January 2 – Bible reading for today from the One Year Bible:

• Genesis 3-4
• Matthew 2:13-3:6
• Psalms 2:1-12
• Proverbs 1:7-9

Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master. Genesis 4:7

These are the first recorded words that God had to say about sin and its ugly nature. Sin is a control freak. Sin is always eager to control you – your thoughts, words, actions, and ultimately, your destiny. Your response to sin is never supposed to be passive. God said to subdue sin; instead of letting it become your master, you must become its master!

The question is how in the world do you pull that off? Is there a sin in your life that you want to be free from? That’s where Jesus steps into the picture! Just a few days ago we celebrated Christmas – the birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Do you remember why Jesus came as a little baby? Why He stepped out of Heaven to move into your neighborhood? The angel Gabriel declared to Joseph these words:

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Here’s the Good Part

Jesus came to save you from your sins! And here’s the thing about sin… everybody has the sin problem. Everybody is in need of a savior! While we were still sinners, unable to save ourselves from the sin that so eagerly wants to have us, Jesus stepped in and did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Bob Sorge in his book, Secrets of the Secret Place, said that the presence of God will be like radiation therapy that kills the sin cancer on the inside of us! The effect of radiation from the sun is not felt at first; you don’t notice until later that you have a sunburn. So the presence of God has a powerful effect on sin in your life! As you spend time with Jesus during this season of prayer and fasting, I want to encourage you that every time you meet with Jesus, He’s working in you. The Holy Spirit is transforming you more and more into His image and likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). He’s doing something on the inside of you that you could not do for yourself!

Love you and happy fasting,

Pastor Kevin