“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional 

Written by James Banks for “Our Daily Bread” @  http://odb.org

[In the original post link below, click on the “Listen Online” link at the top, and listen to the audio version, including the prayer at the end]

Here are 25 Bible verses about conviction of sin- https://biblereasons.com/conviction/

Original post @ https://odb.org/2024/08/15/convicted-and-freed

August 15

Convicted and Freed

I acknowledged my sin to you.

Psalm 32:5

Today’s Scripture & Insight :

Psalm 32:1-7

“I didn’t do it!” It was a lie, and I almost got away with it, until God stopped me. When I was in middle school, I was part of a group shooting spitballs in the back of our band during a performance. Our director was an ex-marine and famous for discipline, and I was terrified of him. So, when my partners in crime implicated me, I lied to him about it. Then I lied to my father also.

But God wouldn’t allow the lie to go on. He gave me a very guilty conscience about it. After resisting for weeks, I relented. I asked God and my dad for forgiveness. A while later, I went to my director’s house and confessed. Thankfully, he was kind and forgiving.

I’ll never forget how good it felt to have that burden lifted. I was free from the weight of guilt and happy for the first time in weeks. David describes a time of conviction and confession in his life too. He tells God, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away . . . . For day and night your hand was heavy on me.” He continues, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you” (Psalm 32:3-5).

Authenticity matters to God. He wants us to confess our sins to Him and also to ask forgiveness of those we’ve wronged. “You forgave the guilt of my sin,” David proclaims (v. 5). How good it is to know the freedom of God’s forgiveness!

By:  James Banks

Reflect & Pray

How has being authentic with God helped you? How has Jesus’ forgiveness lightened your load and changed your life?

Thank You for forgiving my sins when I confess them to You, loving Father. Please help me to always be authentic with You.

Hear of the great joy being authentic with God can bring.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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