AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DIFFERENT FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

In The Spiritual Disciplines series we’ll be learning 12 disciplines that will guide us as we grow deeper in our walk with God. These columns will post on the second Friday of each month in 2020.

Spiritual Disciplines are not a list of religious duties. But rather habits that nurture and mature our spiritual growth. They are inward, spiritual attitudes walked out by behaviors and actions. These habits are critical for lasting spiritual growth and true life transformation.

CONFESSION: Sharing our deepest weaknesses and failures with God and trusted others, so that we may enter into God’s grace and mercy and experience His ready forgiveness. ~ The Life With God Bible

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.~ James 5:16

The Spiritual Discipline of Confession is a difficult one for most of us. We’d rather hide our sins and weaknesses from ourselves, our friends and God. We think if we ignore them maybe they will go away.

We’re Not Alone In Our Sin

We often believe we’re alone in our sin. Satan whispers in our ear that we can’t possibly tell our secret to anyone. We feel if someone knows the truth about us they won’t like or love us anymore. This is when we need a friend or counselor who will listen to our heart in confidence without judgement.

“We are sinners together. In acts of mutual confession we release the power that heals. Our humanity is no longer denied, but transformed.” ~ Richard Foster

Release Your Burden to God

When we’re living under the burden of hidden sins, it holds a power over us. Rather than carrying this burden alone we must ignore the devil’s taunts and cry out to God and share our weaknesses, pain and heartache.

If we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. ~ 1 John 1:9

We mustn’t be afraid of offending God with our confession. After all He already knows about it. Confession is more for us than for God. It is a great opportunity for deep internal and spiritual growth.

*For a good confession three things are necessary:

1. 1. An Examined Conscience: Invite God to move on our hearts and show us where we need His healing and forgiving touch.
  2. A Sorrowful Heart: A deep regret at having offended the heart of our Father. Being sorrowful in emotions without a godly sorrow will destroy our confession.
  3. A Determination to Avoid Future Sin: In confession we seek the will to be delivered from sin. We must desire to be ruled by God. If we do not desire it, ask for the desire to desire it. This desire itself is a gift of grace from God.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. ~ Philippians 2:13

Following the steps above. Prayerfully examine your heart and conscience. As you listen to this beautiful song by Chris Tomlin lean in to the Lord. Ask Him to give you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. God is here for you.

*These three points on Confession are taken from Richard Foster’s excellent book Celebration of Discipline.

In The Lord’s Prayer Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray, giving them not just a prayer to recite, but also a model prayer for us all. On the first Friday of each month in 2020 we will study this beloved prayer phrase by phrase and bring fresh application to our lives for today.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ~ Matthew 6: 9-13

As believers we are not of this world, we are citizens of an unseen heavenly kingdom. We’re in two realms at once. Our physical bodies inhabit the earth while our spirits are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Armed with the important truth that heaven dwells with in us, we must live each day reminded that we may be the only example of heaven that people around us see today.

Earthen Vessels Filled with Heaven’s Breath

Our bodies are made from the dust of this earth. Our spirits are from the breath of God. Our bodies are drawn to earth yet our spirits are drawn to heaven. When our spirits have been reborn by the saving power of Jesus Christ, we experience a battle between our flesh and our spirits.

For now we must make the best of this earthly battle. Walk in wisdom by seeking God’s word, faithfully praying for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We want our earthly bodies to walk out heaven’s will with God’s power to strengthen us and His Spirit to guide us.

Earth Bound Yet Citizens of Heaven

As citizens of heaven we’re called by God to live high and holy lives here on earth. To proclaim the excellencies of God who called us out of our darkness into His marvelous light. We are no longer our own. We’ve been bought with a price. We are God’s people, citizens of an unseen heavenly kingdom but yet living as earthly servants of God and for His glory.

“On the earth as it is in heaven

Let it be here with us right now

Where Your word is fulfilled

And your glory’s revealed

Let it be here with us right now.” ~ As It Is In Heaven Lyrics

Enjoy this beautiful song by Corey Voss.