Pastor's Midweek Message
Midweek Message w/o April 14, 2024
Do you remember taking tests in school, whether in middle school, high school, or whatever school you were attending at that time? After you turned in your test paper, didn’t you wish sometimes that you could go back just one time to change a few answers on your test? Or simply retake that test? To receive a chance to correct the wrongs you have done is a priceless gift in this world. People rarely receive such chances in our secular world. Such a gift of second chances can save your relationships, your job, reputation, financial situations, mind, social status, and future. You cannot buy a second chance with money. However, our God offers it freely throughout our lifetime. God offers you the second chance so freely and easily that many of us take this precious gift for granted. The amazing thing about God’s second chance is that it is not just a one time deal. Our second chance from God is given to us continually throughout our lifetime. One thing we must remember is that free is not free. Even though you did not have to pay for it, someone else had to. That is Jesus. Jesus paid for all our sins on that cross so that we do not have to die for our sins. Now, all we have to do is to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, accept the forgiveness, and trust in God’s Word and love for us with a grateful heart.
Personally, I am so grateful to God for such gifts in my life. I fully use them every day. However, I get discouraged because I find myself asking for forgiveness to God over the same thing repeatedly. Why am I not getting better at getting rid of my old habits, which is not pleasing to God? Then I hear this voice saying, “You are a loser. You will never get better. How long have you been a Christian? Yet, you still have long ways to go.” That is a devil talking to you without a doubt. God will never criticize you like that. This is what God will say to you. “I AM so proud of you. Look how far you have come. You may not be where you want to be, but aren’t you glad that you are not where you used to be?” Where were you in your relationship with God ten years ago? The past ten years, I have learned so much more about God. My relationship with God right now may not be perfect, but it certainly has grown since then. Did you know that you are not shaped by the past, but by the future? People of the world may be shaped by the past and make decisions based on what they have done in their past. We, believers, are shaped by where we are going, not where we have been. All our decisions and choices are made toward where we are going after this life. I do everything I do so that I can spend eternity with my God in that Heavenly Kingdom. If your past bothers you, remember it enough to make sure that you don’t repeat the same mistakes you made in the past. However, do not let it control you, your life. God forgave you and has forgotten about it. Why do you still hold onto it? Are you better than God? I’ve heard some people say, “God may have forgiven my sins, but I never could.” Once again, I must ask, “God has forgiven your sins and forgotten all about them. Then why can’t you walk away from them? Are you better than God?” When you confess your sins to God, you are giving God all your sinfulness. It is no longer yours. To receive God’s forgiveness of your sins, you must let go of them. Let go. It is no longer yours. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you to grow in God, in God’s Word. And celebrate your victory in Jesus one step at a time. God Is celebrating and you should, too. Jesus said, “In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in Heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). Every time you make improvements, there is a celebration over you in Heaven. The devil never wants you to improve. Improve daily in the LORD and give the devil a heart attack every day. That certainly is something to rejoice over. You celebrate your victory in and with Jesus every day. Praise the LORD! Amen.
Pastor Hae Rin