It would be so easy to recap this day with a laundry list of blessings from the beautiful weather to the tasty lunch, the joys of family to the opportunity for rest.

The scripture is true … the Lord has been good to me!
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Psalm 116: 5, 7)

Yes, so many blessings today!  And one I don’t want to neglect, is my gratitude for my pastor.  God used my pastor today to speak to my heart.  I loved the storytelling today, the elaboration bringing the scripture to life, the application my heart needed to hear.

Wipe our Debt (Photo credit: Images_of_Money)

He likened our sin to the national debt clock.  Not a pretty picture, I know.  And at first I could push that thought away … until he pointed out that sin isn’t always the notorious, the scandalous, the horrifying behavior.  The scripture says to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind.  Our pastor pointed out that not giving God his due was the same as building debt … the clock is ticking.  I owe a debt I can never repay!   And then he said, Anytime you can see someone else’s sin has bigger than your own, you have missed the Gospel.  Ouch!

Of course, he reminded us that Jesus paid that debt … a debt he did not owe at all … gave his life freely that I might experience forgiveness … and great is that forgiveness and grace!

I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene, And wonder how He could love me, A sinner, condemned, unclean.  O how marvelous! O how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:  O how marvelous! O how wonderful!  Is my Savior’s love for me!

I’m grateful for a pastor who speaks truth – even when the message is challenging!