How can God forget?

God is perfect.  God is infinite.  God is all knowing.  How can God forget?

"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."  (Hebrews 10:17)

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”  (Isaiah 43:25)

How can God forget?  Actually the Bible says that He will remember our sins no more.  That is an act of His will.  He chooses not to remember.

When we confess our sins, we are forgiven by God.  It is as if they never happened.  He promises that He will throw them as far as the east is from the west and never again remember them.  (Psalm 103:12)

God is eternal.  He is not limited by time or space.  God already knows the beginning and the end.  He know my entire life – past, present, and future.  When I accepted Christ as my Savior, the blood of Christ was applied to my life and it covered all my sin – past, present, and future.  It became like they never happened. 

God can remove them from his memory – after all nothing is too difficult for God.  He purposefully chooses not to remember my sin.

I can be assured that my slate is wiped clean.  He will never go back and bring up something that I asked forgiveness for.  He won’t throw them back in my face.  He won’t hold them over my head.  They are forgiven and He treats me like they never happened.

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”  (Psalm 32:1)

Do you have any thoughts on this subject?

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Who is worse – Tiger or Ben

I overheard a conversation where they were trying to decide who was worse – Ben or Tiger.  Tiger had multiple affairs as a married man.  Yes – he cheated on his wife but he didn’t force people to have sex with him.  Ben, while not married, forced young ladies to have sex with him.  How do you judge which is worse?

Neither is worse.  Both are sins in the eyes of God. Sin carries the same consequence.  Sin separates us from God.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…”  Every sin will lead us to hell if we don't have the grace and forgiveness of Jesus.

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:10

Every sin can also be forgiven.  1 John 1:7 tells us “The blood of Jesus purifies us from every sin.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)

So the only conclusion I can draw is that both Ben and Tiger need to commit their lives to Christ.  Only then can they receive forgiveness of their sin and move on with their lives.

Ben Roethlisberger

I have been a Steeler fan my entire life.  I have always appreciated the fact that they are a “classy” organization.  They don’t put up with guys who don’t behave themselves.

For that reason, it is time for them to say good-bye to their all star quarterback.  Ben has disgraced the city, the game, the fans, the NFL, and himself.

The fact that he is not being charged in a crime is irrelevant to me.  There seems to be plenty of evidence that he is guilty of sexual assault and rape.  This seems to be true not just in Milledgeville, GA but other places, as well.

This is not the place to recount all that he has done and who said what.  I can say that the Bible says that we are to avoid even the appearance of evil.  A multi-millionaire super star needs to be very careful with everything he does.  He cannot believe that it won’t come out.  He is always in the spot light.

We should all live like we are in the spot light.  After all God sees all that we do.  There’s nothing we can hide from him.

Live above reproach.  Live in a way that represents the Savior well.  Live like you know God is watching your every step.  Be an example to the world around you.  You are to be salt and light to a crooked an evil generation.

For all these reasons, please Mr. Rooney, trade Ben.  Select someone worthy of the admiration of our children.  We need men with strong character to cheer for.  We need to be proud of the lifestyles of our players.  We should be proud for our kids to wear their jerseys and look up to them.  Dump Ben and get us a real man.

 

“Avoid every kind of evil.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:22 )

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)

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The amazing blood

I usually have some idea of what my post is going to develop into when I start.  Tonight I’m not sure.  We had a discussion in our Sunday School class about the blood of Christ and that got me thinking about the topic quite a bit.

Blood = life

We can’t live without blood.  physically or spiritually

The blood cleanses, nourishes, and allows for growth.  (both physically and spiritually)

Blood is what makes the Scriptures come alive.  “For the word of God is living and active.”  (Hebrews 4:12)

It was the blood of the sacrifice that made the atonement in the Old Testament.

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.”  (Leviticus 17:11)

The animals which they killed as offerings for sin had to be spotless - without blemish (Ex. 12:5; Lev. 1:3,10 ). These pointed forward to Christ, "a lamb without blemish" (1 Peter 1:19).

The blood of those animals therefore represented that of Christ. They were accepted as sacrifices for sin insofar as they pointed forward to Christ's perfect sacrifice, which God knew he would make.

Adam sinned and that tainted his blood.  He was now going to die.  He passed that tainted blood on to his offspring.  It has been passed on to all people through all generations.

“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.”  (Romans 5:18)

The virgin birth was a necessity because otherwise sin would have been passed on to Jesus.  He had to have pure blood, be free from sin, in order to sacrifice his life for us.  Without the virgin birth, there is no forgiveness of sin.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”  (Hebrews 4:15)

The thing that continually amazes me is how God had it all planned from the beginning of time.  He created Adam knowing he would have to send Jesus to save us.  He knew from the beginning of time that Jesus would have to shed His blood and it was that blood that would save us and provide eternal life.  The fact that God loves me that much that he would allow me to be created knowing what it would cost.  How do you comprehend that love?

 

“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”  (Romans 5:9)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”  (Ephesians 1:7)

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”  (Ephesians 2:13)

“and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”  (Colossians 1:20)

“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, purifies us from all sin.”  (1 John 1:7)

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus”  (Hebrews 10:19)

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No one ever spoke this way

"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared  (John 7:46)

What were the wild things that Jesus said that caused the temple guard not to bring him in?

Perhaps these were some of the sayings …..

“All power is given to me in heaven and in earth."  (Matthew 28:18)

"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  (John 3:7)

“unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  (Luke 13:3)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself."  (Luke 10:27)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44)

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Matthew 16:15)

“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  (John 14:2)

No one else spoke like this.  No one else could.  What do you think about what Jesus said?  Do you believe them?  Do they effect your life? What will you do with what Jesus said? 

Ideas came from a sermon by Mark Davis – Yellow River Baptist Church

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It’s a done deal

Forgiveness is a real need for a lot of people today.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:28-30)

The kind of people that Jesus was talking about were those who felt burdened by the effort that they believe it takes to attain salvation.  Jesus offers rest in place of feeling “weary and burdened.”  We find that rest by coming to Him, which means believing in Him. 

That’s all we need to do – believe.  Everything else has already been completed.  That’s the reason Jesus could say that His yoke is “easy” and His burden is “light”.  It’s because He has accomplished the work of salvation for us.  It’s a done deal.  He took the burden of sin upon himself.  The blood of Jesus covers all our sin.  There’s nothing we can possibly add to that.  Salvation is a gift from God, it does not come by anything we can do.

We follow a God that is gentle and humble in heart.  He wants everyone to come to believe in him.  He is slow to anger and is not willing that any should perish.

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9)

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Who’s in Control

I am an organized take-charge kind of person.  I am a wife and a mother. I keep our household running, keep the bills paid, make sure everyone has something to eat and wear, and I keep up with everyone’s schedule.

I am a school administrator.  I run my department, manage projects, manage a budget, and take care of all kinds of issues.  I am an intelligent and hard working woman. 

I am organized.  I am scheduled.  I like to keep lists of things to do to stay on track.  I am in in charge. I am in control.

This week I have been thinking about how stupid that assumption is.  I am only in control as God permits me to be.  God is ultimately in control of everything.  It is really arrogant of me to think that I am in control.  I have no right to take on that responsibility.  I have no reason to worry about some of the fundamental things of my life. 

“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:31-35

This doesn’t give me a license to live irresponsibly.  I still need to “take care of business”.  However, it does remove the stress when I think about God being there all the time to see me through.  I can make decisions with the confident assurance that if things don’t work out the way I planned, that God has a better plan in place.

I need to go back to the 2 greatest commandments.  Am I loving God with all my mind, heart, and soul?  Am I loving my neighbor as myself?  Am I placing a priority on relationships?  Am I ascribing to God the power that is His alone?  Am I taking care of myself – my body and mind are a gift from God.

Lots to think about ………..

 

 

“God is our refuge and strength,
       an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;”  Psalm 24:1

“Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Matthew 22:37-39

 

 

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Resting and Reflecting

I was struggling with thinking through some topics to write about and so I took a break for a few days.  Not a break from Scripture or thinking but just a break from writing.

I am back in two shoes – that’s good news.  However, my foot still hurts each evening and morning.  In case you haven’t been reading my blog, I’ve struggled with plantar fasciitis.  I’ve gone through splits, shots, exercises, walking boot, and a cast with a wheel chair.  It is good to walk and it teaches you to count your blessings for some of the small things in your life that you take for granted each day.

Lots of good things here.  The weather is beautiful.  Baseball season has started and the Braves won their opener.  My daughter’s soccer season is almost over. 

Take some time to focus on the small details in your life.  There are so many things to be thankful for.  Rest, reflect, give thanks.  That’s always good advice. 

God is good all the time.

Not an Accident

As we are approaching Easter I have been thinking about the death of Christ and the resurrection. 

The cross was not an accident.  It didn’t take Jesus by surprise.  It wasn’t the result of a world plummeting toward destruction.  It wasn’t a stop-gap measure.  It was anything except unexpected.

The cross was all part of the Master plan.  It was a calculated choice.  It had been planned since the Garden of Eden.  The cross was always part of the deal. 

Reading the Old Testament and all the prophecies about the death of Christ, you have to know that God, who sees the beginning and the end, knew that Jesus would have to suffer and die when he created Adam.  It was the plan. 

They (the trinity) choose to create man knowing that it was that creation that would cause Jesus to have to suffer and die. 

Jesus was in on it from the beginning and yet Jesus choose to create you knowing what it would cost him.

 

Genesis 1:26 “ Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."