Do you need a realignment?

Every so often our cars need to have their tires aligned. This need can come from a something specific (such as hitting a pothole or a curb, getting in an accident, etc.) or it can just come from natural uneven wear on the tires. Either way, the result is that your car "drifts" or "pulls," it no longer just goes straight.

This can happen in our spiritual life. Whether its something specific or you've just put in a lot of miles in with your walk, we can sometimes get off track. It's not that we're heading in the wrong direction, we're just "drifting."

So what do we do? If you've ever heard me speak, I almost always talk about the "fundamentals of the Christian faith." That's becasue I think they are so important. The little things are what keep you on track. To switch analogies, remember that the fundamentals in any sport are what allow you to to be successful in that sport.

My point is, when is the last time you have had a spiritual alignment? The last time that you got some things tweeked to make sure you're going straight.

I'll give you an example from my life. Remember, for you it can be anything. For me it was staying focused on the end. Let's go back a couple of weeks. I was still walking with God, reading my Bible praying, etc., but something was off. I couldn't figure out what, but I was "drifting" against my will. So I headed to the "shop." That is, I fasted for a day last week and asked God for a spiritual realignment. Well today I got the answer. I had lost focus of the end. I wasn't living expecting Christ to return at any moment. I asked for forgiveness and God quickly got me back on the road, going a little bit straighter than before.

So what is it for you? Are you heading straight, or do you need a spiritual alignment like I did? Ask God, I'm sure He will show you with time.

Can God really forgive ME?

Can God really forgive me?

"You don't know what I've done. I've done some things that you can't even imagine. I know He's real and that He does forgive some people, but not me; I've made some mistakes that I have to live with for the rest of my life. I regret it, but it's too late now."

Does that sound familiar?

Or how about this:

"I'm stuck in this sin. I just cannot stop. I really don't think God can forgive me again."

These are legitimate questions, and I think more of us have struggled with them at some point or another than we would like to admit. I know I have.

Whether God's forgiveness is a struggle that is keeping you from a relationship with Him, or you've had a relationship with Him and are worried He's just going to give up on you, don't worry; there is hope. Just stick with me for a second.

It's hard knowing that Jesus died for our sin. I feel guilty about it, I mean, it is my fault. I think the popular song has it right when it says, "it was our sin that held Him there." But here's the thing, He knew what He was doing. John 10:17-18 explains that He freely chose to lay down His life for us. He knew what He was getting Himself into and yet He did it anyway! That's how much He loves us. He let us kill Him. If He can forgive us for that, He can forgive us for anything.


So instead of doubting Him, thank Him.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.