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Thoughts in Worship 9.16.2016
Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, September 16, 2016
Audio Link:
We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.
Today’s Scripture Focus: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
There is no doubt you have heard the old adage, “Confession is good for the soul.” We often quote old sayings, assigning some great spiritual implication to them, when nothing could be further from the truth. However, in this case, no truer words can be spoken.
Many times over the years, we have seen politicians and religious leaders in the news who have been flushed out of hiding due to some scandal in judgment. Questionable photos have been tweeted, inappropriate relationships with interns have been experienced, power has been abused, and large-scale financial frauds have been exposed. And, in an almost scripted manner, news conferences interrupt our regularly scheduled programs with all of the lights, cameras, and action in play. The circus acts of forced confessions are broadcast for all to witness. Then publicists, lawyers, and fixers begin their campaigns to bring their clients back into the good graces of their constituencies. Let’s not forget about the book and movie deals that come next, no doubt to defray the costs of hiring publicists, lawyers, and fixers. This exhausting cycle of coverage, busting yet another mover and shaker, engenders skepticism for a principle that can have such a great impact for eternity.
Scripted, public confessions aside, many families, friendships, and work relationships have been mended through genuine confession. More than this, many relationships with God have been revived through it. King David’s shameful experience related to adultery, betrayal, and murder encapsulates this principle. He said, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:3–5, NLT). When there is a breach in relationship between us and God or fellow human being, and we hide it, that fact gnaws away at us. Guilty feelings cause distress and restlessness. In this, it is indeed true that confession is good for the soul. If with the help of God, we become honest with ourselves and others regarding our sins against them, a powerful thing happens: He gives us the strength to see the sin as it really is, turn away from it, and receive inner-peace. He has forgiven us! When we continue in a lifestyle of confession and repentance, the Most High is faithful and just to remove the burden of our confessed sin from us, and expunge our record.
Confession is indeed good for the soul – and our relationships too. —L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, September 16, 2016
Audio Link:
We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.
Today’s Scripture Focus: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
There is no doubt you have heard the old adage, “Confession is good for the soul.” We often quote old sayings, assigning some great spiritual implication to them, when nothing could be further from the truth. However, in this case, no truer words can be spoken.
Many times over the years, we have seen politicians and religious leaders in the news who have been flushed out of hiding due to some scandal in judgment. Questionable photos have been tweeted, inappropriate relationships with interns have been experienced, power has been abused, and large-scale financial frauds have been exposed. And, in an almost scripted manner, news conferences interrupt our regularly scheduled programs with all of the lights, cameras, and action in play. The circus acts of forced confessions are broadcast for all to witness. Then publicists, lawyers, and fixers begin their campaigns to bring their clients back into the good graces of their constituencies. Let’s not forget about the book and movie deals that come next, no doubt to defray the costs of hiring publicists, lawyers, and fixers. This exhausting cycle of coverage, busting yet another mover and shaker, engenders skepticism for a principle that can have such a great impact for eternity.
Scripted, public confessions aside, many families, friendships, and work relationships have been mended through genuine confession. More than this, many relationships with God have been revived through it. King David’s shameful experience related to adultery, betrayal, and murder encapsulates this principle. He said, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:3–5, NLT). When there is a breach in relationship between us and God or fellow human being, and we hide it, that fact gnaws away at us. Guilty feelings cause distress and restlessness. In this, it is indeed true that confession is good for the soul. If with the help of God, we become honest with ourselves and others regarding our sins against them, a powerful thing happens: He gives us the strength to see the sin as it really is, turn away from it, and receive inner-peace. He has forgiven us! When we continue in a lifestyle of confession and repentance, the Most High is faithful and just to remove the burden of our confessed sin from us, and expunge our record.
Confession is indeed good for the soul – and our relationships too. —L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)
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Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, September 16, 2016
Audio Link:
We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.
Today’s Scripture Focus: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
There is no doubt you have heard the old adage, “Confession is good for the soul.” We often quote old sayings, assigning some great spiritual implication to them, when nothing could be further from the truth. However, in this case, no truer words can be spoken.
Many times over the years, we have seen politicians and religious leaders in the news who have been flushed out of hiding due to some scandal in judgment. Questionable photos have been tweeted, inappropriate relationships with interns have been experienced, power has been abused, and large-scale financial frauds have been exposed. And, in an almost scripted manner, news conferences interrupt our regularly scheduled programs with all of the lights, cameras, and action in play. The circus acts of forced confessions are broadcast for all to witness. Then publicists, lawyers, and fixers begin their campaigns to bring their clients back into the good graces of their constituencies. Let’s not forget about the book and movie deals that come next, no doubt to defray the costs of hiring publicists, lawyers, and fixers. This exhausting cycle of coverage, busting yet another mover and shaker, engenders skepticism for a principle that can have such a great impact for eternity.
Scripted, public confessions aside, many families, friendships, and work relationships have been mended through genuine confession. More than this, many relationships with God have been revived through it. King David’s shameful experience related to adultery, betrayal, and murder encapsulates this principle. He said, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:3–5, NLT). When there is a breach in relationship between us and God or fellow human being, and we hide it, that fact gnaws away at us. Guilty feelings cause distress and restlessness. In this, it is indeed true that confession is good for the soul. If with the help of God, we become honest with ourselves and others regarding our sins against them, a powerful thing happens: He gives us the strength to see the sin as it really is, turn away from it, and receive inner-peace. He has forgiven us! When we continue in a lifestyle of confession and repentance, the Most High is faithful and just to remove the burden of our confessed sin from us, and expunge our record.
Confession is indeed good for the soul – and our relationships too. —L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, September 16, 2016
Audio Link:
We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.
Today’s Scripture Focus: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
There is no doubt you have heard the old adage, “Confession is good for the soul.” We often quote old sayings, assigning some great spiritual implication to them, when nothing could be further from the truth. However, in this case, no truer words can be spoken.
Many times over the years, we have seen politicians and religious leaders in the news who have been flushed out of hiding due to some scandal in judgment. Questionable photos have been tweeted, inappropriate relationships with interns have been experienced, power has been abused, and large-scale financial frauds have been exposed. And, in an almost scripted manner, news conferences interrupt our regularly scheduled programs with all of the lights, cameras, and action in play. The circus acts of forced confessions are broadcast for all to witness. Then publicists, lawyers, and fixers begin their campaigns to bring their clients back into the good graces of their constituencies. Let’s not forget about the book and movie deals that come next, no doubt to defray the costs of hiring publicists, lawyers, and fixers. This exhausting cycle of coverage, busting yet another mover and shaker, engenders skepticism for a principle that can have such a great impact for eternity.
Scripted, public confessions aside, many families, friendships, and work relationships have been mended through genuine confession. More than this, many relationships with God have been revived through it. King David’s shameful experience related to adultery, betrayal, and murder encapsulates this principle. He said, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:3–5, NLT). When there is a breach in relationship between us and God or fellow human being, and we hide it, that fact gnaws away at us. Guilty feelings cause distress and restlessness. In this, it is indeed true that confession is good for the soul. If with the help of God, we become honest with ourselves and others regarding our sins against them, a powerful thing happens: He gives us the strength to see the sin as it really is, turn away from it, and receive inner-peace. He has forgiven us! When we continue in a lifestyle of confession and repentance, the Most High is faithful and just to remove the burden of our confessed sin from us, and expunge our record.
Confession is indeed good for the soul – and our relationships too. —L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)