Someone's Watching You

Someone's Watching You

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 139

Focus Verse: Psalm 139:1  "O Lord You have examined my heart and know everything about me."

Recently governments around the world have been accused of keeping too much personal information on computers about its citizens.  People are saying this is an invasion of privacy.  We should not forget that God is keeping detailed information on each one of us.  He is keeping much more information about us than any government could keep.  God knows more about you than you know about yourself.

Hebrews 4:13 says,  "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight .  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  It amazes me that God knows all my shortcoming, my weaknesses, my sins, and all the things I thought were hidden from everyone, yet He loves me.  God desires to forgive me and help me overcome them in order to live a life more like His Son, Jesus.

Those of us who have repented and follow Christ have reason to rejoice.  Jesus has removed all these things from us just as if we never did them.  2 Corinthians 5:19 says, "For God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them."  This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.  We have hope today because the One that is watching us is also the One forgiving us, as we place our trust in Him.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Confession Builds Community

Confession builds Community

Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:1-5 and James 5: 13-20

Focus verse: James 5:16 (HCS)  "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent [prayer] of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect."

When someone confesses to a sin, you see them humbled before you and God.  This brings the opportunity to build community when you pray for that person.

In the scripture reading, you see the Israelites of Nehemiah's time, and in James, the Christians, confessing their sins to each other.  This was a practice that helped build community.  When you read the Word of God and face your humanity, it humbles and brings confession.  All of us have sinned and fall short of God's best.  Community is built stronger when we realize that there is none righteous, but Jesus.  We recognize Jesus as the head of our community.

I remember at a campfire service, there were testimonies of the work of Christ in the lives of the people.  One young man stood and confessed to a hidden sin.  This humble act of confession sent shockwaves as two more young men stood to confess the same.  Many gathered around to pray for these men.

We don't need to confess every sin to everyone.  If you have sinned against someone, then a confession is necessary.  If you feel trapped in your sin, you need to confess to a strong believer for prayers and encouragement.  Prayerfully consider if there is sin that would be better brought into the light of confession.

by Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries