Plea for Grace September 9, 2022

1 John 1:5-10 ESV - 
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Here is another “perspective” thought . . .repentance and confession of sin is a merciful gift from a generous God, for our good. Repentance and confession is not punishment or humiliation. Humility is knowing that I am sinful, that my heart is deceitful, that I need the Holy Spirit to choose right.

Psalm 32:1-11 ESV - 
1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 
2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 
5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. 
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 
7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 

God's response to the psalmist's prayer . . .
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. 
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Pray for the Persecuted Church–OpenDoorsUSA

Day 5: Pray for Open Doors’ partners in Tunisia, that
they’d be encouraged and strengthened to continue
doing God’s work in a difficult place.

Daily Wisdom
Psalm 41-45
Proverbs 9