Bible Study - Special Lesson - Avoiding a Critical Spirit - Number 12:1-15 - May 28, 2023

 Bible Study – Special Lesson – Avoiding A Critical Spirit – May 28, 2023

This a special focus lesson. Our scripture is Number 12:1-15.

Guard your heart against criticizing others.

The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness and they got tired of eating the same food. The people got cranky. Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ brother and sister began to criticize Moses for marrying a Cushite woman. The Cushite woman was Moses second wife. As you recall Moses first wife was Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, the “the priest of Midian.” Zipporah bore Moses two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.

Never-the-less Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he married a Cushite woman, as we read in Numbers 12:1. We also we see in verse 2 possible jealousy between Moses and GOD. Be careful what you say because GOD is listening.

There were other things taking place. The Israelites were getting restless and tired of eating the same food most every day. There seemed to be a general wave of discontent among the Israelites.

It seemed that Miriam and Aaron were speaking out loud in hopes GOD would hear them and see that they were capable of leading the Israelites just as well as Moses. Let’s read on ------

Let’s read Numbers 12:1-3:

Miriam and Aaron Rebel

12 Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). ² They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does he not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard it. ³ Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.

We see in verse 3, that Moses was a very humble man, which probably means, when his sister and brother were speaking against him, and he would not defend himself. BUT WHO DID? GOD!

Miriam was challenging GOD and it backfired on Miriam and Aaron.

Be careful what you say about others. GOD is listening. GOD protects HIS chosen as most loving parents protect their child or children.

What did GOD do? Let’s read on ---

Let’s read Numbers 12:4-9:

⁴ Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So, the three of them went out. ⁵ Then the Lord descended in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward, ⁶ he (GOD) said: “Listen to what I say:
If there is a prophet among you from the Lord,
I make myself known to him in a vision;
I speak with him in a dream.
⁷ Not so with my servant Moses;
he is faithful in^[a] all my household.
⁸ I speak with him directly,^[b]
openly, and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.

 ⁹ The Lord’s anger burned against them, and he left.

Moses, Aaron and Miriam were the leaders. Moses was the one with whom GOD had a special relationship. Aaron and Miriam were jealous.

It was time for a family meeting. In the old days, if we were called to the wood shed, it meant punishment. In this case, GOD called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the “tent of meeting.” Why the “tent of meeting”?

It was because that is where GOD would meet them. This was GOD’S territory. This was a serious meeting.

The title of our lesson is “Avoiding a Critical Spirit.” Why is that vital when you are trying to get a million plus people through the wilderness and into the Promised Land? You need unity and one leader.

GOD had appointed Moses as the leader to whom HE would give instructions. In turn, Moses gave instructions to Aaron.

The use of the word “suddenly” shows the urgent need for a quick meeting to get things straight.

Do not let issues fester but deal with them before little issues become large issues.  

Notice, GOD called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the Tent of Meeting. Then, specifically Aaron and Miriam to come before HIM. GOD was direct and specific.

THE LORD/GOD and Moses had a special relationship. When we commit ourselves to GOD through faith in JESUS, we too have a special relationship with GOD. Getting to know GOD through faith in JESUS is a journey. It is much like going on a long, lifetime hike. We will encounter hills, mountains, valleys, rests by the still waters and the green pastures.

There will be rugged terrain and peaceful areas of rest and relaxation. 

When we study the life of Moses, we discover that his special relationship with GOD developed over time. The burning bush was a dramatic beginning. GOD got his attention through a burning bush that was not consumed. GOD turned Moses’ staff into a serpent and back into a staff. As openers. GOD desires for all of HIS Children to have an intimate, trusting relationships with HIM through faith in JESUS.

What is GOD’S message? GOD chastises HIS own and teaches HIS own.

The question each of us must answer is, what is our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS? There is no other choice any human has except placing his or her faith in JESUS.

Those who have been Spiritually born through faith in JESUS, have direct access to GOD their FATHER, 24/7. It is not cutting out JESUS but letting GOD know what is going on in their lives and that we need HIS help. The beautiful part is that HE already knows what we are experiencing, HE just needs us to know that we are being honest with HIM and we need HIS help.

GOD desires Spirit-born believers to come boldly before HIM.

Hebrews 14:16: ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Let’s read Numbers 12:10-15:

¹⁰ As the cloud moved away from the tent, Miriam’s skin suddenly became diseased, resembling snow.^[c] When Aaron turned toward her, he saw that she was diseased ¹¹ and said to Moses, “My lord, please don’t hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. ¹² Please don’t let her be like a dead baby^[d] whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”

A major turning point in our lives is recognizing that we have sinned against our LORD.

¹³ Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “God, please heal her!”

Moses’ sister had what appears to be leprosy, which was recognized immediately. Aaron turned to Moses. Notice, Aaron addressed Moses as “My lord!” GOD had spoken to Aaron and Miriam but HIS message had resonated with all three. In essence “Moses has favor with ME, regardless of who he has married. Moses is my chosen person.”

¹⁴ The Lord answered Moses, “If her father had merely spit in her face, wouldn’t she remain in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.” ¹⁵ So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was brought back in. ¹⁶ After that, the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

When they moved again, their leadership was in unity.

It is vital in any organization that it moves in unity. This is most especially true of a church and Christian organizations and homes.

Is there unity in our church, home or business?

Blessings!!!

Bible Study -Temptation (6) - The Strength to Stand Against Temptation - Ephesians 6 - May 21, 2023

 

Bible Study – Temptation (6) – The Strength to Stand Against Temptation – May 21, 2023

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled, “Dealing with Temptation.”

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 6:10-18.

GOD equips us to stand our ground against temptation.

This lesson is the most important of all our lessons. It is where the rubber hits the road of life.

Ephesians 1: ¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

As born-again Christians, what does verse 14 tell us? The Holy Spirit will always be with us until the day of redemption, which will be the day we are secure in the arms of JESUS in Heaven.

Scripture reveals to us in 1 Peter 5:8:

⁸ Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

When JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life upon the cross to pay, in full, for all sin, JESUS defeated Satan and all of his followers. Satan was defeated but GOD in HIS wisdom chose to leave Satan upon earth. Why? One possibility is that earth is not our final destination. Earth represents decay, whereas Heaven represents eternal life restored.

Earth is GOD’S proving ground and perfection of all who place their faith in JESUS. GOD desires to teach all HIS Children how to live the victorious life upon earth and then transition to Heaven upon their physical death.

GOD equips all who accept JESUS as their Savior to live the victorious life upon earth. Every Spirit-born person has the Holy Spirit permanently within him or her to be his or her Spiritual strength. But each Spirit-born person needs to know the Scripture and have faith in GOD, through faith in JESUS, to do battle with life’s issues Satan brings our way. 

In the military the recruits have to go to boot camp for basic training. Basic training is knowing the rules of combat, which can include hand to hand combat.

The Apostle Paul knew the basics of combat. Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul after his conversion to JESUS.

Why is this important? Once a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, he/she becomes an enemy of Satan.

There are key verses that all Spirit-born people need to be equipped, such as:

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world. Therefore, what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

It is clear that all Christians are living in a Spiritual war zone every day. Satan delights in tempting, enslaving and defeating Spirit-born people. As a Christian you can be led astray by the lust of the flesh.

What is a Spirit-born person’s response to this?

What do we read in 1 John 4, verse 4 - ⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

WHO is greater that is in you than the one who is in the world (Satan and his followers)? JESUS as evidenced by the indwelling Holy Spirit. JESUS is our KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS.

Why does GOD allow Christians to be tempted?

Proverbs 27:27 - Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.^[a]

Simply the more Spirit-born people rely upon GOD through faith in JESUS, the greater our faith in GOD grows.

JESUS said it best in Matthew 17:20: ²⁰ “Because of your little faith,” he^[a] told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of ^[b] a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”^[c]

It is a Spirit-born person’s faith in GOD. It is unwavering faith.

What does that mean for Spirit-born people? We must trust and obey as we walk through life seeking to do the will of GOD.

Satan is still alive upon earth seeking whom he can devour. But WHO is greater? GOD, JESUS and the Holy Spirit.

So, how do we prepare for life living according the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Let’s read on -----

As Spirit-born people what is our mind-set? Is it upon the things of earth or the things of Heaven? How do we set our minds upon the things of Heaven? Read, study and apply GOD’s Word to our lives. Suit up for battle each day by putting on our new clothes which have been washed by the shed blood of JESUS. We read and study GOD’S word, which washes our minds like we wash our earthly clothes to clean them. GOD’S Word washes/cleanses our minds from the thoughts that flow in from living in the world. We read in Ephesians 5:- ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[f] her with the washing of water by the word. “Cleansing her” refers to the church. By the same power studying GOD’S Word can wash the false notions we might embrace, as Spirit-born Christians, that may entangle us as we walk with CHRIST. The study and application of GOD’S Word is vital to our walk and when we are engaged in spiritual battle.

Let’s read Ephesians 6:10-13:

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 

CHRIST in us is our strength. Notice that the Apostle Paul admonishes Spirit-born people to “put on the full armor of GOD.” Why? “So that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” This is a key and a powerful statement for living each moment as led by the Holy Spirit. And for the Spirit born to know how to stand against the schemes of the devil. Paul tells us why Spirit-born people need to “put on the full armor of GOD”, “¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”

Notice, “our struggle is NOT with flesh and blood” but notice Christian’s struggle with those in the heavenly realm who are in the spirit world and influence the real world. That is why we need to suit up every day.

Who do we struggle with? Struggle depicts wrestling but a Christian’s struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, evil and spiritual forces in the heavens. Therefore, Christians must do battle different from fighting against flesh and blood.

-         The Apostle Paul is teaching Spirit-born people how they are to fight in the spiritual realm. These spiritual forces can and do influence people in authority upon earth. That is why as Christians we must suit up and pray daily because these forces love to wreak havoc upon earth and especially wreak havoc upon the people of earth and most especially upon GOD’S chosen. So, brothers and sisters in CHRIST suit up every day and be ready for battle. These forces are seeking an opportunity to invade your life and render you helpless against their schemes. So, suit up because JESUS has won the victory. Claim the blood of JESUS as you engage each day GOD gives us because JESUS has defeated Satan. Earth is the proving ground for every Spirit-born person. It is upon earth we learn to live as victors with JESUS.

Now battle in the spirit world can be a learning experience. And you will likely be led into focusing upon the spirit realm and neglecting that which is vital to the Spirit-born person. Greater is HE that is in us (JESUS) who are Spirit-born or young Christians than he (Satan) that is in the world. Important for all Christians to know, when you start seeing victories do not get too big for your britches. Pay attention to what is recorded in Luke 10:20: ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (The basis for JESUS instructions is recorded in Luke 10.)

You do not want to approach the spirit world flippantly but always covered by the shed blood of JESUS and in the name of JESUS. It is always good to have other Christians praying with you when you encounter those you think are under the influence of demon spirits.

This is a good segway to our next scripture ----

Let’s read Ephesians 6:14-16:

¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

Spirit-born Christians are those who know they have been anointed with the indwelling Holy Spirit, with various evidences by the Holy Spirit and still seeking the fulness of JESUS in his/her life.

Then there is the Christian who is hanging onto CHRIST with one hand and the things of the world with the other hand. The Apostle Paul referred to these Christians as carnal. Carnal Christians have accepted JESUS as their Savior but they do not experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They cling to their flesh side.  They may have, for various reasons, made an emotional decision to follow JESUS as their Savior.

Both the Spirit-born Christians must dress for battle each and every day. We are still growing Spiritually, building the right relationship with GOD and serving our LORD JESUS. If the carnal Christian seeks the fulness of CHRIST, The Holy Spirit will lead them to discover truth and reveal the fulness of serving JESUS in the power of the Holy Spirit. Living the Christian life is a journey of discovery. The Bible is clear, “Seek and you will find, knock and the door will open.”

Discovering GOD through faith in JESUS is an awesome journey.

So, what does a Spirit-filled Christian need to wear to prepare to face the enemy each day? Let’s read on ----

¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

Satan and his followers can spot a phony in a heartbeat. And the spirit world will take advantage of you. This is no game. Living as Spirit led Christians is serious and joyful. The Holy Spirit is your guide and teacher. Will you stump your toes? Likely, but GOD uses it as a training tool to help you avoid pitfalls in the future.

Gird yourself with the belt of truth. The belt of truth for a warrior is a vital part of their dress. The belt of truth holds everything together and makes the tools for fighting available to the warrior. It holds their clothes together so the warrior does not trip over their clothes.

Notice in our scripture that every Spirit-filled person needs to take a stand. He nor she will stand in his/her own strength but in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. If you stand in your own strength, Satan or his followers will attack you.

When you suit up do not leave off any garment or equipment.

Let’s read Ephesians 6:17-18:

¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 

The main question is, have you truly been saved by placing your faith in JESUS? Have you asked JESUS to come into your heart and forgive you for your sins, by faith believing that HE willingly gave HIS sinless life to be your Savior? Has your step of faith been confirmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

The helmet of salvation protects your head from the thoughts the evil world will send to you like flaming arrows. Notice the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the word of GOD, scripture, is a vital part of a Spirit-born persons offence and defense equipment. Just know that Satan’s desire is to defeat you and render you useless to GOD’S Kingdom work. But know this, “greater is HE that is in you that he that is in the world.” (1 John 4)  

Notice that prayer keeps all Christians connected to GOD, WHO is our Commander-in-Chief. GOD knows where HIS troops are needed to reenforce those who need strengthening. Pray at all times in the Spirit and do not limit your prayers, “stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

Stay alert and pray as the Holy Spirit prompts you to pray.

As a Spirit-born person, you are a vital soldier in GOD’S army in HIS vineyard. Stay flexible and stay in excellent Spiritual shape to go into battle when prompted by GOD our Commander-in-Chief.

Your tour of duty is exciting and your Heavenly rewards will be kept in the Heavenly Treasure where thieves will not steal or moth will not eat away.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in JESUS than to trust an obey. Soldiers respond to orders from their Commander.

Are you ready to be Spiritually fit for Spiritual battle? Be wise and memorize scripture.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-         Against Rulers – authorities – cosmic forces of darkness – against evil – against spiritual forces in the heavens.

-         Pay attention – these evil forces are in the heavens. They are NOT in the sky that we as humans see nor where GOD and HIS angles reside nor where we who are Spirit-born will go when we depart earth.

-         So, if these evil forces are in a separate heaven or place made to coral them, why do we have to be concerned with them? Excellent question. When they see us, humans, opening ourselves up to the things GOD tells us to stay away from, it is their invitation to break out of their confined area and come to earth. It is like humans issuing an invitation to the evil world to come and join them in their evil activity. People who open themselves to evil, in essence issue an invitation to these evil forces to come from their assigned space and come to earth. We are ignorant of this, But I ask you is evil growing worse upon earth or less? Who will go to battle against these evil forces? You may say, I am scared to fight. You would be right to fight in your own strength but when you put on the proper uniform and have the Holy Spirit within you. You are ready. But know are in a spiritual battle and CHRIST in you as manifested by the Holy Spirit is your strength.

-         Most pastors stay away from preaching messages on this subject. Why? Simply most congregants think the spirit world has been defeated and empowering the Spirit-born believers is a waist of time and is old school. Believe this is a subject that MUST be taught and preached today. Our world is already in Spiritual battle and most do not know how to fight.

-         Why do we have to fight? I thought the victory has already been won by JESUS? You are correct. However, ignorant people are opening themselves up to unknowingly inviting the spirit world to come to earth. So, how do we fight effectively?

 

Bible Study - Temptation (5) - Recovering from a Fall into Temptation - Psalm 32 - May 14, 2023

 

Bible Study – Temptation (5) – Recovering from a Fall into Temptation – Psalm 32:1-7 – May 14, 2023

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “Dealing with Temptation.”

Our scripture is Psalm 32:1-7.

Return to GOD for forgiveness and restoration.

Every person is subject to temptation. If you think you are beyond being tempted, then be extra vigilant because you are most vulnerable. I know I have been there. GOD’S word tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13: ¹³ No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

Yes, GOD provides the way out but a person has to take it.

Psalm 32 is a Psalm King David wrote after he had fallen into an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and had her husband positioned in battle such that he would be killed.

But let’s roll back time to see if we can see when Satan MAY have been planting wrong thoughts in the mind of King David.

We read in 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

² One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, ³ and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. ⁵ The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

Oh my!!! Trouble in Jerusalem. David was in a serious situation.

When we sin, it has its consequence. We know that adultery led to murder in the case of King David. Certainly, a downward spiral in King David’s life. King David wrote Psalm 32 after he confessed his sin. Confession spells relief.

Psalm 32

The Joy of Forgiveness

Of David. A Maskil.

¹ How joyful is the one
whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered!
² How joyful is a person whom
the Lord does not charge with iniquity
and in whose spirit is no deceit!

³ When I kept silent, my bones became brittle
from my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was drained^[a]
as in the summer’s heat. Selah
⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not conceal my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

⁶ Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately.^[b]
When great floodwaters come,
they will not reach him.
⁷ You are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah

⁸ I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with my eye on you, I will give counsel.
⁹ Do not be like a horse or mule,
without understanding,
that must be controlled with bit and bridle
or else it will not come near you.

¹⁰ Many pains come to the wicked,
but the one who trusts in the Lord
will have faithful love surrounding him.
¹¹ Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
you righteous ones;
shout for joy,
all you upright in heart.

King David finally confessed his sin after the Prophet Nathan confronted him and he wrote this Psalm to express the joy associated with GOD’S forgiveness. GOD had to send the Prophet Nathan to confront David before he openly confessed his sin.

King David’s acknowledgement did not come easy. Let’s read what GOD had to do to get King David to acknowledge his sin as recorded in 2 Samuel 12:1 So the Lord sent Nathan to David. When he arrived, he said to him:

There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. ² The rich man had very large flocks and herds, ³ but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised her, and she grew up with him and with his children. From his meager food she would eat, from his cup she would drink, and in his arms she would sleep. She was like a daughter to him. ⁴ Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man could not bring himself to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.^[a]

⁵ David was infuriated with the man and said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die! ⁶ Because he has done this thing and shown no pity, he must pay four lambs for that lamb.”

⁷ Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from Saul. ⁸ I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms,^[b] and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. ⁹ Why then have you despised the Lord’s command by doing what I consider^[c] evil? You struck down Uriah the Hethite with the sword and took his wife as your own wife—you murdered him with the Ammonite’s sword. ¹⁰ Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hethite to be your own wife.’

¹¹ “This is what the Lord says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you from your own family: I will take your wives and give them to another^[d] before your very eyes, and he will sleep with them in broad daylight.^[e] 12 You acted in secret, but I will do this before all Israel and in broad daylight.’”^[f]

¹³ David responded to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Then Nathan replied to David, “And the Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die. ¹⁴ However, because you treated^[g] the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son born to you will die.” ¹⁵ Then Nathan went home.

The Death of Bathsheba’s Son

The Lord struck the baby that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became deathly ill. ¹⁶ David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted, went home, and spent the night lying on the ground. ¹⁷ The elders of his house stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

¹⁸ On the seventh day the baby died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him the baby was dead. They said, “Look, while the baby was alive, we spoke to him, and he wouldn’t listen to us. So how can we tell him the baby is dead? He may do something desperate.”

¹⁹ When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he guessed that the baby was dead. So, he asked his servants, “Is the baby dead?”

“He is dead,” they replied.

²⁰ Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the Lord’s house, and worshiped. Then he went home and requested something to eat. So, they served him food, and he ate.

²¹ His servants asked him, “Why have you done this? While the baby was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate food.”

²² He answered, “While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let him live.’ ²³ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.”

 

When GOD forgives, HE forgets because HE has buried our sins in the deepest part of the ocean and put up a no fishing sign. But who keeps reminding us of our sin? You got it, Satan!

However, the consequence of our sin may run deep into our lives and the life of our loved ones. We see this in the life of David’s family.

Since the passion of JESUS, what does GOD’S Word reveal about forgiveness for those who have been redeemed by the shed blood of JESUS?

Let’s read 1 John 1: ⁷ If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

When Spirit-born Christians sin, they are to confess their sins. It is the eternal shed blood of JESUS that cleanses from their sin.

Why confess our sins as Spirit-born people? So, that we do not give a toehold in our lives for Satan and for us to remain in right relationship with GOD.

We are praying for revival in our church. Step one is for us to confess our sins and to ask GOD to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then we are to live as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Dear FATHER, we know that YOU have placed each of us in our church to accomplish YOUR will and purpose. We are positioned in this community to be a light for those seeking salvation and those who are in need physically, emotionally and Spiritually. May we reach others in love and not out of obligation. In JESUS name we pray!

All of us are subject to sin. Blessings!!!