Joy in Living 

Psalm 32:1, 2

Oh, what joy for those whose

     disobedience is forgiven,

               whose sin is put

     out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those whose

     record the LORD has cleared

               of guilt.  (NLT)

     We are fallen human beings living in a fallen world that continues to drift further away from the will of God. We are sinners and will remain that way until King Jesus makes all things new.  Throughout the history of mankind, people become so consumed with the world that they are oblivious to the fact that their lifestyles are detestable to God even when they believe He exists.  It is not until we surrender our lives to the Living God that we began to learn who He is and what He expects from us.  It wasn’t until my eyes were opened to the Truth of God’s Word that I discovered just how repulsive and detestable my life was and how undeserving I was of the gift of salvation that He dearly paid for. I was then awakened to the fact of how desperately we all need Jesus who freed us from our bondage to sin and death.  What an incredibly loving and forgiving God we have in Christ Jesus, for He took all of mankind’s sins upon Himself and paid the price for our sins with His blood and death. He took the punishment which belonged to us. 

     My life of total disregard for God’s Way was more than enough reason for Him to let me die in my sin and be justly condemned for all eternity.  But He rescued me, forgave may sins and made me a new person who no longer desired to live in darkness.  With the blood of Jesus covering our sins, we are no longer enslaved by the power of sin. With neither fear nor death gripping our lives, we are able to move forward with astounding hope and incredible peace, because we not only know the King of all creation personally, but we can trust Him to direct our every step.  When sin no longer controls the way you live, and you know you have been forgiven, this life, although remains a difficult journey for most, becomes a joy. 

                        A Whisper of Hope 

Come humbly, dear child…with a sorrowful heart and I will forgive your sins and wipe your stained record clean.  I will breathe a spirit of new life into your soul; an eternal life that brings glory to Me and honor to you.  For when you live in Me, I will bring you hope for today, peace about yesterday, and joy for the future I have made for you.

2 Peter 1:3-4

As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us

everything we need for living a godly life.  He has call-

ed us to receive His own glory and goodness. And by

that same mighty power, He has given us all of His rich

and wonderful promises.  He has promised that you will

escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires

and that you will share in His divine nature.  (NLT)

           But if we confess our sins to Him, He is

          faithful and just to forgive us and to

               cleanse us from every wrong.

                          (1 John 1:9)