Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalms 139:23, 24 HCSB
Pray
Father I pray that You touch the hearts and minds of Your children— believers, non-believers, and conditional believers, so that they might respond to living a life of pure joy as designed by You. I pray that Your believers confess their faith in Christ publicly to their circles of influence. I pray that any doubtful habits I possess are put aside so that I have a clear and healthy conscience. I pray for obedience to You and only You. I pray for the sense of urgency to act immediately when You call on me. I pray that any unconfessed sins that I have I am able to make right with You and others in my life. In seeking restoration in my life and in the lives of my fellow brothers and sisters around the world, I pray to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection
Evan Roberts, a coal miner in Wales, accepted God’s calling as a preacher in the early months of 1904. Later that year on October 31st, following a prayer meeting he spoke privately with 17 young adults. His message was simple to hear but maybe not simple to act upon, but they did, and night after night the crowds grew. Within two months 70,000 people were converted to Christ. In five months the number grew to 85,000. By month six it was a staggering 100,000 people who had agreed to the following:
1. Deal with all unconfessed sins (Translation: make things right with God and any person you have sinned against).
2. Get rid of any doubtful habits (Translation: any questionable actions that you are on the “fence” about get rid of them. You must have a healthy clear conscience).
3. Obey God immediately (Translation: don’t delay when He tells you to do or say something. Act immediately)
4. Confess Christ publicly (Translation: tell everyone you know what Christ has done for you and why you are a follower. Let the world know that you are a Christian).
I have confessed my faith publicly. My friends, family, and associates know that I’m a believer and follower of Christ (and that I’m still being molded of course). My #BreakingBread blog has been helpful (and I acknowledge my blog on my other blogs and in my bio), my signature line in my emails speaks volumes—the Bible verses I highlight makes some people cringe and others celebrate the fact that I’m proud to let the world know that I’m a believer— and then there’s my title on social media platforms that always indicates that I’m God’s servant, etc.
But here’s the thing, I believe that I still have some unconfessed sins or at least some sins that I can’t seem to let go of, even if He has. So I need to deal with those and then move on. I also have some doubtful habits where I flip-flop, find myself on the fence, or that I question. I must drop those like a hot potato and move on. I also am working on acting immediately when God calls on me for anything, big or small. I tell myself that my “ministry” is only to be limited by this blog and through my service of others, but nothing formalized where any official titles and schooling are involved. I could be right, or I could be wrong. Others have said that I’m ignoring my calling in ministry. So I guess that I have to be open to listen for His voice. Not mine and not others.
Which of the four things do you have to work on? Which have you mastered? Share how you have mastered your sins, doubtful habits, obedience to God, and publicly confessing Christ—-we’re all here to learn from each other, and to spread God’s love to the masses. It’s not possible to spread God’s loving message if the majority of us don’t participate. Free yourself and act. I look forward to hearing from you.
Before I go, let me wish my sister Alexandra a happy birthday. I constantly pray for her and pray that God molds into her (that she can see and feel) the woman that she is destined to be. I pray for her protection and that she is surrounded by people who are true friends and protectors—-those who can and will uplift her and not drag her down. I pray that her gifts and talents are used fully and that she sees in herself what God and her family sees in her. Happy birthday sis! I love you!!!!
Sending love to each of you,
Natasha
Copyright 2014. Natasha Foreman Bryant. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha Foreman Bryant, unless otherwise noted. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Copyright 2009-2013 under Natasha L. Foreman, unless otherwise noted.
Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Breaking Bread With Natasha 