Different denominations of Christians have different processes for confession, whether that is personally to a pastor or priest, or during the service as a group, or on one’s own. The important thing is that we confess our sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and relief from the temptations that pull us toward those sins. The more specific we can be when we confess, the better. Confessing to God is so much different than confessing our mistakes to other people. When we confess our sins to God, we can expect the weight of the guilt to be lifted, and to receive the peace of being forgiven.

The Living Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins”

Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” NIV

Dear Lord, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Help us remember for our own good to confess our sins to you, and carry-on with renewed peace to avoid them in the future. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How often we limit ourselves by believing that we cannot do something because we don’t have enough influence, enough education, enough money, enough time, etc. We don’t pursue the dreams in our hearts, or make the contributions in our communities or churches, because we think we need more or something before we can start.

I think one of the lessons of the story of Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000 is the process he took to do something tremendous starting with the limited resources he had. John’s account of the story in John 6:11,12 goes, “Then Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks to God, passed them out to the people. Afterwards he did the same with the fish. And everyone ate until full! “Now gather the scraps,” Jesus told his disciples, “so that nothing is wasted.” And twelve baskets were filled with the leftovers.”

The simple steps are 1) Believe 2) Start with what you have 3) Thank God for what you have and what he will do 4) Get started.

Dear Lord Help us remember these simple steps you taught us to follow. Help us remember there is no limit to your power, and therefore no limit to what you can do through us. We thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Paul writes in Colossians 4:5,6, “Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them. Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone.” TLB

At first we might think that this may only be applicable to non-believers, but I think it is also applicable for speaking with others who have accepted Jesus. We all don’t have all the answers, and many of our Christian brothers and sisters may need something that we have learned in the course of our Christian walk. So let us be wise, gracious and sensible in discussing the good news with everyone.

Dear Lord, help us make the most of the opportunities you place in our paths to share the Good News of your love and salvation with others. Help us also remember to choose our words wisely, and be gracious and sensible to all; those who are missing your salvation, and those who are already in their walk with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We all occasionally worry about something, but Paul tells us that there is an alternative to worry, prayer.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

In my words, what he is saying is, when we have a concern, rather than worrying, we should ask God to solve it, then thank him for doing so. We should then carry on in the best way we know how, with trust that God will handle the situation. We may not know how He will handle it, but we can know that God has a reason for the way He is answering our prayer, and His ways are better than ours.

Dear Lord, help us remember to pray rather than worry. Help us also remember to include our thanks that you will handle our concern in your way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

At the end of most worship services, the pastor sends the congregation out with a blessing. In Numbers 6 God tells Moses how this blessing should go. You have probably heard these words many times. Verses 24-26 say, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” ESV

In the Living Bible, verse 27 says, “This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

We need to remember these amazing words when receiving this blessing. God said, “and I myself will personally bless them.” What a comfort this can be to those who believe, that God has personally blessed each of us.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the blessing of your love and care for each of us. Help us live lives in bold faith, knowing that you are always there to guide and protect us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.