Will I be forgiven if...

...if you keep doing the sin that you've been forgiven of, then you won't be forgiven for deliberately doing it again.

This hit me like a train today. And I'm reminded of the Old Testament passage:

And if any person sins unknowingly or unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering.

And the priest shall make atonement before the Lord for the person who commits an error when he sins unknowingly or unintentionally, to make atonement for him; and he shall be forgiven.

You shall have one law for him who sins unknowingly or unintentionally, whether he is native born among the Israelites or a stranger who is sojourning among them.

But the person who does anything [wrong] willfully and openly, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one reproaches, reviles, and blasphemes the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people [that the atonement made for them may not include him]. Because he has despised and rejected the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

Num 15:27-31 AMP (Italics mine)

And this New Testament passage:

For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward].

Heb 10:46 AMP (Italics mine)

Ever had the desire or thought of doing something, but you already know deep down inside that it's sin? You could even play a mental rehearsal of the whole thing, followed by your regret and remorse, and then confession and prayer for forgiveness. Sounds familiar? Perhaps you've gone through it a thousand times, with unchanging outcomes. This time, though, will you lead yourself in making a change?

I was thinking to myself: I could either run away now, or just go on with it, have some thrill and fun, then ask for forgiveness later. I end up at the same place, don't I?

"No. There won't be forgiveness."

So run from evil temptations. Don't turn your back on Jesus and nail Him back on the cross. Store His Word in your heart, so that you might not sin against Him.

2 Tim 2:22 | Heb 6:6 | Ps 119:11

Next: Receiving God's Holy Spirit and living the holy life (vs sinful life).

Picture credit: jesussavesministry.files.wordpress.com

Offerings

Offerings

If you present a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or the flock, whether it is to fulfil a vow or is a voluntary offering, you must offer a perfect animal. It may have no defect of any kind.

You must not offer an animal that is blind, crippled, or injured, or that has a wart, a skin sore, or scabs. Such animals must never be offered on the altar as gifts to the LORD. 

If a bull or lamb has a leg that is too long or too short, it may be offered as a voluntary offering, but it may not be offered to fulfil a vow. If an animal has damaged testicles or is castrated, you may not offer it to the Lord.

You must never do this in your own land, and you must not accept such an animal from foreigners and then offer it as a sacrifice to your God. Such animals will not be accepted on your behalf, for they are mutilated or defective.

Lev 22:21-25 NLT

Here is what I get hermeneutically from this passage:

If you give your offerings to God from your time, energy, money, or anything else, then you must offer something perfect.

You must not offer your energy without your vision, or your time without your availability, or your money without your injured heart healed first. Why offer something you can't use? What would that cost you?

Like they say, offer what's right, not what's left.

So give God the best that you've got.

And some encouraging words from Paul the Apostle:

Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.

2 Cor 8:11-12 NLT

Photo credit: thalia1965.wordpress.com

Bruise his head

Lies of the enemy

He will bruise your head.
How dare you speak lies into our lives? 
We are called to be holy, just like how our Father in Heaven is holy. Not unholy like you.
You father of lies - you are no match for our Everlasting Father.
He will bruise your head.
Gen 3:15

Take that, devil.

Credit: 24.media.tumblr.com/

Orang Semenanjung

A random recollection of my childhood memories.


Scene: A few students were asked to go to the teachers' (staff) room to meet our Moral female teacher, who was facing her desktop computer. And then I blurted, with hand gestures and an animated face:

"Cikgu, kenape Cikgu panggil saye dan kawan-kawan saye ni?"

She turned to me and said: "Kau nih orang Semenanjung kah?"

Shocked, I immediately stopped my Nobita impersonation, put my hands rigidly by my sides, and sheepishly replied, "Tidak lah."

 Picture credit: emywinchester.wordpress.com/tag/nobita/