Author: astherainandsnow

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance.” Ephesians 6:10-18

Firstly, Paul started with grace, extending this gift from the Lord, and reminding the Ephesians that by grace they were saved. He prayed for their wisdom and power and urged them to walk in love and wisdom in a manner worthy of their call, putting off the old and exercising their gifts in their new self. His letter was rife with love, deliberate instruction, and specific encouragement, but he knew that any list would be impossible to heed in the flesh without Christ. So he closed with his finally, that they be strong in the Lord and His might. (Ephesians 1:2,16-20; 2:5-9; 3:14-16; 4:1,11-13,17,22-24; 5:2,15-17)

It’s easy to compartmentalize our obediences. Certain things for Jesus, other duties at home and work. Certain obligations require spiritual fortitude, others personal smarts and gumption. But Paul reminds us that every call is a call of Christ, and requires the strength to stand in spiritual armor. No matter the obligation, the enemy seeks to lure or push us off course and destroy focus, witness, determination, and allegiance. He muddies our affections and deceives our sensibilities. (John 8:44; 10:10)

Do we set out on our days fresh and eager, yet unprotected for the fray? What can we do to make it a routine practice to prepare ourselves spiritually as well as physically and mentally, knowing that God knows all we will encounter? Armed in Him, we need not fear.

“We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
strong in thy strength, safe in thy keeping tender,
we rest on thee, and in thy name we go.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
and needing more each day thy grace to know:
yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
‘We rest on thee, and in thy name we go.’

We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, thine shall be the praise;
when passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
victors, we rest with thee, through endless days.” ~Edith G. Cherry (1895)

Lord, help me live in Your strength and for Your glory.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.  He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.

‘If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.  He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before the Lord.’” Leviticus 5:14-19

Sin is sin, an affront against God whether it is realized, obvious, or not. Being unaware does not negate the fact that it requires an accounting and restitution before the holy God. So in mercy, from the beginning, the Lord implemented a way of atonement, a blood sacrifice whose covering would restore communion between sinner and Savior, penalty paid in full. Every unblemished lamb in the Old Testament was a preview of the sinless Christ who would give His lifeblood once for all for the sin of man at Calvary. (Genesis 3:21)

One of the glorious gifts for God’s children this side of the cross is the indwelling Spirit who convinces us of our erring attitudes and ways. Once we are aware and convicted, and acknowledge our guilt, He introduces us to grace. And once we meet grace, we are forgiven and the joyful romance begins.

Do we truly know the Lord Jesus as our sin-bearer, the One who has made atonement for all our sin? If so, what undealt-with guilt do we carry, thus hindering spiritual progress and fruitfulness? If we take time to ask the Lord to unveil our eyes so we recognize personal sin, pet practices we’ve justified or excused too long, He will answer. Our life matters to Him so much that life was required in its place to pay our debt and win our salvation, and Jesus’s perfect, efficient, and effective blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. (Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:9)

Wallowing in guilt when the Lord Jesus has cleansed us from it means we do not fully understand the grace of God. Grace is freely offered and applied. There is no more sacrifice needed, no punishment by God nor penance or restitution to God required. If tempted to hold on to regret because of painful consequences, bring it to the cross, and take God at His word that It is finished. (John 19:30)

“My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” ~Horatio Gates Spafford (1873)

Lord, may I praise you forever for Your grace.

“The serpent… said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’ And the woman said, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden,.. lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and… was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she gave some to her husband, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked… and they hid.” Genesis 3:1-8

“Then Jesus went with them to Gethsemane, and… began to be sorrowful and troubled.  He said, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…’  For the second time, he prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again.., he prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.” Matthew 36:36-39,42-44

What differed was the response to the fruit. The tree in the middle of Eden’s garden was lush, beautiful, and delicious, but forbidden. Nothing in the fruit was inherently sinister or infectious. God in His love gave Adam and Eve free agency to live and love as no mere puppets, and they rejected His word, falling to sensual pull enticed by the serpent’s deceptive ideology. The cup Jesus was offered was anything but lovely and enticing, rather, bitter and repulsive. God in love sent Him to take it, and in love back, for His Father and the world, He willingly submitted to its virulence. Obedience and the call of redemption won out over physical, emotional, and spiritual temptation, effecting God’s prophetic word even if it meant excruciating* agony. (Isaiah 53:4-7; John 3:16)

Adam and Eve’s fall burdened us with inherited sin, but Christ’s ascension relieved us of its weight. Living by faith instead of the flesh, we daily choose what to do with the fruit offered us: our freedom to indulge self or honor God? How much our flesh wants our will, not God’s! We grow impatient waiting for our dreams to be fulfilled and desires met, so we choose what looks and feels good for now. Jesus took the long and high view, seeing beyond temporal suffering to eternal glory and what it would effect for His children.

How can we grow into not my will but Thine? Would we ask to be willing to be made willing, and unclench our hands to hold His scarred ones? As we make one choice for Him at a time, He will work in us what pleases Him and is for our good. (Philippians 2:13)

Lord, give me such intimacy with Thee that my will becomes Yours, and is embraced and lived for Your glory.

*‘ex-cruciate’ means ‘out of the cross’

“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

‘They divided my garments among them,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.’

“So the soldiers did these things,  but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’  Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:23-27

Two groups stood at the cross, with very different responses. The soldiers were all about blood and get: get the necessary work done (even if justice was cruelly crowd-driven), then get something out of it for me. The women were all about love.

Each morning I can fix my mindset: will I look out for me, or look at Jesus? And throughout the day I’m confronted with choices: what can I gain, or how will I serve? And when we do look to Jesus, we look either for what we can get from Him, or deeply take in what He’s done for me and what it means.

Am I a greedy soldier or generous adorer? Do I pray a list of all I expect the Lord to give me to fulfill my plans and desires, or do I humbly contemplate what He’s already done and endeavor to use it for His sake? He’s freed us from the penalty of sin, yet we mire in its magnetism and shame, make excuses for falling, and pridefully compare ourselves to ‘inferior sinners.’ He’s given us peace and sure hope, yet we fret and squabble and strive in discontent, and ask for deliverance from difficulties. He’s entrusted to us heaven’s riches, yet we worry over stuff and security and demand more. (Colossians 1:13)

How would my days be different, how could I be loving more selflessly, serving with more abandon, giving more generously, investing my time more wisely, if I stood still more often at the foot of the cross?

“O teach me what it meaneth,
That cross uplifted high,
With One, the Man of Sorrows,
Condemned to bleed and die!
O teach me what it cost Thee
To make a sinner whole;
And teach me, Savior, teach me
The value of a soul!

O teach me what it meaneth,
That sacred crimson tide,
The blood and water flowing
From Thine own wounded side.
Teach me that if none other
Had sinned, but I alone,
Yet still Thy blood, Lord Jesus,
Thine only, must atone.

O teach me what it meaneth,
Thy love beyond compare,
The love that reacheth deeper
Than depths of self-despair!
Yes, teach me, till there gloweth
In this cold heart of mine
Some feeble, pale reflection
Of that pure love of Thine.” ~Lucy A. Bennett (1850-1927)

Amen.

“Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance.  And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.  Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, ‘This man also was with him.’  But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’  And a little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not.’  And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, ‘Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.’  But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:54-62)

Peter was named ‘Rock,’ yet he was no stone. Man of impulse and passion, his heart was moved by the love and mercy of Christ. Jesus had foretold his impending temptation, and prayed that he would not fall. Peter believed that Jesus was Messiah and knew Him so intimately that through all his impetuosity, he earnestly wanted to please Him. Given both warning and freedom, he denied his Christ, yet within moments, the piercing, loving, liquid look from Jesus pierced his tender heart. Imagine the tears that flowed as he witnessed the crucifixion and realized his very capriciousness and denial and all their fallout were being borne by his loving Rabbi. (Matthew 16:15-18; Mark 3:16; 9:5; Luke 22:31-34)

What is our response to the sight of Jesus? Are we too focused on ourselves that we nary give Him a glance? Have we settled into apathy toward the gospel message, and sloth toward its power? What makes us skirt the deep issues of our sins to stay superficial in busyness and faith?

What can we rearrange in order to gaze at our Savior daily- no distractions- and learn what He says through His eyes. Behold, there is love, mercy, compassion, knowledge of who we are and who we will be, perfect understanding. Would His eyes bring out the best!

“Am I a stone, and not a sheep,
     That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,
To number drop by drop Thy blood’s slow loss,
     And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved
     Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter, weeping bitterly;
     Not so the thief was moved.

Not so the Sun and Moon
     Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon —
     I, only I.

Yet give not o’er,
     But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
     And smite a rock.” ~Christina Rossetti, “Good Friday” (1830–1894)

Lord, smite me with Your loving, merciful conviction, that I never forget Your cross. Move me and have Your way with me for Your ends and praise.

“Jesus… lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you…  I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed…

“‘I ask… for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me…  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world… I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.'” John 17:1,4-5,20-21,24,26

“Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Jesus knew exactly what He was facing, and what would be the ultimate end. He had prepared His disciples, time and again foretelling His crucifixion and that he would rise again. On the eve of His death, He allowed them to eavesdrop on His heartfelt prayer to the Father for each of them and for all whom the Father had given Him who would believe. It was with this love and knowledge and selfless surrender that he endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. (Luke 9:21-22,43-44; 18:31-33)

What joy? Jesus knew what joy awaited. He would return to his Father, to share once again their heavenly glory. He would bring to completion what He had been sent to earth to accomplish. His death and resurrection would open the way for salvation. And O, the joy of bringing into the eternal fold every single one God had given Him, to know who He was and why He had come, to know oneness with Christ and the hope of glory. This joy compelled Jesus to pray with sweat drops of blood, “Not My will but Thine be done.” (Luke 22:42-44; Colossians 1:27)

How grateful we should be that Jesus followed through on His divine mission, that He finished His work on behalf of His Father’s glory and will, and with us in mind! How does this thought of His eternal love and steadfast commitment broaden our view of God’s redemptive plan? How does it deepen our love for our suffering Savior? (Isaiah 53:4-7; Luke 9:51)

How willing are we to obey, even when it is hard, for the joy of pleasing and honoring our King? How humbly and readily do we serve, even when it is costly, for the joy and comfort of others? Taking the long view in temporal situations opens the way to joyous life.

Lord, thank You for enduring the cross. Help me go about every day and duty for the joy of exalting and magnifying Your glory.

“A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly…
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit…
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the hearts of fools…
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention…
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!..
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure…
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things…
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones…
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility comes before honor.”

“The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness…
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body…
A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.^..
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 15:1-2,4,7,18,23,26,28,30,33; 16:21,23-24,27-28,32

The tongue is indeed a petulant master when not bridled. Fiery and impetuous it burns, callous and harsh it inflicts pain. Yet, like dough kneaded to tenderize and make pliable, when softened under the Lord’s influence the tongue can bring healing, light, and love. (James 3:2-10)

Consider the heart from which words flow: with what have I filled mine? Biblical truth or pop mantras? Prayed-through discernment or opinions of others? Resentment at being wronged, held back, or shamed, or thankfulness at God’s faithfulness and redeeming purposes? Criticism, or the best thoughts about people? Complaining or gratitude? Anger within can spout off in ugliness and cursing, while a forgiven, joy-filled heart pours forth lofty words and healing waters. (Luke 6:45)

Which will it be for us? What needs naming, confessing, and cleansing? What impulse will I replace with intentional kindness, what cutting or annoyed response with a gentle answer, what bitter fruit with sweetness?

The world needs truth spoken in love and kindness, encouragement that is substantial. Lonely ones and loved ones yearn for blessing and affirmation. Am I using my tongue to castigate or console? To criticize or commend? How willing and ready am I to hold my tongue when necessary, and speak truth in love to upbuild the Body? (Ephesians 4:15-16)

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~Frances Havergal (1874)

Father, knead my tongue to remove every pollutant and be soft with truth, that I might freely, lovingly offer Your life and rightly sing Your praise.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,  because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.  And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,  so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.  For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.  For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

The word of God is never idle and always effective. It had come in power, the Holy Spirit, and conviction to transform the Thessalonians, reorienting them to lives of zealous faith and Spirit-fueled expectation for things to come. They were no longer their own to do as they pleased, but had been redeemed to proclaim God’s word and serve His purposes. They’d been saved unto eternal glory, implanted with a longing for heaven’s fulfillment of every yes amen promise in Christ. (Isaiah 55:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 1:13-14)

And so are we. If we’re in Christ, God has chosen us, loved us, and by His word convicted us so we might trust and live for Him. It’s important we continually remind ourselves whose we are, and be thankful. We are not adopted into His family to sit back in the cushy comfort of salvation, or to let gifts lie fallow and spiritual muscles atrophy. The Lord gives models in the faith for us to imitate, joy in the midst of affliction, and opportunity in daily duties to speak for Him. He saves us unto lives rich with service and glad waiting for His return. Does this describe us?

Serving our King will look different in different seasons, yet we can work with vigor at any age. Where, how, and how zealously are we serving the Lord and His people? To whom are we an example, and how might we include others in serving alongside us? How does the anticipation of Christ’s return, when we will see Him face to face and give an accounting for every deed done in the flesh, energize and inform our ministry and work? (Luke 12:42-44; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 3:3)

Lord, keep me remembering all You have done for me, that in love and gratitude I might serve You and Your people with like generosity, mercy, and grace until You come.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…  And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God… Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 1:6,9-11; 2:12b-13

It is the way of man to want to understand everything ahead of time and have things proven before we proceed. I won’t do this blindly, show me this will be worth it. But the way of faith is setting out and doing in confidence of its worth and that it is right, trusting the One who calls and enables. It is by offering ourselves in obedience and serving the Lord that we test and thusly approve God’s will, working out and proving our faith. Righteousness comes through faith and depends on faith. (Philippians 3:9,12-15a,16; 4:9; Hebrews 11:1)

What keeps us from proving God’s ways and approving His will by action? If faith is putting into practice what we’re taught and called to implement, what fears, doubts, lazy attitudes, false interpretations, or selfish wants hold us back? God’s commands often go against human grain, but they present opportunity for us to yield to His will being done instead of ours. Exercising the muscles of relinquishment and renewal is the very method of spiritual growth. The Lord does not abandon us to travail on our own, but strives with us, working in us both the desire and the effort required to His ultimate ends. (Luke 22:42)

The key to our ability to test and approve God’s will is God-centered worship that lays down my life and renews my mind. Less of me, more of Him. Cease to strive, yield to His work in me. This our Savior did to perfection, making the way that we might too. What He finished on the cross was the impossibility of obedience, and that accomplishment became our means of living by faith. Will we step forward and walk through the gate He opened, trusting not only that the way will become clear, but that its clarity increases step by step? (John 3:30)

“And shall I pray Thee, change Thy will, my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
But, no, Lord, no, that never shall be. 
Rather, I pray Thee
Blend my human will with Thine.” ~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Lord, bid me keep walking forward with You. May I faithfully test and so prove Your good, pleasing, and perfect will to Your praise and honor.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up  as by the heat of summer. 

I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-5

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.^..
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me…
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:7,9-10,12-15

“He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep…. Follow me.'” John 21:16-17,19c

Much is bereft in the unforgiven heart. When we hold on to unconfessed sin it spreads its ugly gangrene through the body, making miserable and sick, consuming vitality and joy, entrenching in every space and starving out kindness, willingness, a servant spirit. Betrayal of our Master is soul-depleting, a thief of emotion, will, and holy energy.

But confession greeted with forgiveness, and the exquisite restoration the Lord alone gives, make way for the poisoned heart to be cleansed and refilled with all that is good and pleasant. Where once was a brute beast consumed with self, there is a freed captive eager and willing to feed God’s sheep. The glut of guilt and self-absorption becomes a flow of love, compassion, praise, and service. Merciful God feeds the forgiven to enable sharing grace with others.

Have I felt empty, barren of fruitfulness and apathetic toward the needy? What is holding me back from spiritual vitality? Are there sins of others I have not forgiven, or of my own I need confess to the Lord? How could the rich fruit of God’s cleansing mercy applied to me inspire sharing my glad experience, offering the heavenly fruit of hope and salvation to the hungry? With whom will I open my lips with gospel instruction or praise?

Father, help me receive full forgiveness from You and pass along the joys and hope of salvation. May I faithfully feed Your sheep with the love and truth that abound to me in Christ, to His glory.