By: Mike Riley

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

Few people, it seems, realize that self-denial has anything to do with their religious doctrine. It does, nevertheless. One of man’s most stubborn inclinations is to exercise “his own will” in religion (Colossians 2:23), as in everything else.

This must be denied when one is obedient to Christ (Matthew 16:24). Christian worship must be according to truth (John 4:24). Since God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), God’s Word must determine the “means of expression” as we worship Him.

 God wants our devotions, but he delights in them only when they are in obedience to His Will (1 Samuel 15:22). If any man will come to the Lord, let him “deny himself” (or his own will) and learn what the Bible teaches him to do to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 7:12,21,22,23; Matthew 16:24; Romans 12:1; Revelation 22:14).

By: Mike Riley

Personal or public sin is never easy to confess because of pride or ego — but it is necessary to get our lives right with God (Isaiah 59:1- 15). The following are some aspects of confession that we may or may not have thought of Confessing sin necessarily constitutes personal action — It’s not difficult to say, “We all sin” or “he sinned” — the hard part is when we must say, “I have sinned” (1 Samuel 15:24; Psalm 51:4). When the known sin pertains to the individual, personal confession is demanded. Notice David’s confession in Psalm 51 when he says, “my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1 NKJV), “my iniquity” (Psalm 51:2), and “my sin” (Psalm 51:2-3). Confession of sin is specific — To say, “If I have done anything” is easy — but it simply is not a confession of specific sin.

 An individual who is unsure whether he has sinned or not, should find out. Until he knows and admits his sin, he can make no real confession. Any “if” confessions are a farce. The one confessing must say, “I have sinned” — no doubt about it. David was definite — “my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3) — and he knew what specific sin it was that needed confessing.

Confession names sin — Often sin is renamed, and the crime reduced. This is a common practice in civil law.

The criminal is allowed to admit a misdemeanor rather than the felony he committed. However, this tactic is not allowed in God’s court. We cannot confess to “hurting someone’s feelings” when we have slandered a man. The idea of “accidentally” misrepresenting the facts or “exaggerating” will not be adequate when in fact we lied. Confession names sin (1 Samuel 15:24-25).

Confession addresses the one who has been sinned against — Acceptable confession occurs when the individual who lies, goes to the man he injured and says, “I lied about you” — that is true confession. A dozen times down the church aisle would be easier, but it is not acceptable. Confessing to the church will not replace it. David knew this principle when he stated to God, “Against You, you only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight” (Psalm 51:4).

If an individual has sinned against God; he must confess to God. He may need to confess his sin to the church, but not before he confesses it to God. If an individual sins a public sin against the congregation where he is a member, and he moves to another congregation, he cannot properly confess his sin at the new congregation. He must return to his former congregation where the sin took place and ask for the forgiveness of that sin. Confession of sin anticipates a plea for forgiveness — A man may admit his meanness — in fact, he may even be proud of it. This is not the Bible brand of confession.

 A man who seeks no pardon is not confessing sin. Again, notice the confession of David — “Have mercy upon me, O God …. Blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1). Confession is good for the soul — Because eternity is in view (Matthew 16:24-27), but for many, true confession becomes extremely difficult because of pride and ego. When we willingly confess our sins before the Lord, He is always eager and ready to forgive us of our sins (Psalm 32:5; Psalm 86:5; Proverbs 28:13; cf. Luke 15:11-24; 1 John 1:9).

By: Mike Riley

When we look at the Old Testament, it’s interesting to note that David and the other writers somehow managed to make God the center of their lives so that everything related to God. To them, worship was the central activity in their lives, not just something to “get through” until secular activities could be resumed. The process of letting God in on every detail of our lives is sorely needed.

A study of the Psalms should become a step in the process of our recognizing that God’s true place is at the center of our lives (Matthew 6:33). As we read the Psalms, we see the Psalmists having an urgency, a desire, and a hunger for God that makes most of our spiritual efforts look anemic by contrast. For example, the imagery used tells us that they “panted” for God with their tongues hanging out, as an exhausted deer pants for water (Psalm 42:1).

They thirst for God — so much so, that they ask, “When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:2). Their thirst for God causes them to “long” for God as in a “dry and thirsty land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1). They lay awake at night dreaming of “the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4). They would rather spend one day in God’s presence than a thousand years elsewhere (Psalm 84:10). Do we have this kind of thirst and hunger for God?

Let’s think about it!

By: Mike Riley

Take 20 minutes by yourself at the beginning of each day. Live above small troubles by losing yourself in big, worthwhile things.

Grow every day: Life is a game — keep your eye on the ball rather than on the scoreboard. Have the power to see things through; keep remembering that most accomplishments are 3/4 drudgery and 1/4 joy.

Alternate your interests. It is better to be busy than bored. Balance your life with work, play, love, and worship

 Be gracious to others; do kind deeds beyond the call of duty; and remember that every person is fighting a battle.

Work and cooperate with God, praying that God will do something “through” you rather than “for” you.