Of Side and Ripple Effects (of sin)

Mark 14:38

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Phil.2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

13for it is God who works in you

both to will and to do for His good pleasure./purpose

Sometimes I am stunned breathless

at the awesome responsibility 

resting on the shoulders of we who are

training the next generation...

As a parent, grandparent, 

as a child caregiver,

or teacher,

or Sunday School teacher.

Youngsters so beautiful,

 so precious,

 so smart, 

and so innocent

are trusting us!

May God give us grace and truth!

This past Sunday our lesson was about Samson, teaching us that

Samson is just one of many people in

the Bible who failed to obey God perfectly.

 But God still uses sinners in His plan

 to share His love with the world. 

Jesus forgives our sin. 

We can be part of God’s story to share the good

news of Jesus with others.

As we chatted about the story I told them I am glad when I sin

God forgives me and can still use me for his purpose and glory...

Before I had quite completed the sentence one little girl gasped

in horror, 'What?! she said, 'you are glad when you sin?!!"

So, I made sure they all heard the rest of the sentence.

Imagine the confusion if a class of little girls when asked what they learned

would report that the teacher said she is glad when she sins...lol!

So to clarify...I am sad when I sin but it really got me to thinking about whether

I am sad enough and quite as on guard as I should be.

Am I a teacher of truth or half-truths?

Sometimes I am agonizingly awed

by the craftiness of sin.

Always, always I need God's love/Word to show me the way.

Always, always I need his grace to forgive me and whisper 

"ups-a-daisy, dear. Try, try again,

for I will never leave you or forsake you"

This poem is a bit of battleground thought-blood...

The side and the ripple effects of disregarded sin

Seeps like a deadly venom, vile, and veiled by guile’s smooth skin

For, though we repent and receive redemption’s gift of grace

We do not instantly achieve the triumph of life’s race

But only then begin the fight that Satan delights in

To blemish the believer’s light with cunning ploys of sin

Alliances of evil would be too awful to bear

Temptation’s vexing vices oft would drive us to despair

Without the faithfulness of God whose armor will not fail

If we cling to His staff and rod, His pleasure/purpose will prevail

Then praise Him for the battle lest we slip to apathy

And wink because we think we have conquered the enemy

If we confess our sin, God, rich in mercy will forgive

The fight that we are in continues as long as we live

For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light

The master of deception clothes dark evil in pure white

The father of lies plays the charmer while his army lurks

To find chinks in faith’s armor and further destruction’s works

Diligence and enticement spar on battlegrounds within

Because God’s precious people are prized prey for schemes of sin

We ought to give most earnest heed to warnings we have heard

And with hunger for righteousness feed on God’s Holy Word

Because side and ripple effects of pride and selfishness

Can set a snare that twists the truth into ungodliness

Sometimes the stumbling blocks of sin may seem harmless and small

Until life’s testing storms begin, how mighty then, the fall

Where sin’s side and ripple effects employ a subtle tone

To soothe away the sacred void of The Chief Cornerstone

Until the side and ripple effects of sin cuts the cord

To holiest awareness of reckoning and reward

© Janet Martin

Songs like this cheer me on...

I hope they do you as well!

How Can I Keep From Singing- Audrey Assad