Another Year Older . . . Part 2

Our Heavenly Dwelling

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

No commentary from me is necessary. Praise The Lord!

Another year older and closer to the goal

I just celebrated another birthday and with that additional year have come new and not-so-exciting changes to this earthly dwelling that I inhabit . . . my physical body. While contemplating the changes that inevitably occur with age, I am amazed again at the absolute incomprehensibility of the theory of evolution. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that our bodies are not evolving they are devolving.

Some examples of de-evolution (from a male non-scientific perspective) include:

• My mind says that I can physically still do the things I did as a twenty-something but my body responds by saying: "I DON'T THINK SO, THAT HURTS!"
  

  
   

• Parts of my body about which I never paid much attention now DEMAND my attention, usually in the form of a dose of pain killer.
  

  
   

• Memory lapses seem to arrive much more frequently than in the past. Although I don't remember for sure if that is true or not.
  

 

• Sleep becomes an enigma. Can't sleep late anymore, can't stay awake during the day anymore.
  

 

• Hair doesn't grow where it is supposed to grow but makes appearances in unlikely places like the ears and nose. What's with that?
  

 

• Generally speaking, the body doesn't function quite like it used to function if it functions at all.
  

  
   

I remember a very wise individual (my dear wife) once saying that perhaps God allows our bodies to deteriorate because He doesn't want us to get comfortable here. I think she is absolutely correct.

In Philippians Chapter 3 Paul confirms her hypothesis. In verses 13-14 we read about "straining toward what is ahead . . . pressing on for the goal . . .which is heavenward." Why would we ever want to press on toward something else if we were satisfied with what we have here? If our bodies, health, wealth, pleasure, etc. continued to improve we would become so comfortable and complacent that we would never want to leave. It is for that reason that God has set in motion the 2^nd Law of Thermodynamics – the Law of Entropy. We are falling apart as we age! If you don't believe that see the examples above. If you haven't experienced any of those examples . . . just wait, your time is a coming!

Paul continues in Philippians 3:20-21, for a true believer in Jesus Christ: "our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." In other words, if we are followers of Christ why would we want to stay in this foreign land, a land in which our human frailties are becoming more and more apparent? We ought instead look forward with amazement, wonder, and excitement at the prospect of leaving this fallen world and our decaying bodies and following Jesus into Glory where our real citizenship lies! A citizenship complete with a new, glorified body that will never decay (or need pain killers) and where we will live with Him for eternity!

And so, as another year passes and as another pain emerges in this frail tent called a human body, I eagerly await His coming whether I meet Him in the clouds with all the saints or He calls me home when my work for Him is finished on this earth. In the meantime, praise the Lord for ibuprofen!

When is the last time you thought about . . .?

Easter is past, summer is upon us, the excitement of warm weather, ballgames, time at the lake all vie for our attention. Unfortunately, too often the tyranny of the urgent takes our thoughts from the most important thing. When is the last time you thought about the events of Passion Week? I mean really thought about them other than on Easter morning? When is the last time you meditated on the events that took place that week, their significance, and what they mean to you personally? Is your attention drawn to the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ only at Easter? Do you only think about His suffering when you read the Gospel accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Is His death, burial, and resurrection something that has become so familiar to you that you take it for granted?

If we truly believe that Jesus Christ's sacrifice is the most significant event in history for the world, the church, and each of us individually, it ought to be something that occupies our thoughts and prayers on a daily basis, not just at Easter time. Here are just a few of the Scripture passages that ought to bring us to our knees in awesome wonder, reverent thanksgiving, and unending praise.

ü "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53 :5-6 (NIV) When is the last time you thought about the fact that Jesus suffered physical humiliation and pain (more than any other human ever has) because of your sins? When is the last time you thought about the fact that He chose to take that physical abuse for you because of His unbelievable love for you?

ü "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:45-46 (NIV) When is the last time you thought about the reality of the three hour separation that happened between God the Father and God the Son because of your sin? When is the last time that you bowed down in wonder at the fact that the only time in eternity that God the Father ever turned His back on God the Son was on Calvary when your sin was laid on the Son and the Father could not look at it?

ü "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Luke 24:5-7 (NIV) When is the last time you thought about the amazing miracle of Christ's resurrection? A resurrection that not only defeated Satan, but it also defeated death! When is the last time you thanked Jesus because His resurrection guarantees your resurrection and the resurrection of every believer?

ü "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17 (NIV) When is the last time you thought about the truth that God sent Jesus to die for YOU as YOUR sacrifice? Do you really believe that Jesus would have gone to the cross if you were the only one alive? When is the last time you thought about the fact that He would and He did because He loves you that much?

In the book of Colossians 3:1-2 Paul admonished all believers to: "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."(NIV) "Literally Paul means that we are "to constantly think about (to dwell on) things above". As believers in Christ, members of His body, we are to make deliberate choices to think about Him and the things for which He cares rather than allow ourselves to be influenced and swayed by a world system that is controlled by Satan. When is the last time you really thought about (set your mind and heart on) the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Beloved, Easter is a wonderful time of the year, but don't limit your time of prayerful reflection on the events of Christ's Passion Week to that day alone. Allow the wonder of His free gift and sacrifice to permeate your thought and prayer life on a daily basis as you thank Him and praise Him for His mercy, His love, and His grace that were poured out on that Cross for you!

When will I learn that it is not about me?

In my never ending struggle to submit to the Lord I was reminded once again that the Lord is not interested in my abilities but in my availability. In chapters three and four of the book of Exodus, an interesting conversation is recorded between God and Moses. A conversation that tells us a great deal about the stubbornness of man and the grace of God.

God spoke to Moses giving him clear indication and leading for the ministry God had prepared for him. This led to an interesting exchanged between God and Moses.

The Lord: "I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

Moses: "Why me?"

The Lord: "Don't worry, I will be with you."

Moses: "But I don't don't know what to say to him?"

The Lord: "Tell him that 'I AM" has sent you."

Moses: "Ya right! What if they still don't listen to me?"

The Lord: "I will give you some very unusual abilities that will get their attention. They will listen, believe Me."

Moses: "I don't want to do this, I am a terrible public speaker."

The Lord: "Moses! Who gave you your mouth? I am well able to speak through you."

Moses: "O Lord, please send someone else to do it, I can't wanna do it!"

I am forever grateful that the Lord has, in His great wisdom, allowed us to see into the lives of many of the people He has used throughout Scripture -- the giants of the faith like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Jonah, Paul and Peter, to name a few.

As in the case of Moses, I can relate to the hesitancy and lack of faith that he demonstrated when he was called to a ministry for which he felt he was poorly prepared. Many, many times I have tried to resist the Lord and run from the direction He is leading because of my own feelings of inadequacy. In reality, these feelings are not feelings of inadequacy but my unwillingness to give over complete control of my life to the Lord. I still struggle with the attitude of wanting to do things my way, which usually means not doing what God has directed me to do -- like Moses, "I do it my own self!"

God's grace and patience with me is something that I will never understand, but it is something for which I am eternally grateful. What an awesome God He is to put up with the likes of me. He has chosen, for reasons known only to Him, to minister through me to His people. It is an amazing privilege and clearly shows that our God has a wonderful sense of humor! Praise His Name!

Lord continue to teach me that You are not interested in my abilities, You want my availability!

Random Thoughts on a Rainy Day

Had a mourning dove outside my window that reminded me a lot of me. Kind of a funny, halting gate as he walked, couldn't seem to concentrate on anything in particular, and flew away in a panic stricken frenzy when disturbed.

I learned an important lesson yesterday, a finger is no match for an air powered nail gun. I think I understood the principle before but now I understand it experientally.

When God blesses you with something really exceptional, don't try to improve on it. Better to enjoy it and thank Him for His great provision. My "improvments" make a mess of things.

As I watch theleaders in our government spend our country into oblivion, I am thankful that I know the One who holds all things in His hands and look forward with great anticipation to the day when He establishes His rule.

Children and grand children are a true blessing from the Lord and He has blessed me abundantly more than I could have expected!

As we approach 44 years of marriage, I am continually amazed that my dear wife has endured me all these years. What a wonderful demonstration of love from a godly woman.

Is There Safety and Security in Jesus?

So much of the Bible can seem like an enigma to 21^st century readers. We are not only removed by centuries of time but also by customs and cultural differences that are vastly different from what we know and understand. While God never changes, the people and cultures with whom He deals change. To properly apply the biblical record to our particular situation, we must first understand the people, places, customs, and reasons for the original writing. If we neglect this important step in studying God's Word, we do it at our own peril and open ourselves to misleading and incorrect interpretations of what God is trying to tell us.

The Gospel of John, Chapter 10, is a good example of our needing to find out how the people of John's day understood the words of Jesus as John chronicled those words. The fist century hearer's of Jesus' words and the readers of John's Gospel were very well acquainted with sheep and shepherding. Notice the words of Jesus in John 10:1-16:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!  But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.  They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, ^so he explained it to them: "I tell you the truth; I am the gate for the sheep.  All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.  A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.  The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep.

 "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd."

 

In 21^st century America, we don't have much of a clue what a shepherd did or how his flocks responded to him. In this passage Jesus makes it very clear that He is the "gate" for the "sheepfold". To properly understand this picture, we must understand what a "sheepfold" is and how the shepherd of the flock used himself as the "gate" to protect his sheep.

 

Whenever possible a shepherd gathered his flocks at night and herded them into a protected area. This area may have been a cave, a stone fenced area, or any protective location with only one entrance/exit. After the flock was safely in the enclosure they would relax and rest knowing that the shepherd would position himself in the entrance. This would effectively make him the "gate" over which or through which anything or anyone coming or going would have to pass. In a proper "sheepfold" there was no other way for entrance or exit from that "sheepfold" other than by permission of the shepherd or by removing the shepherd from his protective position.

 

Understanding this "picture" that Jesus drew for His hearers helps us understand the application of the passage for all regardless of cultural differences. Jesus is the Good Shepherd; the sheep are all who have been called by Him, who have believed on Him, and who have been added to His flock by faith; and the sheepfold is that place of protection surrounded by the Holy Spirit with Jesus as the gate. The sheepfold that Jesus is describing is one where there is perfect peace and rest because it is secured by the very Creator of the Universe. No one can enter to kill and steal!

 

What a wonderful picture of where we are if by faith we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. We are safe! We are secure! Nothing can separate us from Him or His love (Romans 8:31-39)!

 

Is there safety and security in Jesus? In a world of turmoil and chaos, there is no other place of perfect peace than in the sheepfold of the Great Shepherd!

 

 

The Legacy of a Godly Mother

Forty-four years ago I met a woman who, six months later, became my wife. Over the years we have traveled many and varied roads together, some good and some not so good. But through it all, the Lord has been by our side leading and directing us.

It has been my awesome privilege to stand next to and watch this godly woman carry, nurture, and raise four God fearing children. These four children have, in turn, blessed us with eleven wonderful, beautiful grand-children. Now I have the additional amazing privilege of watching our children put into practice what they learned from their godly mother as they each raise godly children of their own. What a remarkable legacy my wonderful wife and the godly mother of our children has passed on to our children and grand-children!

God has blessed me beyond measure and I thank and praise Him for a help-mate who has not only demonstrated Christ's love in her life, but who has been used by God to conform me into what He desires me to be.

The writer of Proverbs 31:10-31 had my wife in mine when he penned these words:

The Good Wife

It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than rubies. Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs. She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives.

She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands. She is like a trader's ship, bringing food from far away. She gets up while it is still dark and prepares food for her family and feeds her servant girls. She inspects a field and buys it. With money she earned, she plants a vineyard. She does her work with energy, and her arms are strong. She knows that what she makes is good. Her lamp burns late into the night. She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth.

She welcomes the poor and helps the needy. She does not worry about her family when it snows, because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm. She makes coverings for herself; her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.

Her husband is known at the city meetings, where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land. She makes linen clothes and sells them and provides belts to the merchants. She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy. She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.

She watches over her family and never wastes her time. Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her, saying, "There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them."

Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised. Give her the reward she has earned; she should be praised in public for what she has done. (New Century Version)

Thank you Lord Jesus for blessing me with a wonderful, godly wife, the mother of my children, and my best friend.

Life’s Most Important Question!

Life is full of questions. However, none is more important than the question Jesus asked His disciples as they were walking in the area of Caesarea Philippi.

Caesarea Philippi is a beautiful area located about twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee. A major feature of the location is a massive rock face from which flows one of the streams that form the Jordan River. This stream has created an oasis like area where the worship of pagan gods has taken place for centuries. Indents were carved out of the rock face and statues of pagan gods occupied those carved out spaces. It was here, while walking with His disciples, in the presence of these false gods, that Jesus asked his disciples a very important question.

In the Gospel of Mark 8:27-28 we read: "Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."

In this area, surrounded by the busts of the gods of the nations, Jesus asked His disciples: "Who do people say that I am?"

What an interesting question! Jesus is about six months to live before being crucified and He is interested in what His disciples have heard people say about Him. Notice their answers: "John the Baptist; Elijah; Jeremiah; One of the prophets". Interestingly, among the first century population, there seems to be no question as to whether or not Jesus did miracles. There was no question as to whether or not He was used of God. They questioned whether or not He was the promised Messiah, the Christ.

I was curious to see how people today would answer the question; "Who do men say that Jesus is?" I did a Google search asking that question and got over 3 million hits!
Many of the hits, and I obviously did not read them all, proclaimed Jesus as Savior and Messiah.
However, it was interesting to see how some people today answered that question.

• One fellow believes that Jesus was a myth. "From the standpoint of the supposed facts, the account of the Crucifixion of Christ is as impossible as is the raising of Lazarus from the standpoint of nature. The simple truth is that the four Gospels are historically worthless. They abound in contradictions, in the unreasonable, the miraculous and the monstrous. There is not a thing in them that can be depended upon as true, while there is much in them that we certainly know to be false."
  

  
  

• Islam holds that Jesus was a prophet but not God. "The (Qumran) revelation not only affirms Jesus' prophet hood, but it also clearly denies Jesus' divinity. In (the Qumran), God points out that Jesus ate food, which is a human act, obviously not befitting to God."
  

  
  

• Another individual surmises that: "Jesus was probably a sort of "communist" philosopher, preaching that all humans are equal, and that is what the Romans killed him for. He was probably killed with no trial, just like many other "rebels" of the time that Rome did not deem worthy of any bureaucracy. That is the reason why nobody knows where his tomb is: the Romans did not bother to bury him or return his body."
  

  
  

• And from one of our current day philosophers and self-proclaimed spiritual experts:
  "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself. God's Name is holy, but no holier than yours. To call upon His Name is to call upon your own."
  There is no sin. The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol ... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray. Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross." Oprah Winfrey
  

• And as recently as 2008 the news media reported that: "Modern science has found no evidence of God, and so it's stupid to think God exist. Science has failed to find natural evidence of God. Natural evidence is all there is. No God. Case closed."
  

  
  

So some of the answers that Jesus would get today if He asked: "Who do men say that I am?" would be: "a myth; a prophet but not God; a communist philosopher; a pathetic symbol for the many names of god, and a scientifically non-existent entity."

Over the years I have had conversations with people who question Jesus and the Bible. They often ask me why I take any credence in a book which, according to them, was written by men. I usually answer their question with a question for them. "What is the standard on which you base your moral, ethical, and life actions and direction? I use the Bible, what do you use?" The answer is usually something like, "I am my own standard. I determine what is right and wrong for me." Further discussion with them will usually leave them wondering how the world can avoid mass chaos if everyone follows doing what is right in their own eyes.

So, why do you think that Jesus asked His disciples that particular question? Throughout history the debate has raged on – who is this Jesus? "Who do men say that I am?" Is He really who He said He was or was He just another egotistical fake who perpetrated a fraud that has plagued man for centuries? You and I will never end the debate on the question, Who do men say that I am? Only when the skeptics and unbelievers face Jesus upon their death will they understand the true answer to that question once and for all, and then it will be too late.

So why did Jesus ask His disciples, "Who do men say that I am? I think He was setting the stage to ask the next very interesting question which, along with Peter's amazing answer, we read in Mark 8: 29: "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

Notice that this question was directed to each of them individually: "Who do you say that I am?
Jesus deals with individuals. His sacrificial death was for whosoever – you and me. So He asks: "Who do you say that I am?"
This is arguably the most important question that Jesus ever asked and it is a question He asks of everyone -- including each of us! How do you answer His question? Your answer is critical – it will determine your eternal future. "Who do you say that Jesus is?"

Some people have never thought much about this question, and some may never have heard it before. That doesn't change the importance of your answer. The significance of your answer is found in the fact that there is no other way to get to the Father, and an eternity in heaven, except by believing that Jesus is who He said He was.

• John 14:6 – "No one comes to the Father except through Me."
  

  
  

• Acts 4:12 – "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
  

  
  

• 1 Tim. 2:5 – "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."
  

  
  

Salvation, an eternity with God in heaven, forgiveness of sins, and a right relationship with God while on this earth, comes only, only, only through belief in Jesus Christ. A belief that accepts Him for who He says He is and a belief that places Him on the throne in your life as your personal Lord and Savior.

We cannot earn eternal salvation. It does not come by doing good things while here on earth, or by believing in Allah, Buddha, yourself or any of the New Age gods. When you die and stand before your Maker, He will know how you answered the question: "Who do you say that I am?" And, during that encounter, according the Bible, you will not be given a second chance.

So I ask you again: "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" Do you believe that He is who He says He is? Do you believe, as Peter stated, that He is the Christ? Do you believe that "God so loved the world – that's you and me – that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life?"

Many have answered Jesus' question as Peter did: "You are the Christ." Those of us who have answered this way believe that Jesus is who He said He is and that He paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. We believe in Him and have accepted Him as our personal Lord and Savior.

But our text in Mark does not end there; look at verses 34 – 38:

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Believing in your head that Jesus is the Christ is not enough – you must believe in your heart of hearts! Why? Because believing in Jesus Christ is more than a religion – it's a relationship. A relationship in which Jesus can pour out His love for you and you can reciprocate with love and adoration for Him and others. If we truly believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we have a responsibility; a responsibility to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

So the question that Jesus asks: "Who do you say that I am?" Begs several more questions:

• If you believe that He is the Christ, have you taken up your cross and denied yourself for Him?
  

  
  

• If you believe that He is the Christ, is He truly the most important person in your life? Remember, He is the One who purchased you with His shed blood!
  

  
  

• If you believe that He is the Christ, can others see in your life that Jesus is your primary reason for living? Can they see that you have taken up your cross and are following Him?
  

  
  

• If you have a relationship with Jesus, is it too much for Him to ask that you spend time with Him and talk with Him? That you try to learn, through study of the Bible, what it means "to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him"?
  

  
  

  
  

There is more, so much more, than words to your answer to the question: "Who do you say that I am?" There are actions that demonstrate that you really understand what He is asking, who He is, what He has done for you, and that He is your Lord. These actions include daily time in prayer and Bible study, talking with Him and listening to Him. They include being a living witness that testifies of His presence in you and with you. They include a desire to love and be with His people for encouragement, support, ministry, and fellowship. A desire to be in worship services in S.S., and in Small Group Bible studies. These actions demonstrate your commitment to a relationship with Jesus.

If you have never responded to Jesus before, there is no better time then right now, right where you are. Now is the time for you to answer Jesus' question – "Who do you say that I am?" – and then, if you truly believe and accept Him as your Savior, tell someone and seek out a mature believer who can mentor you as you grow in the Lord.

If you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, there is also no better time than right now to examine yourselves honestly to see if you are walking in a way that truly demonstrates that you know who He is. If you have not taken up His cross and denied yourself, now is the time to confess your sin and to commit to change your behavior. In 1 John 1:9 we read that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Take time right now to examine your heart and honestly answer Jesus. He is asking you right now: Who do you say that I am?