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Day 31 - February 4th, 2009 |
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Written by Pastor Brooks
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 00:00 |
PRAYING ......to have no secret sin!
But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel. (Joshua 7:1)) Lord God, Israel felt invincible after Jericho fell. Then defeat came at Ai. At a paltry outpost, a minor skirmish turned into major defeat, because of the sin of one man. We have almost forgotten the age old idea of “sin in the camp.” Paul warned us to rid ourselves of the leaven of sin, to get it out of our lives and homes. Achan hid the awful things in his tent. He suffered. The early church found themselves with new converts with divided hearts, Ananias and Sapphira. They wanted to be a part of both worlds. They liked the middle of the road. Like Achan, they concealed their sins. Judgment was severe. Such ideas seem out of place in world that fashions You only as a loving God. Remind us that violations of holiness make us less than whole. They divide us inside. Duplicitous people will never change the world. Mercifully deal with us. Privately expose our hearts to your holy grace. Wrench us free from compromise. We go into battle, but the walls do not fall. Revival does not come. We suffer defeat. Could it be that secret sin is restraining your holy hand? Is there sin in the camp? O, God, may we destroy the hidden thing! Free us from our entanglements with the world. Free us to experience victory on victory. Amen. | | Today’s Quote The greatest hindrance to effective prayer is sin. -Dick Eastman | INTERCEDE At a bank or financial institution. Pray that greed doesn’t blind us and drive compromise. | Prayer Exercise: Find a quiet place and ask God if there are hidden sins in your life. Deal with them. Consider the consequences of hidden sins on your marriage, your family, the church, your life. |
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