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Why Do We Confess If Our Sins
Are
Already Forgiven? // Ask
Pastor John
His Spiritual Soap is for the
Body: “If we say that we have no sin,
we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” I John 1:8-10
“For you have died and
your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed
with Him in glory. Therefore, consider
the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil
desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
“For it is on account of
these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked,
when you were living in them. But now
you also put them all aside: anger,
wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” Colossians
3:3-4
Everyone is being told to
wash their hands thoroughly and for long enough for our hands to be really
clean again during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The virus spreads easily from things we may unconsciously or consciously
touch. It is imperative that we do not get
the virus into our system and so we do not give the virus to others.
The virus is like sin – it easily
infects us. If our eternal salvation is
guaranteed -- once for all -- by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
why do we have to keep ‘washing our hands’?
As the above podcast by John Piper explains, Christians must understand
and distinguish between the purpose and permanent securing of our forgiveness
(once for all) from the personal possession and enjoyment of that benefit we
have by faith.
Our Father wills and works
His purposes in our lives for our good and His glory. Staying close to Him with willing and clean
hands is our responsibility. Making war
on our own sin -- by washing regularly with His Spiritual soap -- ensures we do
not encourage others to be careless about the sin in their lives.
Take care, your servant and
friend in Christ, Darlene (who still prays for you each morning).
PS: My statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com You can find
the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay Devotion”
(Also, there is an android “Google Blogger” app you can download to read them
on your phone.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
(NOTE: Words
underlined have a link embedded to provide more details)
To serve
you in a new way, I’m researching and writing practical information for you
about the pandemic. Please visit: https://newsaboutcovid19.blogspot.com/
Please pray for all involved, for health care
workers, those trying to contain the spread; for those contagious, for those
who contract the virus, for those feeling afraid and lonely and for the
families who have lost loved ones. Pray they are wise, patient and
take precautions to protect others.
· Today in 209 countries
· 2,468,568 reported
cases
· 56,443 critical
condition
· 169,733 reported deaths
- Doris (my second mom) – celebrated her 101st birthday 22
December 2019. She is suffering from lack of visitors now, has
fallen twice, hitting her head and is being watched carefully. She doesn’t understand why no one is
visiting her and is not eating well. Thank the Lord for Patti, (daughter), and
her husband John for their faithful support.
- Pray Freddy, Doris’ son, now in his third marriage, does more to help while she
is still here and that he reaches out to his Father in heaven for guidance
and hope.
- Hans – was to have exploratory surgery
for a mass discovered in his abdomen from a car crash he was in many years
ago. Please pray for his healthcare
providers and for his patience.
Pray he is surrounded by faithful Christian friends and leaders who
support him.
- Penne – just lost her husband of 43 years after being his total
caregiver for the last 10 years.
She suffers mental problems, stemming from a childhood experience
and has reached out to Patti (pray for her wisdom and patience), but seems
unstable and confused. She has ‘disowned’
all her family, and although a believer does not attend fellowship for support. Please pray for peace and God’s guidance
for her that her faith may be invigorated once more.
- USA President Donald Trump as he leads us through this
pandemic – It is especially our responsibility
as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man. If
you doubt the importance of his appointment, just look at how much
antagonism there is against him. Surely Satan is NOT happy and
means to thwart God’s plan. Pray someone helps President Trump
understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
that he will have a driving hunger to read God’s Word for himself and that
God sends a Bible-believing Christian to regularly
disciple him in the Truth and that God shuts the mouths of the false
prophets who circle around him.
- Fred – is making plans
to move from California to Tennessee in the Fall of 2020. Pray
for his wise attention to detail, stamina and roaring good health as he
makes these life changes.
NEW Prayer Updates
- Sarah – had run away from home. Police
returned her home, put her in treatment and she is now with her
parents. She is not happy being there
and watches every move her mother makes to escape again. Very stressful during this time of ‘sheltering
in place’. They hope she will find
a job when possible. Thank you for
praying and that she is finally home, getting help and support.
- Julia – (Patti’s daughter) now teaching online so less stress. Adrian (9-year old) is on new medication
that is finally working and Micah (6-year old with Type 1 diabetes) have
been getting along well. Continue
to pray for her strength, patience and resolute heart as she helps her
children grow up.
- Patti’s Best Friend – lost both her parents within six
months after a lifetime of caring for them. Her husband’s mother died in January and
his 94-year old father now lives with them. Help them take time for each other and
keeping their faith strong.
PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE
During
this time, when the entire world is struggling to understand this ‘plague’, it
is critical that each of us upholds our Christian leaders. They will
be a very stretched resource for us all. Pray for their safety and
strength their families and most of all, their wisdom to pace themselves.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS
Many of
us have family, friends and loved ones who are fragile
health-wise. It is important to protect them in wise and practical
ways and most important we must pray even more for them that the Lord will have
mercy on them during this challenging time.
- My brother, Tim, and Barb, his wife
- Christine’s husband
- Ray’s Dad
- David R
- Sergio
- Gary McQ
- Len Carbone
- Liriel
- Uncle Dwight
- Aunt Donna
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