A WORD FOR TODAY 11 JANUARY 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

TRUE REPENTANCE BRINGS JOY IN THE HEART

The reason why Jesus came into the world is to save us from the power of sin and death. We started dying as a result of disobedience to the Lord's commandment and as a result of our sin we became slaves and could no longer help ourselves.

If God has not sent His Son to come and die for us and pay the price of our freedom, we would have continued to be in chains. However, Jesus came and destroyed the power of sin over us, that whoever believes in Him will no longer perish, but have everlasting life.

Sin is not good and it does not add anything good to our life. However, if we fall and rise and repent of our sins, confessing to the Lord we shall find forgiveness and peace. True repentance will make us have joy in our soul which we have lost by falling into sin. It will give us confidence to call upon the name of the Lord and ask Him for help.

All those who came to Jesus in the gospel reading of today were baptised and they became a new creation. When we sin, we cut our friendship and relationship with God and our neighbour and the wounds of sin can make us be in pain and agony. We must not become slaves to sin, instead we should draw close to Jesus, repent of our sins, confess it and find redemption and peace.*_

All wrongdoing is sin and we must keep working hard to live a holy and pure life. We are encouraged to live a life worthy of our calling. We must avoid venial and mortal sins and the best way to fight it is to avoid the occasions that make us fall into them. Every sin has a consequence, but in Christ we have been saved, therefore, do not let the power of sin hold you at ransom, rise up from where you have fallen and come back to Jesus who will forgive you and show you mercy. When you are therefore, made strong, strive to help others who are weak to become strong also.

Do not let sin take hold of your life and become a habit for you. Fight it, work on yourself, come to Jesus and draw your spiritual strength from Him. He will help you and through your repentance your inner joy and peace will be restored. God will hear your prayers and cry for help and mercy and He will be compassionate to you and heal you.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊 as you do your work and do have a splendid weekend. May God's mercy be abundant for you as you seek His face. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: 1 John 5:14-21/Psalm 149:1-6,9/John 3:22-30

Watch-Word: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.

Never let the magnitude or gravity of your sin make you doubt the supreme power of God's mercy

(Saturday after Epiphany, Year A)