A Devotional Verse From The First Letter Of John, The Apostle
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
1 John 2:12
     This verse clearly answers the question "When a Christian sins why can they be forgiven?" Look at the scripture verse: We are not forgiven because we've been good. We are not forgiven because we are Christians. We are not forgiven because God owes it to us. We are not forgiven because we had a good roll of the lucky dice. We are forgiven for his name's sake.
     Earlier in the chapter we are told that He, Jesus Christ, is our advocate with the Father (2:1). An advocate speaks up for another. Then we are told that Jesus is our propitiation (atoning sacrifice NIV 2:2). This is why we are forgiven for his name's sake. Because of Jesus God forgives the sinning Christian, but, of course, the back story is found in verse two also because we are told that He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, so that we understand we are forgiven of our sins and saved for his name's sake which makes us into Christians, and then when we confess our sins while living the Christian life we are forgiven them daily for his name's sake.
     This, to the Bible believing Christian, is a very simple concept, and yet it is so hard for people who do not know what God says in the Bible to understand, because they feel they have to do something to be forgiven, or they want to do something to know that they are worthy of being forgiven. According to God's word it is not possible for us to be worthy of forgiveness or do anything that would require God to give us forgiveness. If you want to get forgiveness, and you, or anyone, can have it if you want it, then Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,... (Acts 16:31) ...because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

A Personal View  Of The 9-11 Memorial

The weekend of Memorial Day 2014 I visited the 9–11 Memorial, the fountains of running water that fall into the “foot prints” of the twin towers of the former World Trade Center. The cascading waters in the gaping emptiness shine and gurgle in the sunlight bringing to remembrance the lives taken by the terrorism of that awful day. 2606 people, most of them Americans as well as visitors from numerous world nations, had their lives turned to ashes when they went to work. They planned to go home to their families that day, eat dinner, help with homework, kiss their spouses, go to work again on the morrow, pay their bills, save for college for their kids, and live long, peaceful lives. They were victims in the war declared by radical Islamists. They were Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, blind, black, white, brown, and Asian. They were men and women, young and old.  Islamic radicals, to achieve their despicable ends killed even their own Muslim people among their victims. Terrorists are brutish monsters with devilish desires of destruction. Human life has no value to them, they are without mercy and without heart.

The 911 Memorial declares that our nation, founded on the principles of the Bible, places great value on the lives of our people and those who dwell among us. Every life counts with us, and we are a land of unity in diversity, freedom, and peace, unless aroused by the attack of enemies who desire war. We hearken back to the portion of scripture engraved upon our Liberty Bell (Leviticus 25:10) “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Note the phrase “liberty…unto all the inhabitants.” Anyone who will live according to the rule of law, granting to others the same freedoms of peace and safety he/she desires for himself, can become an American citizen and seek the fulfillment of the American Dream in his/her life and family. Terrorists attacking them attack all of us. The 9 -11 Memorial says, at least to my thinking, we remember what you did to our people, we will keep that memory strong and let it inspire us to vigilant defense of this country and this people no matter what it takes.

I thank the God of the Bible that such a nation, and such a government exists, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil”(Romans 13:3), “For he (the government power) is the minister of God to thee for good” (Romans 13:4).

Devotional Verses From The Book Of Hebrews About Jesus
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:25, 26
Awesome! Awesome is an over used word in this 21st century, except when it is used of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Devotional Verses From Hebrews
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings, and blessed him;
Hebrews 6:20; 7:1
The author of Hebrews, in the midst of his discussion of the superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant, brings up the name of Melchisedec as he introduces the high priestly ministry of Jesus. It struck me that as, in a sense, this name comes into the discussion "out of right field" so to speak, it is clear that the writer of Hebrews expected the Christians he was communicating with to be conversant with the holy scriptures. He expected they would know the Biblical account of the historic story of Abraham (then known as Abram) saving Lot from the four kings who had captured him, and then meeting this mysterious priest of God named Melchisedec. They would know that Abraham was blessed by Melchisedec and "gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:19,20). Since they knew this history from the scriptures they could then put it together with the truth being expressed in Hebrews to grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ. The lesson I would draw from that is simple, and is the same message that is often heard from Bible preaching pastors the world over, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ and want to grow in understanding you must make the Bible a priority in your life.

A Devotional Verse From Paul's Second Letter to Timothy
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:5

How do you know when the godliness of people who claim godliness, Christian or otherwise, is real? Well, you look for telltale signs. The Bible makes clear that godliness has power to change people. Once an individual has entered into true godliness (whatever that is) some behaviors will naturally (or supernaturally) disappear from their lives: loving themselves above all others; boasting of their own greatness; breaking faith when they have made a truce or agreement; exploding their rage fiercely like ancient warriors consumed with blood lust butchering men because they were of another village, and enslaving and executing even women and children (Compare Paul's list in 2 Timothy 3:1-4). Any watchers of today's television news understand that such atrocities happen even now, and are committed by those who in some way consider themselves godly. They justify outrageous sinful behavior on the basis of their religion.

True godliness on the other hand does not justify sinful behavior, it says wrong is wrong. True godliness causes people to do right. It produces kindness, cooperation, peace, freedom of religion, life not death. Godliness of this sort is not a form but a reality.

True godliness which is peaceable, loving, and life-affirming comes only through receiving Jesus into your heart as Savior and Lord.

A Devotional Verse From Paul's Second Letter To Timothy

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 
2 Timothy 1:9

If you, like me, are a believing Christian then our experiences are the same: God did the saving; He gave us salvation; and He gave each of us a holy calling, that of representing and declaring Him to our world. Some are pastors, teachers, missionaries, church officers, helpers, etc., and all are witnesses. It is a high and holy calling no matter whether it is done in the pulpit, the Sunday school rooms, in a foreign nation, as a garbage man, or an insurance salesperson. Our calling as believing Christians is the same, our place of service is different according to God's purpose. God has this network of people throughout the world telling the story of Jesus, and all of them of whatever nation or race, language or denomination, have the same holy calling of sharing in making His grace, given to us in Jesus Christ, known to the world.

Devotional Verses From Paul’s Letter To The Philippian Christians

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

God has already put Jesus’ name above all names. He did it because Jesus laid aside his prerogatives as God, took upon Him the form of a servant becoming a human being, and dying on the cross for our sins. So God highly exalted him, and I think those who do not love and believe in Jesus as Savior and King know in their hearts, in spite of their disbelief, that His name is above every name, that is why they continue to rage. Earnest believing Christians know we have no need to engage in strife to put the name of Jesus above all others God has already done that. We do not have to make efforts to see that every knee bows to Jesus, God has promised, or, if you will, prophesied, that this will happen. God will cause it to happen. One eternal day according to the apostle John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, “… Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Rev. 5:13).

We Christians need to powerfully, lovingly and openly,  preach Christ: we need to exalt Him in our worship, we need to exalt Him in our preaching, we need to exalt Him in our daily living and service; we need to exalt Him as we express our politics. We need to stand for His truth and for righteousness. We need to love the brotherhood, love our enemies, love all those He loves which is everyone (I once saw a bumper sticker that said rightly, “God loves everyone. No exceptions.”), and when we do Jesus will change many individual hearts so that they bow to Him, and, as for the promise that every knee shall bow, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11), that will happen in God’s time. The Father will bring it to pass.

A Devotional Verse From Paul's Letter To The Ephesians

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Ephesians 6:24

A Verse For America's National Day Of Prayer
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
Daniel 9:13
Daniel says that his people did not pray to turn from their iniquities; sins, as the New International Version calls them. We've got sins in America causing evil today, yet many in America don't pray to God and turn from their iniquities and understand the truth. Thank God for the people across this nation who are holding this country up in their prayers, and God may You bring change to the hearts of all of us who need to repent of our sins, in Jesus' name, Amen.