Diamond White

"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

February weather is tricky in North Carolina. Balmy breezes give no indication that bitter arctic winds are riding their trade winds like a high flying kite and its tether. Before we knew it our yard was covered with 12" of ice and snow sealing us inside our house. We would have been trapped until it thawed had it not been for one door, our front door, that was only lightly glazed. Don't we often feel that way about our sins? The storm brews but we ignore it until we are buried under a suffocating pile with only one way out.

Wrapped up in our warmest winter clothes, my husband and I ventured out into the winter wonderland that beset our neighborhood. Although it was Valentine's Day that week it looked like Christmas! Reveling in the sounds of crunching snow beneath our boots as snowflakes cascaded from the heavens above us, we were more aware of the beauty of God's creation than we'd been in days past. Joyful noises filled the air as children raced down front yard hills on slides or decorated snowmen with their parents. Hearts were lite and the world was at play as if we'd never seen snow before. A mini winter vacation courtesy of God.

With the sun setting and the full moon rising the snow looked like a diamond mine beneath the amber street lamps. The normally dirty and barren earth of winter was covered in a pure white sparkling blanket. The Lord's glory revealed in nature for all to see, but how many people complained about the weather and missed the beauty in the silent moments rather than embracing it, I wondered. So often this is how we treat God. We rage at Him when trials come especially if they are the product of our sinful lifestyles. We want blue skies, perfect days every day, and shut out God's light that brightens the darkest heart.

There is only one way out of the frozen tundra of sin that saves us from an eternal life of despair in hell. A door to the Father in heaven that is open through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the great lover of our souls, better than any Valentine on earth! He hates sin--it separates us from the Father--and cost Jesus His life on the Cross. Ask Him to forgive you and to make His home forever in your heart. His Holy Spirit will guide you as you humbly seek Him in prayer.  He'll make your soul diamond white--the only color God sees after the blood of Jesus has washed you clean. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary

The Great Cover-up

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“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1).

It’s Halloween and the season of disguises. Some are scary others funny, but all carry the same theme of covering up our identities. As I prepare to greet the revelry of trick or treaters that will parade by our doorstep tonight I’m wearing a mask of my own. It’s not visible to the human eye, but my Heavenly Father sees it because it’s written on my heart—I’m a pretender, a fixer and a cover-up artist.

This morning a close friend shared a message that hit home for me. She used the analogy of trying to hang a cross on her wall without measuring the space it should fit. Inevitably she wound up with several holes in her wall because she mixed her mark. As she placed the cross on the wall and centered it to cover the holes she’d created an epiphany struck. Only Jesus can cover our holes, our sins, with His cross of sacrifice and love. We can’t, but oh how we try!

All October I attempted to fill the voids in my life with things that didn’t alleviate the pain. I'd rush ahead of Jesus, anxious to check off another item on my massive “to do” list. All this activity has rendered me useless; left me depleted and disappointed. As a new homeowner I am patching up physical holes on the walls of a previously owned house, a convenient distraction for spiritual reflection. Those are not the holes I should be concerned about. It’s my bad attitude, my unforgiving heart and whole litany of sins that no amount of make-up or home decorating can remove. I need help!

Why does it take me so long to realize that unconfessed sin is my problem, and that the Lord is waiting for me to seek His grace and forgiveness? Can you relate? After I read my girlfriend’s email I thanked God for using her to convict me of the spiritual holes I was trying to repair in my own strength. Then I asked the Holy Spirit to hear my confession and cover me with the precious blood of the Lamb of God.

Jesus is more than a cover-up for our transgressions. He’s the complete Remover and Eraser of sin and the Redeemer of our souls! No customs, no gimmicks, no tricks. Only peace and grace and a host of treats await those who knock on God’s door. Will you? “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

Believe and Receive

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

If ever a story gave evidence that you cannot “work” your way into heaven, the story of the thief to the right of Jesus on the cross does. Time for “doing” good works had run out as two criminals hung on either side of their Savior. Both were given the same opportunity to believe Jesus was the Messiah from whom they could receive forgiveness and eternal life. With his critical words the thief on the left condemned himself while the confession of the thief on the right freed him. How could that happen?

Pride can blind us from humbling ourselves. We think we can earn our way into heaven by acts of service or by saying all the right prayers. If there was anything more the repentant thief could have “done” besides believe Jesus was his Redeemer, than would not Jesus have told him what else was needed? Of course He would have! But He didn’t. Christ’s response when the thief asked to be remembered in the Lord’s kingdom is pure freedom for doers and legalistic people. Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Our good deeds will not save our souls. They were never meant to. If they could then why would Jesus have to die for our sins? Jesus made full recompense on our behalf. When we believe this truth our future in heaven is secured. Our works then become an outpouring of love and gratitude that bless the Father’s name instead of drawing attention to our own. This Easter season will you thank Jesus for His victory over sin and death? Believe and receive!

Your fellow sojourner and herald for Christ,

Mary