What God Does with Our Sins

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. (Ps 103:10–13).

Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,

“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (Is 1:18).

You have cast all my sins behind Your back (Is. 38:15)

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;

And I will not remember your sins. (Is 43:25).

For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. (Je 31:34).

Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. 

19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. (Mic 7:18–19).

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (Jn 1:29).

Seven Scriptural Prayer Requests

According to Colossians 1, when praying for others ask God to give them the following:

  1. Spiritual Insight, v 9

  2. A Godly Life, v 10a

  3. Kingdom Success, v 10b

  4. Christian Maturity, v 10c

  5. Supernatural Power, v 11a

  6. Joyful Endurance, v 11b

  7. A Grateful Heart, v 12-14

Source: Dr. Chuck Herring, First Baptist Collierville, TN, July 26, 2020

Safety in the Storm

Personal protection is something important to everyone, especially during these chaotic days. Noah teaches us three important lessons.

  1. Noah was protected because he was righteous (Genesis 6:8-9a)

  2. Noah was righteous because he walked with God (Genesis 6: 9b)

  3. Noah walked with God because he trusted and obeyed God (Genesis 6: 22 & Hebrews 11:7).

To summarize, if you trust and obey God, you will walk with God, and if you walk with God you will live righteously, and if you live righteously God will protect you!

Hope for America

Our nation is in trouble. We are experiencing the judgment of God. Turmoil abounds. Darkness accelerates its hatred. Is it too late for the United States of America? There is still a chance for America and there is a precedent from scripture.

Nineveh was the capitol of Assyria. This wicked nation offended God and His wrath was imminent. But they experienced revival and turned to God.

  1. God used an imperfect prophet. Jonah was a reluctant, hateful, angry person. But God used him!

  2. God used Jonah’s incomplete message. Jonah merely announced, “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). God used Jonah’s few words to bring repentance and as a result judgment was averted.

So here’s the point: IF GOD CAN USE AN IMPERFECT PROPHET WITH AN INCOMPLETE MESSAGE TO BRING REVIVAL TO NINEVEH THEN HE CAN USE US ALSO TO BRING REVIVAL TO AMERICA.

Storms in the Night

Why did Jesus direct His disciples to go into a storm (Matthew 14:22:-33)?

  1. It was an opportunity for Jesus to show His power (verse 26).

  2. It was an opportunity for the disciples to learn what faith in God could do (28-29).

As I write these words our nation is in the midst of the Coronavirus. These are scary times. The news headlines tell us how bad things are. Yet we as believers must remember that God is in control, and He has allowed for this test to come upon us. In a sense, just like in Matthew 14, Jesus has led us into a nighttime storm. Why would He do that? Why is Jesus allowing our nation to suffer through this frightful time?

First, God is always concerned about His glory. He wants people to revere Him, worship Him, and affirm that truly Jesus is the Son of God (verse 33). Already here in America the death count for COVID-19 is dramatically less than what was forecast. God is answering prayers. Remedies for this virus are being developed, God is delivering us from this crisis.

Second, this current health crisis is a time for God’s people to grow in their faith-walk with God. The whole Christian life is an experience of faith (Romans 1:17). This is how we are to respond to this virus also. Faith, faith, faith is how we are to live the Christian life. And like Peter walking on the water (verse 29), soon we are going to overcome this “storm in the night.”

Blessed after 12 Years

For 12 years I have served the churches of Memphis, Tennessee. I have ministered in all kinds of places and served all types of pastors.

For 12 years a woman in the Bible suffered from a serious medical condition. She visited many doctors but never found relief.

For 12 years a little girl grew up. She was the delight of her father Jairus. By all accounts, her’s was a happy and normal childhood.

In this stage of life, after 12 years of ministry in Memphis, I need the Lord. My experience is similar to the two ladies mentioned above. I have known both heartache and happiness. How can the Lord heal me / help me? What can I learn from these two ladies?

  1. I MUST BE HUMBLE. Both of the petitioners described in Luke 8 got down low before the Lord. One approached from the front, the other from the back. Yet both stooped low in the presence of the Lord. If I want God to bless me after 12 years, I also must lower myself mentally and physically to seek the Lord.

  2. I MUST BELIEVE. Both of the miracles happened because of faith. “Your faith has made you well” and “Don’t be afraid only believe.” So I too must trust the Lord in this 12th year of ministry in Memphis. Don’t despair, don’t doubt, remain confident in God!

Three happy endings. The older woman, the young girl, and this Tennessee preacher. Thank you Lord.

When God Speaks

Luke 5

GOD SPEAKS UNIVERSALLY, v 1-3

GOD SPEAKS PERSONALLY, v 4

  1. When God speaks to you don’t argue, v 5a

  2. When God speaks to you just obey, v 5b

  3. When God speaks to you expect a blessing, v 6

  4. When God speaks to you share with others, v 7

Are you Better than the Unborn?

Granted, Solomon became kind of grumpy old man; but, his writings are included in Holy Scripture and thus profitable. In one of his more melancholy moments, Solomon said, “If you can’t see the goodness and be satisfied with the goodness, it would be better for you not to have lived.”

  1. SEE THE GOODNESS (Ecclesiastes 6:6)

  2. BE SATISFIED WITH THE GOODNESS (Ecclesiastes 6:3).

Solomon also said, “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

SUGGESTED PRAYER: Lord today, help me to focus on my blessings not my problems.