We all sin in many ways. Even when we desire to do right, our motives can be self-serving. Even David, the man after God’s own heart prayed, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.”
What are presumptuous sins and why was David so concerned about them?
Also, read about the danger of taking God’s grace for granted and about times when we need to lovingly confront someone concerning sin or even be confronted ourselves.
Today our churches are full of people who do religious things. They go through the motions and may even look like faithful Christians to others. But God is always looking at the heart. Many of them have never understood or embraced the gospel and so have not experienced genuine heart change. Others are trying to appear one way while living another. When they do, it’s just empty religion and not pleasing to God. Could any of this apply to you or me?
When it comes to parenting, few of us are prepared for the hard work and confusion that accompanies the job. We get caught up in the excitement of the first sonogram, getting the nursery ready, and buying all those cute little bibs and blankets. It’s not until we’re sleep-deprived and walking the floor with a crying baby that we start to wonder, am I doing something wrong? But gradually, day by day, we muddle through, making the best parenting decisions we can.
And the challenges don’t go away after those first few months and years. So, it’s important to ask ourselves, what overall views and ideas inform and influence the way we parent? Could a different backstory make our parenting easier and more meaningful?
What is the difference between religion and biblical Christianity? One is about works. It’s about constantly working to acquire or maintain a right relationship with God. The other is a gift of grace. Which one describes your relationship with God?
Also, our reading in Proverbs says, “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” It goes on, “What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.” What kind of riches can a believer in Christ expect and how does the fear of the wicked come back upon him?
