Confession

July 26th – Psalm 32:1-2

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Psalm 32:1-2

Knowing in your mind that you are forgiven is one thing, feeling it in your heart is another. But I once read that forgiveness takes place in the heart of God, not in our feelings. And God says that through faith in Jesus, along with confession and repentance, our sins are forgiven and forgotten. Our Father doesn’t want us dwelling on our past mistakes, stuck in a prison of guilt and shame. He wants us anchored in His presence, enjoying the victory of His peace, love and forgiveness. A victory paid for by the blood of Jesus. And He didn’t lay down His life for us to live a life of defeat. So be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving of yourself. And joyfully sing like David, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him.“

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July 9th – Psalm 32:11

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Psalm 32:11

We all know the story of the adulterous woman. The one caught in the act of her sin. This woman could easily be you or I.  Although our sin may not be adultery, we sin just the same. And as Christians, we would do well to humbly remember all Jesus forgives us for daily. Especially before judging the sin of another. Thankfully when it comes to sin, we can experience the sweet forgiveness of the Lord through confession and repentance. No matter the transgression, when we come to God with a sorrowful heart, He is quick to pardon. Jesus didn’t condemn the adulterous women, refusing to throw the first stone. And He has no stones to throw at us either. So we can rejoice and celebrate! Because the forgiveness of the Lord not only results in an immediate restoration of our relationship with God, but a clean slate, and a fresh start!

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April 11th – Matthew 27:1-5

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Matthew 27:1-5

As one of the 12 disciples personally chosen by Jesus, Judas Iscariot was part of the inner sanctum. Yet the Bible tells us Judas was a devil, thief, unbeliever, and spiritually unclean. So why, knowing all of this beforehand, did the Lord pick him? Even before He came to be the sacrifice for our sins, Jesus knew all it would entail, and all He would have to endure. Yet willingly and joyfully, the Lamb of God came. He came to perfectly fulfill the plans of the Father. Even though sadly, part of those plans included Jesus being betrayed. That’s why, in perfect obedience, the Lord chose Judas.

The story of Judas teaches that an outward profession doesn’t mean genuine faith. We can play and look the part of a Christian, confessing all day long with our lips that Jesus is Lord. But unless we truly believe it in our hearts, we will not inherit eternal life. Judas also shows the destruction caused by the love of money and power. Because of his greed and desire of the worldly things money could buy, Judas committed the ultimate betrayal. That’s why the Bible warns us to run from the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches. And finally Judas painfully displays the difference between being sorry and repentant. Judas’ tragic end came not through regret of his actions, but because of the consequences they brought. His heart wasn’t grieved or repentant over the sin He committed against the Lord.

Many are the lessons we can learn from the disgraced disciple. Because if we’re honest, we too have sinned and at times betrayed the Lord. But if we come before Christ in search of humble forgiveness, and in true repentance, the Lord is quick to forgive and restore!

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March 8th – Matthew 6:5-8

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Matthew 6:5-8

Why is it important to pray in secret? And why is Jesus careful to add that when we pray we should seek a secluded place and shut the door behind us? As I thought about that, I thought of the children’s book called, The Secret Garden by, Frances Hodgson Burnett. The story is about two children who are transformed from being weak, sickly, and friendless, to physically and emotionally healthy children in the garden. And I thought perhaps F.H. Burnett might be onto something here. Because like the children in the garden, our souls can be transformed by our time in secret prayer.

Secret prayer is simply a term used to described our time in prayer alone with God. Psalm 91 has much to say about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

I’d love to encourage you to spend some time reading over Psalm 91. Because I believe here Moses, who walked so incredibly close to God while here on earth, is encouraging us. Moses is saying, if we truly wish to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord, it will be through our time. Time  spent in the “secret place of the Most High.” So if you struggle to make time to spend time alone with God, confess it! Share your heart with Him. And then give the responsibility to meet together each and everyday over to Him! After all He desires to meet with you just as much if not more! God cannot fail. So make it His responsibility to provide time for the two of you to meet in your secret place.

Blessings, Sue

 

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August 27th – 1 John 1:9

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1 John 1:9

Being human means without exception, we all falter. Even the most diligent Christian sins daily. And sometimes that sin leads to terrible, painful consequences. Yet no matter how bad we screw up, one consequence we will never face is the loss of God’s love. The Bible is very clear, nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. (Rom. 8:38-39) But the sins we commit break our sweet fellowship with the Lord. They interrupt our walk with Him, causing us to stray off the path of righteousness. Yet even so, when we come back to God in confession and true repentance, He is faithful to forgive our sins, declare us innocent, and welcome us into His loving arms. For we don’t serve an angry, vengeful, grudge holding God. Instead we are children of a loving, merciful Father who not only forgives us completely, He removes all trace of them, remembering them never again! (Psalm 103:12)

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