Tag: confess

Daily Word

Confession – part 1

judyinthesky91

Confession part 1 – When I was about 5 years old I was shopping with my grandma at JCPenney.  They used to have bins of hard candy for sale by the register.   I asked for some butterscotch and she said no.   She never said no.  I decided in my heart that this was a mistake and that I really deserved that butterscotch. I took one. My grandma discovered my disobedience to her and my theft from the store…. The guilt and shame were awful! 

I hadn’t thought about that in forever, but the LORD put it on my heart recently and I have to admit, I was perplexed as to why.

At the retreat last month we did an exercise on confession.  We were to confess one thing on paper – that was all ours – we weren’t going to share it, no one was going to read it besides me and Jesus.  

I wrote mine, but didn’t know what to do next.   I saw it as a situation out of my control, and knew I would repeat the sin the next time it came around. That’s not repentance, the thing I’m supposed to do after my confession and his forgiveness.  

I started to cry which in turn caused my mascara to melt and burned my eyes. I got distracted from the emotion and had to go wash my face. That made me laugh, but still cry. I felt like a mess inside and out. 

By the time I got back we were on to the next thing.  We were to confess something else to a partner (we were instructed to go with a PG confession for this).  I silently asked the LORD what he wanted me to confess as I walked outside with a younger mom.  As clear as day, Jesus brought up the butterscotch!

Beloved, what comes to mind as you read my story?  Do you have guilt over something you did when you were little?  Do you recognize the difference between conviction from the Holy Spirit and guilt from the enemy?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”  Psalm 139:23-24

Daily Word

Psalm 38

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Read Psalm 38 – Lament, it’s a rather pretty word, the way it sits on my tongue feels peaceful, though it’s not a peaceful word by definition. It means complaint and can come off as whinny.  David is in a pickle and he is lamenting to God throughout Psalm 38.

David knows his troubles and sickness are filtered by God, and to Him he makes his appeal.  “Oh LORD, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you… But for you,  O LORD,  do I wait; it is for you, O Lord my God, who will answer. ” :9,15

As with most calamity,  David is partly responsible for which he confesses, “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. ” :18

Beloved,  my question is,  where do you see yourself in this?   How do you handle trials, persecution, sickness and your own sin before our Holy God?   The relationship is everything.   Do you turn towards Jesus or away when you are in tough times? Have you considered He may be trying to get your attention? 

In the New Testament we are reminded to cast all anxieties on Jesus because he cares for us (see 1 Peter 5).  That’s a beautiful request,  right?   Why hang onto these burdens and laments when Jesus is there and listening with open arms.

Daily Word

Psalm 32

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Read Psalm 32 – Guilt is heavy and pride is a liar. Pride says, “Shhhh… no one has to know.” David says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” :3 That is heavy; that is guilt, and God does not want that for his children.

But God is a good Father. He will be a stern presence that does not let you off the hook for harboring sin, but he will not pretend with you that the sin is no big deal. “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” :4

This is where a choice must be made. One can ignore the LORD until their heart is hardened. One can keep listening to pride and seek more sin to try to hide from the Holy Spirit. One can get used to that weight on the shoulders to the point that living without it seems scarier than freedom. Or one can confess and know the blessed life David speaks of, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” :1-2

Were you able to picture Jesus speaking in verses :8-10? Maybe go back to that section, listen to your Heavenly Father as he tells you he will instruct you, counsel and watch over you. Listen as he warns you not to be a mule. Examine your life and see where you fit in verse :10.

And best of all, Beloved, celebrate! “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” :11

Daily Word

James 5

judyinthesky91

Read James 5 – The Lord doesn’t miss a thing. Our chapter begins with an admonishment against the wealthy, self-indulgent, oppressors of the day. Meanwhile, the Lord (through James) encourages us to be patient. (:7). We are reminded of the prophets patience, and Job specifically. He was up against the very trials of Satan, yet persevered and the Lord generously restored him.

Verse :12 is so simple and right. May your YES be yes and your NO be no…. there is no need for swearing, the Lord will not ask you, “But did you cross your heart, and hope to die, and stick a needle in your eye?” about it. (Where do we come up with things like that anyway???) That goes for God and man… be a person who’s YES and NO does not waiver.

Verses :13-18 speak on the privilege and responsibility of prayer. One should pray for themselves, rejoice, call on the elders, and verse :16… notice what’s required: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

I was part of a recovery ministry for 5 years. When I was new in the program I balked at the idea of confessing my sins to another person. I thought it was all between Jesus and me; he knew, he forgave, so why speak about that which has been forgiven? Finally, the day came. I couldn’t move forward in the program without taking this step, and so I fearfully met with a person I knew I could trust and she graciously listened as I poured out my confession. Beloved, I can’t even begin to explain the healing that washed over me! I have never felt so clean! Our verse does not say ‘so you may be forgiven’, it says ‘so you may be healed’. If you are holding something that is churning in your heart right now, pray hard about who the LORD wants you to confess it to. Do not let it fester; it has already stolen enough of your life. Do what the LORD instructs so you may be healed.

Beloved, I pray the Book of James has blessed you and that you return to it every so often for a well check. Tomorrow we will visit the Psalms.