Many of us have neglected what Jesus has done for us on the cross. His blood has not covered our sins. 2You could be among these people that have gone astray and do things you wish you didn’t. You may be pained, even now, by these addictions and sins that you have committed and are committing now. Carrying this type of weight, can seem unbearable. This was my life as well. I was caught up in sexual sin. When Jesus spoke, 3“whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart,” I felt like a knife was stabbing me in the heart. I always felt so guilty just reading these verses. And since Paul taught that all adulterers 4“shall not inherit the kingdom of God”, I was left wondering if there was even a possibility that I could find forgiveness and mercy. I was so wicked and felt that God could never forgive somebody such as I. I felt so low and depressed. The momentary pleasures, while looking at pornography never lasted and I just felt more broken. After years of living in this sinful lifestyle, my brokenness led me to seek God. Finally, after dealing with the pains of my sins, for far too long in my life, I gave it all to Jesus. In prayer, I confessed my sins openly. I pled for forgiveness. In tears, I cried before the Lord. What happened, in that moment, was truly amazing. An overwhelming presence came over me. It was so warm and comforting. I just knew that the Lord was there and heard my prayer. He had not lost hope in me. I could just sense his great love for me. Wow, what a Savior we have!
While in prayer, my heart began to change from within. I was no longer pained with guilt but raised up in uttermost love for God. The next day, I continued to seek God in prayer. I could not get over what I experienced the previous night. Then, as I was driving, the Lord made it known in my heart that I was forgiven. His hand of mercy had come for me. In His presence, I felt much love. He made it known that I had potential and was cherished. Oh the tears of joy I felt in that moment. I was so lost but was rescued. I was on the cups of death but He breathed new life into my soul. As the Lord welcomed me in, I was blown away by His compassion. I was not rejected but loved by God. My faith began to grow and I knew that He would help me through it all. And He did so in a big way. I have been set free from my addictions. My heart is now set on God and not the world. As I seek the Lord, I am able to walk in His light. Freely, I am able to 1“go into the house of the Lord” and find peace. God’s peace could now live inside of me . I am no longer a bystander of God’s grace but welcomed into His fold. When thinking of the Lord, I felt as David did, when he wrote, my 1“feet shall stand within thy gate”. I can finally taste the goodness of God. I can realize all the good things that He has in store for my life. Truly I have missed out on God’s love and His bounteous blessings. All those that live for Christ can experience this new way of life. A life without regret, for our promise is to be with Jesus, our Savior, all the days of our life and the next. Praise the Lord.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, You are my comfort in this broken world. Only You could bring me peace that carries on. My life has meaning when Your presence is near. I am not burdened by lives struggles for You give me peace. Only You could restore my life. My sins were so heavy and my soul was afflicted, but in prayer, I found rest. My burdens were lifted and my eyes have been opened to Your love. I never knew that Your love was so great. It is so amazing that my life is changed because of it. Instead of fulfilling the lusts of my eyes, I am fulfilled by Your presence. Your presence is overwhelming and I cannot get enough of it. Truly Lord, You have breathed new life into my soul. It is Your mercy that gives me hope. I am able to walk in Your light, because You are there with me. I am not alone. Jesus, You are there to help me. I trust in You. Thank You for forgiving my sins. Thank You for the cross. I will never be grateful enough. I owe all to You, my Lord. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Psalm 122 (KJV)
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
2Isaiah 53 (KJV)
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
3Matthew 5:27-32 (KJV)
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
41 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV)
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
