for the glory of God.

From pig slop to fattened calf
Jesus died on my behalf.
Spotless lamb he’s true and right.
Suffered, died, was raised by might.
Sinner I am, prodigal yes
Father God I am, such a mess.
Father God, You run to me.
Restoration by decree.
You’re full of love and mercy too.
Embracing me You make me new.

Okay

/ The Pastor

My God hears me when I pray,
each and every day.
He hears me when I cry,
til the day I die.
He knows my very heart,
and yet He’ll not depart.
He knows my every sin,
the darkness there within.
He’s ready to forgive,
through Jesus I will live.
He’s ready to remake;
my heart He’ll not forsake.
So hear me when I say,
with Jesus you’re okay.

Uncomprehending Grace

/ The Pastor

Jesus my Lord, my Savior, and my friend.
With me always all the way to the end.

He heals me, saves me, and delivers me.
He holds me, loves me, and in him I’m free.

I’m disobedient and obstinate.
He’s always and ever compassionate.

Jesus my Lord, my Savior, and my friend.
Oh God, Your grace I’ll never comprehend.

Confession in the Morn

/ The Pastor

I rise in the morn and raise my prayer,
Seeking earnestly to clear the air.
My sins are great and many are they,
But Jesus died and for them he did pay.
He paid for my sins so lovingly.
He saved my soul so amazingly.
Redeemed am I and thus I will live.
Redeemed am I my life I will give.

My Amazing God

/ The Pastor

Your eye is upon me O God
As You reign on high.
Never distant
Never silent
On You I can always rely.

You hear my cries all day and night
Not turning a deaf ear.
Always listening
Always caring
I love that You are always near.

Your grace receives this sin-filled life
Washing me white as snow.
Always forgiving
Always restoring
Through Jesus You’ll never let me go.

Praise will always be lifted high
Raising my hands to You.
Always worshipping
Always glorifying
For to You all honor is due.