Liberator

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:1-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Liberator

I am one who looks at eyes. While I am glad that the mask is fading away, I actually enjoyed the period of time where I could focus on the eyes of people around me. I have found that the eyes are truly a window into the soul. In them you can gauge the state of the person, their motives, their physical health, and whether they are happy or sad. You can also see, through the Holy Spirit, indications of the depth of bondage to sin.

Over the last few years, I have seen something new in the eyes of those I encounter. I am, seeing the weight of life, filled with great pain, people overwhelmed by this sinful world. It is a near certainty that the vast majority of people I pass on the street do not know the Lord, for we are living in a world where few are born again.

I tell you the truth, I am able to recognize that look, that defeated, drained look, for it is a gaze that I regularly saw when I looked in the mirror. In my reflection, I could see the shame, the guilt, and the secrets I desperately tried to hold on to. I could fool with my face, but the eyes always gave me away.

As I read Psalm thirty two, I harkened back to all the times I ran to that passage, as a baby Christian, seeking some relief from the conviction that bore down on me after I had sinned. Each time I would call upon the Lord, confess my sin, and seek Him anew.

“I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
Psalms 32:5 NKJV

It is in the moments of admission, that I would reflect opt how far I had come, from that unforgiven sinner, to one redeemed and being transformed. Through my growth, I found my desire to intercede on behalf of others, wishing that they would know the power of Jesus to forgive and great grace that only comes from God.

I have been watching a lot of street preachers, and I am saddened greatly at the eyes of those I see as they pass by. I can see the impact of what each preacher is saying, as strangers, caught up in sin, hear the truth. There is so much darkness.

I fear we are past the time of “low hanging fruit,” for those we followers of Jesus are trying to reach, are far more embedded in lives of sin. Things once taboo, are applauded in media and any view otherwise is condemned. It is hard to convince people that are sinners if everyone else is saying the opposite.

I have seen, excitingly, that more and more Christians are taking to the streets to share the Gospel. It is as if each has received a calling, a warning that there is little time. I am dazzled at how many are young people, resisting the wave of worldliness, to forth and tell their peers about Jesus.

Because of the increased efforts, there will inevitably be greater pressure from the evil one, the prince and power of the air to bring it to a stop. In it urgent that we be a people of prayer in these times, lifting up those who are going out, and encouraging those who are considering it. I regularly pray for those on my list to have divine appointments, opportunities to share the Good News.

Brothers and sisters, let us be faithful to pray for each other in this time, that we be bold to share the Gospel, the message of forgiveness that comes in Jesus Christ. Let us also keep our own sin accounts short, going to the Lord to confess our sins.

“For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”
Psalms 32:6-7 NKJV

Each of us has a story of forgiveness, of life change, where we moved from darkness into light. Let us tell of the relief that comes in salvation, of being able to look into the mirror having been forgiven, and seeing joy rather than pain.

Let us keep that moment of salvation fresh in our minds, that glorious moment when the heaviness of sin was taken away. I will never forget that long walk to the altar on an Easter Sunday, so long ago. The tears of joy, the smile, and the sense that I was now new. God had mercy on me.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.”
Psalms 51:1-4 NKJV

Jesus is our liberator, the One who came, who died, was buried and rose again. In the power of His resurrection we can have newness of life. We are free from sin, we are free from the consequences of sin, and we are bound to eternity in Heaven. Let us be about taking as many with us as possible.

Have a blessed Sunday!

#prayfortheharvest

#prayforthepersecuted

#prayforthegospeltospreadeverywhere

https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm