1-27-18 The First 15

The Weekly Overview This week we’ll spend time stirring up our affections for God through the renewing of our minds. Your mind is the gateway to your affections. What you think is worthy of your affections is what will receive them. So, as we grow in our understanding of God’s overwhelming goodness we will naturally give him our hearts. May you be stirred by the unconditional love of your heavenly Father this week as his perfect nature is revealed to you in greater, more transformative ways.

The Scripture “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  -  1 John 1:9

The Worship Experience Artist: Vineyard Worship Song: Kyrie Eleison

The Devotional As much as God hates sin because of its destructive effects on us and others, he hates even more that something could come between our relationship with him. Because he desired a relationship with us, God sent his Son to pay the price for our restoration. And it’s because of his continued love for us that he forgives us the very moment we repent of our sin. There’s no price to pay. There’s no time we have to spend outside of his perfect love. Jesus paid the price for every sin you and I will ever commit. Think for a moment about your normal routine after you sin. What process do you usually go through before you feel restored to God? How long do you wait to repent? How much time do you usually let pass before you feel you can open your heart to God and enjoy him? It’s true that the consequences of sin can linger even after we ask forgiveness, but an obstacle in our relationship with God is not one of them. Jesus paid the highest price, his own life, so that nothing could ever come between us and God again. The Bible says in Romans 8:33-39, Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword… For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The depth of God’s unconditional love for you drives him to forgive you. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” After you confess your sin to him, he chooses to remember it no more. If you feel reminded of a transgression, it is not the voice of the Spirit. You have an enemy who lies constantly to form barriers between you and God. Because the enemy can no longer keep you from heaven, he will work tirelessly to wreck your relationship with God here on the earth. The moment you confess your sin to God is the moment there is nothing between you. Allow nothing to hinder your relationship with your heavenly Father. Renew your mind to the truth of what God says about your sin. God’s heart is to forgive you now and forever. His heart is to lead you into perfect relationship with him every day, all day. Say yes to God’s leading today, and rid yourself of the condemnation of past sins he has already forgotten.

The Prayer 1. Let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding fill your room right now. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 2. Now ask God to reveal any sin in your life, and take some time for confession. Again remember that God’s heart is not to condemn, but to heal. Write down your confession if it helps you focus or remember. “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:10-14 3. Receive his forgiveness for your sin. An incredibly important part of confession is receiving forgiveness. Choose not to punish yourself any longer. Choose not to veil your heart before God because of shame. Align your heart with the truth that he chooses not to remember your sin after you confess. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Restoration with God so often hinges upon our choices. Will you choose to condemn yourself? Will you choose to listen to the voice of your enemy who reminds you of past transgressions? Or will you choose to trust God at his word and receive total restoration with the Father? The choice you make will profoundly impact your quality of life. You were made for unhindered relationship with God. Anything that gets in the way of you and him needs to be removed as quickly as possible. Receive his forgiveness today. Whenever you are reminded of past sin, align your heart with God’s word through the renewing of your mind. Live in restored relationship with your heavenly Father today. Extended Reading: Romans 8

CRAIG DENISON is the author and founder of First15, a daily devotional guiding tens of thousands of believers into a fresh experience with God's presence every day. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God.