Advent Instrumental – by Don Coppo
Friday, Day 6: The with-God life
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.” John 1:23
Thought: Straight is the way
We all have a sin story. Times we have chosen purposefully and/or ignorantly to ignore God. Whenever I have not been straight with God, I have been crooked, wrong, twisted… sometimes flat out evil. Living with-God keeps me aware of my need for forgiveness and the Forgiver… the One who makes my way straight.
Practice: Review the moments when you haven’t been straight with God… is it hard to believe that even there, God was with you… waiting for you to come to Him. Scripture is clear that confession is healing for the soul (James 5). Today take time to review your sins in the light of Gods love. Allow God’s straight-true way to lead you now. Journal or confess your sins to a spiritual friend.
Prayer: O my God, I am heartily sorry… throughout my story I have left Your ways and I am sorry. I have committed sins of commission and omission. I have ignored the ways that others suffer and have left people to suffer on their own. I have ignored poverty as I have enjoyed my own comfort… forgive me, cleanse me, make me new. It is amazing that you love me in spite of all of this. You bore my sin in your body on the tree. You came to this world to bear my sin… not just the sins of the world. The chastisement of my peace was upon you and by your stripes I am healed. I have gone astray, turning to my own ways and my iniquity was why you came to earth to be with me (Isaiah 53). You love me, you are with me, when I am ugly. I praise you that you do not shame me but opened your arms on the cross … and you open your arms to me now! I love you Lord Jesus. Thank you that as I admit my sinfulness your grace increases in my life. You will shine your light on my patterns of sin for the purpose of creating patterns of life. I confess my sins as they come into my mind and then willfully choose to accept and say, Christ forgives me, Christ renews me, Christ is making me whole… Jesus Christ, you are with me now. Amen
(Let us know if you prayed this prayer for the first time so that we can celebrate your new life in Christ.)
Bluebook (Lectionary) reading: John 1:6-34
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©Advent Instrumental Don Coppo