#Psalm 103:10-12

[martyschoenleber]

13 Ways to Grow a Passion for the Things of God

Psalm 119:89 How to Develop a Passion for the Things of God Hang around passionate people. Luke 11:1  “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”  —-the disciples saw Jesus’s passion for prayer and they were drawn to have a similar passion. A fascinating learning experience is to take…

[trustfallwithgod]

Via Steward & Son

Psalm 103 - David’s psalm of God’s Divine Goodness

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15 The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18 with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Cast Your Cares on the Lord (2 Samuel 17:15-29)

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.

2 Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me.

4 My heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest.

7 Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

8 I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Oppression and guile depart not from its streets.

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; Then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; Then I would have hid myself from him:

13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend.

14 We took sweet counsel together; We walked in the house of God with the throng.

15 Let death come suddenly upon them, Let them go down alive into Sheol; For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.

16 As for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice.

18 He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; For they were many that strove with me.

19 God will hear, and answer them, Even he that abideth of old, Selah The men who have no changes, And who fear not God.

20 He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: He hath profaned his covenant.

21 His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.

22 Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

23 But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee. — Psalm 55 | American Standard Version (ASV) The American Standard Version Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Genesis 11:9; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 33:27; 1 Samuel 1:16; 2 Samuel 16:7-8; Job 15:32; Job 19:19; Psalm 5:9; Psalm 10:1; Psalm 12:2; Psalm 12:8; Psalm 41:9; Psalm 42:4; Psalm 57:2-3; Psalm 103:4; Psalm 116:3; Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 21:4; Jeremiah 9:2; Jeremiah 48:28; Acts 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 1 Peter 5:7

[awideplace]

The Gospel

What It Means to Be a Christian

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.

God Is Sovereign Creator Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

God Is Holy God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Mankind Is Sinful According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).

Sin Demands a Penalty God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

Jesus Is Lord and Savior Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

The Character of Saving Faith True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).

Source: https://www.gracechurch.org/about/gospel

[artsymumof5]

You are Beautiful Psalm 45:11 Unique Psalm 189:13 Loved Jeremiah 31:3 Special Ephesians 2:10 Created for a Purpose Jeremiah 29:11 Cared for Ephesians 3:17-19 Lovely Daniel 12:3 Precious 1 Corinthians 6:20 Important 1 Peter 2:9 Forgiven Psalm 103:12 A New Creation 2 Corinthians 5:17 Protected Psalm 121:3 Empowered Philippians 4:13 Chosen John15:16 Family Ephesians 2:19 YOU ARE MINE Isaiah 43:1

[hiswordsarekisses]

“I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25

“Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Hebrews 10:17

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11 -12

[pastortomsteers]

The Third Sunday after Trinity

June 16, 2024

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

Divine Service Setting III (Pages 184 – 202)

Lutheran Service Book

OPENING HYMN:   609  “Sinners Jesus Doth Receive”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RODV7z-UQhI

                                                                                                     Confession and Absolution   Page 184-185

 

Introit (read by the Pastor) 

Psalm 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: vss. 16,18

Turn to me and be gracious to me,     for I am lonely and afflicted.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,     and forgive all my sins.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.    O my God, in you I trust;     let me not be put to shame;

You are the God of my salvation;     for you I wait all the day long.

My eyes are ever toward the Lord,     for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!     Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son                                                                                              and to the Holy Spirit;  

as it was in the beginning,  

is now, and will be forever. Amen.                                                                                                                        

Turn to me and be gracious to me,     for I am lonely and afflicted.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,     and forgive all my sins.

                                                                

The Kyrie  (Lord Have Mercy)

Congregation:

Lord have mercy upon us.

Christ have mercy upon us.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Gloria in Excelsis (Glory to God in the Highest) p. 187

The Salutation:

Pastor:  The Lord be with you.

Congregation:  And with thy spirit.

 

Our Collect Prayer:

O Lord,                                                                                                                                 the protector of all who trust in You,

without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy,  multiply Your mercy on us so  that, with You as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal;             through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Our Bible Readings:

First Reading – Micah 7:18-20

18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity     and passing over transgression     for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever,     because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us;     he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all oursins     into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob     and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers     from the days of old.

Pastor:  This is the Word of the Lord.

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 103:1-13

Bless the Lord, O my soul,     and all that is within me,     bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,     and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity,     who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit,     who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good     so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness     and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses,     his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,     slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide,     nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,     nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,     so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west,     so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children,     so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.                                                                                                                        

Epistle Reading – 1st Timothy 1:12-17

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Pastor:  This is the Word of the Lord.

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading (please stand) – Luke 15:1-10

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Pastor:  This is the Gospel of the Lord.                                                                                            Congregation:  Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED   Page 192  

HYMN OF THE DAY:  611 “Chief of Sinners Though I Be”

THE SERMON –

Brothers and sisters, peace grace and mercy be to you through God our Father, and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

We have great news this morning from our Gospel Reading – Jesus receives you and eats with you.

Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here now, nor would we one day be in Heaven.

Does that mean Jesus doesn’t care if you sin and think you can do whatever you want, that he’ll celebrate your sins with you?

No, there is a call to repentance here, a repentance, which means a sorrow over sins, a turning to Christ, and a genuine desire to follow Him.

That repentance can’t happen if we’re comfortable in our sins or think we don’t sin.  

The latter issue was the one the Pharisees were burdened by.

Many people today fall prey to both errors.

Much to their dismay – and judgment – the Pharisees never spoke truer words than when they grumbled according to Luke’s Gospel that, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Here we see the Pharisees were not only experts at the Law, but could inadvertently speak the truth – though they were too blind in their stubbornness to see it.

So, Jesus tells them a story, a trilogy really, the two parables of our Gospel today, along with the parable of the Prodigal Sonn and His loving Father that concludes the 15th chapter of Luke.

The two stories before us this morning are often thought of, and used as, “evangelism” texts.

And they are, if we understand evangelism correctly.

Evangelism is not just for those people out there – the pagan peoples  of some far away land.

Evangelism is for every sinner, every man, woman, and child alike until our Lord comes again on the Last Day.

Evangelism is the proclamation of the Good News that, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Evangelism is the spreading of the Gospel to save souls for eternity.

So, what about you and me? Are we sinners?

Of course we are.

The Apostle Paul wrote about himself, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

No one else’s sin spiritually hurts you or separates you from God and keeps you out of the kingdom of heaven.

It is YOUR sin that’s your worst nightmare – not the gangsters, not the troublesome neighbour or even family member.

Oh, they’re sinners as well like everyone else, but they’re not our ultimate problem.

You and your sin are the problem.

And Jesus came to save you and me from this. 

“This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Again, does this mean Jesus tolerates sins, even joins you in celebrating them, or being ‘proud’ of them?    

No.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

He calls sinners to repentance, strips each sinner of his own self-righteousness, and brings them in repentance to dine with Him at His Table alongside other repentant sinners at a heavenly feast.

A feast of His body and blood for forgiveness, life and salvation – the gift, the Holy Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

And any church that does not see communion that way is not a Christian Church – the Bible makes that clear.

There is always room at this table for one more repentant sinner.

God the Father is always ready to welcome one more formerly stubborn Pharisee, or person who used to think they could live any way they wanted, but who finally admitted to being lost.

Here we’re really no different than the Pharisees, are we?

God has indeed given us a great gift in this nation where we are still free to assemble to hear God’s Word and receive His gifts.  

But we've turned away from His generosity in many ways.

The unbelieving world denies Him as the Creator of the universe and our Creator and Father.

Secular culture denies His good gift of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and instead tells us we should be proud of sin.

Over 100,000 unborn children a year in this country are murdered in the sin of abortion. In the U.S. it’s over a million.

Many in our society have forgotten that our eternal destiny is in the hands of God alone, whether they dismiss Him, or not.

His majesty, and reign, His sovereignty continues.

And our salvation is only found in being found by Him.

Many today put more faith in being guided by their GPS units than the Bible.

But the moment after they close their eyes for the last time, in this life, those GPS devices and everything else in this world will mean nothing.

Many people don’t like to admit that they don’t know where they’re going and need help. 

Physically, and especially spiritually.

They prefer to set their own path.

The Pharisees were no different.

But you know what?

Everyone since Adam and Eve has had the same problem when it comes to Heaven.

We’d all rather get there by ourselves, traveling our own chosen roads, figuring we know exactly where we are, what we’re doing, and that we’ll get to where we need to eventually.

But that’s the highway to hell.

There are many on it.

They believe they’re a law unto themselves, and don’t need to repent and receive God’s Word, and His Sacraments that He instituted and commanded.

Dear fellow sinners, don’t ever forget that apart from Holy Baptism, apart from hearing the Word of God that forgives you, apart from the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, we too are among the lost.

Each and every one of us is in the same boat as the Pharisees if we insist we don’t need Jesus Christ, and His means of grace.

There’s no alternate route to Heaven.

It’s really just that simple: “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus is telling everyone this in the Gospel of Luke so that they too might see themselves as sinners in need of a Saviour.

So that they too might desire to be received by this God-man and eat with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus wants you and all people to know, believe, and rejoice that He, the very Son of God, came to receive the worst – human beings.

And what’s more, Christ even became the worst – for us!

He took on our sins and went to a cross and died horribly to take the punishment we deserved so that believers, repentant sinners, could be forgiven.

Now that’s evangelism.

That’s the Good News, the best news you can, or will, ever hear.

The Son of the Living God, loved you so much He died for you so that you wouldn’t die eternally.

May God’s truth, mercy and forgiveness comfort you, and inspire you to go and tell those who are lost that they have a Saviour – Jesus Christ.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH 

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT       Page 194

THE LORDS’ PRAYER                          Page 196 

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD             Page 197

Pax Domini                                                                                                       ��                         Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.                                                                              Congregation: Amen.

THE DISTRIBUTION

Post Communion Collect (Right-hand column)  Page 201                                                                                                    Salutation and Benedicamus  Page 201-202                                                                                                               Benediction   Page 202

CLOSING HYMN  922 “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”

[coffeeman777]

Psalm 103

"1 I bless the holy name of YHWH-God with all my heart! 2 Yes, I will bless the LORD and not forget the glorious things He does for me!

"3 He forgives all my sins. He heals me. 4 He ransoms me from Hell. He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 6 He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed His will and nature to Moses and the people of Israel.

"8 He is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; He is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. 9 He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. 10 He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, 11 for His mercy toward those who fear and honor Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far away from us as the East is from the West. 13 He is like a Father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence Him. 14 For He knows we are but dust 15 and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, 16 blown by the wind and gone forever.

"17-18 But the loving-kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting to those who reverence him; His salvation is to children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant and remember to obey Him!

"19 The LORD has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything there is. 20 Bless the LORD, you mighty angels of His who carry out His orders, listening for each of His commands. 21 Yes, bless the LORD, you armies of His angels who serve Him constantly.

"22 Let everything everywhere bless the LORD! And how I bless Him too!"

[pugzman3]

Psalms chapter 103

1 (A Psalm of David.) Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

[tinyshe]

Psalm 103  Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

[faithisthekey-23]

We need our doctor. We need Him to bring the healing to heal our souls and bodies:

”On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matthew 9:12)

Who is the doctor I am talking about? Of course, it's no one else than Jesus Christ our Messaiah. He is the Healer.

”35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” (Matthew 9:35)

You might think that He was healing people during His life on earth and doesn't do that anymore but I'm telling you, He has never changed. He is the same as He was before. He healed, is healing at the moment and will heal people in the future:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, and I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6) 

All you need to do is just believe and trust in His words and keep them in your hearts. Keep that God cares about you and loves you:

”10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10)

” The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

”10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)

I recommend you to pray while using the prayer from the Holy Bible. May you be healed infhe name of Jesus Christ

"2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion" (Psalm 103:2-4)

”Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:4)

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

17th September >> Mass Readings (USA)

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A 

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Sirach 27:30—28:7 Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD? Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1–2, 3–4, 9–10, 11–12

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills, redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Second Reading Romans 14:7–9 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia. I give you a new commandment, says the Lord; love one another as I have loved you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 18:21–35 I say to you, forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[faeriefully]

Can I be saved if I have tattoos 🥺

Absolutely.

Whether or not tattoos are a sin is a matter of debate in the church.

I'm gathering from this question that you are convicted that they are a sin.

God is all powerful. There is no sin too great for God to forgive. Repent. Trust in Christ for your salvation.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,     slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide,     nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,     nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,     so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west,     so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children,     so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame;     he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:8-14

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Vision of Joshua the High Priest

1 And He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "May the LORD rebuke you, Satan! May even the LORD Who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked out of the fire?" 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, "Take the filthy garments from off him." And to him He said, "Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with ceremonial robes." 5 And I said, "Let them set a clean mitre on his head." And they set a clean mitre on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

6 And the angel of the LORD charged Joshua, saying, 7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My charge, then you shall also judge My house, and shall also keep My courts, and I will give you places to walk among these who stand by.

8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men wondered at, for behold, I will bring forth My Servant the Branch! 9 For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua: On one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its engraving upon it,' says the LORD of hosts, 'and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10 In that day,' says the LORD of hosts, 'you shall call, each man to his neighbor, to sit under the vine and under the fig tree.'" — Zechariah 3 | A Faithful Version (AFV) Holy Bible, A Faithful Version © 2020 A Faithful Version. All Rights Reserved. Cross References: Exodus 28:4; Deuteronomy 17:9; Deuteronomy 17:12; 1 Kings 4:25; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Job 29:14; Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 8:18; Isaiah 32:18; Isaiah 43:25; Matthew 22:11; Mark 9:25; Luke 15:22; James 2:2; Jude 1:9; Jude 1:23; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 12:10

Zechariah 3 Bible Commentary

[awideplace]

How do I go about confessing my sins? It just always confuses me that Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins so that we are forgiven or can be forgiven? If we are already forgiven then why do we need to keep repenting when we unwillingly commit sins such as cursing when emotionally frustrating or doing things out of temper ... or if jesus is the reason why we can be forgiven then we wouldn't be forgiven no matter what if it werent for jesus? What about the people that existed prior to Jesus being born?

Your questions are many and I will try to break them each down simply and supportive with Scripture. Bear with me.

i. You pray to God and confess your sins, tell Him what you have done and ask for His forgiveness. When we sin, we sin against a Holy God and we don't feel right, there is a lack of peace and fellowship with God it can feel like (Ephesians 4:30, grieving the Spirit it's referred to for believers); it is a good thing if we cannot rest in our sin and have peace living in sin, because the Holy Spirit indwells the believer (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 6:19). If we feel no guilt when sinning, we keep on and see no wrong and justify it, it would seem we are not saved because how can we love/rejoice in what God hates (John 14, 1 John 2, 1 Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 12:8). There should be a "war", if you will, within a believer of sin and not having peace living in sin. We live in victory and not defeat, because Christ paid the cost, but we don't go on willfully sinning (Romans 6). We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but we don't stay there. We still sin (1 John 1), but a believer will not want to be enslaved to sin. It will bother a believer; that is the Holy Spirit conviction. This is a good thing! Sanctification is a process and it is a good thing to be convicted of sin and freeing to confess it to our Holy God who loves us.

ii. Yes, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He paid the cost that we may no longer be guilty.

"When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive salvation and forgiveness. But that’s not all. The Bible says we also receive justification, redemption, reconciliation, atonement, propitiation, and regeneration. Each of these theological terms expresses wonderful truths about the blessing we receive when Jesus becomes our Savior. Salvation and forgiveness, while related, are not exactly the same. The term salvation comes from the Greek word sozo, which means 'to be delivered, rescued.' Salvation is deliverance from the penalty of sin, that is, eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:46). Salvation is God’s rescuing us from our deserved fate. Salvation also includes a more immediate deliverance from the power of sin in this life. Sin has lost its dominion over the saved ones (Romans 6:14). Faith in Jesus Christ rescues us from the empty and meaningless life described in Ecclesiastes and provides us with a life that is abundant and fruitful (John 10:10; Galatians 5:22–23). The term forgiveness comes from the Greek word aphiemi, which means 'to let go, to give up, to keep no longer.' When Jesus forgives us, our sins, trespasses, iniquities, and transgressions are erased, wiped off the record. Forgiveness of sin is analogous to financial debt being erased. When God forgives us of our sins, we are free. Our sins are wiped out. God will never hold them against us (Psalm 103:12). Salvation and forgiveness are closely related. There is no salvation without forgiveness. Salvation is God’s delivering us from the consequences of sin. Forgiveness is God’s erasing our sin debt. To use a financial illustration, forgiveness is God’s shredding the documents that list our debt, and salvation is God’s letting us out of debtors’ prison. Praise God for the wonderful salvation and forgiveness He has provided. May our lives reflect gratitude for all He has done for us (Romans 12:1)." Source

iii. I'm unsure I understand your full question, but apart from receiving Jesus as our Savior (the propitiation of our sins) there is no forgiveness. There is no other Way (John 14:6). We can never be good enough, keep the law perfectly, achieve nirvana, pay the debt, whatever you want to call it. Salvation, forgiveness, peace only comes through Jesus Christ. And this new life (being born again in Scripture; see John 3:6-7) will bring forth a new life in you; you will be set apart (sanctification; see 2 Timothy 2). "Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone–"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" Ephesians 2:8-9. Our faith, however, will show forth a new life/being born again/sanctification- there will be fruit, where there is no fruit there is no new life. "Faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." James 2:18; "He cuts off every branch of Mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15:2.

iv. See https://www.gotquestions.org/Old-Testament-salvation.html

[artsymumof5]

You are Beautiful Psalm 45:11 Unique Psalm 189:13 Loved Jeremiah 31:3 Special Ephesians 2:10 Created for a Purpose Jeremiah 29:11 Cared for Ephesians 3:17-19 Lovely Daniel 12:3 Precious 1 Corinthians 6:20 Important 1 Peter 2:9 Forgiven Psalm 103:12 A New Creation 2 Corinthians 5:17 Protected Psalm 121:3 Empowered Philippians 4:13 Chosen John15:16 Family Ephesians 2:19 YOU ARE MINE Isaiah 43:1