Confession

Secret pride can be the most dangerous of all sins, it is the first of the seven capital sins. Here are a few characteristics of one who battles with "Secret Pride". 1. They are too spiritual 2. They like to speak of spiritual things all the time 3. They become content with their growth 4. They would prefer to teach rather than to be taught 5. They condemn others who are not as spiritual as they are 6 They fear confessing their sins to others because it would ruin their image.

Instead they secretly beg God to take away their imperfections only to seek inner peace within their own heart and not please the heart of God. What they fail to realize is, if God were to wipe away their imperfections, they would probably become prouder and presumptuous still. True inner healing and real peace is only found in confession. Confession shatters pride and destroys the image men seek to protect in the flesh. Confession reveals true humility while releasing the mercy of God. Those who are moving in God's way understand the way to counter this capital sin is in true humility.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Who's Door?

Jesus tells us to set our hearts on the Kingdom and to seek it first. Setting our hearts on something involves not only serious aspiration but also strong determination. A spiritual life requires human effort. Its a lot easier said than done overcoming those forces that seek to pull us back into a worry-filled life. I have learned without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. I don't care who you are or what your responsibilities are and how busy you may be. A spiritual life begins with making time and creating a place for God and him alone. Satan's greatest tactic is busyness and busyness creates inner chaos over time. Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, (1.enter into thy closet), and when (2.thou hast shut (3) thy door), pray to thy Father which is in secret.....


Notice these three points: 1. enter into thy closet- Each of us need that place of solitude, which requires effort on our part. Your very own special & personal place that is called here, THY/YOUR Closet. 2. Shutthy door - Let me make this practical for each of us. Turn the cell phone off, shut the laptop off and Shut the door on the world. Shut the door on your business, friends, appointments, demands, etc... 3. Thy door -This is key! Please catch this: Christ puts the responsibility on us. Its our door, which means we are the ones that let all the busyness in, not him! If you can't find time because of this or that, just remember your hand is on the knob of your door. I want to encourage each of you to Shut "Your" Door and lets find that place of solitude on a continual basis. This will keep us from ever loosing focus on how we are supposed to live.

In the Way

Exodus 23:20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Please catch this! The Lord said his Angel would keep us in the way, but not Out of the Way! So many times we find ourselves slipping out of the path God has ordered us to walk in and he is always faithful to bring us back to the center of his will. However, there are times when we are walking in the path God has ordained for us that we find ourselves getting ahead of him. If we are not careful we can become presumptuous and when that happens the Lord's objective goes from keeping us in the way to getting us out of the way! You catch my drift?

Psalm 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it...

The word of the Lord is behind because someone is ahead. Timing is everything! Ecclesiastes 3.