Allergy Sufferers Beware!

Many of you are very much aware that the allergy season is in full force and sending people to the doctor's office and emergency rooms on an hourly basis. So why do so many suffer from these different allergies? Good question.

The main reason so many people have trouble during this time of the year is due to pollens being released in the air by plants and trees. The most common allergies are nasal. The symptoms are usually congestion, sneezing, itching and running nose. Of course these are easily comforted by using an over the counter spray of some sorts. Then there are the more severe allergies that can send an individual to the emergency room fighting for their life. I remember when I was younger and had bronchial asthma. I had to have an injection several times to clear my breathing passages. I remember how scary it was trying to breathe my next breath. I finally out grew that allergy but found out later that I was very allergic to cat dander. If you were to lock me up in a room full of cats, it would be no time at all that I would be gasping for my next breath and eventually I would suffocate. Don't get any ideas!

The point is that if you suffer from allergies you will do all that you can to get relief. You don't want temporary relief; you want permanent relief. So you seek out doctor after doctor until you find one that has the cure for your specific condition. Once the solution is found you can be on your happy way and pray that no other symptoms arise.

Did you realize that just as we have physical allergies we suffer from, we can also have spiritual allergies that can cause us more harm. Do you find yourself running towards evil deeds or running away from them. Be honest here. We all suffer from doing wrong. That's why we are sinners, but we should be allergic to wrong doing and our antidote for this problem should be clean or right living. Remember the apostle Paul and his problem? For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice (Rom. 7:19). Do you have the same problem? He goes on to say, Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me (Rom. 7:20). If you have this type of sin in you today, it can be easily gotten rid of by giving it to the Lord. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

Jesus gives the invitation to come to the Father through Him. All who labor under burdens of any kind are invited to come. The greatest burden is the burden of sin. Jesus will give men the forgiveness of sins when they come to Him. Are you willing to surrender your all to Him today? He is the true antidote for your spiritual allergies. Get rid of them today, once and for all. We will be praying for you. Come!

In Christian love,

Confession - Is It Not Good For The Soul?

Most people have heard of the phrase, “Confession is good for the soul.” Do we have any idea where this saying was coined? Probably not, but we do have another saying that relays the same truth and it is found in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Could it be said that this is the key verse for restoring our relationship with the heavenly Father? Probably yes. The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, wrote essentially the same thing, warning, He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

Confession of sin is manifested by repentance, as was the case of David after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51). It is also manifested by self-abasement (humility/dishonor). Jeremiah put it this way, We lie down in our shame, and our reproach covers us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God (Jer. 3:25). The apostle Paul said, For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted...(2 Cor. 7:10a). Confession is even manifested by restitution (compensation/amends). The children of Israel were made to do this when they were found guilty of any sin against the Lord.

Now that we see how the confession of sin is manifested, what will be the results of our confession? First there is forgiveness, as stated earlier in 1 John 1:9. Secondly there is pardon, concerning David (Psalm 32:1-5). Thirdly there is renewed fellowship (Psalm 51:12-19). Lastly there is healing. Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16a).

Our sins are not something that we should take lightly. It is true that our sins will find us out, as they did with David and others in the Holy Scriptures. We want to make sure that we stay confessed up so that we will find ourselves continually being cleansed by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. This will assure our entrance into the heavenly kingdom Christ is now preparing for each of us.

God's Blessings!

Eddie