from pastor Rich Allcorn

I woke up this morning with a message deep in my heart that I had to share.  The Lord asked me this question:  "Are you comfortable in your sin?"  He said that man sins.  That is why HE sent Jesus, to give us a way out of that sin, and into righteousness and restoration.  But man makes mistakes, and can often fall back into that same sin. 

The Lord told me, "I want you to share with My people that I want them free!"  He went on to explain to me how you can continue in a particular sin for a season and not think anything of it.  You confess it, get forgiveness, and move on.  But then you later are tempted again and return to it.  Or sometimes you just continue in it, because you are never exposed or caught.  Your sin goes on without consequence, or so it seems!

Holy Spirit shared with me how this deeply grieves HIS spirit.  You see, like a mother here on the Earth, the Holy Spirit is deeply involved in your life and in your success.  HE wants nothing but the best for you.  And when you sin, and continue in that sin, it places a wall between you and GOD.  Holy Spirit says this grieves HIS heart because you make it hard for HIM to bless you, to guide you towards your calling and GOD's plan for your life.  It also, if not dealt with soon, will have other results.  Some sins have terrible fruits that come from them.  Adultery, for instance, can totally destroy a marriage, a family, and even go on into the lives of the children of that marriage ... sometimes for several decades or generations. 

Your sin has consequences.  In 1 John we are told that, "If we confess our sin, HE is faithful to forgive us our sin, and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  And we do have that available to us, when we sin.  But the Bible also says in that same area, that "No one who is born of GOD practices sin ...".  This means if you are born-again, your heart will not be at peace when you are in sin.  BUT!  If you remain in your sin, and continue in it, and do not fight your way out of it, make no mistake about it - IT WILL CATCH UP WITH YOU!  And the results can sometimes be overwhelmingly catastrophic!  And like in a checker game, you will find that the devil didn't just jump your guy, he set you up for a series of multiple jumps that are bent towards wiping you off of the board. 

When you are in sin, your faith is hampered.  Your spirit man is condemned, by your own heart!  That is because the "laws of GOD" are written on the tablets of your heart.  YOU KNOW when you sin.  No one needs to explain that to you ... or expose you.  You already know that what you're doing, or allowing, or not allowing, and you already "know" that it is a sin.  Your very heart is condemning you about it, trying anxiously to restore it's "faith connection" with the Spirit of GOD. 

Do yourself a BIG favor!  Get alone with GOD.  Get serious.  This is no game.  You have to be real.  GOD knows when you are serious, and when you are just going through the motions!  What's more, so do you!  This is not a spell, as in witchcraft, that once said will release you of your sin and your consequences.  This is a decision, a firm resolve, a "bit" that you are placing in your mouth, much like that which is found on a horses bridle.  You place this bit in your mouth, to guide you and to keep you straight!  You need to get before GOD and  (1) confess your sin before GOD.  Once you've done this, your forgiveness is already paid for, in full!  All you have do is to receive it!  So,  (2) receive your forgiveness.   Then you must  (3) forgive yourself.   You heard me right, "forgive YOURSELF".  All too often the devil,  also called the accuser of the brethren, will remind you of "what you did"!  He loves to remind you of how you failed and of how you messed up or disappointed GOD!  And he will throw this in your face, and torment you with it!  But if you have "forgiven" yourself, and you know it's been PAID FOR, on the cross of Jesus, when you confessed it, then the devil has no business bringing it up!  It's "gone"!  It's "washed away" ... by the blood of the Lamb of GOD! 

You see, once you ask GOD to forgive you, you have to forgive yourself.  And then, you have to strap on your boots, cinch up your belt, and straighten your back like a real man, or woman, of GOD, and you must "STAND" in your faith and stand in the righteousness that is now come upon you!  Ephesians chapter 6 says, "Having done all to stand, stand ..." and it goes on, talking about wearing the Armor of GOD.  Well, that is what Ephesians was talking about!  "Having done all to stand" means that you have confessed your sin, received your forgiveness, and forgiven yourself, and that you are now spending time "in the presence" of Almighty GOD.  THAT is where your power comes from!  And when you are doing THIS, then you have done "everything you need to do to stand". 

So, stand up on your feet like a son, or daughter, of the Most High GOD!  Come before the throne of Grace.  IT WAS BUILT FOR YOU!  Stand before the Lord GOD Almighty, and hold you shoulders up like a real member of the Family of GOD!  You don't have to do it alone, either.  Your big brother, Jesus, said HE would "stand" with you!  The Bible says that HE is our Advocate!  So, with Jesus at your side, confess your sin before "your" Father, GOD, and receive that forgiveness.  Then, forgive yourself.  Afterwards, enjoy the restored fellowship with your Father and with Jesus!  You DO NOT have to be beat by sin.  The only thing that stands between you and your victory is your will, your heart.  You must make what Kenneth Copeland refers to as a "firm and quality decision" (I like that phrase).  You "firmly" decide, and then ask Holy Spirit to help you to walk it through, to "make it", and carry out what you committed to do! 

I believe in you!  GOD believes in you too!  Now, you have to believe in yourself.  KNOW that Jesus, exchanged your weakness for HIS Strength.  You have JESUS inside of you!  YOU CAN DO THIS!   Now, go out there and get 'er done!

Make me proud!