YOUR LIFE SPEAKS!

 

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

 

YOUR LIFE SPEAKS!

 

John 9:26-27

26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

 

          A man who was blind from birth was healed by Jesus; the Jews immediately tried to discount his story. Some suggested he was an imposter, but his mother said “we know this is our son who was born blind, but we don’t know by what means he now sees.” It is a marvelous story and can be found in John chapter 9.

 

          Your personal witness is very powerful! The blind man was not a politician nor a theologian. He simply and truthfully told his story. Finally, in exasperation, he asks the Temple leaders “I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?” (John 9:27)

 

          Religion kicked him out of the Temple! Big deal! He had met Jesus and now he could see.

 

Dear Lord, let my life display such a change that others will ask me how it happened. Let me tell the wonderful story of redemption simply and clearly. AMEN

 

MAKING RESTITUTION!

 

Monday, July 14, 2025

 

MAKING RESTITUTION!

 

Titus 2:9-10

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

 

Luke 19:8

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

 

          Restitution is the restoration of something that was stolen, lost, or damaged while under my care or responsibility. When Paul wrote to Titus, he uses the word purloining which simply means “taking something for personal use or stealing.” Exodus chapter 22 outlines some strict rules regarding “paying back” that which was taken.

 

          Liability insurance exists to counter the cost of paying back! It acknowledges liability, culpability, and guilt. The concept is drummed into our moral fiber from the first time our mother shouts “give that back. That doesn’t belong to you!”

 

          Some things we have taken can’t be restored because we have consumed them, lost them, or broken them beyond repair. Zacchaeus understood this and felt the pain of guilt when he met Jesus. He quite literally agrees to the terms outlined in Exodus 22.

 

          You can't be right with God while something is wrong between you and another person, and you are to blame for the conflict.

 

Matt 5:23-24

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for paying my terrible sin debt. AMEN

 

MADE SIN FOR US!

 

Sunday, July 13, 2025

 

MADE SIN FOR US!

 

2 Cor 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

          Scholars see in this verse much to argue about but, I suppose, that is the nature of scholars. One is furious that anyone should think that Jesus might be considered the greatest of sinners because of our sins. Another marvels that the Son of God was made completely sin. For me it is simpler than all that. I, the sinner, became righteous while He, the righteous, bore the punishment!

 

          Perhaps we should listen carefully to the comment of Christ Himself when he looked up into the face of God and said: “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) For the first time ever, Jesus felt abandoned by the Father because either [1] the Father could not countenance sin or [2] He could not look upon the punishment being borne by His Son. Either way works for me and perhaps it is for both reasons.

 

          I think we argue these points so that we don’t have to focus on the truth that we are sinners. Our most horrible sin was laid on Jesus. Now it no longer rests on us. Not only have we been wiped clean but we have been deep cleaned. It’s not fair now and it wasn’t fair then.

 

          Jesus was just what John said he was. He was the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Think of it! A world of sin!

 

Nothing But The Blood

 

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Father we dare not sanitize religion by ignoring the very blood that saves us. Thank you for becoming my sin offering. AMEN