Luis Palau: Into the Light

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Besetting sins?" That's what the old-timers used to call them. They're the sins we go back to again and again. With some of us it's temper, with some of us it's gossip, with others it's bitterness, or it could be a sexual sin. So what do we do when we're caught in a rut of sinful behavior? We have to go back to the Lord every single time! Every time confess and move on.

I've heard many new converts say, "How many times am I going to go back and confess my sins?" As many as it takes! Eventually you'll get so tired of confession that you'll probably decide, "I better not do it again. This is getting boring."

David says in Psalm 32 that he felt like his bones were dry as in the heat of summer until he confessed his sins to the Lord. And then he was forgiven, set free. It didn't mean that he wasn't tempted again, but now he was free from besetting sins.

First John 1 tells us that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Romans 8 says we aren't obligated to the sinful nature any more. Hebrews 10 says this is now God's covenant with us: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

Don't let besetting sins keep you from living fervently and free in Jesus. Your victory over sin is a tremendous testimony of abundant life in Jesus Christ, our Savior!

The fish are biting

I just got back from a missions trip to Chennai, India and was reflecting on what went on there. Many people heard the Good News of Christ and many accepted Him as their personal saviour. Through this trip I have learned many things. I was reading a particular passage in the Bible from Luke 5:1-11 where Jesus calls upon his disciples to cast their nets into the water and he fills them with fish. Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man!" He had shown his power to them and Simon Peter realized his failures and unworthiness in the presence of God in flesh. Jesus then told them, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

Knowing God had used me and allowed me to be a part of this mission trip to India made me realize that He has a greater purpose for all of us. It made me realize that life is short and many people in this world have no hope. They believe in things that are dead and lead to destruction and that we can make a difference in peoples lives and live together eternally in heaven with them. I know that by following God's prompting and praying for His will to be done that He will accomplish infinitely more than we could ever hope or imagine (Eph. 3:20). I know that I need to be a fisher of men, as the fish are biting and the bait is good... eternally good.