Repentance

"Repentance makes us see the evil of sin, not merely as a theory, but experimentally- as a burnt child dreads fire. C. H. Spurgeon

When a child is burned by the fire, he will likely not touch it again. He has learned that it is painful and dangerous to him. Before , he saw the flames as attractive and pleasing to the site but after he touched , and realized its danger, he feared it.The same goes with sin. Before we come to the Lord we sin as if nothing is wrong. We role around in sin as a pig does in mud.When we come to the Lord through repentance and faith, we start to see sin for what it is.We run from sin, we realize when we sin it is against God and God alone that we have done wrong. We start to hate sin, and ask the Lord to wash us clean of anything that may be displeasing to Him. We start to see the filth in the world for what it is when the light of Jesus Christ is shined upon it. We stumble into sin everyday but we don't stay there. We are to repent everyday and ask the Lord to lead us away from anything that is not pleasing to Him. If there is some sin in your life that is holding you back, go to the Lord and ask Him to wash it from you and help you to stay clear of it again. Remember, the word repentance means to turn. It does not mean to go sideways, back up or stand still, but to turn and go the other direction, the direction of Christ.

God Bless,
Dustin

Penitent

Penitent

O God
You have driven me into a corner
Where I cannot escape.
I come to you penitently
For today I've sinned grievously.
I have betrayed my highest ideas.
I have been false to my inner convictions.
I know I have broken your heart.
Thank you for dealing with me
In the privacy of Your personal Presence
For my sin as been against you alone.
Cleanse me,Lord.
Change me.
Sin is so hideous, so outrageous!
Renew me till I am spiritually contagious.
-Ruth Calkin

The word repentance means to turn from, to change ones mind. When we turn from ourselves and give it all to God, that is repentance. When the direction of our lives does a 180, that is repentance. When we seek a redirection in our lives in lifestyle and relationship with God, that's repentance. We see that when we sin, we sin against God and God alone and there is nothing we can do but fall at His feet and ask Him to change our lives, that is repentance. If there is something in your life that is separating you from God, repent from it and turn everything over to the Lord. Remember, with God it is all or nothing.
Acts 3:18-19 (New King James Version)18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Have a Blessed day,
Dustin

Gossip

We all know how bad bacteria that infects our body,that can't be stopped by medicine, can be. But we ignore the bacteria of gossip in the body of Christ. Nothing can so quickly eat the flesh of the church as sins of the tongue: slanders,criticism, of leaders and bad reports. This goes not only for church but our everyday lives whether we are at work, play, or any other function. When we gossip about others we set a bad example for others. We put a black eye on the witness of Christ. People that may have trusted you can loose faith in you too keep secrets and not come to you in their times of need. Why can't we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ as fast as we can spread gossip about others. This is a problem we all face just like they did in the times of Christ, and it will be hear until He returns. Let us not feed the fire of gossip, and let us be an example to others in this world.
Prayer for today:Dear Lord, If I can't say something nice about someone today, keep my big mouth shut!
Proverbs 16:28 (New King James Version)28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
Ephesians 4:29-31 (New King James Version)29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
James 3:5-7
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

James 5:9
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.[a] Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
God Bless,
Dustin

Fail

"Any time we attempt to meet our own needs or accomplish anything without God, we sin and set ourselves up for failure."Charles Stanley

I heard another quote that said, "If it doesn't start with God it will end in failure." This is the way we should look at everything that we attempt to do every day. From the smallest thing in life to the greatest, if it doesn't start with God it will fail.

Matthew 6:33 (New King James Version)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
God Bless,
Dustin

Evidence

"You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is a index to doctrine.-TertullianThere is a saying on a t-shirt that says,"You say your a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you"? We all need to ask that question to ourselves. If we went before a judge today would the jury find enough evidence to convict us or not? Would your family, friends, co-workers, or church members say you are walking the walk? Put feet to you words today and let the light of Christ shine from all that you do.
James 2:18 (New King James Version
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] works.

God Bless,
Dustin