Crestwood Church Blog

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." Proverbs 28:13

One of the toughest challenges of having children is discerning which of the kids is at fault when a problem arises. They all blame each other and when asked individually, look very sheepish! They'll put on their best face and look at you with eyes that cry out, don't you trust me dad?

Sometimes it's obvious- when the chocolate that they've taken is smeared around their mouths or has dropped onto their top, but what about when the evidence isn't there? Sometimes we rely on instinct, other times the different character of the kids. Either way, there are many times when we just don't know.

With God this isn't a problem, he knows all things- and that includes everything that we do. We can't deceive God, therefore the only hope we have is confession.

This is an acknowledgement of guilt and once we've come before God in this way, in his grace and mercy he will forgive us. (1 John 1:9, If we confess our sin to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.)

When we confess to him, we inherit a peace of conscience and a pardon for the sin committed. In this way our lives prosper, because we're at one with the Father again and we're open to his gracious hand of blessing in our lives. If we bottle up our sins and resist confession, we keep God at bay and stay his hand of blessing.

Confession is the key to a life enriched by Christ. It keeps us in step with him and we know his abiding presence.

The bible encourages us to confess our sins to each other (James 5:16-17) because this can also prove a stumbling block and hold back the purposes of God in our lives. "Confess your sins to each other...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results". We are only deemed to be righteous if our sins have been pardoned, and we can only be pardoned if we confess our sins to the Father.

In some respects the Catholic Church has the right idea of "confession". They hold it as a high priority, they recognize that without it communication with God is silent.

We don't need to go to an earthly father or priest, we can call upon the highest authority there is, God himself. But sometimes we do need to put things right with those we have offended or hurt before God can forgive us.

If God seems silent, ask yourself the question: When did I last confess my sin to the Father?

Labels: Children, Confession, Father

“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father”. John 14:13

What do we ask for, what kind of things can we ask for? We can get caught up in these questions so often that we actually forget to ask.

Sometimes we feel unworthy, selfish and an array of other emotions. But when we consider what effect our asking has on the Father it may change our attitude towards prayer.

The phrase “so the Son can bring glory to the Father” shows us a better way.

How can my prayer which seems selfish glorify the Father? When we show helplessness, we are really showing dependency on God. When we cry out to Christ and have no answer, we are saying that we believe God is our direction and source of wisdom.

If we pray anything in his name, we are saying that which doesn't go against the Character of God. His word is his character in written form. Don’t expect God to answer your prayer if you pray contrary to it, but do if it falls into line with the character of a gracious , loving and merciful God. Remember though he is also a God of justice and righteousness.

Don’t let your little view of God mar your prayer life, God wants to bless you and he want you to enjoy him, therefore ask away, not selfishly or just because, but because it will honour the Father .

We need to learn to be adventurous in our prayer and believe not just for the improbable but for the impossible. God rewards those who sincerely seek him (Heb 11:6b) Ask what would Christ want me to be, what would he want me to do and pray a prayer of faith that would agree with your answer. Maybe we don’t know, then prayer that God would stir your heart to overflowing and leave you without a doubt what he wants you to do or be. Make your prayers, prayers and not requests and allow God to work miraculously through them.

The Father is waiting to hear your heart and what thrills him is when you human heart is in tune with his.

Labels: Ask, Father, Glory