The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Monday, 27 January 2014 - “Four Steps to Joy” Read 1 John 1

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Monday, 27 January 2014 - “Four Steps to Joy” Read 1 John 1: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The Lord . . . is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.--2 Peter 3:9 (NRSV)

I am an old man, soon to be 87. I’ve been a baptized Christian for over 60 years. In my daily devotions, I ask God to help me grow in my relationship with Christ. There are four steps I take to grow in my faith: awareness, confession, repentance, and acceptance of forgiveness. Following these actions has brought me joy. First, I became aware of a mental and emotional sin I had lived with so long that it no longer stood out in my spiritual inventory. I was somewhat shocked that I hadn’t dealt with it sooner. But after mulling over this troubling situation, I realized that I must confess it to God — which I did. After I had confessed it to God in prayer, I realized that I had to reject this old mental and emotional sin. So I repented, resolved to turn around 180 degrees in my mental and emotional behavior. Then I asked God to help me keep true to my new commitment. Even though I believed that God had forgiven me, I had to accept that forgiveness as an expression of God’s love and grace. Slowly letting go of the past, I was filled with joy. Thank God!--The Author-Fred Cloud (Tennessee, USA)

Thought for the Day: When we confess and repent, God is eager to forgive our sins.

Prayer: Open our eyes, O God, to any persistent sin of which we are not aware. Help us to confess that sin, repent, and accept your forgiveness. Amen.

Prayer focus: Someone struggling to accept forgiveness

-------