Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . Others sin. I make mistakes. Counting other people's sins does not make you a saint. –Anonymous What is sin? Our definition tends to change with perspective. If you wrong me. It's sin. Plain and simple. Yet, I excuse the same behavior in myself. I may have been a little rude. But I’m tired and he aggravated me. David sinned. Plain and simple. But he didn’t see it. He saw what he wanted and took it. It didn’t matter that what he took belonged to someone else. He was king of Israel, after all—the highest authority in the land. Except, David didn’t hold highest authority. God does. He is King of Kings . No one is above God’s law. David could deceive himself. After all I sacrificed for Israel, I deserve to get what I want. That is, until God sent his prophet Nathan. The prophet told David a story. Two men lived in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had many sheep and cattle. The poor man had one small lamb. He raised it in ...

Welcome to Real Life . Is enjoying the Lord’s presence a new thought? It was for me at one time. “They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the Lord that day.” 1 Chronicles 29:22 While growing up, a church service was something I endured. I viewed it as an obligation that God and my parents required. Nope, didn't enjoy it. But then, as an older teen, I actually began to seek the Lord's presence. I visited churches attempting to find a truer (or at least more enjoyable) experience of God. Those who seek the Lord, find Him: “‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:13-14 I found Him. I welcomed Christ into my heart. God was no longer a stranger. I enjoyed His nearness as I walked life's journey. However, as my knowledge of theology grew, I learned that God is pure. He is holy. I am not. In fact, He cannot stand the presence of sin. Though I was saved by grace throu...