Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying another rainy day. It's a perfect day for being lazy, lying on the couch watching a movie; I wish I had the day off. I pray the rain will stop for the game tomorrow night. There's nothing like sitting on some metal bleachers in the cold rain for 2-3 hours. Gonzaga will face DeMatha under the "Friday Night Lights", at the PG Sports and Learning Complex, at 7pm. This is going to be an interesting game because DeMatha is undefeated for the season. They have a huge team, but I think Gonzaga could take them; it's a classic story of the underdog coming out victorious. Let's hope the boys play with heart and have fun, but most importantly everyone stays safe, so please keep them in prayer. You can see highlights, and different information on the season at http://www.dcsportsfan.com/Sports/Football/default.aspx. I'm happy the game isn't on Saturday, so I'm looking forward to a peaceful weekend. Grandma is still in the hospital, but doing well, please continue to keep her in your prayers. Have a wonderful day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about Repentance. When we think of ways we should conduct ourselves as Christians, words like righteous, humble, meek, grateful, thankful, and contrite come to mind. Repentance is defined: a.) To feel remorse, contrition, or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; be contrite. b.) To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one's sins. Growing up in the church the Pastor said if you sin, ask for forgiveness in Jesus' Name, and you will be forgiven. I remember hearing the word repent, but I never knew what it meant, until years later. Confessing, asking for forgiveness, and repenting are all necessary to be forgiven for our sins. Confessing the fact that you’re a sinner shows your meekness before God. Remember when you got in trouble as a kid, and your mom said "if you only tell the truth..."? Surely our punishment was less severe if we confessed our wrongdoing. Asking for forgiveness is a humbling act, because we're acknowledging that we fell short, and need God’s help. Lastly, repentance is the most important step, because we're telling God, “I know I did this bad thing, I feel horrible about it, and I will try my best not to do it again”. It's a commitment to change your ways, because Jesus said, "You are forgiven, but go and sin no more". Going back to the execution of the DC Sniper yesterday, I asked a few people how they felt about it, and read a few articles about the reaction of people around the area. The most common reaction was that people thought Mr. Mohammed deserved to die, because he didn't feel any remorse about his actions. Could you now see why repentance is so important, because we’re dealing with God? How could we, with a clear conscience go out Saturday, party and drink all night, then get up Sunday morning and ask for forgiveness then head out to church? You could do that, and be forgiven, but not if you plan to go out and do the same thing next weekend. Please don't get caught up in thinking that fornication, drunkenness, fear, lying etc. is okay because everybody is doing it, and the flesh is weak. If you find yourself thinking that you're better then John Mohammed, or any other murderer, thief, liar or cheater, then you're wrong, because a sinner is a sinner. Jesus said, "He who is without sin cast the first stone". The good news is the blood of Jesus Christ has redeemed us, Hallelujah! God will forgive anyone who asks, in Jesus' Name, but do so humbly. It's written in Luke 15:7: I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. God hates sin, but He understands that it happens. The Holy Spirit lives in our heart, and He convicts us whenever we sin. If we're in tune with Him, then we'll automatically feel bad when we sin, but it's up to us to move toward righteousness. I don't want you to be discouraged, because we all sin, but repentance is the key to being forgiven, and moving on to a better life. Sin is the reason we're stuck in the wilderness, so when we start to understand that Righteousness come from the Lord, and not from how many checks you write to charity, or hours you volunteer at the church. Jesus Christ is the Key to moving on to brighter days, and living in abundance. Sin is the only reason we disconnect from God, but the simple act of confessing and repenting cleans us white as snow. Salvation is free, and it's a simple prayer away. Conversations with God are necessary, to build a wonderful physical and Spiritual life! Repentance is necessary to keep that relationship at its peak. My favorite verses today are: Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. Turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. (Psalms 40:12-13)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455148&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=5569835&ct=7613837

I love you!