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Tuesday, January 17, 2006

"Cover-ups"

"He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).

Brooksyne and Ester were eating out at a cafeteria style restaurant where the food was set out and people just took what they wanted. It was late afternoon and there were few others around. She looked on as one of the employees stuck two fingers deep into the over-sized whipped cream bowl, took them out and licked them. She thought, "Yuck, I can't believe I really saw that!"

She was still processing the incredulous act she'd just witnessed when a few minutes later he came back to the same whipping bowl and, even though he saw her watching, he did it again. He vigorously stirred the topping with the dipper before sticking his fingers into the filled dipper for another round of "finger samplings". He then took a spoon and gleefully stirred the topping and smoothed off the top. Perhaps he reasoned that by distributing his germs throughout the entire bowl he was diluting them to the degree they would no longer be harmful to anyone else! But certainly he was trying to cover up what he had done.

Cover-up! Isn't that the way many deal with sin? God's only remedy for sin is Christ and our responsibility is confession and repentance. But among man's many remedies for the sin problem is the cover-up. Adam and Eve tried it, as did Aaron and David. An Old Testament verse states, "Be sure that your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).

But God sees. He always sees. We may very well fool our fellow man but we never fool God. Our daily text is mirrored in one of the great New Testament promises. I urge you to receive and practice it today. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer:  Jesus, may I never consider my good works or righteous acts to be a cover-up for the hidden sin I harbor in my heart or payment for my sins. May my attitude be that of the publican in Luke who humbly came before the Father and cried out, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" If I exalt myself it will eventually lead to my downfall.  But when I humble myself I will be exalted by You.  I humbly confess my sins before You and ask Your forgiveness. 

Note from Brooksyne:  I remember very well the very nauseating incident with the young teen who was so brazen in the dipping and licking of his fingers in a public food place.  He didn't flinch while he repeated this act the second time as I watched him. I turned this employee into his supervisor hoping that a severe action would be taken.   This act of rebellion reminds me of those who willfully sin as they shake their fists at the Father.  There will be judgment day coming for those who are proud in their sin, rather than being humble in their repentance.



There's a song titled, "Nothing but the Blood" that I've really enjoyed lately which expresses the wonderful value of the cleansing blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for those of us who have accepted His provision. Here are two versions.
Audio
Video



Last Sunday morning we remembered the Lord's death in our Communion service in the church I serve as an interim pastor.  I shared a message about the blood of Jesus and three wonderful qualities we all benefit from: Redeeming, Atoning and Cleansing.


 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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