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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue 733 February 15, 2003 - Nonchalant Sin In our living room, beside the front window is a recliner/rocker. It's a comfortable chair and a great place to just sit and think. Every now and then I catch Genni the wonder dog in it. She knows she is not allowed on the furniture but as soon as no one is looking up she goes. She stays off the rest of the furniture but she loves that chair. It is Genni's place to guard the house from when we're out. It's comfortable and she has a clear view of the front of the house and the street. We can see her in the chair when we come home, but by the time we get to the front door she is there waiting for us. Every now and then, we almost catch her in the chair when we're home. She'll hear us coming, then we'll hear a thump as her feet hit the floor and when we enter the room the chair is rocking and she's stretching nonchalantly with an innocent look on her face. She doesn't like the consequences of getting caught, but whenever she thinks she can get away with it, she's on that chair. You see she doesn't understand grace and forgiveness, she knows only the law and its consequences. She knows she will get in trouble if we catch her on the chair, but the appeal is too strong for her. Our sin nature loves to sin. It's part of who we are. The only thing that keeps most people in line is a fear of consequence. That's why we have laws and penalties for lawbreakers. Even Christians have secret little sins that they might consider doing if there were no consequences and no one would ever find out. Temptation wouldn't be attractive to us if there weren’t something about sin that appealed to us. If we truly saw the ugliness of sin and not just the consequences of getting caught, it would hold no appeal. We all have sin that we can step out from and look nonchalant on a moments notice, but would be mortified if confronted with. Fortunately, when we accept Christ as Saviour, His Spirit moves in and gives us the ability to resist temptation. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 NIV We're told to resist Satan's attempts to get to us. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8 NIV The one we serve is stronger than the enemy You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 NIV It's God living in us that gives us the power to overcome the sin that we enjoy so much. Turn to Him when you're facing temptation and the consequences don't seem strong enough to turn you away from its draw. When you've stumbled, take it to Him right away to be washed clean of your sin. Until next time, may Holy Spirit fill your heart and strengthen you to resist the areas of temptation. May the love of God have more appeal than the fear of consequences for you. May you be holy indeed! Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are hidden in Christ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. Are you tired of living a life of lies and sin? Jesus can give you the power to battle that sin and the forgiveness to make you clean and whole again. If you want to know how that's possible simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Ministisries International - All Rights Reserved
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