I heard this quote recently, and it stuck with me. “Many books can inform you, but the Bible can transform you.” It reminded me of the passage in Romans.

In Romans 12:2 Paul says “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.”

When we read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit work in our hearts and minds, more than just learning, we are transformed into new people, who see things in life differently.

Dear Lord, transform us, so that we may know and do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I read a great quote today. “Those who leave everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hand in everything.”

God is always working around us. When we have the right perspective, we can see it. When we see it we can join in his work.

Paul writes in Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” NLT

Lord how wonderful it is to know that you have power over everything. Help us trust in you and give you not just our fears, worries, and concerns, but also our dreams, hopes and desires, and watch you do your will which as Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:20, “is immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” For this we thank and praise you. Amen.

In Hebrews 12:1 Paul writes, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

If you are a runner, I am sure you can relate to the burden that an few extra pounds have on the effort required to run, particularly those first few runs after adding some weight over the winter or time away from exercise. If you are not a runner, have you ever had to run through the airport with a suitcase or dufflebag trying to catch a flight, or running into school with a backpack trying to make the bell. That is the example Paul uses to describe the burden sin has on the race we are running daily as Christians. Getting rid of that sin we are carrying, makes it so much easier to pursue those things we hear God calling us to do.

If we confess and repent of those sins, we can throw off the weight they have on our lives and follow our call more easily.

Dear Lord, we confess today the sins we have in our lives, we are humbly sorry for doing those things we know are against your will. Thank you for your forgiveness. Help us move forward running our race without these burdens in the future. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

John 19:30 Jesus says from the Cross, “It is finished.”

The mission of taking the burden and accountability for our sin, that he came to earth to accomplish, was finished. Then, as described in Matthew 27:51, “At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart”

The curtain was what separated the sanctuary from the “Holy of Holies” where only the Jewish High Priest was allowed to enter to be closest to God. Now with the curtain torn, there is no special place to be close to God. Now Jesus is the connection that all of us have.

Dear Lord, How wonderful it is that, “It is finished” are not words of death and despair for us, but words of forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I think there are many people who were either brought up Christian, or had been practicing Christians, but went astray and got into activities and lifestyles that they know were wrong.

When they consider returning to practicing their faith, they don’t believe that they could be accepted back, because of the things they have done. Additionally, the Devil, who is also called the “accuser of the brethren” in the Bible, puts thoughts of unworthiness in their minds.

Many, if not most, of the people God uses, to tell his story in the Bible, had flawed characters in their past but became leaders and teachers of his message. From Abraham, who distrusted God’s promise for a child, and chose to have a child with a servant, to Jacob who deceived his father into giving him his brother’s inheritance, to David who had Bathsheba’s husband killed so he could marry her, to Paul who persecuted the Christians, and Peter who denied knowing Jesus, and many others; God used people like this to show future generations, like us, that no one is un-forgivable.

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

So if you feel un-forgivable, or you know someone who may feel this way, remember it only takes a moment to accept the gift of forgiveness God gave us through Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, your grace is so amazing, that no one is beyond your love and the opportunity for forgiveness. Help us remember this for ourselves, and share the peace that comes from this knowledge, with others. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.