Taking It Seriously

When Jesus ate the last supper with his disciples, he instructed them to do this in remembrance of Him. I don't think he meant once a month.

This week before Easter, when Jesus took all of our sin, I'm realizing that I don't take sin seriously enough, expecially not my own. We can highlight what Jesus did for us on Easter Sunday and forget a=on Monday morning. The thing is, Easter isn't supposed to be a holiday where we remember for a day. It's supposed to be a way of life. The redemptive power of the cross isn't meant to just keep us our of hell, it's meant to keep us out of sin. That power that beat death can certainly beat envy, bitterness, and selfishness. It only lacks potency when it isn't applied.

I'm leaving prayers right here for the week. Prayers to apply that same power over my sin. Jesus said that when we know the Truth, the Truth will set us free (John 8:32), I'm taking Him up on that promise. I am going to invite the Truth into my daily life. I'm asking Jesus to show me the Truth and let the light do its work to expose my sin. This means that I'm looking my sin in the eye and confessing it. EVERY. DAY.

I don't know about you, but I sin daily, even if I am not recognizing it.

These are prayers I am praying for the days leading up to Easter to prepare my heart for a renwal. That's what Easter is all about, taking off the old and making me new.

Monday:

"Prove me , O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

For your steadfast love is before me eyes and I walk in your faithfulness."

Psalm 26:2&3

"Examine me, God, from head to toe, order your batter of tests.

Make sure I'm fit inside and out.

So I never lose sight of your love,

but keep in step with you, never missing a beat." ( MSG)

God, help me walk with you, keeping in step . That only works when I let you test my heart and mind and cut away the thoughts and actions that tangle my heart and then my feet. Test me inside and out to make me stronger. Remind me that tests can also show what I am doing well, not just what needs improvement. Thank you that you care about progress not perfection.

Tuesday:

"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened...Blessed be God because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me."

Psalm 66

"If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened." (MSG)

God, I confess that sometimes I cherish my ideas over Yours. That's idolatry. Father, help me release the iniquity that I am cherishing so my hands can hold the blessing you have for me. Show me where I am cozy with evil because it's familiar. Help me let go of things I have no business holding tightly to.

Wednesday:

"Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your word."

Psalm 119:36,37

Father, so many of my thoughts are caught up in worthless things. Help me weed out all of the things that are taking up space and energy but don't produce any growth. Help me stop hovering in imaginary spaces where nothing is accomplished.

Thursday:

"Take care lest there be in any of you an evil unbelieving heart leading you away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

We are always being driven by our belief, whether they are true or not, our beliefs drive our actions.

Father, show me where there is evil unbeleif in my heart leading me to sin. Show me where I am not really believing you and my actions speak that truth. Help me not just confess the sin, but get to the root of the belief that is driving it. Root it out, even if it's painful. Help me take care to maintain my heart when new weeds spring up.

Friday:

"If you will turn at my reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit on you, I will make my words known to you." Proverbs 2:23

"Repent therefore and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, and that times of refreshing may come." Acts 3:19,20

Father, help us understand repentance as restoring and refreshing. Help us forget our pride, turn around, and ask you to take our guilt and shame. Refresh us and send us out lighter in heart and restored in soul. Thank you that we are allowed course correction anytime we turn around.

Saturday:

"Let not your heart envy sinners. But continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Hear my son and be wise, direct your heart in the way."

Proverbs 23:17&19

God, help me see where I am envying things the world runs after. Remind my heart what is real and what lasts. Remind me not to follow my heart (read emotions), but to direct it. Make me brave to confront it when it leads me away from the truth.

Sunday:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Psalm 51:10-12

God, create a clean heart in me, give it a good refreshing and renewing scrub. Thank you that you choose to remove my sin from me and renew my spirit so that it doesn't hinder my future. Renew my actions and attitudes. Help me be quick to turn from sin today and run to your arms.