This is Week 9 of 150 Days of Psalms. Today's teaching is by Josh Anderson, Community Life Pastor at theHeart church in Boone NC.

 

Subtitle: Restore Me

 

PSALM 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God.

 

 

Change can only be created by God Himself.

 

Creation out of nothing.

 

EZEKIEL 18:30

EZEKIEL 36:26

 

JOHN 1:7-9

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.  If we claim to be without sin, we ceceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

Christ's sacrifice on the cross does not replace our asking for forgiveness.

It is the basis for our asking.

 

PSALM 51:11

Do not cast me from your presence or take your holy spirit from me.

 

There is often much faith in much fear.

 

Through Christ, we live in the freedom of forgiveness for all eternity.

 

1 PETER 1:23

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

 

1 JOHN 3:9

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

 

"It is natural that the saints, when they have fallen into sin, and have thus done what they could to expel the grace of God, should feel an anxiety upon this point; but it is their duty to hold fast the truth, that grace is the incorruptible seed of God, which never can perish in any heart where it has been deposited. This is the spirit displayed by David. Reflecting upon his offence, he is agitated with fears, and yet rests in the persuasion that, being a child of God, he would not be deprived of what, indeed, he had justly forfeited." ~John Calvin

 

PSALM 51:12

Resotre to me the joy of Your salvation and grant a willing spirit to sustain me.

 

Knowing that you're forgiven, do you find yourself more committed to be changed by God?

 

JOB 33:26

Then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God's face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.

 

In forgiveness our hearts realize joy.

 

PSALM 51:13

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.

 

It is not our duty to tell others about God's forgiveness until we have allowed God to forgive us first.

 

PSALM 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

 

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Contrition is a key factor in true repentance.

 

1 PETER 1:15-16

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

 

A PRAYER

O God, you have shown me how my thoughts, words, and actions have turned me away from your grace and your protection. I can see how the consequences of my sins have affected not only my relationship with you but my relationship with my brothers and sisters as well. O Lord, in your loving compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins.

Father, through faith in you and by trusting in Your Son's death and resurrection, I believe that I have been redeemed. I believe that You can throw my sins from me as far as the east is from the west. Filled with confidence - not in myself but in Your power and mercy, I confess my sin and ask You to forgive me. Lord, I know that in the Sacrament of Reconciliation I can experience notonly forgiveness but healing and restoration as well. And so I come to You, Father, hoping to receive Your grace to begin again. Thank You, Lord.

Father, words alone cannot describe what it is like to come back to You and feel Your embrace once more. You promised through Your prophet that even though my sins are as red as scarlet, they can be made as white as snow. How can anyone