Pastor Brian is in Spain coming back to Canada. He was training missionaries. He is passionate about missions. Next Sunday is mission Sunday and barbeque day.
Pastor Bill Ehlers of Bethesda Church is preaching today. Shannon Sawatsky is on the piano. Back to the 80s music. There is a Redeemer, Jesus God's own son.
I pray that God will speak to you.
Onesimus decided to go back to slavery.
David decided to cover up his sin. That did not work. God knows what happened. Nathan knew what happened. Everyone now knows the story.
Nathan told David a story. About the rich man who stole a poor man's sheep and cooked it. Psalm 51 is his confession. Psalm 32 is his response to forgiveness: 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, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord ." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Psalms 32:1-3, 5 NLT
Was in Kansas this week. So very hot. Just felt wasted with the heat. Sapped. David was like that. Because of the burden of guilt. Many people get sick because of guilt. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Psalms 51:3 NLT
80% of some people's efforts are spent on feeling guilty. During Billy Graham's crusade in England a psychiatrist said 80% of mental patients could be released if they could accept forgiveness.
Like a snowball rolling downhill guilt gets bigger and bigger.
An addict said I feel so bad about what I've done so I'm trying to kill myself slowly. The cycle of the dammed. I deserve hell.
There will be no drugs in hell. Only the agony of guilt.
Time does not cause it to go away. The stain does not wash away.
Psalm 32 helps. Millionaires will gladly pay. Money will not buy forgiveness.
How to get to the blessing of forgiveness? Hiding makes the bones ache. Confession clears the wound. Cover up is deceiving. You have to be a good liar if you want to deceive.
Confession is agreeing with God about your sin, to get on the same page. Confess your sins that you may be healed. Cleansed.
V6, 7 pray to God for songs of deliverance.
Jesus's sacrifice paid for the sins of all people who believe in him. Past present and future sins.
That was a marvelous transaction. The righteous of Jesus was transferred to us.
When the accuser comes to us we can embrace God's forgiveness.
David had to learn a lesson. Not to be like a mule. David is a good example to us. Be responsive to God. Confess. Don't become defensive. Be soft to the things of God. The Holy Spirit will draw near to you.
The prodigal son's father gladly forgave him. The burden was lifted. You can sing again when you know you've been forgiven. There is power in the blood.
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