Free From the Power of Sin
2009-09-13

Sunday morning again. Getting ready for worship. This is always more of a challenge than you would think. So much distraction.


Looking at the PPT site, today, praying for a specific individual in our government.

Congressman Charles Rangel (D) New York � Chairman, House Ways & Means Committee
As the chair of the powerful Ways & Means Committee, Congressman Rangel has a great deal of influence on any legislation in the current session regarding health care reform. After the President�s address to a Joint Session of Congress on the topic, Chairman Rangel issued the following statement: �President Obama said what needed to be said at this crucial time, when we are so close to ensuring that every American has access to quality, affordable health care. The media would lead the American people to believe that the distortions of the recent town hall meetings had dampened the spirit of the Congress to move forward with the vigor necessary to pass health reform.�



My Psalm for today is Psalm 102:4-7. Reading from The Message.

I'm a ghost of my former self,
half-consumed already by terminal illness.
My jaws ache from gritting my teeth;
I'm nothing but skin and bones.
I'm like a buzzard in the desert,
a crow perched on the rubble.
Insomniac, I twitter away,
mournful as a sparrow in the gutter.

"The Psalmist intends to express something more than that his heart was withered, and his bones reduced to a state of dryness. His language implies, that as the grass, when it is cut down, can no longer receive juice from the earth, nor retain the life and vigour which it derived from the root, so his heart being, as it were, torn and cut off from its root, was deprived of its natural nourishment." Calvin also goes on to say that the Psalmist is so afflicted that he refuses himself even food and drink. This is not a fast, in the sense that he is seeking God's help. It is extreme mental distress due to sorrow and anguish, and is accompanied by a loathing for food.

(Commentary from Heart Aflame: Daily Readings from Calvin on the Psalms)



Tabletalk Magazine

"The Elder's Character"
Titus 1:7-8

Reading from the English Standard Version:

7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Notice that the characteristics that Paul lists are outward behaviors, easily visible to both the Church and the world. "Even in this day of lawlessness, non-Christians still esteem such righteous deeds, which help demonstrate the new life that the gospel brings." We should note that the admonishment against being a drunkard is not a prohibition of using alcohol, merely the abuse of it. Those who do not live sober lives are not permitted to lead God's people. "A potential elder will not be an addict, for if he cannot control himself, he cannot lovingly guide the flock of God."



Holiness Day by Day

"Set Free"
1 Peter 1:18

Reading from the English Standard Version:

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

What does the word "ransom" mean? Today, we associate it with kidnapping, but that wasn't the meaning in the time of this writing. "To pay a ransom was to purchase back someone from captivity or slavery."

The word "redeem" means to "buy back or release someone from slavery or captivity by paying a ransom. Redemption, then, is the action to secure release; while ransom is the price paid to effect the action."

Jesus said that his life was given as a "ransom for many," according to Mark 10:45. But from what are we being set free? Hebrews 9:15 says, "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."

This is very important! Many people believe that God paid a ransom, that being the life of his only Son, to Satan to redeem us from captivity. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! We were not being held captive by Satan! We were captive to our sins. We were under condemnation by the curse of the LAW! THIS is what Christ redeemed us from. "All who trust in Christ are set free from the condemnation and curse of the Law."

Hallelujah!



Father, I praise you for the ransom that was paid to set us free from the captivity of our sins! Your love for us is unimaginable! I will never fully understand why. But the beauty of it is that I don't have to understand. I just have to accept it. And I do! I am so grateful for the redemption that has been achieved for me and for all of us that are believers. Let us live out this redemption. Let us be effectively free from sin! Remind us constantly, Lord, that sin has no power over us, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus.

And Lord, should we ever be in a state described by the Psalmist in Psalm 102, let us be drawn back to your love and grace through the Holy Spirit. Let us not stay in such a state for very long. Let us rejoice in the grace and mercy that you have lavished on us.



Rejoice in our redemption. Give thanks that sin has no power over us today.

Grace and peace, friends.



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