Repentance & Confession

Cactus Garden, Carefree, Arizona

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 

  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—

truly righteous and holy.

 Eph 4:23-24 (NLT)

Our lives are never free from conflict with our old nature.  Whenever we become stressed, annoyed, tired, etc. we are faced with the temptation to become short or sarcastic and may say unloving things.  We become self-centered, more concerned with our own feelings than the other person.  In those times, it's hard to yield and allow the Holy Spirit to control our attitudes, thoughts, words and actions. 

Our goal is to be like Christ – even-tempered, understanding and gentle. But, because of our human weaknesses we fall short.  Whenever we are not acting in accord with the love of Christ, the spirit within us makes us feel uncomfortable.  When this happens, the only remedy is to turn our hearts toward him (repentance), acknowledge our failure (confession), and ask for his assistance.  He is the only one who can keep us from falling.  

Oh Lord, when I am out of sorts, come through with your sweet spirit to help me control my tongue.  Help me to allow your spirit to live in and through me. When I fall short, may I quickly acknowledge my failure and turn to you.  Help me to learn the art of self-care so that I do not become too hungry, too angry, too tired or too stressed out which leaves me vulnerable to temptation. 

If we claim we have no sin, 

we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 

But if we confess our sins to him, 

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)

The Beauty of Holiness

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

1 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

We think of holiness as some strict, narrow, confining and sterile state.  Holiness is actually a most beautiful state characterized by the quiet strength of God, a strength that cannot be upset by any disruptive forces.  Holiness is a word that describes the very nature of God in all of his perfection.

As we bask in his presence we experience his beautiful holiness.  As we are surrounded by his spirit, he imparts his qualities to us. Our lives become expressions of his gentle and quiet spirit, displayed not in weakness, but in a powerful, steady strength.  How different from my human spirit characterized by frenetic, anxious activity.  The life of the person controlled by the spirit is defined by gentleness, kindness and undisturbed, patient love - all the beautiful qualities of holiness.  People like this become the very fragrance of Christ in the world. 

Thank you, Lord, for your loving presence which feeds and fortifies our spirits.  As we enjoy your presence may we be transformed into your very likeness in the beauty of holiness. Grant us that gentle and quiet spirit.  May we be surrounded by and filled with quiet strength as we go through our day, today.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, 

and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 

For I want you to understand what really matters,

so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—

the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —

for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Phil 1:9-11 (NLT)