Living Free - May 27, 2013

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

Thoughts for Today

This Psalm was written by David. God called David a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22). And yet David knew he had failings. Because of his devotion to the Lord, he didn't want to continue in any sin. He was open to personal examination and asked God to search his heart.

God already knows everything about us . . . more than we know about ourselves. David knew that. In verse 2 of the same chapter, he wrote, "You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar."

God knew David's shortcomings. David wanted to know them too. He wanted to say "I did it" and ask forgiveness. He wanted to clear anything offensive to God from his life.

Consider this … 

Are you willing to ask God to search your heart? You may be doing all the "right" things, but what is in your heart? Bitterness? Unforgiveness? Jealousy? Fear? Selfishness? Wrong motives?

Sin separates us from God's best for our lives. "It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore" (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). We all sin. We all let wrong attitudes creep in. But we don't need to let them move in permanently. We need to regularly ask God to search our heart and point out anything that shouldn't be there.

How about you? Will you ask God to search your heart today?

Prayer

Father, anyone looking at my life might think I have it all together. But you and I know differently. Please search my heart and point out anything offensive to you. Forgive me . . . and help me live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

Stepping into Freedom: A Christ-Centered Twelve-Step Program by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This twelve-step program is suggested for use in support groups, recovery groups and home groups. It offers help for anyone struggling with a life-controlling problem like drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual addiction, gambling or workaholism. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.