What's behind the door?

"...sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

Genesis 4:7

Recently Jonerik and I went on a date to the Adventure Aquarium.  We had a coupon and decided to go without kids!  It was amazing and I loved see lots of sharks, two hippos, and lots of other sea creatures.  

This little penguin was hiding behind the door from the rest of the penguins and from the workers.  It brought this verse to mind which was a good reminder that we are not living in the world with no enemy.  We ask the Holy Spirit to help us in our battle against the Enemy and against our sinful selves.  That help can only come through the blood of Christ.  

We live in an neighborhood where sin is obvious and out in the open.  But there is also a level of secret sin that is destroying homes from the inside out.  My heart breaks at the level of sexual awareness our neighborhood children have at such young ages.  There are times when all I can do is desperately cry to the Lord and surrender my angst to Him knowing that He is present and working in the midst of broken family cycles and individual hearts.

Sin is crouching at our door...

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren."

James 1:14-16

We could have been left in that, but God had a bigger plan and His love transformed the ending of that story - 

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:13-14

Thank you, Jesus, for rescuing us from the domain of darkness!  That sin does not have the right to overtake us.

The lyrics of Lecrae's song, "Just Like You" sang to my heart this morning as we drove through Kensington -

More than a teacher, 

but somebody to buy us back from the darkness, 

you can say He redeemed us. 

Taught us that real leaders follow God, 

finish the work cause we on our job. 

Taught us not to rob, but give life. 

Love a wife like He loved the Church, 

without seein' how many hearts we can break first.