As a part of any new beginning, one of our priorities is to kick bad habits and destructive behaviors. Be it smoking, eating or the like, we all generally have something we want to gain victory over. It is no secret that the rage of online pornography has gripped our society with a death grip. It is destroying marriages, future marriages, and the innocence of our young people.

Listen to these statistics:

• 43% of all internet users view pornographic material
  • 1 out of 3 are female
• “sex” and “porn” are among the top 5 search terms for kids under 18
• only 3% of adult web sites require age verification
• 61% of parents check browser history, but only 32% use parental control software. Chances are your kid can delete browser history. (SafeEyes)
• Over 1/2 of divorces mention online pornography as a cause. (SafeEyes)

These were numbers I pulled from two credible sources in less than 5 minutes. In the last few weeks I have heard of former UN officials being busted in sex stings, a University of Florida staff member being charged for child pornography, and even a PA sheriff accessing pornography from his work computer. Sure, these are all people far away from us, and you’re family is probably different…No, not at all! It’s present in our families, our church, and our community.
Over the last several months I have been promoting an internet filtering software called SafeEyes. It is an annual subscription that offers a variety of filters and protections for your family’s internet usage. If you download it from the company’s site it is just $49.95 per year and is permitted for up to 3 computers. If you use the following coupon code (“tweet10”) you can receive 20% off. This is certainly worth purity of your family.

This program will allow you to:

• Filter unwanted material from your computer and searches
• Monitor the activity and usage of those in your household
• Block certain users from certain programs
• Establish usage restrictions and time limits
• And, much more

It’s not to late to get your family on the right track. Let’s take this issue seriously. It is affecting our families, our church, and our community.
If you would like more information, feel free to contact me.

Let us not forget…the sleepless nights, deafening cries, and constant diaper changes. What would parenting be without these?!

Though it is fairly early in 2010 and in my parenting role, I am already feeling a great stirring in my heart and life. At a time when the newness of a year and the freshness of life is so tangible, I guess I anticipated more changes in my life and the lives of God’s people. Maybe it’s just me and my heightened sense of the brevity of life at the moment, but I wonder when will we, as God’s people, begin to take our walk with Him seriously.

Granted, Addison has only been with us for a few weeks, but we’ve already made some profound observations about babies:

1. They cry when they’re hungry, dirty, or neither of the two.
2. Milk is important!!!
3. Sleep is a priority!!!
4. They make a mess, both of themselves and our hearts!

As eager parents, Julie and I have unsuccessfully tried to interrupt sleep in order to get Addison to eat. (Note the word “unsuccessfully”) Despite our desire to feed her for growth, Addison feels her sleep is more important than her milk, which is opposite of our desires. However, when the pain of her personal hunger has exceeded her need for sleep, she successfully feeds her growth.

Personal hunger is the greatest catalyst for spirituality. Despite the numerous attempts of those who desire your personal spiritual growth, nothing fuels your spiritual growth like your hunger for God. I can want it for you. I can attempt to awaken you for it. But it is obtained when you awaken hungry for it yourself.

Jesus has said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt. 5:6)

Response
How hungry are you? Is your hunger great enough to wake you from your sleep to pursue spiritual growth?

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
While I was in college I had a very real encounter with the power of stereotypes and stigmas. After picking up the paper and reading of a mother whose baby had been bitten by a rat during the night, I was infuriated. Without knowing the individual’s financial struggles or physical and socio-economic restrictions, I foolishly categorized her in the worst of parental categories and decency of life.

It wasn’t until I was assigned Jonathan Kazol’s book Amazing Grace, that I began to understand the dynamics of life that I had been sheltered from. People really do go hungry. They really do want to work and will work, but can’t find jobs. These were realities I had not fully considered when it came to the newspaper article.

That was 10 years ago. Recently, I have encountered someone that has challenged my thinking again. Let’s just say that their punctuality wasn’t the greatest and the integrity to their word, as far as timeliness, has been broken on several occasions. In my mind I had written them off from any future dealings.

However, as they completed their project, information surfaced that made me feel like an inconsiderate idiot. The horror of their physical and verbal abuse began to surface. The nights they had spent on the run for their own safety. The fear they had that they would be found. I melted. I had written an entire list of preconceived ideas without ever pausing to consider the external issues the individual was facing.

In Matthew 7 Jesus instructs us to be careful about establishing judgments about someone else. The Amplified version translates it like this:

        DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. (Matt. 7:1-2)

It was a lesson I have heard, preached, and learned (so I thought). But it was one that I had forgotten to practice. Even though you may have learned it too, don’t forget to practice it today.

Application
Have you ever learned a lesson that you forgot to practice?

When have you past a critical judgment on someone without knowing their entire situation?

Is there someone in your life that perhaps you need to get to know more so that you can better understand their story?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. How foolish I have been to pass judgment on someone that I knew nothing about. I thought I had learned my lesson before, but You have shown me just how far I have to go. Please continue to refine me through these valuable lessons. Along the way, I ask for Your grace and mercy so that others are not hurt by my foolishness.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Though Christianity is not about you, it contains you! Therefore, regard your relationships and responsibility.

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
Perhaps, you have heard the stir in the media in the last few days concerning Tiger Woods’ auto accident. His otherwise clean record has been the topic of quite a few mud throwing contests. (And to be clear, this is not another one!) While his wife Elin was probably not the club-swinging spouse they’ve created her to be, some of the underlying stories might be truer than we once believed.

In Tiger’s public apology this morning, one of sport’s greatest poster children referenced his ‘transgressions’ and repeatedly requested privacy. Anyone who has ever made a mistake understands what a respectable and noble request Tiger is presenting. Unfortunately, what none of us can ignore, including Tiger, is that it is just not that easy. Our lives, whether on an international level or familial level, are lived in relationships with other people and those relationships present responsibility.

John Mark had to learn a similar lesson. When he chose to desert Paul and Barnabas on the missionary trail, he wasn’t making an independent decision. He was making a choice that would affect his relationships, mission, and community.

Paul is very clear about the unity that must exist among the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4 he writes extensively about striving for unity in the body of Christ. As individual members within the body, we must regard relationships and responsibility. Our choice to return to a former lifestyle, addiction, or a physical place for the sake of ourselves is detrimental to the body of Christ.

With all due respect, Tiger is not going to receive ultimate privacy just because he made some bad choices. His choices have impacted families, fans, and financial sponsorships. There’s no quick return to anonymity because it’s uncomfortable. It is relationships and responsibility. Before you choose to go home, make sure you regard them; Your life is not independent of them.

Application
How should the media and his fans handle Tiger Woods’ circumstances? (Ignore it, Explore it, Acknowledge it, etc.)

How do our individual actions impact our relationships and responsibilities in the Body of Christ?

Has there been a time when you chose to go home and the Kingdom suffered for it?

Prayer
Father,

I pray first for Tiger and his family. We all know the devastation that our actions can cause. Uplift his family and use this time to draw him closer to you. Second, help me to realize just how important I am to the body of Christ. My actions and decisions are crucial to the Kingdom. When temptation assails me, keep me steady on You. May I not rush to what is comfortable and easy. Rather, keep me connected and committed to You mission.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This week we will be recapping Sunday’s message Before You Go Home. Taken from Acts 13:13, we’ll focus on the temptations we face to go home. Whether it is the change of the weather, the time of the year, or just a difficult situation, there are times when we just want to go home. Young Mark bailed on his missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas to go home. Be it a return to addictions or to a comfortable lifestyle, we all face the temptation to give up on our mission and go where things are familiar, safe and comfortable.

Before You Go Home there are some things you should consider…

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
The following ad once appeared in a London newspaper: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.”

The ad was signed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer.

Amazingly, the ad drew thousands of respondents, eager to sacrifice everything for the prospect of meaningful adventure.

[Today In The Word, August, 1989, p. 33.]

The mission that Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark were on was the greatest mission in history. Set apart by the Holy Spirit they were engaging heathen nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite opposition and opinions, the trio were seeing people come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, for reasons unknown, Mark chose to abort his mission and return home. Some have suggested that the journey was too demanding for him. Others think that a transition in leadership focus from Barnabas (John Mark’s cousin) to Paul was the reason. Whatever the reason, Paul felt that Mark deserted them (Ac. 15:38) and found it difficult to allow him back on the team a couple of years later.

Mark’s aborted mission challenges us to consider our mission and its significance. If your mission isn’t worth persevering THROUGH, you do not have a mission worth living FOR. I am sure the suffering, resistance, and persecution that Paul and Barnabas endured made it challenging at times. Yet, they found their high calling (Phil. 3:12-14) to be worth their suffering.

Like Mark, there will be times in life when major pulls will be made to just go home. Whether it is leadership changes or just the cuddly comforts of the familiar, we all face the temptation to abandon responsibility and maturity and return home. We often forfeit spiritual growth, marriages, financial responsibility, etc. for addictions, strongholds, mediocrity, and comfort. In such cases, perhaps we are living with the wrong mission in mind. If your marriage is centered on your comfort rather than God’s character, it will always be easier to abort your mission. If your financial structure is based upon your desires rather than Godly stewardship, there will always be reasons to go home. However, if you’re living for the mission of Christ, it’s worth persevering through!

Application
What missions have you found worth persevering through? (weight loss, parenting, etc.)

When are you most likely to abort your mission and go home? (difficulties, change of seasons, etc.)

What mission are you living for today? Is it worth persevering through?

Prayer
Father,

May we all received and accept the divine calling that Paul and Barnabas engaged in. They found the trials and temptations worthy of their persistence and resistance. They stayed the mission rather than going home. They didn’t desert the Gospel for addictions or comforts. They disciplined themselves and completed their mission. May I have that same persistence in my faith. May You become my mission!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
For a period in middle/high school I was desperate for a nickname. I longed for identity and wanted a nickname that made me unique and/or special. Clearly, it was my struggle to find my purpose and place in a big world. Unfortunately, I fear the struggle was/is not limited to me. And, an even greater fear is that it doesn’t always end after high school.

Throughout life we seek labels, categories, hobbies, sports, and possessions to define our purpose and identity. Many have adopted the label ‘Christian‘ because it gives them a category in which to identify themselves. However, categories, nicknames, and labels do not give us our identity. While they may stem from our identity, it is our identity that gives us our purpose and our purpose warrants labels.

When the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, it was not because they went to Antioch to find themselves or that they desired a nickname for themselves. The disciples went to Antioch with an identity and they were committed to being who they were. They had been radically transformed by Christ and were empowered witnesses of the things they had seen and heard concerning Him. In the end, they were labeled because of their identity and not because they were in search of their identity.

Each week churches are filled with people seeking purpose for their lives. In the process, they adopt a nickname, Christian, in hopes that their new label will give them their identity. Thus, we have created a culture of referring to ourselves by a label, namely Christian, in hopes that we will find our identity. While there’s nothing wrong with the label Christian, it does not give us our identity nor does it impart into us our purpose.

In Antioch, known as the second wickedest city of its day, the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Thankfully they were not waiting for a title to give them their identity or purpose. Rather, they knew who they were (witnesses of the transforming grace of Jesus Christ), lived their lives with that purpose in mind, and were given a label that characterized their mission. We must note that their label did not dictate their mission or purpose. Purpose flows from our identity.

It is interesting to see that the label we cling to is used only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). Perhaps, our struggle in American churches is not so much that the world is so unacceptable of our label. Maybe our struggle is that we are more concerned with our label than we are about our identity and purpose. You can call me what you want, but it doesn’t change who I am.

Application
Have you ever allowed a label to determine your identity?

If identity gives us our purpose, what should we be more passionate about: discovering who we are or defending what people call us?

Are you called a Christian because you are fulfilling your purpose as a witness of Jesus Christ’s transformation (identity)? Or because you are seeking to gain your purpose from the label?

Prayer
Father,

I have been so challenged by today’s thought. Thinking back over my life, I have desired a label that would impart identity and meaning in my life. All along You have desired to reveal who I am in You. Who I am in You answers the question, “Why I exist?” Today, I long to delve into understanding who I am in order that I may find out why I exist. While a label may describe that, it cannot impart that. May the world call me a Christian because I am being who I am.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
Just prior to moving to the islands in 2001, I encountered Ezra 7. On multiple occasions within this chapter the author makes the remark that “the hand of the Lord” was with Ezra. Ultimately, it became the topic of my first sermon in Hawaii.

Just a few weeks ago, prior to preparing for Acts 11, I revisited those words of Ezra 7. This simple phrase has been a source of strength and encouragement to me over the years. I will never be able to adequately or appropriately describe what it means for the “hand of the Lord” to be with us or upon us. I am not sure that entire commentaries could describe the blessings, favor, and strength that are contained within those few short verses.

Nevertheless, here’s what I do understand about the hand of the Lord in Scripture:

• It is not always for or with, but sometimes against. (Ex. 9:3, Dt. 2:15)

                - As seen in the Israelites struggle with Pharaoh and the Egyptians, God’s hand is not always just for or with His people, but can also be against those unwilling to submit to His ways. In this sense His hand is the antithesis of what it suggests in Acts 11:21 and the passages mentioned below.

• It is associated with God’s favor. (Ez. 7:8)

                - From Ezra to the disciples in Acts 11, there is a divine favor associated with God’s hand. When His hand is mentioned to be with, on, or for someone it generally speaks of His presence and blessings upon them. In Ezra’s case, the king granted him everything he had requested for the work of the Lord in Jerusalem.

• It is a sign (or source) of God’s strength. (Ps. 118:15,16)

                - The psalmist and others identified the hand of the Lord with God’s power. In Psalm 118 the Lord’s right hand “does valiantly.” In this particular psalm, the psalmist recognizes discipline and difficulties without denying the staying power of the Lord’s hand.

• It is an active part of one’s ministry. (cf. Ezra 7, Ezekiel 1, Acts 11)

                - One cannot read the accounts of Ezra, Ezekiel, or the disciples in Antioch and without acknowledging the connection between the “hand of the Lord” and their ministry. Of the references to the “hand of the Lord” in Scripture, no individual is as frequently connected to the term as is the prophet Ezekiel. It’s as if his ministry depended upon the “hand of the Lord” (tongue in cheek). Or as if the disciples’ ministry depended upon it. Or Ezra’s ministry depended…

I suppose you’re beginning to catch the gist. We must have the hand of the Lord with, on, and for us. None of us are able to stand without it. It testifies of our God’s favor, strength, and ministry in our lives.

Application
Of the associated passages referring to the “hand of the Lord” which do you feel most prevalent in this season of your life?

Have you ever experienced the wrath of having God’s hand against you? Why? What was it like?

If you haven’t already, ask God to place His hand upon you and lead you into the ministry He has for you today.

Prayer
Father,

I desire Your hand upon me. Today I have seen yet again what it means to have Your hand upon me. You grant unto me strength, favor, and fruitfulness with Your hand. In my life I long to see others come to know You. May You place Your hand upon me as I yield myself to You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
There are so many challenging thoughts that arise out of Acts 11 and the introduction of the label that we now cling to. It’s a bit ironic that our label of choice, “Christian”, is one given to “us” by unbelievers and used only 3 times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28, 1 Pet. 4:16). Whereas the early Church commonly referred to themselves as believers, disciples, brothers, saints, and the like, we are most likely to reference ourselves as Christians.

Certainly, there is nothing wrong with a label that easily identifies us with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. However, there were reasons that these men and women were called Christian. Primarily, it was because they were living in solidarity to and converting others to the teachings of Jesus Christ, namely the Gospel. Thus, it was the impact they were making that merited the label which identified them with their mission.

These pioneers, first called Christians in Antioch, revealed that the Gospel of Jesus Christ works. Scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen’s martyrdom, the believers reached Antioch. Once they arrived they immediately began their work of sharing the Gospel—salvation through Jesus Christ. It seems the majority kept their conversations among the Jews. However, there were a few daring individuals that chose to present Christ to the Gentiles. And, it worked!

Despite being a metropolitan, fast-paced, wealthy society, the Gospel proved to be effective in Antioch. The third largest city of its time, Antioch was filled with politics, pagan worship, and prosperity. From many accounts it would seem the inhabitants of Antioch neither needed, nor were interested in Jesus. But such was not the case. They gravitated toward the Savior and the Gospel proved that it works for all ages, races, and socio-economic statuses. Jesus saves!

Though history has proven that a number of movements have grown out of poorer people groups and rural settings, we must never limit the power of the Gospel to those settings. In Antioch, the Gospel revealed its strength to save. The power of our message is as mighty in New York as it is in Africa. It saves lawyers as well as it saves the lawless. May we believe it enough to share it with those unlike us and not reserve it for the walls of the church. They were first called Christians in Antioch…because they dared to share what they believed—the Gospel!

Application
If the disciples were first called Christians because they were sharing their faith, rather than just attending a church, would there be enough evidence to label you a Christian?

It is always easier to share our faith with someone who believes like us. Would you be like the believers in Acts 11:19 or 11:20? The first shared with like-minded people. The latter with those whose belief system was starkly opposed to theirs.

Is it true that we have certain limits we put on the Gospel? (i.e., only for people in need, people in difficult situations, etc.)

Prayer
Father,

I am so thankful that Your Gospel—Jesus came, died, and rose again—has the power to set all men free. It has set me free. I am challenged by the way in which the believers of Acts 11 engaged culture, despite its opposing values and ways, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They dared to trust the Gospel and they saw results—Your hand was upon them and many believed. May the world call me a Christian not because I go to church, but because I live in solidarity with and covert others to Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For those in Hilo, I hope to see you this weekend. We will be delving into Acts 10. Familiarize yourself with it and let’s get ready for God to do something great.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
Growing up I don’t recall ever going to a garage sale. For one, no one in our neighborhood had a garage. And, if they did, they probably didn’t want people in it. So, I had some life lessons to learn when I worked alongside a ‘professional’ garage saler in Tennessee. T Bandy (his real name) was part of the world’s longest garage sale, stretching through two states. He took it seriously.

In his life, T Bandy has redeemed the lives of more tools, clothes, and otherwise unwanted items than one can possibly imagine. And, for everything he redeemed he had a purpose and a plan. His eye was trained for how each item could be restored and made useful again.

There’s a lot to unpack spiritually from T Bandy. It seems he might have learned some lessons from the greatest Redeemer. Isn’t it just like God?! Though He’s not a rummager, He sifts through life’s mistakes, broken pieces, shattered dreams, and disfunction for a people He can use for His purpose and plan. He has a way of using every life to fulfill a part of His plan.

I find it arresting that one of the first things the resurrected Savior says to Saul in his Damascus road encounter is “Get up and go into Damascus for I will show you what you must do.” God had a plan for Saul. He would take all of his failures, blunders, and boneheaded decisions and transform him (and them) into Paul, one of His greatest apostles.

God has spared us all from the rubbish den called Hell. But He hasn’t saved us for nothing. He has spared us because He loves us and has a purpose for our lives. We are a tool He is using to build this thing called His Kingdom.

Our challenge is to not accept His redemption and then selfishly work on our own project. We tend to get upset when God’s purpose messes with our projects. We love projects that include His blessing, prosperity, comfort, etc. However, the apostle was told ‘how much he must suffer for Christ’s sake’. When you’re challenged in the future, don’t get upset at the Redeemer. He saved you for His purpose, not your pet project.

Application:
How has God used your mistakes, mishaps, and miseries for His purpose?

Have you ever focused more on your projects than God’s purpose? What is your focus right now?

Do you know God’s plan for your life? If not, are you asking Him for it?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for redeeming me. Seeing past my failures and disfunction, You saw something for which You could use me. Today, I ask that You would continually refine me for Your work. As my mind and motives drift toward my projects, may You return my focus to Your purpose. You have chosen me and You desire that I bear fruit for You (Jn. 15:16). And, I long to honor You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It seems as if it’s been forever since I’ve been behind the screen on my daily devos. I am currently working with a Community Service Worker and my time has been diverted elsewhere in the mornings. This is both good and bad. On a positive note I am able to reveal God’s love to another individual. On the downside, I have yet to find my rhythm for the mornings.

Over the last few weeks we have taken a look at the transformation of Saul/Paul in Acts 9, 22, and 26. In our 3 week mini-series we talked about the necessity for God encounters, confronting our past, and accepting our new appointments. Today and tomorrow I will try to recap some of the highlights of the latter two.

Enjoy your day,
Allen

Thoughts
Proverbs 28:13
        He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Following his encounter with the risen Savior, Saul, on his way to becoming Paul, had to make a hard confrontation with his former self. Realizing the validity of Jesus Christ, the apostle had a lot of wrongs that he couldn’t make right. His zealous attempt to extinguish the fire of Christianity had been nothing more than an outright attack on the One he believed he was fighting for. Though he would be changed, the apostle would not be able to bypass the reality of his former life.

Each of us have a past. And, for most of us, that past is filled with selfish, despicable acts that are in direct violation to the person Christ longs for us to be. It is my challenge that if we truly desire a turning point in our lives, we must confront our past. We cannot ignore it, down play it, or blame it on someone else. Confronting your past is the key to confession. I must be able to own my sin and my past, as painful as that might be.

In an article concerning the apostle Paul, Jimmy Sighers wrote:

“Mercy tempers the shock of our sinfulness leading us to genuine repentance rather than despair. The experience of God’s mercy fosters a deep sorrow for and a profound detestation of sin. Then we can declare with St. Paul: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25)!“ (ST. PAUL AND CONFRONTING ONESELF By Jimmy Sighers; http://www.totustuus.com/StPaulAndConfrontingOneself.pdf)

The follow-up to the first statement is this: Confession brings forgiveness and forgiveness leads to new life. 1 John 1:9 makes it clear that our confession leads us to Christ’s forgiveness. It is when we are able to confess that we have a sinful past and our inability to fix it ourselves, then Christ’s forgiveness comes as natural by-product of our confession of Him. However, if we avoid the confession, we forfeit the forgiveness and the truth is not in us (1 Jn 1:8,10).

Here are a few brief lessons the apostle Paul learned following his transformation experience on the Damascus road:

        1. Your former acquaintances are former.
                As Paul began to share of his revelation of Jesus, his old companions sought to kill him. Once his friends, they were now his enemies. He later writes in 1 Cor. 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” If we’re going to truly be transformed, we will have to change the circle of our old friends.

        2. Allow time for your new life to be accepted.
                We often times talk about turning over a new leaf and we often times let people down because we do not truly change. So whenever truly experience transformation, we must understand that it takes others time to recognize the true change Christ has made in us. It took the original apostles a bit of time to warm up to the idea that Paul really was transformed and not an impostor. Allow people time to accept your transformation.

        3. Freedom from our past comes from our faith in Christ for our future.
                Thankfully, there was an encourager like Barnabas that testified, by faith, of the transformed Paul. While others were questioned his authenticity, Barnabas leveraged his reputation on behalf of Paul. Here we find that true freedom from our past comes with our faith in Christ for our future. More than believing in Paul, I believe Barnabas believed in the Christ who lived in Paul. I can find freedom from my past when I trust Christ for my future.

Application
According to 1 John 1:9, what are the differences between forgiveness and confession?

Is it possible that we want forgiveness without confession?

Has someone believed in your future and leveraged that for your benefit? Have you helped someone else overcome their past reputation?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for the freedom from our past. As pilau (rotten) as the apostle Paul was, and I am, You offered forgiveness through his confession of his sins and faith in Christ. As I continually seek to live more like You, help me to ever keep confession as a part of my life and faith as a part of my freedom. I acknowledge my past, but I find freedom for my future in my faith in Christ. Lead us to become an overcoming Church in Your name.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.