forgiveness

Knock and keep on knocking

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For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
Luke 11:10 AMP
http://bible.com/8/luk.11.10.AMP

God never tires of us coming to Him with the same problem over and over.  He never says “What is it this time?!” or “Just get over it!”  Problems and conflicts are used by God to shape and mold our character and train us for battle.  In the Book of Judges, the 3rd chapter, it says God intentionally kept the inhabitants of the Promised land, who were idol worshipers and human sacrificers in the land to test the Isrealites, to see if indeed they would keep their promises and remain faithful to Him.  God does not set us up for failure.  He is never surprised by our choices because He is God, after all.  But He never ceases to give us second chances and opportunities to do over and to do better.  Like a father teaching his child to ride a bike God allows us to make mistakes.  He does not give up on us or get frustrated with us when we have to do it over and over.  While we  are feeling like utter failures or idiots He is saying just agree with Me that what you did was wrong and let us put that behind us.    God does not hold grudges or bring up the past to hang guilt  on us.  We have a buggar in our corner who is our enemy and loves to point his bony finger of accusation at us and we quickly agree with him that we are worthless and undeserving of God’s grace but God LOVES US!!!   He is patient and kind, slow to anger and full of loving kindness.  God invites us to come to Him with all cur concerns.   He says “Cast ALL your cares upon Me
because I care for you.”

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Talk about a makeover! How about a God makeover?!!!

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This cool low riding classic caught my eye on the freeway.   Way cute don’t you think?!

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The Bible says when we receive God’s makeover everything about us changes. “If anyone is in Christ Jesus he is a new creation. Old things are passed away. Everything has become new. ” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Jesus told His disciples John baptized with water but He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. He said He would ascend back into Heaven but He would send the Comforter who would teach and lead and transform. For Disciples of Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit is God’s genetic code implanted. He called us to adoption, to be His sons and daughters and heirs to all that belongs to Him. Through Moses God revealed Himself through the Law but the law only showed how sinful we are and condemns us to judgement. It was the law that put us to death but grace and truth came through Jesus. Jesus’ blood covers our sin, pays a debt we can never pay ourselves and implants God’s engine and power to please God by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the mind, heart and will to understand God’s truth through Scriptures and the will and wisdom to do what’s right. We don’t do things perfectly. We still get distracted and stumble at times but God has provided confession, which is just agreeing with Him that we have sinned and He promises to cleanse and forgive us and restore our relationship with Him. If that car was so cool, which it truly was, how much more cool would a makeover by God be?!! Have you started your makeover?
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Praise to the Friend who bears our burdens and carries us day by day!

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http://bible.com/8/psa68.19 Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

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He leads me beside quiet waters.  He is the path to peace.  I don’ t have to struggle for first place because He is my leader and He has my best interest in mind.  He loves delighting me with good and perfect gifts.  He saves each tear and comforts me in my sorrows, pain and disappointments.   When I blunder and do senseless things he always has my back.  He will never chew on me or gloat at my stumbling.  Instead He takes my broken pieces and promises to work everything out for my good.  He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.  When I offend or turn my back on Him He never gives up on me.  When I say I’m sorry He says I forgive you and never brings it up again.  When I am afraid He says be brave.  I’ m with you.  When I say I am small.  He says He is great.  He is very big.  There is nothing too hard for Him.  He does His best work with the small and the weak.  Isn’t He wonderful?!  His name is Jesus.