God forgives and forgets.

When you confess your sin to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (IJhn 1:9) Essentially, God forgives and forgets. When you say, “Oh God, I did it again”, He says, “Did what?” His forgiveness cleans the slate, every time. So why do we continue to beat ourselves up over something that’s no longer there?

We have an enemy who knows how to manipulate us. Those whispers stir up old strife and make it feel new and current. It’s a lie. When God forgives, there’s nothing more to confess. Rebuke the lie. Confirm to yourself that you are forgiven and move on. Don’t allow the enemy to make you feel guilty for past wrongs that have been forgiven.

If you continue to sin in the same areas, then you need to allow God to change your heart. A true relationship with God will make you want to live honorably for Him, and He’ll help you do that. His conviction will prompt you to confess sin, but then you need to change what you’ve been doing. Be obedient to do the right thing and don’t beat yourself up. Remember to rebuke the lie when it comes up and thank God for His forgiveness.

Another post on repentance: How To Repent

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The kingdom of God is like a pearl of great price.

Jesus described the kingdom of heaven in some unusual ways. It’s like a man who sowed good seed in his field while the enemy sowed in weeds. It’s like a mustard seed. It’s like leaven which a woman put in her bread dough. It’s like a treasure hidden in field. It’s like a merchant looking for beautiful pearls. It’s like a fishing net that catches good fish and bad fish. It’s like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. It’s like a landowner who hired laborers for the day. It’s like ten virgin who lit their lamps for the bridegroom.

It’s like…what? Jesus, just tell us, what is the kingdom of heaven like! Well, He did. It’s not a kingdom like anyone expected. He didn’t build a castle and go to war. He offered Himself up to die. He didn’t create an empire where the haves rule over the have-nots. He put His Spirit inside us. He rules from within.

The kingdom of God is so unusual that it defies logic. How can a kingdom be inside of people? How can it be ten virgins who lite lamps for their wedding? Jesus told so many stories that seemed unrelated, but really described facets of the kingdom, like turning a diamond in the sun.

The kingdom of God looks insignificant because it’s not flashy. It’s plain and humble. And yet, when this humble kingdom is accepted, it grows roots and becomes huge and strong. It grows up and around everyone. Some are changed by it and some are not. There will be a time of weeding, but for now, the weeds left to grow as they will.

The pearl merchant is like the ones who are looking for more. Because they are hungry for the things of the Spirit, they will find great treasure. The five smart virgins are the ones who constantly keep their lamps filled, like those who seek God daily for more anointing. They will meet the Bridegroom in glory. The leaven is like the small acts of kindness and goodness that affect the lives of people who are hungry for truth.

The kingdom of God cannot be described easily, and yet it can be described simply. It is unassuming and yet powerful beyond belief. It is available to everyone, but only the wise will find it. It is free and of priceless worth. It is the peculiar plan of God to bring a people to Himself.

Another post on living in the kingdom: Sow Well For Wonderful Harvest

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Conviction helps us get closer to God.

It’s important to be sensitive to God’s Spirit so we hear Him when He tells us about things that need to be cleaned up in our lives. That’s called conviction. Conviction points to those areas of sin that we need to get rid of. We actually know about them. They’re usually not a big surprise, we just have to admit that we need to change. Conviction brings us closer to God as we clean out those bad areas.

However, the enemy loves to mess with us and whisper in our ears that our past sin is beyond redemption. He says that God is mad at us and would never forgive us for that. He brings condemnation to rub our nose in our failure. It’s the same sin that God convicts us of, but the enemy will make us feel terrible instead of bringing us closer to God. Condemnation makes us hide from God because we think that God is mad at us.

Nothing could be further from the truth. God loves us now, just as we are. The only reason He convicts us of sin is to draw us closer to Him so we receive more blessing. He doesn’t want to punish us. He wants to clean us up and give us peace. Conviction is a good thing.

Another post on conviction: Conviction Isn’t Guilt

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Grace is yours as a son or daughter of the King.

The common definition of grace is unmerited favor, or favor you don’t deserve. Favor is a privilege, something special that is given to an elect group, not everyone. So grace is something special given to you then you didn’t deserve. And as a son or daughter of the King, you are covered in grace. But grace is like all the gifts of the Spirit, if you don’t receive it, it won’t operate in your life.

Why do you need to ask for grace? Grace will cover you when you mess up. Grace will open doors that wouldn’t normally open for you. Grace will promote you earlier than expected. It’s not that you haven’t worked hard already, it’s that grace will give you an extra blessing on top of that. Your resume will be at the top of the pile. You work will be noticed and appreciated. The checkout line will move quickly when you have to be somewhere else.

Grace is not a magic wand. It’s not a trump card you pull out when you need it. It is a blessing from heaven that is available to us as sons and daughters of the King. God wants to bless us and give us favor. He wants to bless us with grace. It’s ok to ask for. And it’s fun to watch. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Jam 4:6)

Another post on grace: Grace Protects Against Sin

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You are making disciples when others watch your life.

Jesus said to go and make disciples. (Mat 28:19) Whether we like it or not, people will watch our lives and be influenced by us. That makes us responsible to be the heart of God everywhere we go. If we are flippant in our responses, if we lose our patience, if we become angry easily, we misrepresent the Father to people who are desperate for the Father’s love.

We all have issues that we need to clean up. It’s part of our human condition. Thankfully, God made a way for us to clear out all the stuff that doesn’t honor Him. All we have to do is confess our sins to Him, and He will forgive us. Repentance must be real. We have to change our ways and be led by His Spirit.

That kind of repentance is noticeable. That kind of influence is seen and felt by others who need the same touch of God. If you know you don’t show God well, confess it to Him. Ask Him to change your heart and take out anything that doesn’t honor Him. Allow yourself to be changed and molded by Him.

You may not feel like a disciple maker, but you are when others are watching you. Let your life be the influence of God to the world.

Another post on making disciples: Rise Up Disciple Maker

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