Tag Archive | forgiveness

The Christmas Gift

Dec12

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. — Acts 13:38-39

Free. What a wonderful word for this season. Amazing that Christmas time is so filled with”hustle and bustle”, stress, over indulging, lack of sleep, “bah humbug” and the like. Could it be we have turned Christmas into something it isn’t?

Christmas. What a wonderful word. Christ fulfilled. Salvation. Forgiveness. Hope. Love. Joy. Peace. Freedom. Good News!

Come let us adore Him!!! Celebrate the real Christmas. Christ Himself.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus Is

Dec2

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. — Acts 9:19-22

The power of Christ in us. He can transform anyone. No one is beyond His power to transform. No sin is beyond His power or compassion to forgive. Simply by humbly confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and admitting that it is really only Him who can give forgiveness and life.

Won’t you allow Jesus into your life and let Him transform you? You’ll never regret it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Obedience And The Holy Spirit

Nov18

When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” — Acts 5:27-32

Here we find Peter before the Council again with not just John but the”apostles” also. I love the fact that they shared the gospel message here before the Council. The circumstance did not dictate where or when they shared. They shared because “we must obey God rather than men”.

How important is obedience? The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey as a living witness in them. How we tend to miss that. Could that be why we are not effective witnesses for Christ? We are quick to come to salvation, for eternal well being, but when it comes to obedience that is another story. Could our disobedience quench the witness of the Holy Spirit* in us?

The apostles had no problem sharing the gospel wherever they happened to be by the power of the Holy Spirit by obedience to God. How’s the obedience factor going in your life?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Has Salvation Changed You?

Nov10

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. — Acts 2:38-47

The Lord was adding to their number — those who were being saved. We need to realize that it is the Lord who saves.

What factors were involved in many being saved? Repentance, forgiveness and receiving of the Holy Spirit.  Lives changed.

Transformation happened: they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This brought about awe as they witnessed the movement of God amongst themselves and the world. Many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Being one with Christ they had all things in common, cared for one another by meeting needs, were like minded, fellowshipped together and praised God together.

Could this be why God was adding saved ones to their numbers day by day?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Reason to Worship

Nov2

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. — Psalm 103:11-12

IF you need a reason to worship today, this is as good a reason as any.

Thank you Lord for your love and forgiveness. Abounding, sufficient, abundant, bounteous, overflowing, plentiful, huge, generous, exuberant and never ending. You are worthy!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Light

Nov1

Out of the darkness
He transferred me
Into the light
Of His majesty

There in the Light
I long to be
Dwelling with Christ
For His glory

Basking in the Light
His radiance shines
Through me to others
For transformation divine

The Light came to darkness
So we could be saved
For the work of the Lord
Let it continue today

Keep the darkness at bay
As you travel today
Following His Word
And continue to pray

I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. — John 12:46

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; — 1 Peter 2:9

For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles,
That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’” — Acts 13:47
to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ — Acts 26:18

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 5:16

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Children of Light

Oct17

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord — Ephesians 5:8-10

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. — Hebrews 11:6

If you are one who walks in the Light of the Lord then you understand that you once walked in darkness. You understand the blessing of being rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Jesus in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin. (Colossians 1:13-14).

As children of Light we walk in goodness, righteousness, and truth. As children of the Light we seek to know what pleases the Lord. One thing that pleases the Lord is our faith in Jesus. Are you seeking and searching the Scriptures to know how to please your Lord?

How bright is your light shining? Bright enough to see the truth and the way to please your God? I hope so. He is deserving and worthy.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Skipping Calves

Oct4

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. — Malachi 4:2

I hope you had time to meditate over yesterday’s devotion. It really is a great gift our Lord God has given us to be forgiven AND to have our sin Covered. And then today to look upon the one who can do that. Can you help but fear or reverence His name? Loss of sin, healing begin. It is enough to make me “go forth and skip about like calves from the stall”. I hope you really experience the happiness that come from a heart forgiven, a life healed and a reverent relationship with THE NAME above all names.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Blessedness of Forgiveness

Oct3

[ Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God. ] [ A Psalm of David. A Maskil. ] How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! — Psalm 32:1

Have you experienced the pure blessedness of forgiveness? Have you called out to God and received the forgiveness of Jesus Christ that He freely gave for you on the cross? Do you realize the magnitude of having your sin covered? Freedom from shame, regret, guilt, insecurity, unworthiness.

Ask for forgiveness. Experience the blessing.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Promise: You are His Child

Aug26

which God, who cannot lie — Titus 1:2
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, — John 1:12

God cannot lie so we are children of God, if through faith in Christ Jesus, we believe in His name. God cannot lie which means we can trust these Words of His. We are His children and this being so we receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

The blessing of being holy and blameless before Him. Having His grace bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ and redemption through His blood. The forgiveness of our trespasses and having made known to us the mystery of His will. Because we are children we receive an inheritance and are sealed in Him (Jesus Christ) with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Those are promises to hang on to, rely on, trust in. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died on the cross for you so that you can be holy and blameless before God, then you have all these promises bestowed on you. You need not be discouraged. You have hope in these promises. Hang on to them and trust in the One who promises them to you. You can do great and mighty things through Christ when you hang on to His promises.

Go in peace and trust in the everlasting God Almighty and His perfect promises.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon
Bold text found in Ephesians 1:3-14