If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

PASTOR'S NOTE: Please be aware that the two paragraphs which begin: "Sometimes the censure can begin with the commission ..." contains a graphic story. Please evaluate before sharing with those who are young and of a sensitive nature. Thank you, Pastor Klaus

Have you ever had your heart condemn you? Most of us have.

Sometimes that condemnation seems to stem from an inconsequential, insignificant trifle. In 1895, a teenager wrote to President Cleveland. In his letter, he poured out the censure of his heart.

He said: "To His Majesty President Cleveland! Dear President: I am in a dreadful state of mind, and I thought I would write and tell you all. About two years ago I used two postage stamps that had been used before (on a letter.) Perhaps (I used) more than two stamps, but I can only remember doing it twice. I did not realize what I had done until lately. My mind is constantly on that subject. I think of it night and day. Now, dear President, will you please forgive me, and I (will) promise you I will never do it again. Enclosed find (the) cost of three stamps, and please forgive me, for I was then but thirteen years old, (for) I am heartily sorry for what I have done."

Have you ever had your heart condemn you? Most of us have.

Sometimes that censure can begin with the commission of a transgression of seeming overwhelming proportions. About the same time as that boy wrote a letter to President Cleveland, the case of another young boy mystified his doctors. The lad's initial symptoms were nervousness, accompanied by a deep depression. Soon the boy lost his appetite and was unable to sleep. When he did manage to slip into a restless slumber, he tossed, turned and moaned: "Oh, those eyes, those eyes!"

When the boy awoke, the doctor rightly inquired of the youngster what his words had meant.

The boy, slowly, reluctantly confessed: "The other day I saw a toad. He was on the road, and was trying to get away from me. He managed for a while, and that made me angry. I got so angry, that when I caught up with him, I took a sharp stick and pinned him to the ground. I left him there. Then, the next day I went back and the toad was still there. He was still alive, and he looked right up at me, and his eyes, oh, his eyes. He seemed to say, 'You did this.'"

Then the boy finished, saying that whenever he tried to eat or sleep, he could see those eyes filled with accusation.

Have you had your heart condemn you? Most of us have not lived a life so perfect that we can say, "No, my conscience is clear; my mind remains untroubled." That's because -- and I'm not too worried about being contradicted when I say -- all of us are sinners. Even the most upstanding of us have done things, many things, that are wrong.

Thankfully, we have a Savior who did everything right.

So we might be saved He came into this world as our heaven-sent Ransom. At great cost to Himself He lived, suffered, died and rose for us. He carried our sins and He resisted all temptations.

And now, because of what He has done we are saved. Our sins, even those condemned by our hearts, are forgiven, and we can be at peace permanently.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for the peace which Jesus has won may I be thankful. May I resist every accusation of the devil who wishes me to believe that Jesus' forgiveness is for all sins but mine. This I pray in the Savior's Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 45-47    1 Corinthians 10:19-33

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