5-5-5 Daily Devotions: Weightlifting

Weightlifting 3 l The Weight of My Past

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

Do you believe God has completely forgiven you of your sins?

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:1-11 NLT

“Interlude” indicates this was a song. Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in turning your sorrows into joys?

What do you need to confess? Are you willing to be honest so that you can be free?

How do you prefer for God to guide you?

Lord, thank you for paying for my sins and giving me a way to be free of the weight of my guilt and shame. Thank you for putting my guilt on Jesus at the cross so I can have his goodness live in me. Teach me to humble respond to your gentle guidance so I can be assured of your protection and filled with joy!

What do you need most? Are you sure?

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 2:1-12 NLT

Sermon Insights: Sometimes what we think we need and what we actually need are two different things.

Who do you feel the most like in this Scripture?

Do you have a list of several friends who would tear someone else’s roof apart if it meant helping you when you need it most? Whose list are you on?

Are you the kind of friend who brings others to Jesus in creative ways?

Lord, thank you for Jesus’ provision of really, really wonderful people in my life. Thank you for providing hope, help, and forgiveness. Help me to be the friend who brings my friends to Jesus in creative ways!

Do you prefer standard light bulbs or unique lights?

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 1:5-2:6 NLT

Sermon Insights: We must acknowledge our need for forgiveness.

Based on this Scripture, what do you think your focus should be on going forward?

Are you adjusting your attitude to sin based on God’s kindness towards you?

Sin has been compared to slow death. It is a danger that must be honestly exposed so it no longer has powers of persuasion over you. God’s gift is to allow us to be free from the power of sin. Are you living free? What is your next step?

Lord, thank you for forgiving me and sending Jesus to help me walk a path of light and life. Help me to live my life as Jesus did!

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” What change do you want to see in the world?

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:17-32 NLT

Sermon Insights: When we confess our sins, God gives us a fresh touch of forgiveness and the power to walk in freedom.

What have you “learned about Christ”?

What do you want to personally experience by following Jesus?

How can the people in your life hope to benefit based on the changes in your life?

Lord, thank you for purposefully working in my life through your Holy Spirit. Help me to live in kindness and forgiveness towards myself and others.

What wise “quote” or “saying” are you most known for?

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them.

Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely.

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.

Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.

Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.

Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.

Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:1–13 NLT

What is true about God from this Scripture?

What is true about people from this Scripture?

What is your next step of obedience…today?

Lord, thank you for giving me your wisdom. Teach me to offer my will, my mind, and my body to you each day so I can participate in your goodness and plan in every area of my life.

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Weightlifting 3 l The Weight of My Past

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