Confession

It is so easy to let sin into our lives.  Sometimes not intentionally, sometimes very intentionally. Letting even what we would consider a little sin in is never a good idea.  We tell ourselves, "just this once", or "it won't hurt anyone.  But, each time we give in it gets easier to do it again and again and again and sin starts to take root in our lives, a little like moss does on our roof.

When we let one little sin to take root in our lives and then water it by not confessing or repeating the sin, then it will grow and spread.  Just like moss.  Just one little piece from who knows where, a little rain, and viola, a moss covered fence, wall, path, you name it.  Now moss in general is not harmful, but when it gets on a roof it can break up your shingles, it holds water and pushes your shingles apart, then your roof starts to leak.  Just like when we let sin take root.  It might start out little, but each time we push the boundaries.  Soon, we are doing things that are destroying our lives and our families.   We need to stop feeding our sins, repent, and let God dry them up.  1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

           

It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and putting what we want before what God wants for us. If we put Him first, He will be faithful to heal our relationships and lift us out of the sin.

Father, 

Forgive me for the thoughts I have that are not glorifying to you, forgive my ugly actions.  Help me Father to become more like Your son Jesus Christ.  

In Jesus Name,

Amen

The Unseen

SAD, seasonal affective disorder.  I have it and it does make you sad.  Sometimes very sad and you don't understand why, and neither does anyone else.  No, this is not going to be a poor me blog.  Why?  Because I am not the only person with SAD, or the only person with any problem.  There are a lot of you out there that are going through some very tough times.  So, I am not going to "whoa is me" you.  I want to offer help, comfort, understanding, a listening ear.

It is disheartening to feel so blue and have no one understand what is going on (me included).  To have people think you are a drama queen, having a bad day (that turns into weeks), a crybaby.  Do you know what  I mean?  There are so many illnesses out there that effect not only our bodies, but our emotions and personalities as well.  There are no scars or sores or marks of any kind.  They are invisible.  They are inside our bodies like those cancer cells growing, our brain chemicals that are not being produced in the right amounts, our nerves that send pain signals to our brain.

Now I'm no doctor and I can't fix what you are going through anymore than I can fix myself, but I do have words of comfort.

So, after I have let you read this far let me say, I am a Christian.  A born-again believer in Christ Jesus.  He is my comfort.  When I am sad he tells me "casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7.(KJV)  Easier said than done.  I know He cares for me, but do I immediately feel better after reading that?  No.  It takes more than just reading the words, it takes listening for that still small voice that says, "Beth, I've got your back.  I'm here and I understand what you are going through.  Trust me".  Trust Him and that peace that passes all understanding will come, no matter what you are going through.

Will we always be healed, miraculously or otherwise?  No.  Has God inflicted us?  No.  It says in James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows". (NIV)  So our pain and sorrow is not from God.  He gives us good gifts.  Can He use our pain and suffering?  You bet.  Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose". (KJV)  So, if you are reading this and have given your life to Christ, then you are called according to His purpose and He will use your trials to strengthen you and refine you.

If you have not given your life to Christ, it isn't hard.  It is an act of faith, of accepting His free gift of salvation.  How do you do it?  Romans 10 : 9-10 explain it very well, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  10.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation". (NKJV)

If you are ready to trust Jesus please pray this prayer:

Dear God,
I am a sinner, I've done things that weren't right and I'm sorry.  Please forgive me God for all that I have done.  God, I believe that Jesus is Your son, that He was crucified, buried three days, and rose from the dead on the third day.  I believe that He is now sitting at Your right hand.  I believe that His blood has covered my sins.  God, I give my life to you.  In Jesus Name Amen.

If you prayed the prayer, leave a comment, I would love to hear about it.  If you are already a believer, leave a comment, I would love to hear your story.  If you just want to leave nasty remarks, don't leave a comment.  If you do, I will delete it.

A new adventure awaits.  What will it be?  I don't know, but God is constantly surprising and amazing me on a daily basis.

                                                                              Beth