Bankrupt

Modern conveniences are great until they aren’t. Let me explain what I mean. I was discussing the issue of bank postings with my husband the other day after we had realized that our bank had made an error in which it posted a balance different from the one we had written down in our check book register- yes, I’m old school but I still write my expenses- debits- from my checking account down on paper. I realize there are many apps that will do the same, but trust me- sometimes apps can mess up.

It seems that banks can debit then remove debits from your checking account at random for what ever reason. If you are a bank person, I’m sure you understand all of this better than I do. But, if you just check your balance from your bank’s app, you’re likely to get an inaccurate balance at times. I know because I have had this happen. You check the balance and it gives you a false sense of financial security of the amount you have available so you might make a purchase. But, the amount is only a snap shot for that minute, for an hour later the amount changes and you might find yourself overdrawn. Please tell me that I am not alone in this. I know it happens to others as well. See, this is why I like the old school ways. I have had this happen with auto debits as well, They do not always post from your account on the specific day- even when you set them up that way- So, you find yourself at a loss to pay a bill. Bankrupt, so to speak.

As I write this post, it is the first day of Lent. A season in which we are to give up something so we can focus on Easter coming. A time to give up from our plenty, something simple like, candy or sweets, or meat or social media. We might feel good about our pursuit of giving up for a time, but sometimes it tends to look more like our New Year’s resolutions, if we are honest.

The first week we’re good, but in a little while, we might sneak in a candy bar, or a steak on a Friday. But, what is it we are seeking to do? Are we practicing some religious obligation? Or, are we really spending more time in prayer and reading of the Bible? Maybe we are trying to grow our faith, or feel closer to God, or just maybe we think it will make Him like us more if we concentrate on Him more and less on ourselves. But, does God need this from us? There simply isn’t enough of what we can give up that will make Him love us any more than He does now. Being closer to God means surrendering our lives to Him, not just our candy.

God doesn’t need us to give up candy. He needs us to give Him our lives and our hearts. No amount of money or good works or good deeds, even those done in His name will ever accomplish restoring the broken relationship between man and God- We simply do not have enough to pay. We are bankrupt when compared with what God requires to restore that broken relationship. The only payment that counts is death, and that is precisely the payment made by Jesus. He redeemed us, made the payment and rose to life to sit at God’s right hand, having accomplished His task. He gave it all for us. Our response is to accept it.

So, maybe this Lenten season, instead of giving up anything, we should focus on receiving God’s gift of salvation through Jesus. But, if you feel that you must give up anything, give up your sin debt, your anxiety, your worry, your problems, your desperate situations, your selfishness, your unforgiveness, your pain, your hurt, your plans, and cry out to God- who loves us so much that He gave us His Son. -God Bless You- Nancy

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1, NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13, NIV