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Thoughts in Worship 05.23.2017
Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Audio Link:
“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.” (Ezekiel 33:15–16).
Words fail me to express the nuances of our theme text. It underscores the completeness of repentance. It shows how deeply our God delves into our human frailty to guide us to the path of righteousness.
I would be a liar were I to say that repentance is not serious work, especially when it involves confessing that we have injured someone who trusted us. Unfortunately, I can speak from a position of power here. When I became a believer 21 years ago, I found myself in a pickle. There I was, ready to serve God after living just any ole way for most of my life, and He convicted me to confess very real wrongs to very real people. It was excruciating having to outline the very ways I was dishonest. More difficult still was having to deal with practical repentance. There are often steps we need to take to make restitution for our wrongs, but we never walk that road alone. God is with us even when the road is rocky.
OK, since I am confessing here, I have another one for you: I have needed to go down a similar road even as a more mature believer. I found myself in a tight space and chose to be a little too creative in resolving the situation, and ended up on the wrong side of the fence. But, again, the Lord was with me as I embarked on the path toward restitution.
The blessing is, God knows we are faulty. He knows we often make a mess of our lives. That is not to say that He excuses us. No! However, it is to say that He provides extra grace to those willing to trust Him as they make things right with Him and with those we’ve harmed. Never let the devil snooker you into believing that it’s more important to save face on earth than it is to see your Savior’s face (with confidence) in the world to come. Those you may have wronged are frail human beings just like you. They suffer inadequacies just like you. They need a Savior just like you. Choose not to fear sometimes inevitable consequences of your mistakes, as long as you make things right with God and your fellow human beings, you will be just fine. If you need to make amends with anyone, do not let the sun go down before you start the process. Ask God for His power and move in faith. He will not let you down. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. God be with you while you do the right thing.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Audio Link:
“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.” (Ezekiel 33:15–16).
Words fail me to express the nuances of our theme text. It underscores the completeness of repentance. It shows how deeply our God delves into our human frailty to guide us to the path of righteousness.
I would be a liar were I to say that repentance is not serious work, especially when it involves confessing that we have injured someone who trusted us. Unfortunately, I can speak from a position of power here. When I became a believer 21 years ago, I found myself in a pickle. There I was, ready to serve God after living just any ole way for most of my life, and He convicted me to confess very real wrongs to very real people. It was excruciating having to outline the very ways I was dishonest. More difficult still was having to deal with practical repentance. There are often steps we need to take to make restitution for our wrongs, but we never walk that road alone. God is with us even when the road is rocky.
OK, since I am confessing here, I have another one for you: I have needed to go down a similar road even as a more mature believer. I found myself in a tight space and chose to be a little too creative in resolving the situation, and ended up on the wrong side of the fence. But, again, the Lord was with me as I embarked on the path toward restitution.
The blessing is, God knows we are faulty. He knows we often make a mess of our lives. That is not to say that He excuses us. No! However, it is to say that He provides extra grace to those willing to trust Him as they make things right with Him and with those we’ve harmed. Never let the devil snooker you into believing that it’s more important to save face on earth than it is to see your Savior’s face (with confidence) in the world to come. Those you may have wronged are frail human beings just like you. They suffer inadequacies just like you. They need a Savior just like you. Choose not to fear sometimes inevitable consequences of your mistakes, as long as you make things right with God and your fellow human beings, you will be just fine. If you need to make amends with anyone, do not let the sun go down before you start the process. Ask God for His power and move in faith. He will not let you down. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. God be with you while you do the right thing.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)
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Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Audio Link:
“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.” (Ezekiel 33:15–16).
Words fail me to express the nuances of our theme text. It underscores the completeness of repentance. It shows how deeply our God delves into our human frailty to guide us to the path of righteousness.
I would be a liar were I to say that repentance is not serious work, especially when it involves confessing that we have injured someone who trusted us. Unfortunately, I can speak from a position of power here. When I became a believer 21 years ago, I found myself in a pickle. There I was, ready to serve God after living just any ole way for most of my life, and He convicted me to confess very real wrongs to very real people. It was excruciating having to outline the very ways I was dishonest. More difficult still was having to deal with practical repentance. There are often steps we need to take to make restitution for our wrongs, but we never walk that road alone. God is with us even when the road is rocky.
OK, since I am confessing here, I have another one for you: I have needed to go down a similar road even as a more mature believer. I found myself in a tight space and chose to be a little too creative in resolving the situation, and ended up on the wrong side of the fence. But, again, the Lord was with me as I embarked on the path toward restitution.
The blessing is, God knows we are faulty. He knows we often make a mess of our lives. That is not to say that He excuses us. No! However, it is to say that He provides extra grace to those willing to trust Him as they make things right with Him and with those we’ve harmed. Never let the devil snooker you into believing that it’s more important to save face on earth than it is to see your Savior’s face (with confidence) in the world to come. Those you may have wronged are frail human beings just like you. They suffer inadequacies just like you. They need a Savior just like you. Choose not to fear sometimes inevitable consequences of your mistakes, as long as you make things right with God and your fellow human beings, you will be just fine. If you need to make amends with anyone, do not let the sun go down before you start the process. Ask God for His power and move in faith. He will not let you down. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. God be with you while you do the right thing.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Audio Link:
“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.” (Ezekiel 33:15–16).
Words fail me to express the nuances of our theme text. It underscores the completeness of repentance. It shows how deeply our God delves into our human frailty to guide us to the path of righteousness.
I would be a liar were I to say that repentance is not serious work, especially when it involves confessing that we have injured someone who trusted us. Unfortunately, I can speak from a position of power here. When I became a believer 21 years ago, I found myself in a pickle. There I was, ready to serve God after living just any ole way for most of my life, and He convicted me to confess very real wrongs to very real people. It was excruciating having to outline the very ways I was dishonest. More difficult still was having to deal with practical repentance. There are often steps we need to take to make restitution for our wrongs, but we never walk that road alone. God is with us even when the road is rocky.
OK, since I am confessing here, I have another one for you: I have needed to go down a similar road even as a more mature believer. I found myself in a tight space and chose to be a little too creative in resolving the situation, and ended up on the wrong side of the fence. But, again, the Lord was with me as I embarked on the path toward restitution.
The blessing is, God knows we are faulty. He knows we often make a mess of our lives. That is not to say that He excuses us. No! However, it is to say that He provides extra grace to those willing to trust Him as they make things right with Him and with those we’ve harmed. Never let the devil snooker you into believing that it’s more important to save face on earth than it is to see your Savior’s face (with confidence) in the world to come. Those you may have wronged are frail human beings just like you. They suffer inadequacies just like you. They need a Savior just like you. Choose not to fear sometimes inevitable consequences of your mistakes, as long as you make things right with God and your fellow human beings, you will be just fine. If you need to make amends with anyone, do not let the sun go down before you start the process. Ask God for His power and move in faith. He will not let you down. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. God be with you while you do the right thing.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)