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The Fruit of Repentance
Read Psalm 51:1-10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (v. 10).
My mom loved planting trees. Sometimes the trees she ordered arrived looking like lifeless twigs. With proper care in planting and nourishment, however,we would soon have a foliage-filled tree bearing beautiful, delicious fruit. God has a desire for every human being ever conceived to live such a wholesome life with a guilt-free, purified, and loyal heart toward Him.
Why would we remain a "lifeless twig" when we can have an abundant life? This doesn'tmean our lives will always be easy, with no sorrow, health concerns, or broken relationships. Those are often the tools of cultivation and means of nourishment that produce the sweetest fruit. With God's plan of growth through repentance and forgiveness, we can prevail through all this world's storms of sin. We can have a victorious, peaceful, and bountiful life, knowing we have a whiter-than-snow heart, a home in heaven, and a Savior, who has it all under control. (Wanda Skeen)
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
- James Nicholson (Public Domain)
Forsake sin and live free and clean.
This devotional is the Sunday, October 23, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Barrier of Unfamiliar Songs
The post-modern Church has been blessed with a large repertoire of worship songs. One unintentional barrier we may place before the unchurched who visit our services and Sunday school classes may be the songs we choose to sing.
Unfortunately, our society has lost much of its Christian influence. While expressing our love for God in newer songs is important to keep our faith fresh, many unchurched people have limited knowledge of songs, often knowing only hymns sung at funerals. At the other extreme, while some of the older hymns have great words and meaning to us, the unfamiliar wording and cadence may be confusing to our guests. These observations should be tempered by the recognition people do need to learn new worship songs to broaden their faith.
The point is that public worship, even in the Sunday school hour, should strive to bring people together in unity. This is made difficult if only a few are participating in the singing, due to a barrier of unfamiliar songs.
Freedom From Sin
Lesson 8 - October 23, 2016
Focus Text: Psalm 51:117
Central Truth: Only in Christ do we find relief from the sin problem.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to describe what repentance and saving faith are.
Lesson Outline:
- A Confession of Sin (Psalm 51:1-6)
- The Cleansing From Sin (Psalm 51:7-13)
- A Contrition of Spirit (Psalm 51:14-19)
Prayer – Lesson 7, Studies in the Psalms
Heavenly Father, may this lesson on how to find encouragement in You reach those who are downcast, discouraged, and depressed. Help us to look to You in seasons of joy and distress.
"As the Deer" – YouTube
Enjoy this YouTube video with lyrics and images set to this beautiful song of worship.
https://youtu.be/a5pZkLWZv-E
How to Conquer Discouragement
In "Doctrinal Discussion" William Sillings writes the four following tips for conquering discouragement:
- Whenever possible fill your mind and heart with praise and thanks to God for what He has already done for you.
- Consciously dwell upon whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy — instead of things that are negative and which cause doubts and fears in your life.
- Fill your mind with scriptures that contain the promises of God to you.
- Practice believing God to answer prayer when you are not under the test of discouragement.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 44.