(December 7, 2008)
God's Will is not for us to sin. But, if we do, God has Grace to cover us with unconditional love. There is nothing that you can do to make God love you more, but there is also nothing you can do to make God love you less.

Other religions are performance-based. There are rules and regulations. There are rituals and routines. It's all about what you do. But with Christianity, it's all about what's been done. It's the gift that God gave to all of his people when Jesus died for the sins of all mankind for posterity.

The Father wants his children to have prosperity, growth and health. If these are his desires, then why are there so many bitter and miserable Christians? Why so much depression? Why so much divorce? Why so much fear? Anxiety? Hatred? Sickness? The problem lies in the fact that so many churches seem to address only the symptoms. What the church really needs to do is to address the roots of the problems. Just like in medicine, taking care of the symptoms is only a quick, temporary fix. However, taking care of the root issue will have long standing results, but it may take some time and some pain to get to that end result.

We are a stressful, worried society. Stress makes us vulnerable. When people fall morally, it's because it's at a point where are stressed. Fear is another root that causes vulnerablility spiritually and mentally.

These roots need to be eliminated in order for a Christian man or women to lead a life that God truly desires. However, these are not the deepest root. The deepest of all roots creates all of these problems and affects everything that you do. You can't simply clear this root out by yourself. This root is the Root of Condemnation.

When you feel condemned, it robs you of the intimacy of God. Condemnation is defined as continual guilt and accusation. This root comes from the devil, but our own heart and consciousness tears us down without help. People even struggle to look at themselves in the mirror. A believer who understands what Jesus Christ did for us is prepared to reject that condemnation that causes the breakdown of our mental and spiritual state. We can see the stress, anxiety and fear coming and choose to fight it off. We are cleansed.

When we sin, we've been expecting to receive punishment. The highest suicide rate occurs around Christmas because people are reminded about their shortcomings when around family and friends. Understand that being saved means that our hearts have been cleansed and we should expect success, intimacy and forgiveness from God.

Sometimes we try to repent, but The Accuser keeps us thinking we're falling short. Many times this Accuser is the devil, but many times it's ourselves! Condemnation is eliminated through the Blood of Jesus. You are righteous if you believe!

Here's a question: Are you sinner or are you a saint? The truth is that you are a saint and we need to understand this. If you'll allow God's work to be done through you, then the Root of Condemnation will be replaced. It will be cast off and in it's place will be the Root of Confidence.

Don't let the enemy rip into you! Do you find yourself beating yourself up and tearing yourself down? Would you let someone else do that to you? Of course not. Let your Older Brother step in and remove condemnation from the situation, replacing it with confidence!

Jon Bruney
Pastor

Leona Sattison
Secretary

James Bruney
Worship Leader





Drew Kuespert
Webmaster