Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008

April 9, 2008

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April 9, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 28; Ezekiel 33:1-20; Revelation 13

Today is April 9, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. You are part of a devotional community where we put Christ first and our commitment is to spend time with each other and Time with God every day.

Some days are like that… I don’t know exactly what all I accomplished yesterday, but I did a lot of it! I tried to edit our Radio broadcast, but I never got very far. Susan came in to do secretarial stuff. David called about a reference to Honor College, a school he has applied to. Honor College called me and interviewed me. I helped Marcia put up the worship page on the internet. It’s up now. I spoke to Cary for a few on the phone. Chris brought her grandson Colin down to visit, what a delight he is! We went to look at a house on Whistlers lane. And I talked to Jay for a while, and Dana for a while and a salesman for a while. Evie and Isaiah dropped in to see me as well! Susan was feeling exceptionally tired last night, and a little discouraged about her leg. It was hurting. After dinner I ran to our men’s meeting. I have proof that my son in law is a little kooky. I put a picture of him at www.timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Jayn commented that yesterday’s picture of Carl, and the reflection of Bill and Phil was pretty amazing. I didn’t do that on purpose… the director behind the scenes did that!

This week’s theme verse is Romans 8:31-34. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

I got guilt! How about you? Every time I say or do something wrong or things don’t turn out so well demonstrating yet another lapse of judgment on my part, I get guilt. Guilt is good. Guilt is a warning signal that something is not as it should be and needs immediate attention. If God would just lay on the guilt a little thicker and heavier the instant before we made the mistake, we would make less of them. Guilt is one of the great restrainers in life. Thank God for guilt! But guilt is bad… at least false or excessive guilt is bad. Sometimes we feel guilty when we shouldn’t. For example, “I felt so guilty for having to scold or discipline my son / daughter. He stuck his lower lip out and gave me that sad pout. How can you even think of punishing him?” Somebody has you fooled! They know how to make you feel guilty when all along they are the ones that deserve the guilt! (and the punishment). Beware of false guilt! Excessive guilt isn’t so good either. “I’ve confessed that sin at least a dozen times and I still feel guilty!” That is one of the problems of the human condition. Even though God forgave us the first time, we hang on to the guilt. Do you suppose we tire God out by our constant confessing? “Dear child! I forgave that sin 29 confessions ago! Don’t you think it’s time you let it go!” In answer to the question “who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” I think it is safe to say that WE often bring charges against ourselves! Guilt rears its ugly head and we wallow in it. Five wise words, “It is God who justifies!” We say guilty, God says forgiven. We say condemned, God says acquitted. We say judged and God says justified! Justified is the official ruling on my sin, “It is pardoned completely.” That’s a fact. But the judge can say, “not guilty,” and we can still “feel guilty.” Feelings may have no basis in reality! Since God is in charge of reality, we need to be sure that our feelings line up with his truth. Thank God for the no guilt of His forgiving reality. I am justified!

Dear Savior. I have to admit that I struggle with guilt. Thank you for your convicting Spirit that turns the warning light on every time I sin. Please sound it loud and long so that I will listen. And Dear Savior, thank you for justification! Thank you that you have given me complete forgiveness. I want to rest in your freeing grace. You don’t want me to wallow in guilt, you want me to be free! So, I will confess my sins and then I will remind myself over and over of the chains of sin that have unshackled and the prison bars of guilt you have freed me from! I am free!

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:43 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

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