How to Pray – Be Still and Know

Today’s scripture: Romans 6:10, 11 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?

My thoughts (Michelle Jones):

“[Christ] died to sin once and for all with his death, but he lives for God with his life. In the same way, you also should consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive for God in Christ Jesus.” (Common English Bible)

As Christians, we have been forgiven, and so we are dead to sin. We cannot be perfect like Jesus, (at least not on this earthly plane) but we can ask for forgiveness on a daily basis. Sometimes we hold onto our sin and refuse to give it up. We revel in our sin. We hold it close and nurture it as a mother cat nurtures her kittens. One may even call it a pet sin. We may ask forgiveness for other things, but not for this thing. “Not that! I can’t live without that!” This is what we say to ourselves. In addition to eternal life, Christ died so that we wouldn’t have to be dominated by sin. It no longer has a hold over us. We are free! So let’s live like we’re free today. Let’s live like Jesus’ sacrifice matters. Remember Jesus didn’t just die to secure your place in heaven. He died so that you could conquer sin on a daily basis. Don’t clutch your sin and make his sacrifice in vain.

My pet sin is over-eating. I eat when I’m bored, depressed or lonely. It had never occurred to me that this was a sin. Over-eating is not healthy, though, and God says that the body is God’s temple. Now that I have been convicted about it by the Holy Spirit, there is no turning back. I can’t pretend that I don’t know any longer. Each day, I struggle with food. Sometimes I fail, but God always forgives. God just wants our willingness to ask for forgiveness. God wants a genuine effort, and does not ask for perfection. Jesus meets that requirement for us.

Is there a sin that you are clinging to or reveling in today?

Listen to the Holy Spirit for the answer.

Prayer for the day: Dear God, please help me be willing to give up that secret sin that I have been clutching so dearly. Help me know deep within myself that I will be okay without it. Help me know that when I seek forgiveness for my sin you will grant me peace. Please help me live today as if I know deep in my gut that I’m free. Please help me live today so that my every action honors Jesus and His sacrifice for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. “http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/how-to-pray/”