True Sorrow for Sin

Today's Devotion Thursday, June 13, 2019

True Sorrow for Sin

Today's Text Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression; but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy. Steps to Christ, 37. Repentance includes sorrow for sin, and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life. Steps to Christ, 23. One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. Steps to Christ, 29. The tears of the penitent are only the raindrops that precede the sunshine of holiness. This sorrow heralds a joy which will be a living fountain in the soul. “Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God”; “and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 3:13, 12. “Unto them that mourn in Zion,” He has appointed to give “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 61:3. The Desire of Ages, 300, 301. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, true sorrow for sin only comes as we come into contact with the purity and holiness of God. As the divine life shines upon us, we look upon ourselves as wholly unworthy of His love. We see in our lives nothing that we can make us worthy of His love. Yet "... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). As we come to Jesus with a broken and contrite heart, wholly unworthy of the great sacrifice that God has made for us. It is this contrition of heart that leads us to confess our sins before Him. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51:17). True sorrow for sin will only come from a broken and contrite heart. It will lead us to confess that we are sinners before God, and by His power we may turn from it. Those who are truly sorry for sin, will put away the evil of their doings, that they may be right with God. My friend, the only way that we can receive the salvation that God desires for us to have is to recognize that it was our sins that cause the Son of God to lay down His holy and righteous life for us, that through Him we may be restored back into the image of God. God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

Jesus Is the Spirit - Nader Mansour Jesus IS the Spirit. The Bible evidence is overwhelming. Nader Mansour examines this subject from a unique perspective, focusing on the practical ramifications of this important truth. What is the danger of denying that Jesus IS the spirit? This and much more is explored in this study. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org

Friday: Sincere Confession Essential

Faith Is the Victory

Today's Devotion Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Faith Is the Victory

Today's Text For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

The Christian's life should be one of faith, of victory, and joy in God. “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Truly spake God's servant Nehemiah, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. And Paul says: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks....” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. The Great Controversy, 477, 478. God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the strength they need, and to give them the wisdom that their varied necessities demand. He will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him. Jesus does not call on us to follow Him, and then forsake us. If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which God has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, Christ does not leave us.... “He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” Psalm 72:12. Gospel Workers, 262, 263. It is faith that enables us to look beyond the present, with its burdens and cares, to the great hereafter, where all that now perplexes us shall be made plain. Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator at the right hand of God. Faith beholds the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Faith sees the robe and crown prepared for the overcomer, and hears the song of the redeemed. Gospel Workers, 259, 260. We may claim much of our kind heavenly Father. Great blessings are in reserve for us. We may believe in God, we may trust Him, and by so doing glorify His name. Testimonies for the Church 2:319. The strength of those who, in faith, love and serve God, will be renewed day by day. Gospel Workers, 262. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, it is not our faith that saves us, nor is it our faith that transforms us. It is the living reality of the Son of God living within us. We simply lay hold of Him by faith. Everyone is granted a measure of faith and faith is the means by which we lay hold of the divine nature as it is in Jesus Christ. Many make the mistake of thinking that faith is simply an exercise of the mind that we may be changed by it. But it is much more; It is the reaching out by our spirit to lay hold of the righteousness of Jesus. It is not just a mental exercise, but a spiritual reality that we bring into our life. As we abide in Jesus, He abides in us. This is as real as you are reading this message, and we lay hold of it by faith. Thus by faith, we are victorious because we have laid hold of Him who is victorious. May you lay hold of Jesus by faith today. God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

Jesus Is the Spirit - Nader Mansour Jesus IS the Spirit. The Bible evidence is overwhelming. Nader Mansour examines this subject from a unique perspective, focusing on the practical ramifications of this important truth. What is the danger of denying that Jesus IS the spirit? This and much more is explored in this study. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org

Thursday: True Sorrow for Sin

The Just Shall Live by Faith

Today's Devotion Tuesday, June 11, 2019

The Just Shall Live by Faith

Today's Text As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Colossians 2:6

Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly—by abiding in Him—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the author, but the finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8. Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?” In the same way as you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6. “The just shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ's sake did all this for you. By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all—your heart, your will, your service—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper—to give you power to obey. Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. Steps to Christ, 69, 70. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, living by faith is to be daily surrendered to Jesus; daily laying hold of His will and receiving grace to walk in Him. Thus your life will be molded after the divine nature. Many do not realize that to take the Son of God upon us is to abide in Him; to lay all our plans at His feet,that His will may be done in us. As we abide in Jesus, His life becomes our life; the sinful things that we once desired to do loose their hold upon us and we long for the righteousness of Jesus. When we hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ, the promise is that we will be filled. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are justified by His grace. Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24). This is the miracle of the new birth. Then as we daily abide in Him, the defects of character that has been wrought by sin, are erased as the perfect life of the Son of God transforms our characters and fits us for heaven. My friend, If you have accepted the Son of God as your Savior, you are saved; you are justified by faith. Then as you live your life surrendered to Him, you are living by faith in the Son of God and He will transform you step by step until you are fitted for heaven, that where He is we may be also. (John 14:3). God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

Jesus Is the Spirit - Nader Mansour Jesus IS the Spirit. The Bible evidence is overwhelming. Nader Mansour examines this subject from a unique perspective, focusing on the practical ramifications of this important truth. What is the danger of denying that Jesus IS the spirit? This and much more is explored in this study. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org

Wednesday: Faith Is the Victory