2021 Daily Devotion - Day 337

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It has been said, “You are only as sick as your secrets.”

Over the years as a pastor, I have found this to be true in many people’s lives. This phrase can be lived out in a variety of ways. But basically, it means we should never think we are healthy if we have a secret life. Living a secret life means you are not being honest with others or with yourself. It means that you will be constantly walking around with a submerged sense of guilt and shame, and this will harden your heart. In addition, eventually, you will most likely be discovered and then more damage will follow.

When we grow deeper in Christian community, we discover there are those in the Body of Christ (another name for the church) who can lovingly help us to be restored and turn our back on the secret lives we have lived and discover freedom in Jesus. This is another ministry of the church. The church is meant to be a safe place where we sometimes face some difficult truths about ourselves, and experience forgiveness and restoration through our Savior. If you are in need of this kind of support, let us know, contact us at Mount of Olives Church in Mission Viejo, CA. We will help you get started. Lent is a perfect time to examine this aspect of our lives and run to Christ for liberation.

Hebrews 3:13 (Easy-to-Read Version)
But encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, because the world teaches us to go it alone and to find strength in our own abilities, many stumble into chaos and confusion. During this Lenten season, help us to understand through the church, You have created Christian community as a place where we can experience wholesomeness and restoration. Empower us to grow deeper in Christian community. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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