Hurting

Did you really know that you are not the only one hurting?

You are not the only one with a closet full skeletons. Did you know that it doesn't matter if it's one little toy sized skeleton or the closet's jammed packed with monstrous sized ones? Rather like sin, even the smallest, white ones are still dry bones.

The wondrous thing is that we don't have to keep them there. Christ Jesus died to save us from the punishment of our sins and those include every brittle bone we have ever stuffed away. It's funny that we all recognize and accept Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", but when it comes to admitting that we still may have consequences from past sins, we feel so alone and that no other Christian will understand.

But, you are not alone.

What is so amazing and gracious about God is He can take those skeletons and use them to His glory through our lives. We can live victoriously, after all!

We need only open the closet door.

What then are we to say about these things? 

If God is for us, who is against us?

He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; 

how will He not also with Him grant us everything? 

Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. 

Who is the one who condemns?

Christ Jesus is the One who dies, but even more, has been raised; 

He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

Who can separate us from the love of Christ?

Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

As it is written: 

Because you were being put to death all day long; 

we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 

No, in all these things 

we are more than victorious 

through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, 

nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 

nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing 

will have the power to separate us from the love of God 

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Romans 8:31-39

Everyday News

For those of you who haven't heard, Christian artist Jennifer Knapp has decided to come back to the music industry, but not within the same genre. With the release of her new album entitled Letting Go set to hit stores May 11th, she has also opened the personal pages of her life style revealing her choice to be a lesbian. Christianity Today: Jennifer Knapp Come Out

What does the everyday Christian do with that?

There will be some who pretend like Jennifer's career never existed, while others berate her, boycotting any store that sells her music. There are those who fear haveing to explain it to their children or new a believer in Christ. Situations like this are messy and uncomfortable, and for good reason: How do we handle a fallen hero of the faith?

There are several verses that come to mind:

The first is Luke 6:46, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say?" Homosexuality is very clear in the Bible as being against God. It is the choice of a sinful lifestyle. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, "Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: no sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom." But verse 11 is what we need to focus on, "Some of you were like this; but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

No, Ms. Knapp is not displaying the fruit of a disciple of Christ, but that does not mean she is doomed for eternity. Whether she was truly saved before, or has never been doesn't make a difference. We need to pray - in love - for her to repent, now. Remember, we have all been there. Perhaps not as homosexuals, but as lifestyle sinners. "...There is no one righteous, not even one...For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23, 10


So what is the message for us? Diligence. We are to focus on keeping ourselves pure and not be afraid to confront our brothers and sisters in love when we see them beginning to stray. We exercise endurance. "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24


As for children, new believers, and those who are searching, we tell them the truth. God hates sin, for it can not be in His presence, but the Good News is that Jesus Christ died to save each one of us from the sins we commit. We pray for their eyes to be open and their hearts softened. If we are completely devastated by a role model's failure, to the point where it causes one to stumble, then perhaps our eyes have been focused on the wrong Person, anyway. Idolatry comes in many forms. What a precious chance to repent ourselves!