Daily Devotional

WELL, STOP IT!

I wish I could say it was easy for this life-long city boy to move to the agriculturally blessed San Joaquin Valley. I have since learned to deeply love the people and this city.  I am especially grateful to God for the unity of the churches in this community. It truly is a great place to live, raise a family, and minister.

Actually, my dramatic change of heart began one morning at the local Salvation Army Thrift Store. I was standing at the door waiting for my wife and daughters to finish looking through row after seemingly endless row of used clothing. They were having a great time; I was not. My face must have revealed my misery.    

A little girl, who looked about seven years old, approached me at the door. She gazed up at me with her beautiful brown eyes and without any shyness proclaimed, “Jesus died for your sins!” Frankly, I was not in the mood to have this little girl witness to me. I gave a dismissive mumble, “I know.” Undaunted, she continued, “Well, you’re a sinner!” My sour face turned to a smile and I responded, “I know that, too!” Then to my amazement, she put her hands on her hips and raised her voice, “Well, stop it!” She turned on her heels and sauntered away.      

I decided that day I wanted to live in a city where a seven-year-old is used by God to confront  a Pastor-Sinner like me.    

In that spirit, I remind us of some of the clear and pithy mandates of Scripture regarding  the sins we need to stop immediately and the lives we need to pursue now:

1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee immorality.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

1 Timothy 6:11 “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,  perseverance and gentleness.”

2 Timothy 2:22 “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,  with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

     That young girl in the thrift shop sounded very much like the old Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 15:34 “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning…”

Just stop it!
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