Lent 2022 Day 24 “Come Clean”

Psalm 32

¹ Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.
¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.

¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Come Clean

Today is day 24 of consecration. Prayerfully your discipline of devotion is building new pathways to GOD. Our focus today is on coming clean. When I say coming clean I am referencing the act of confessing to the LORD any and all areas of our lives that deviate from the plan the DIVINE has for us. Reflect for a moment on lifting weights. A twenty pound weight may be easy to lift at first. It may have little affect on you. But try carrying that weight around throughout the day. Then think of carrying it throughout the week. Eventually it will wear you down. Your arm will tire and even your legs will get weary. Soon your whole body will ache. In this same way sin is a weight that can begin to wear us down. One of the challenges of sin is we often try to hide it. We don’t want anyone to know we are weak. Never let them see you sweat we say. This is especially true for leaders. At first we may not feel affected, until we do. Guilt and shame often follow. Acknowledging this the Psalmist delivers good news and an encouraging word for us all.

Our text from Psalm 32 begins with the end in mind. The end is the joy from being forgiven and set free. The catalyst is the grace of YHWH experienced after confessing and coming clean. The writer begins by saying “blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered”. From this affirmation, the Psalmist speaks of carrying the weight of sin without confession. This weight felt like the hand of the LORD pressing down in the hot summer sun. In essence it felt like wearing a winter coat in 100 degree heat. Some of us are withering away because we fear vulnerability. We try to cover up thinking nobody will find out. What we often miss is if nobody finds out and we still know slowly incrementally it wears us down. The Psalmist goes on to give a word. of encouragement by writing, “I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD and YOU forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Having the guilt of our sin forgiven is an awesome relief. Too often YHWH has forgiven us and we are still struggling with forgiving ourselves. No matter what you have done, YHWH is faithful and offers forgiveness. Once forgiven let us declare like the Psalmist, blessed are those whose sins are covered. Come clean with the LORD my friends and release any and all weights that may be grounding you when you are meant to fly. Come clean.

Points to Ponder: In what ways are you being weighted down? Are you trapped in failure to forgive yourself? Who are are failing to forgive? An Action item for today is honestly and earnestly forgive yourself for not forgiving others. Then forgive others.

Lent Day 3 LORD Listen, LORD Forgive, LORD, Hear and Act

Daniel 9:15-25 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

The Seventy “Sevens”

²⁰ While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— ²¹ while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. ²³ As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:

²⁴ “Seventy ‘sevens’^[a] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish^[b] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.^[c]

²⁵ “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One,^[d] the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

LORD Listen, LORD, Forgive, LORD Hear and Act

Have you ever been playing in the dirt as a child and heard your mom say, “Come on in for dinner?” If your home was anything like mine you could not just run in from the streets and sit at the table without making a pit stop in the restroom. There was no leeway in this process. eating with dirty hands and smelly clothes was not an option. In fact, parents would often say I can’t hear you until you get that smell off of you. Lent can be very much like the preparation time before dinner. Although dinner may be ready for us, we are not ready for it until we have gone through some preparations.

Reading the Daniel passage I hear the sense of preparation through confession. The writer speaks of confessing sin (dirt) and cleansing himself and that of his nation by acknowledging the brokenness and sinfulness of their actions. Recognizing that sin may be a barrier between humanity and YHWH the writer asks YHWH to turn away from anger. The writer says, Listen, forgive, and hear and act.

When we stray away from doing what is right we require a course correction. Our falling away can be so gradual that it takes a high level of intentionality to hear from YHWH again. We need to wash up before dinner. When we wash up we are in a better position to be heard and dine at the table of a CREATOR who is able to restore us in times of trouble. with this in mind, we are better able to remain encouraged and faithful even when others only want to hear what their itching ears want to hear.

Prayer: LORD can you hear me now? I am working to clean up but there may still be some dirt behind my ears. There are still some blind spots and I apologize. Please listen and forgive me. Then, LORD, I need you to act on my behalf. Give me the strength to get off my knees and on my feet to do your will. I cant do it without YOU and I won’t even try. Amen.

 

Lent Day 36: Waiting

 

^{PSALM 130:5-8} I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
⁶ I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

⁷ Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
⁸ He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

Waiting….Waiting….Waiting. Is there anybody who enjoys waiting? Most people I have met will describe waiting as one of their least favorite life situations. When we are waiting our minds tend to fixate on the not yet and the things we would love to be doing. The growth opportunity exists in bringing our full attention into the present moment and identifying GOD in our midst. It is easy to grow agitated and disturbed when we are having an “out of being” experience. When I say out of being experience I am thinking on the lines of Being a Human being and not just a human doing. An “out of being” experience occurs when are bodies exist one place but our minds are running all around time. Every moment of anxiety while waiting in a line, at a stop light, at the doctors office can indicate an out of being experience.

The Psalmist in Psalm 130 addresses this.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130&version=NIV

In the writing of this Psalm as in many others we connect with the writer in an intimate moment. The writer expresses the cry of the soul for help. He writes, “Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD…Be attentive to my cry for mercy. I can feel this. In the most challenges of my life experiences I have found myself laying prostrate at the altar of the church I pastor with my face down and a full agonizing cry to GOD. (I do this when alone, so I don’t alarm anybody). In the moment of this cry I am fully present. My mind is not wandering, I am totally focused on experiencing GOD and GOD experiencing me. In this moment like the Psalmist I must confront my role in my situation. Either through neglect or arrogance sin has crept into my life and I need forgiveness. My situation cannot totally change until I change. Carrying guilt locks me into living in the past. Forgiveness liberates us to live in the present. When we are forgiven the residue of sin can be washed away and we become new creations in Christ. Forgiveness allows us to breath again and begin practicing being fully present in the moment. This is the challenge of waiting.

When we are able to say my whole being waits for the LORD, we are able to loose the illusion of time and see ourselves in the context of eternity. It is always now in the context of eternity. To wait with our while being takes practice. Imagine pausing the next time you find yourself waiting, and focus on your breathing. Drop your shoulders, exhale, de-stress and know you are blessed. Place your hope in the word of the LORD who plans to prosper you. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and put your hope in the unfailing love of GOD. Sometimes the wait is a Divine delay while GOD is preparing a great blessing for us. Instead of stressing through the stretching of waiting, Be Still and chill. GOD is with you and that’s all we need.

PRAYER: LORD we confess we want you to hurry up. We want to escape the waiting time and just get to the bottom line now. We want the joy of Easter without the pain of Calvary. Help us to wait with our whole being. AMEN

Point To Ponder: Where are you now? Are you fully present? Today when you find yourself waiting, don’t fiddle with your phone, or get distracted, but whisper a prayer for someone near you. Pray for your pastor or president. Breath and Be…

Additional Scriptures:

Psalm 128 and 129

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128%2C+129&version=NIV

John 10:14-21

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+10%3A14-21&version=NIV

Lent Day 4 The Guilt of Sin

 

^{PSALM 32:3-5} When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. ⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

“Never let them see you sweat”, “You got to stay strong”, “Be hard”, “Keep it all together”, “Nobody wants to hear you whine all the time”. How many of us have been told these and other statements that make us believe we have to “suck it up” and keep moving? How many of us in response to these iterations have bottled up all the pain, shame, and negative thoughts and kept silent? How often do we look at weakness as a burden and pretend that it isn’t there? On this 4th day of Lent, Psalms 30 and 32

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030&version=NIV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+32&version=NIV

guide us through our meditation time. In each Psalm there is a theme of deliverance from something that has the Psalmist feeling overwhelmed and in despair. Psalm 30 speaks of being lifted out of the depths and Psalm 32 speaks of bones being wasted away. In each instance there is a call out to GOD and a response. My take away from these texts is silence is not golden, it is deadly. When we are silent about sin, whether personal or corporate there is a wasting away that occurs. When we fail to confront our weaknesses and deal openly with GOD we risk unnecessary internal anguish. One line from an old hymn sums it up, Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to GOD in prayer.

In Psalm 30 the Psalmist acknowledges that when he felt secure he could say “I will never be shaken”, while in the very next verse he says, “but when you hid your face I was dismayed”. Many times we are like this. When things are going great we prance around peacock proud confident in our ability to endure everything, but the moment we are challenged our confidence is shaken. Instead of feeling guilty and beating ourselves up as we often do, and instead of internalizing it and acting like it never happened, the season of Lent affords us, even compels us to keep it real with GOD and not remain silent. Lent is compelling us to confess our transgressions to the LORD. The Psalmist says in Psalm 32:1, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven. whose sin is covered.” When we keep it real with GOD and also with ourselves, GOD will not only forgive our sin, but GOD will also forgive the guilt of our sin. I draw this distinction because long after the act of our sin, we have a tormentor of our spirit called guilt. Guilt is relentless and will hunt us down, interfering with our inner peace. Guilt will steal hope and laughter leaving us with despair and dread. But GOD will forgive the guilt, the residue of our sin.

As we go through this Lenten journey, let us open to GOD the fullness of our being. Let us reveal our doubts and our delights, our fears and our faith. When we do this GOD will be our hiding place, protecting us from trouble and surrounding us with songs of deliverance. We will know that although we have messed up to often and too easily, and although we may have brought the weeping of the night upon ourselves, Joy does come in the morning. GOD will turn our weeping into dancing, not because of us, but often in spite of us. Release the weight and embrace flavor of our GODS favor.

Acceptance

Today suspend all judgments of yourself and others. Accept that the past has helped shape who you are and your present is shaping who you will be. Don’t judge just observe. The strength you have exhibited even when you thought you were weak has been sufficient for you to still be standing. Nothing in your past prevented you from being here today. With acceptance comes the power to make choices going forward. If you see where you are and want to be somewhere else, free your mind and move your behind. Every step you take draws you closer to your destiny. Love the person you see in the mirror, warts, wrinkles, freckles, and all. #livebig #destiny

Wednesday Holy Week “Betrayal, We Are All Judas”

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A21-32&version=NIV

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? Have you ever sensed something was about to happen that made you feel uneasy? There are times when GOD allows us to feel when there is a shift in our spiritual atmosphere. We may not know when, where, or why, but we do know something’s up. In times like these, Be alert, for your adversary, the devil is lurking like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

In our text today Jesus feels something is about to happen. After saying “whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” He senses that someone has been giving lip service to following him, but inwardly they are not totally committed to the cause. Jesus senses betrayal is in the air. What follows is a cautionary tale for all of us. I begin by saying, I apologize to Judas. I know he was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus, however it could have been any of the disciples, just like it could have been any of us. We like to believe we wouldn’t let the Master down, yet even the disciples paused and wondered who it was. I contend if we could have gone into each of their minds we would have heard each of them playing the blame game. They could have found fault with any one. For Judas it was money, but for Peter it could have been cussing, or violence. For Thomas it could have been doubting. What i’m driving at is we are all capable of letting our Savior down. Each of us is guilty of betrayal in one way or another. This scene of betrayal with Judas could have played out with any human of any time in history, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S glory. For this reason I apologize to Judas because that would totally absolve me for any part I have played in the betrayal. I apologize to Judas because he takes the fall for fallen humanity, and we see how he couldn’t handle the stress of it all.

Recognizing the ways that we all have betrayed Jesus is a sobering thought for me. As we go through today, let us reflect on being more aware of our opportunities to be more forgiving, and loving, for there but by the grace of GOD, We ARE JUDAS. #livebig

Wednesday Holy Week “Betrayal, We are All Judas”

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A21-32&version=NIV

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? Have you ever sensed something was about to happen that made you feel uneasy? There are times when GOD allows us to feel when there is a shift in our spiritual atmosphere. We may not know when, where, or why, but we do know something’s up. In times like these, Be alert, for your adversary, the devil is lurking like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

In our text today Jesus feels something is about to happen. After saying “whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” He senses that someone has been giving lip service to following him, but inwardly they are not totally committed to the cause. Jesus senses betrayal is in the air. What follows is a cautionary tale for all of us. I begin by saying, I apologize to Judas. I know he was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus, however it could have been any of the disciples, just like it could have been any of us. We like to believe we wouldn’t let the Master down, yet even the disciples paused and wondered who it was. I contend if we could have gone into each of their minds we would have heard each of them playing the blame game. They could have found fault with any one. For Judas it was money, but for Peter it could have been cussing, or violence. For Thomas it could have been doubting. What i’m driving at is we are all capable of letting our Savior down. Each of us is guilty of betrayal in one way or another. This scene of betrayal with Judas could have played out with any human of any time in history, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S glory. For this reason I apologize to Judas because that would totally absolve me for any part I have played in the betrayal. I apologize to Judas because he takes the fall for fallen humanity, and we see how he couldn’t handle the stress of it all.

Recognizing the ways that we all have betrayed Jesus is a sobering thought for me. As we go through today, let us reflect on being more aware of our opportunities to be more forgiving, and loving, for there but by the grace of GOD, We ARE JUDAS. #livebig

Lent Day 38 Hard But Fair

Our scripture today is Matthew 20:1-19

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+20%3A1-19&version=NIV

Have you ever wondered how others are being blessed? Have you ever thought, “Wow, if he or she can do what they have done and still get what they have, then I should get a lot more? One of the temptations many of us have is to spend energy comparing and contrasting our lives to those around us. When we see how others seem to do little for the building of the kingdom and still get the benefits of GOD’S blessing we anticipate an even larger blessing coming our way. When it doesn’t quite work that way we “feel some kinda way”.

In our text we have the parable of the day laborers. The parable begins with a land owner going out to find workers. They all agree to be hired for a certain amount and start the day. After the day goes on the land owner goes out and hires more people and then later hires even more. Finally at the end of the day he hires another group of workers who work for about an hour. when its time to settle up the owner brings in the last hired and pays them a full days wages. The workers hired at the beginning of the day get excited. When its time for their paycheck, they receive the same amount as the last hired workers and soon the feel, “some kind of way”. We have a tendency, as the parable aptly illustrates, to covet and to be resentful of what others receive from God. The owner of the vineyard asks those who have worked longest and (presumably) hardest for him, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” The point is that God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness are God’s to give away as God sees fit.

As we go through today, I challenge us to look through the eyes of what we can give more than what we can get. The Landowner in our text chooses to be generous with what is his. GOD is generous. this parable draws all its force and illustrative potential from the dynamics of economic life. Whom, then, should we think the landowner encounters when he’s looking for workers late in the afternoon? What kind of people are the last to find jobs, added to the rolls only when there’s no more labor available? Nothing suggests that those characters in the parable are irresponsible or lazy. More likely, they are unwanted. Think about who spends the whole day waiting to be hired but doesn’t find success until the end of the day? In Jesus’ time, these would be the weak, infirm, and disabled. Maybe the elderly, too. And other targets of discrimination, such as criminals or anyone with a bad reputation. A God who is “just,” then, is inclined to show special generosity to the poor and outcast. If we’re composing a list of “people who have to wait all day long to get hired” in our current setting, add the unemployed and underemployed to the list. At a time when the total unemployment rate in America exceeds 20 percent for certain ethnic groups suddenly those who cannot get hired until 5PM aren’t necessarily just people wearing rags or talking gibberish to themselves. Many are college graduates, highly skilled manufacturers, loyal, capable.

GOD takes time to care for the less fortunate. Today in this 38th day of Lent let us me compassionate and generous. As you are able, treat someone to lunch today. Go through a drive through and tell the cashier, here is $5.00, apply it to the next car that pulls through. Love for GOD provides endless opportunities to challenge ourselves to be willing to join the one, JESUS who is Alpha and Omega, the First and The Last.  #livebig

Lent Day 22 Help My Unbelief

Our scripture today is Psalm 25

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/psa.25.niv

Have you ever experienced a feeling of unworthiness while praying? Have you ever become aware that you have messed up and gone astray so often that you doubt GOD would hear your prayer. Sin has a way of building a barrier between us and GOD. The barrier isn’t always a physical one but often a mental, emotional, and spiritual one. We know that we have messed up and we reason that whatever may happen we will get what we deserve. This awareness leads to feelings of unworthiness and even despair at times. From here our spiritual awareness becomes compromised with doubts and fears. All in all, like dominoes all in a row, we fall down and are tempted to stay down. We challenge ourselves to pray but we lose all expectations that they are going any further than our lips. Today I encourage you to be honest with yourself and GOD in your quiet time. Honestly confess that you believe GOD loves and forgives, yet you feel unlovable. You believe GOD is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask for, yet you feel you may have run out of second chances. As we draw closer to the light of GOD we can see more of the blemishes in ourselves.

In our text the Psalmist begins with a declaration, “In you LORD my GOD I put my trust“. On the surface this seems like a bold declaration yet in the next verse we see the doubts beginning to manifest themselves. The Psalm goes on to say in vs 2 “I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. How quickly the tone has changed. If you truly trust why would it even enter your mind that you would be put to shame? When we truly trust there are no doubts. The reality is we often say things and pray things in an effort to convince ourselves that they are true and possible. We are in many ways like the wizard in the Wizard of OZ. We put on a front and hid our fears behind our bravado. Paul Laurence Dunbar writes:

We Wear the Mask

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while

       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

       We wear the mask!

How true this is. Yet not only do we wear the mask in public, far too often we wear the mask in the presence of GOD. The Psalmist continues to write and ask for guidance. Then we get a glimpse into a deeper part of the Psalmist psyche. Vs 7.reveals the residue of sin that stains our minds long after the events have transpired. “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.” Psalm 25:8. 

While we continue our 40 day journey, let us become intentional about dropping our masks. Today take a long look in the mirror. Appreciate each feature you love and each feature you often ignore. While doing this thank GOD the our spiritual access has NOT been denied. You are loved and forgiven, not get on to righteous living. #livebig

Lent Day 13 LORD Hear Our Prayers

Our scripture for today is 1 Kings 8:22-53

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1ki.8.22-53.niv

Have you ever found yourself just going through the motions? Have you ever tried to fake it it till you make it? Living life with very little passion or purpose can cause us to simply go through the motions. We are breathing but not blessing, alive but not living. The challenge of this lifestyle for any period of time is it causes us to slip into mediocrity. We become dull and our pursuit of excellence gives way to “O well, that’ll do”. Going through the motions with GOD leads us to low and dangerous places. We become open and susceptible to easy roads that lead to destruction. The good news is GOD is faithful to those who repent and follow The Way, Wholeheartedly.

In our text Solomon is praying at the dedication of the temple. He acknowledges that GOD can not be contained in any one place. The temple becomes a symbol of sanctuary. A place where one can feel safe from all the negative forces that seem to hunt us down.

The nature of Solomon’s prayer acknowledges that humans are often naughty by nature, and are in need of second chances. Sanctuary gives us an opportunity to repent, regroup, and reengage in the pursuit of excellence. Solomon exhibits an awareness that we mess up. Even when granted opportunities to have more we settle for less. We get distracted and sin too easily. Yet Solomon’s prayer asks GOD to hear us when we turn back to GOD. Grant  us a second chance. Verses 46-49 says

“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; 47 and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; 48 and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; 49 then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. 

I encourage each of us today in the midst of our consecration to apologize to GOD for all the times we have lived beneath our spiritual inheritance. Let us turn from going through to motions and Wholeheartedly worship and walk with GOD. May you consecration lead you to the celebration of a closer walk with GOD. #livebig