As I sat here the word “Confession” hit my spirit hard. I recently spent a couple hours with a friend of mine who is of the Catholic faith and that is the word he continually used to justify the way he lives his life. We are going to venture into the bible using the word “Confession” as a catalyst and see what scripture can provide to nurture us. I’m going to do this over two meals because there is a lot of info to be shared.
Today’s Prayer
Father, there is more that You have for us in this journey we are on, isn’t there? Prod us, and challenge those of us who are standing still and waiting, to move from “square one” in our faith, for fear that some of us praying this prayer right now remain “baby Christians” too long. Let us truly desire a greater and more complete infilling of Your Holy Spirit, so that we may gain new insights into Your Word and Your will. Only then can we have a “holy boldness” to stand up for You in EVERY AREA of our lives. Let Your Spirit flow through us so that others may desire to know You also! Let us all, as citizens of this great nation, remember the Christian roots of our founding fathers. Give us Your guidance, and the strength we need to stand with You against Your enemies. In the wonderful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
A Sevenfold Confession Part 1
“I am vile”
Job 40:1-4 –
Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
The Confession of Sin; “I am doomed”
Isaiah 6:1-5 –
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Cry of Conscious Guilt; “I am a sinful man”
Luke 5:1-8 –
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Quote of the Day
Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. ~Victor Hugo~
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY