James 5: 16

Heather Bellamy

1 John 1: 9, 1 John 4: 18, 1 Peter 4:8, Psalm 103: 12, Hebrews 12: 1

Confessing our sins is part of our faith. It's part of the process of setting us free from the effects of them. It is something God looks for, for us to receive His forgiveness.

This is something that God does not want us to feel fear about, as fear has to do with punishment. And perfect love casts out all fear.

See, there's a lie that the devil likes to tell, that God is a harsh task master, unforgiving, he'll humiliate you, uncover you, punish you. But that's the devils character not our Fathers. See, God says He's just and able to forgive us of our sins. He says love covers a multitude of sins. He says as far as the east is from the west so far has He taken our sins from us. He doesn't see them anymore. You see God doesn't want us bound by the weight of any of our sins. He wants us set free. Healed. Forgiven. Covered. Is that a great Father or what?

So to start with, we've need to recognise we've got sin (1 John 1:9) and that there's an effect we need to be healed from and then we have to choose to take that step of faith; To take God at His word. To be faithful and do what He wants. To run into His arms for help. We need to openly confess and admit our sins, as we see them, shake them off, as they come to our attention. Confess them to 'one another' and to God. And ask for His and others forgiveness as is needed and forgive ourselves and let it go.

Prayer is the weapon because it connects us with God. Pray for each other for healing as the prayer of a righteous person is able to produce, or is powerful and effective. God is saying, there are effects to the sin, wrong doing and wickedness that is in our hearts and lives and that we will need healing from it. He doesn't want us damaged and hurt. He's such a great Dad, He has only one way He would have us walk and that's the way that gets us healed and set free from the sin that so easily entangles us.

So, have you got something bothering you today? Coming up that you know in your heart is sin? Confess it, get it out and get rid of it. And pray! Tell God about it.

You have got the best Father in the world. He loves you. He loves you so much, He'll cleanse you of ALL unrighteousness. Believe it!