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Author: jamie

By Posted on Posted in forgiveness, grace, sanctification No Comments

I was very intrigued by this verse that I read today:

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Heb 10:14 NIV

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Heb 10:14 NKJ

This verse speaks of one thing that is done and one thing that is ongoing. By one action, one death, one sacrifice, my sins are atoned for. That business is done. The word “perfected” means completed, finished, accomplished. The never-ending forgiveness of my sins has been accomplished.

While the issue of sin and forgiveness is done and settled, I am still being sanctified. That business is ongoing. I am still being set apart, consecrated, transformed. I am still being shaped into Christ’s image and being used by Him in increasingly effective ways.

The enemy wants me to get the truth of this scripture mixed up. He wants me to think that the process of my atonement is ongoing. I have to perform in order to be worthy and forgiven. I am setting aside these lies and standing confidently in the truth that I am forgiven. It is done. The sins that you and I will commit later today and tomorrow are already covered. Praise God!

By Posted on Posted in God's love, God's presence 1 Comment

We have a warrior God. I heard a pastor say once that when it comes to spiritual warfare, the battle is not against us, but over us.  We are the spoils of war. The Lord is ever warring with the enemy for the salvation and transformation of His children.

This truth came alive as I read Psalm 139. Verse 5 says, “You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” I looked up the word “hem” in the original language, and discovered that it’s more of a battle term than a sewing term.

It means to press in, to confine, to besiege.  In His great love and passion, the Lord presses in to communicate with us. To protect us. To influence us.  His desire is to confine us to His presence so that we are never alone. He literally besieges our hearts, wanting to invade every empty and broken place so that He can bring healing and transformation.

The enemy wants to besiege us as well, with his lies and accusations. He wants to confine us with shame and bitterness. He wants to lay siege to our hearts in order to destroy us. What comfort we receive in knowing that God presses in first and foremost. We hold to the truth that we “are from God and have overcome (evil), because the one who is in (us) is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

By Posted on Posted in growth, pruning, trusting Him No Comments

The Lord prompted me to go out to our rose garden this morning, so I grabbed the pruning shears and a bucket on my way. As I snipped off the dead blooms, He spoke to me about the pruning that He does in my life.

Pruning is necessary. Shriveled blooms must be removed to make room for new blossoms. Wayward branches must be trimmed back to keep the rose bush where it belongs. Diseased portions must be trimmed off to keep the plant healthy.

God has many reasons for pruning things out of my life.  He may see a relationship, job, ministry, locale, or habit as unhealthy, diseased, or beyond fruitfulness.

Pruning is painful.  As I trimmed off old blooms that were clearly dead, the green flesh of each stem was visible. The branches were still full of life! There was no “snap” heard when I cut off the dead flower because the stem was still tender. I was instantly reminded of times in my life when God’s pruning felt like a wound in the tender places of my heart.

God may trim something that seems perfectly healthy or fruitful. It may be very painful to let go. There may be serious grieving involved! In His wisdom, the Lord may remove something for no apparent reason than to make room for something else. We must trust His hands as the Master Gardener and let Him do the work.

I’m being pruned as we speak! I keep trying to talk the Lord into keeping this particular branch. I see life in it! This morning, He agreed with me that there was still some value in it. However, there is far more value in letting it go to make room for something new.

Bittersweet. The pain of letting go combined with the joy and anticipation of God’s faithful work in my life. He is worthy of my trust, so I will let go….