Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

Tag: king

  • Confess

    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV

    There is a word in the above verse that many followers of God have misunderstood or just plain believe the wrong definition of the word.  They then pass on this wrong definition to their children and to others.

    The word in question is “confess”. I can hear many of you immediately utter “I know what that word means”.  It is a simple word, and I know I need to say I am sorry to God for my actions.  The problem is you rely on man’s translation without digging deeper and finding out what was really meant by the word and how it is used.

    Confess (Homologeō): In Greek, this word literally means “to say the same thing” or “to agree”.

     Confessing means you stop making excuses and agree with God that what you did was wrong. It is an honest acknowledgment rather than just feeling bad and saying to God “I am Sorry”.

    This word has no relationship with “I am sorry” or “repent”.

    Just feeling bad and saying I am sorry is an act of the mouth and not the heart. Confess (Homologeō) is a deep agreement in your heart that you agree with God that you are a sinner and have wronged Him.  It is an agreement that you need to stop and immediately make a change. It is a deep wound inside that is crying out for forgiveness or your sin.

    David cried out “I have sinned against the Lord” 2 Samuel 12:13 KJV. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin”. Psalms 32:5 NIV

    Genuine confession offers no defense for the offense. It is a frank admission: “What I did was wrong.”

    Saying “Sorry” for some action never brings about a true change of heart.  “Sorry” focuses on the mistake itself rather than the deep emotional pain that causes you to change. Apologizing just eases your own guilt. It makes the moment about your own comfort and not a true agreement with the Lord about your sin.

    Agreement with God about my sins can only happen when I allow the Holy Spirit to make a complete transformation of my heart and mind.

    A transformation that brings about a completely new mind, new behaviors and new habits.

    When you agree with God about your sinful behavior it will bring about a transformation of the heart and mind that will prepare you for eternity with God.

    1 John 1:9 means that when we admit and agree with God about our wrongdoings, God is reliable and fair to forgive our sins and completely clean our hearts.

    Dig deep into the word of God and be transformed.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for All.

    Larry

  • Representing

    Is there such a thing as too much worship, praise, and sacrifice to God?

    In 2nd Samuel chapter 6 we read of King David taking the Ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the city of David.  In verse thirteen we read that when they had taken six steps they stopped and He sacrificed a bull and a fatted calf.  Did he stop and sacrifice these animals every six steps or just once?   If he had done it every six steps he would have made over 5000 sacrifices on the journey.  Most commentaries weigh in on the subject and choose that King David sacrificed every six steps.

    This would mean that King David sacrificed over 10,000 bulls and fattened calves on this journey.

    We find that this sacrifice is small compared to King Solomon when he dedicated the temple. 

    “Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the Lord”. 1 Kings 8:63 NIV

    I do not think we can comprehend the logistics of sacrificing, on altars, 120,000 sheep and 22,000 bulls. The Effort and time taken to say thanks to God.

    They observed this festival for 14 days. We are told in verse 66 that they were “joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people.”

    How do you show your praise and excitement over what the Lord did for you today?  A simple thanks, maybe a little longer prayer?

    “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might”. 2 Samuel 6: 14 NIV

    “Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops”. Isaiah 42:11 NIV

    “You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9 NIV

    Do you not think that praising God for His many blessings and Miracles is worth more than a simple “thank-you”.

    Why from the mountain top?  It is a perfect place for the sound of your praise to be carried to all the people.  Sound Carries a lot farther from the mountain top than from the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

    “Let your joy lift up people around you just like a song carrying across the hills”. Let it be seen on your face and in your walk.  Your presence in a room should bring in God’s presence.  Without asking people should see, hear and feel the wonderful blessings of your Savior.  

    Are you embarrassed to praise God to others?  What would be some reasons that we are hesitant to praise God from the mountain tops?

    Fear of judgment: Worrying that others will think you are strange, fanatical, or out of touch.

    Social pressure: Wanting to avoid awkward silence, arguments, or being mocked by peers and coworkers.

    Private habit: Feeling that faith is a personal matter meant only for home or church walls rather than public spaces.

    Self-consciousness: Worrying about how you look or sound to the people standing right next to you

    How to Overcome Hesitation.

    Focus upward: Shift your attention away from the people around you and onto God, just as King David did when he danced unashamedly.

    Live authentically: Let your daily actions, kindness, and peace speak first so that when people ask, sharing your faith feels natural.

    Start small: Share simple expressions of gratitude in everyday conversation rather than feeling pressured to give a grand speech.

    Let them see and experience your God before you ever speak a word!

    I had finally arrived at the checkout register at Costco. When I handed my card to be scanned the cashier looked at me and spoke.  “I saw you way back in the line and I could see the smile and peace on your face”.  I just smiled even brighter and responded that I was smiling because I was blessed by God this morning. She looked up and responded that she was blessed to have me in her checkout line this morning. We had a wonderful, very short conversation about God’s blessing, and I went on my way. 

    God introduced His presence to her before the Holy Spirit ever put a word on my lips.

    Dance every step you take today. Let God shine forth from you.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Let God shine through you.

    Larry