Tag: forgiven

Nehemiah 9:1-3 – Confession

Read Nehemiah 9:1-3

Have you ever confessed your sins out loud to another human? Our sins certainly become a lot more “real” when we do that. It’s also a great way to give away the power our sins have over us, simply by speaking them out loud. And we have an accountability partner to keep us from falling into that sin’s trap!  

James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Nehemiah’s contemporaries are ready to make their confession public. I bet you haven’t ever sprinkled dust on your head or worn a burlap garment because of lament over your sin.

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2 Corinthians 2:1-17 – Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean We Forget

Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

What is happening here? I feel like I jumped into the second season of a show and I have no idea what all the references mean. Let’s not let ourselves get stuck on that. When we remember that this is a letter from Paul to his friends in Corinth that he has had an ongoing relationship with, there are bound to be situations we are just not privy to. It doesn’t matter. We can glean a lot from what is unsaid as well.

We can gather there was a person in their midst wreaking havoc and causing all sorts of problems. Paul had counseled them previously on how to handle his, and it appears they listened. When we are being tossed around by someone who is harming us or influencing us in a negative way, we need to rid ourselves of that temptation to sin lest we fall into the hands of the evil one, too. But what is Paul saying to do now? Forgive.

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Luke 5:12-26 – Healed & Forgiven

Read Luke 5:12-26

We have many accounts of healing in today’s reading. A few of those are detailed for us. Imagine how in the day without the internet, newspapers, or cell phones that such word about Jesus and his teaching and miracles got around. Jesus was causing a stir, as he should. He was the son of God after all.

So far in Luke’s gospel, we see Jesus as calm and available. I loved the faith of the man with leprosy when he said, “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus was willing and the man was healed. That was a horrible disease, and to be freed from it must have been such a relief. I’m not surprised that he couldn’t keep it to himself.

Despite the throngs of people coming to Jesus, he continued to give and serve. Yet we are told he did need his quiet time, and I always appreciate hearing that. We all need our quiet time with God. Continue reading “Luke 5:12-26 – Healed & Forgiven”

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