I recently learned of a sin situation within my church that hurt my heart.  Sin is everywhere, but it hurts the most when it happens within our immediate family:  our home church.  Sometimes we do all we think we can and the only thing left is to pray, love, and wait. 

The funny thing about God is when I get angry at the sins of those around me, he seems to always show me my sin that I try to forget or ignore.  He shows me the ugliness of my heart and reminds me of the cancerous wounds that he has miraculously healed.  I am reminded of when I have been lost, when he sought me out and brought me back.  I am reminded of his undeserved grace.  I am reminded of the enemy’s defeat in the end.  Watching others wander off in deception can cause me to desire super ninja capabilities that could allow me to defeat the enemy on my own, right now.  But then God has me circle back to my heart.

The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss.  It is the Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself.  His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to those inescapable realities.  The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples and fools into humble listeners.  He makes cirpples walk again.  In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope.  And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others.   As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”—Paul David Tripp, Instruments In the Redeemers Hands.

As much as I might desire to change others, I need to allow God to change me.  I need to allow him to change my heart. 

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