My computer was sick. It had a malware that I couldn't find. It had pop-ups that kept me from several interactive sites, including the ability to update this one. It came on suddenly, and no amount of virus checks, pop-up blockers or other solutions could remedy the situation.
So I spent some time praying this morning. I asked God to clean my computer, but to clean my heart first. I was at my wit's end where my computer was concerned. And then I realized that I hadn't spent nearly enough time in prayer and meditation lately.
This is the point where some of you will say, "Can't be. He's the pastor." Let me answer simply and clearly. "Can be. He's a human."
As a fellow human, let me ask you a question. Have you asked God to check your life and heart for viruses? For the hidden sin that you have tried to eliminate, but you just can't succeed? He knows you better than you do. He will succeed where you can not.
By the way, I was able to end my computer problem. Somehow the malware had hidden in the programs menu. The virus scans couldn't touch it, because it had set itself up as a legitimate program.
Sometimes we justify our sin by saying that it is a legitimate part of our lives. As the alcoholic needs the next drink, or the nicotine addict sees cigarettes as a normal part of his life, we are in danger of seeing sin as simply something that is there, that doesn't go away. It pops up, obscuring our view of Jesus, and we try to work around it, but we can't. It blocks our view of our Savior. It steals the Lordship of Christ from our lives, because He stops being our Lord when we look away from Him. We are blind, and we don't even realize it anymore.
Today, come into His presence. Ask Him to find that sin that you can't seem to defeat. Pray that He will let you see what is blocking you from Him. Then every time it "pops up", give it to Him. Ask Jesus to take it away. Simply pray, "Here, Jesus. You died to take this away from me. My life is yours. I not only give my life to you, but I give my sin to you."
The temptations don't end. But sin doesn't have to be the result. The whole point of Jesus' death was to save you FROM your sin. In fact, He already took your sin on Himself when He was on the cross. Your part is to accept that gift, thank Him for it, and keep letting Him take care of it for you.
Do that, and you will be healthy spiritually. Even more than that, you will be free.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - Jesus, in John 8:36
So I spent some time praying this morning. I asked God to clean my computer, but to clean my heart first. I was at my wit's end where my computer was concerned. And then I realized that I hadn't spent nearly enough time in prayer and meditation lately.
This is the point where some of you will say, "Can't be. He's the pastor." Let me answer simply and clearly. "Can be. He's a human."
As a fellow human, let me ask you a question. Have you asked God to check your life and heart for viruses? For the hidden sin that you have tried to eliminate, but you just can't succeed? He knows you better than you do. He will succeed where you can not.
By the way, I was able to end my computer problem. Somehow the malware had hidden in the programs menu. The virus scans couldn't touch it, because it had set itself up as a legitimate program.
Sometimes we justify our sin by saying that it is a legitimate part of our lives. As the alcoholic needs the next drink, or the nicotine addict sees cigarettes as a normal part of his life, we are in danger of seeing sin as simply something that is there, that doesn't go away. It pops up, obscuring our view of Jesus, and we try to work around it, but we can't. It blocks our view of our Savior. It steals the Lordship of Christ from our lives, because He stops being our Lord when we look away from Him. We are blind, and we don't even realize it anymore.
Today, come into His presence. Ask Him to find that sin that you can't seem to defeat. Pray that He will let you see what is blocking you from Him. Then every time it "pops up", give it to Him. Ask Jesus to take it away. Simply pray, "Here, Jesus. You died to take this away from me. My life is yours. I not only give my life to you, but I give my sin to you."
The temptations don't end. But sin doesn't have to be the result. The whole point of Jesus' death was to save you FROM your sin. In fact, He already took your sin on Himself when He was on the cross. Your part is to accept that gift, thank Him for it, and keep letting Him take care of it for you.
Do that, and you will be healthy spiritually. Even more than that, you will be free.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - Jesus, in John 8:36
