God’s Mission
Luke 18:14a
I tell you that this man (the Tax Collector), rather than the other (the Pharisee), went home justified before God.
~ Jesus
This week we touch on experiencing God through a type of prayer that confesses one’s sins. Acknowledgement of sin is foundational in God’s salvation plan (see 1 John 1:8-9).
1 John 1:8-9
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
While many of us may be familiar with confessing sins to God, this week we remind ourselves of the biblical directive to confess our sins to each other as well. It’s right there in James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed".
You know a neat thing about this? When we overcome the pride and shame that wants to hide sin, we get a chance to experience God through words of forgiveness uttered by fellow believers, fellow disciples. Any disciple – man or woman, old or young – can remind us that we are forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross.
Prayer
Father God, encourage me to take seriously Your directive to confess my sins aloud to a brother or sister in Christ. Let Your Holy Spirit lead me to those who share a love and heart for You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 84:8-12
- Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob. - Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one. - Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked. - For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. - LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Acts 10:38
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Micro-Meditation Pondering Point:
Psalm 84:9a from the Lord's Perspective
[God:] Know that I look upon you with favor,
anointed with blood and water
in the name of My own Son Jesus.
How precious He is! How precious you are in Him!