Sin......

I woke up this morning thinking that I would start my day out like I usually do. That is, without a serious prayer and Bible time. I used to be good about getting up, grabbing my Bible, and getting right to it. But the last couple of months I haven’t been doing so hot in that area of life. There have been morning appointments, and various other sublimely ridiculous excuses. I would always “make it up” of course by reading it later in the day. Yet, there isn’t always that true, “Oneness” with Christ when I’m hurrying through the “task” of reading my Bible and praying.

This morning however, I woke up, checked my e-mail, and was starting the day out like any other day. Yet, I felt something in my heart say to me, “Justin... go, right now, talk with God, pray.” I was pretty sure that this thought most likely came from God Himself so I followed His command. I went upstairs, grabbed my Bible, and headed for the living room. Sat there on the couch and stared out the window. I felt instantly that I was being attacked. I was trying so hard to focus on my prayers yet, random things kept slipping in and overtaking my mind’s thoughts. I started to pray that God would grant me peace at this moment that I would be allowed to focus on Him. He indeed granted that request.

After about 20 minutes of amazing prayer for the Teen Pact staff, my closest friend, other friends, myself, and my family I finally decided to open my Bible. I thought, “I’ll read the Psalms, their the best.” I figured I mine as well read the Psalm of the day but I couldn’t remember the date. I was thinking, “In the car on Tuesday, Taylor read the 18th Psalm. So, Wednesday, 19, Thursday, 20, today 21st.” Now, as I’m sure some of you know this was inaccurate deducing. Indeed, Taylor had read the 28th Psalm, not the 18th. Just once again shows God’s amazing ability to lead me through life. The 21st Psalm was pretty amazing, but, I decided to also go to the next one, the 51st Psalm. That’s where it all started to hit me. As I was reading I noticed I was reading in a whisper out loud. I found myself looking up to the ceiling as I read this Psalm, praying it fervently to God. Here is that Psalm for you, maybe, if you pray it like I did, you’ll find tears coming down your face as well...

Psa 51:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Psa 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psa 51:16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psa 51:18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
Psa 51:19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

God truly is amazing. He has done so much for me in my life. Yet, do I show this to Him? Do I wake up in the morning and say, “YES! I get to worship God!”? No, I don’t. Honestly folks, truthfully, I don’t. I’m not sure if you do as well, but I know I have this problem. If any of you feel this way, and are willing to share about it, I’ll be more than glad to pray for you, and would love it if you would pray for me. We must stick to Christ, worship Him. He is our King, and we must show Him due respect. I would appreciate it if you all would pray that I would have that passion once again for Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, yet, I tend to loose sight of the end goal. Let’s band together, and work towards God, trusting in His name, and honoring Him through praise and prayer.

-Your brother in Christ