My Confession

Hebrews‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭- Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

I started this blog this morning after reading this scripture before church. Finished it this afternoon. I say this because of the lyrics to a song I posted at the end. They ended up fitting so well.

How can I not hold fast the confession of my hope? I confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior 17 years ago. I confess I have strayed now and then but I always came back. The (reverent) fear of the Lord draws me back. I'm drawn because His Spirit reminds me of what there is on the other side of life on earth, both the good promises and the bad ones. 

Holding fast to my confession started with a confession, too. I confessed ...with [my] mouth the Lord Jesus and believe[d] in [my] heart that God has raised Him from the dead...and I was saved. (‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬)  This was a special moment. There was a change that took place in my heart and that change grew.  I had been touched by the Spirit of God, no doubt about it.

Have you ever done this? Did you confess Him and was it heartfelt, not out of obligation? More importantly, did it change you? Is God more important to you today than other things? Do you take time to be with Him, talk to Him, request His strength and wisdom for each day, thank Him for what you have, being content in the process? Is your Bible handy? Do you read it? 

Jesus must be confessed and considered daily. He must be so central in your life that when you forget to address Him you feel disjointed. How do I know this? I have been guilty. 

We need to confess our sins daily to Him. Yes, to Him. We 
all have sins to confess...daily. If we do not confess our sins daily I believe that is yet another sin...one of pride, believing we have 
no sin. The Word has words on that. Oooh, I was only going to post one verse, but I need to do more: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1John‬ ‭1:8-10‬) Honestly, I think pride is the #1 sin. 

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I confess that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came for you and me to die for our sins so that one day, when/if we confess Him and profess our faith in Him, He will cleanse us of all unrighteousness and we will be called children of God. Some people may think I've taken this a little too far. 

If professing Him as Lord and Savior was good enough for the disciples, it's good enough for me. It's an amazing thing that He does. Others may wonder what happened or why I changed, but 
the truth is, God is the one who did the change. People planted seeds in my life, others watered those seeds, but God ultimately brought the change in me. (1Corinthians 3:6)  He still is in the business of doing this. 

I can say He has saved me. He is the hope I cling to. When all else fails, He remains and doesn't change. Here are those lyrics I mentioned from I Still Serve an Amazing God:

I still serve an amazing God

He's been with me every mile my weary feet have trod 

He still cares, He still hears, 

He's still mending broken hearts and drying tears 

This old world is bound to change, but I'm glad I know the One who always stays the same 

And my song will ever be: Amazing God, You're still amazing me.

Matthew‬ ‭10:32-33‬ ‭- Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in 
heaven.

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Sorrow Turns to Joy

John 16:17-22

Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, "a little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me"; and, "because I go to the Father?" They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying."

Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.' Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

"A woman when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore, you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."


There are no doubt some who wonder the same thing as the disciples: What is this He says? Maybe, rather, it is, What is this she says? What is this thing that's so important about Jesus? What about sin, forgiveness, righteousness, power of the Holy Spirit, knowing, receiving, accepting Christ? Or even sorrow turning into joy? And joy that cannot be taken away?

It's all about Jesus. He is the only way to God the Father. He is the Door, the light to our path, the straight and narrow Way, the Alpha and Omega, First and Last, Beginning and End, our Good Shepherd, our righteousness, our Savior and Lord. His name is above all names. He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. He was and is and always will be. He is love and His love is eternal. He is accessible to all when and only when we call on His name for the forgiveness of our sins and enter into relationship with Him.

Jesus was going to leave His disciples. They still did not know where He was going exactly. To His Father. A concept difficult to understand. They would be filled with sorrow but that would eventually turn into joy when He returned. And what's this about about a woman in labor? Okayyy.

Adam and Eve were in relationship with God. Relationship. We know what that means. Let it sink in: kinship, the state of being related, a feeling of being close or connected. We marry, we are in relationship. It is intimate. God desires that for all of us. Can't imagine it? Try a little harder. It IS possible.

He desires that He be our husband...and that goes for men too, in a spiritual sense. You love Him, you want to spend time with Him, you want to talk with Him and listen to Him. And since the Bible says the husband is to be the head of the house, we all are to be submissive to Him. But this submission is not like one might think. It's not oppressive submission. Only good comes out of this because He knows best. Oh, how can anyone explain this to someone who doesn't know Jesus??

Jesus was about to leave His disciples, and the world. Spoiler alert: we know He came back. Oh, the joy. The joy for His followers and for all down the road who would hear of this Man, take heed, join the ranks of other true believers, through receiving Christ. ...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (‭Romans 10:9, 2Corinthians 5:17) He becomes the joy that will not be taken away. The gift of His forgiveness, righteousness in Him, and eternal life...for those who are obedient to His command to be born again.

He comes into our lives and we take Him in. While we still have trouble in this world, it is He who has victory over it...in the end. There will be an end someday and those who do not have this relationship will be forever lost and permanently out of favor with God. They will not be with Him in paradise, like many believe. That is only given to those who commit their lives to Jesus. He waits for all to come to Him, receive Him by faith, assurance that He is who He says He is...and taking that assurance seriously. If you do this, in a little while you will receive the joy everlasting.

Lord, only You can properly work in a person's life toward their belief. My words are inadequate. It is by Your Spirit we are drawn. I pray that Your Spirit would be recognized by those who don't fully understand. You drew me, you can draw others. Time is short. But then you know that.

John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.

The Great Misconception...Or If, Then

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Heavenly Father, open hearts and minds to receive and understand these words. Remove all pride and take blinders off that the message may be received graciously. You were a gentle Man, Jesus, with hard words. Penetrate hard, stubborn and rebellious hearts and minds. In Your name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

There is a misconception that IF we know with our minds that there is a God and that Jesus is His Son and that we only acknowledge Him in this way, we are Christians. I was among those with this understanding. No one was going to tell me that I needed more than that belief. I had gone to church as a child and young adult but it was not doing much for me. Besides, I knew who Jesus was and what He did for me; what more did I need?

Yes, this is a repeat of past blogs on this subject. I'm hoping each time I write it a new thought will make it's way through my fingers and more importantly, into hearts and minds. 

The idea that if we know there is a God and know who Jesus is and that's all we need hinders His true intent. We are not true Christians until we have made a heart attitude change toward Him. Sound like a narrow view? It is. 

Jesus said Himself that the gate is small and the road narrow that leads to life...and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:14) Look at that statement and where it comes from...first book of the New Testament, seventh chapter...mighty close to the beginning. It didn't take long to show us what is required, did it? We need to shed the misconceptions and listen to His words more clearly.

He also said that there will be those who think they are followers of Christ. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) There could be, and very will be, even members of the clergy who will think they've done a great work for God only to be turned away. If that can happen to them, what about us? Gives one pause...

The Bible is filled with "if" statements regarding who we truly are in Christ and who He actually calls His children. "If" may be a small word but one whose meaning is powerful. It means the difference between the small gate and narrow road which few find and the wide gate and wide road that lead to destruction. It means the difference between being saved or not, going to heaven or not. I'm not making this up. 

Jesus is not a game. He is not just a passing thought. He is to be our Source, our life, our rock...and our salvation. None other. Knowing and following Jesus...you do or you don't. "If" scriptures give us a glimpse of all His promises. Here are a few:

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." John 8:31

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

"...but [if you] drink of the water that I shall give [you] will never thirst. But the water that I shall give [you] will become in [you] a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." 

John 4:14

If you love Me, [you will] keep My commandments. John 14:15

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 2Timothy 2:12

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 1Thessalonians 3:8

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 1Peter 3:13

There are always provisions in the scriptures. God's promises are for those who are obedient to Him. We will never be perfect, I might add. He doesn't expect that. He does expect a good, heartfelt try! And He knows the motivations of our hearts. The provisions are in these "if" statements. If we seek Him, He will... If we obey Him, He will... If we confess Him, He will... Not always easy "then" statements. Like a father sometimes has to exhibit tough love on a child, so does our Heavenly Father. It's because He loves us and wants none to perish. But it's all about our choice. Either we believe, follow, trust, obey, seek or we can choose not to.

It's not about religion or denomination. It's about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Again, we will never be perfect, but if we confess our sins...and this is an immediate confession...to the Father, right now wherever we are...He is faithful to forgive. Confession is mandatory. 

We cannot say we are saved if we have not done what the Bible says is mandatory. Those things are to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, receive Him as our only means of salvation, turn from our old lifestyles because the old man has gone and the new has emerged, and then seek Him daily through prayer, song, dancing (like David did), and all you do. 

One last "if" statement: 

Romans 10:9-10 - If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

What Must I Do?

Romans 10:10 - For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

This thing of confession can touch uncomfortable places in our minds and hearts. But don’t we know that confessing something helps take away the sting. Confessing especially to a particular individual over something one might have thought, said or felt is difficult, but liberating, like a burden has been removed from one’s heart. The air is cleared. But it is up to us to take the step to do this. No one else can remove that burden until we’ve spoken up.

I'm not only talking about our day to day life. I'm also talking about the confession of our faith in Jesus Christ.  It takes confession. It is our own responsibility to do this also. No one else can do it for us. When that confession is made, as I've said many other times in my blogs, a whole new world opens up, a world you cannot describe until it does. This is deeper than just acknowledging who Jesus is. That doesn’t count.

One thing that happens with this confession is the beginning of true knowledge...knowing the truth. Don’t we all want to know the truth that our sins are banished as far as the east is from the west...all because we have confessed Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It’s that simple, yet it must be heart felt.

We do not see a lot of confessing in the world. We see a lot of blaming and finger pointing. Personal responsibility is not always the first choice. Spare the embarrassment of being wrong. Replace it with the staunch belief that we have every right to do what we want, no matter what.

These days  a lot of confessing of Jesus Christ has disappeared too. In some countries one can be killed for this acknowledgment of Christ. In our country this confession is trying to be silenced...because for some the name of Jesus is offensive. These people are like the Pharisees, religious leaders in Jesus’ day.

To the Pharisees He was an offense. They could not see beyond their own beliefs. They were so focused on what they had been taught that they missed the very understanding of His words. His way of dealing with sinners and His words were viewed with disdain because they could not let go of their beliefs for a better way.

Hebrews 8:1 shows us that Jesus is the better way: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Who is higher than a great High Priest and who sits at the right hand of His Heavenly Father? The Pharisees could not see Him this way. He did not look like that to them. They were blind, as I alluded to last week. It was spiritual blindness. They were so zeroed in on their own ideas of who their Messiah would be that they could not see Jesus, right before their eyes, being that Man. If He showed up today how many would recognize Him?

They would not allow themselves to confess He might be that Messiah they were waiting for, even though they knew the scriptures. They waited for a political messiah, one would would come to fight their natural enemies and set them free. They didn't understand the spiritual freedom that comes from their own sinful natures being forgiven...if only they would confess.

Jesus is trying to get our attention in these days. He doesn’t know exactly when His Father will have Him return, but He knows He will...and the signs of the times are very clear that it’s sooner than we might think. The Messiah will come and He will fight the enemy. But like Pogo said: we have seen the enemy and he is us. Some have believed the lies of our greatest enemy, satan (I will not capitalize his name!). The seemingly better way of the world is to sweep Jesus under a rug or attempt to remove any mention of Him. Get rid of the offense.

Every day we see more ugliness rearing it's head in the world...and here in the USA. But apart from what we see happening more quickly each day, there is an excitement and peace because it only means it is ushering in the last days and the return of Jesus. How do I know? "The Bible tells me so."

How can I feel a sense of peace? I know what Christ as done for me and what I’m saved from...the truth. That truth set me free more than twelve years ago. When I confessed Jesus is Lord I was saved. I was saved from the future wrath of the world and God. When I received Christ, acknowledged Him in our church one Sunday morning, and then again when I was water baptized, that was just the beginning of truth. All I once believed, the little falsities I had picked up along the way one by one gave way to truth.

I can't tell you how this happens other than confessing Jesus and receiving Him opens your spirit to receive another blessing, His Spirit, who according to scripture guides us in all truth (John 14:16-17, John 16:13).

God nudges daily. He speaks to people in so many ways. He can reach into the most hardened heart and turn it around, not only because that person has a desire to change but because of His strength through His Spirit. When a person confesses the name of Jesus, the Spirit begins His dwelling place within that person and begins to unravel the absolute truth of Jesus Christ.

This country and people in general cannot live without the power of God at the center of our lives. God is waiting for more eyes to open, more tongues to confess so that His truth will prevail. I think of the Battle Hymn of the Republic line that says, His truth is marching on. Our own preconceived ideas must give way to the truth of who He is.

Lord, I ask that You open the eyes of the blind that they might see You for who You really are. You are the One who saves. You are the One who brings peace and comfort in a messed up world...even in our own little worlds of disappointment, despair, hurt or anger. We don't understand exactly how You do it, but You do. Let the confession of Your name begin to grow. Draw more into Your Kingdom. Open blind eyes, set captives free, bring the peace that passes all understanding. I pray this quite openly in the name of Jesus.

I heard a woman the other day in Bible study say she had heard scriptures many times in the church she grew up in. She thought she understood them. It wasn’t until she received Jesus and confessed Him that those words took on a whole new meaning. Her blind eyes were opened. Like the Pharisees she thought she understood. Confess Jesus that the spiritual eyes of your understanding would be opened. Confess Jesus to be saved. Confess Jesus to be set free. The Pharisees knew all the laws, but they did not know Jesus. Because they rejected Him, His words and works He told them they would remain blind. They said they saw, but they did not.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” ...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:11, 10:9)

The Basis or Cause

Luke 2:14 - Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Lord God, this is a day to worship and celebrate the anniversary of Your birth. Just as Mary and Joseph and the prophets of old were waiting for Your arrival, so we await Your next one. 

In the stores you can find signs and posters that say "Believe." I never fail to question what someone who buys one of these is believing in. Do we believe in Santa? Do we believe in people? In ourselves? In government? I believe in Jesus and the miracle of His birth and all He has done for us. His whole life was a miracle. What does believe mean? It is the basis or cause for some belief, action, fact, event. Well, I think that just about says it all about Christ, life to death. The fact: God came down from His throne to earth. The event: the birth of Christ, God's only Son, and God incarnate. The belief: That Jesus is our Savior; He says that as the I AM He is all the things He has told us about and He will do all He has told us He would. The action: Receiving Him.

Jesus came to this earth, leaving a very comfortable, holy place at the right hand of His Father seated next to Him on His throne. He wore garments of fine linen and the colors of a King. He chose to leave that dignified spot to come down to earth, to be born a typical birth by an ordinary woman into a simple family, one without claim to fame, without rights and privileges in the world...yet they were chosen by God. He was born in lowly conditions and placed in a stone feeding trough filled with hay. This, a God who loves us so much and never slumbers nor sleeps, was sleeping in a stable. Glory to God in the highest....

He stepped down from Heaven to become our Emmanuel, God with us. God with us. He is here. He can be in our lives if we so choose Him. It's nearly impossible to imagine all the events of his birth, life and death. That's why we have that thing called faith. It takes faith to believe. Faith in something we have not seen and cannot comprehend. Faith of a child who believes everything an adult says...just because.

Jesus came to this earth with a very life-changing purpose. To live among us in the squaller and filth of a people who had and have turned their backs on Him, who were and are separated from Him at their own birth and who need Someone who can return them to their Father, to be their Savior.

We are all dead in our sins until that day comes into our lives. Until we can speak the words to the Lord that we want to receive Him, no sprinkling in baptism as a child, no thinking we know Jesus when we haven't given much thought about Him, no just assuming that because God says He loves all people or that all people are basically good, will anyone go to Heaven. We are a sinful people. Period.

What would have been the point at all in Jesus' birth, life and death if what I wrote above was true? Why did He have to leave His throne to live among us? Why did He have to be rejected and scorned? Why did He have to be subjected to the worldly ways, being tempted, but never succumbing to temptation. Why did He have to die a horrible death? There had to be a reason. We were that reason and He was our reason. And we celebrate the birth of that reason...

His birth has allowed access to the Father, as did His death. His ministry was to show Himself to the people so they might follow Him. Why do we struggle with that sometimes? We need to understand this: Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God (Luke 12:8). Is that right? We must confess Him first before men before He will confess us? What does that mean? There's a powerful statement there. Just because we say we are Christian doesn't make us one. Do we stumble over the word Jesus and feel more comfortable with the name God? Isn't the name God just a bit safer...less convicting? Oh, how the name of Jesus spoken out loud convicts. 

Jesus came to earth so that man would know Him, so man would confess Him. Without that confession...to God, not to anyone else because no man on this earth, no matter how holy he might appear to be can save us...we are still separated from Him. It is a personal decision between God and each person. No other way. Jesus is the Way. It must be done with words not from our heads but from our hearts. And the words must be to Jesus. Confession must be words...a true confession of faith...not some prayer we've learned in church to recite, but our words to Him.

Jesus, I confess You as the Son of God who came to this earth to live and die for my sins. I confess that I am a sinner (of both great and small things) and in need of a Savior. You alone are that Savior and I am confessing my need for You in my life. I confess that I fail daily without Your help. I confess that I have placed my trust in the worldly things believing they would get me through life when in actuality they only lead to death. I confess that even though I confess all these things I'm still a sinner and it is only by Your grace that I am received and saved by You. I confess that it will be a lifetime of giving up and letting go. Lord, I need You. Will You come into my life and make me whole...bridge that gap between You and me. Take away the separation. Empty me of me and fill me to overflowing with what You have for me that I might be able to share with others.

I confess that that's a pretty detailed prayer! Confession might be no more than Help me, Jesus. He knows your every need. It will encompass all in the above prayer and more...to suit that need. Even if your mind can't comprehend just what it is you require and all you can pray is Help me, He will know and start His work. Better yet, you will know, you will sense His presence, you will realize the miracle that has taken place in you. God's glory will be revealed.

Christmas is a time of believing. Jesus was a miracle. Everything about Him was prophesied. God the Father knew from the beginning of time what He would have to do to save us all. Just about every chapter in the Old Testament shows us a glimpse of and a type of Jesus and what sacrifice was. He sacrificed His life, we sacrifice ours. 

Hallelujah for all that God has promised us. Hallelujah for the true Christmas. Hallelujah!

What an amazing thing it would be for our personal spiritual rebirth to fall on the same day Christ was born. Mine did not fall on this day, but there's no reason why yours can't. All you need do is choose to believe and confess those beliefs. 

Philippians 2:11 - and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.