Daily Devotional
Do You Have a Clear Conscience?
“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”
1 John 3:20-22
October 28, 2023
Ponder This
Imagine you and your spouse are having one of those arguments that can be heard about three blocks away. Christians can do this. They take their eyes off the Lord and they're at one another's throats. Whatever else they're doing, they are not dwelling together as heirs of the grace of life. Imagine right after this argument and the storming off, the mother goes in to check on the baby and she comes out with a frightened look on her face. The baby is very sick and you're both believers and you know you need to pray. What happens? Usually, at that moment, you feel like fools praying in that atmosphere, that hostility, that venom, but you know what you do? You say, “I'm so sorry, I was wrong, I was a fool, forgive me.” She says, “It was my fault too” and you reconcile. After that, the conscience is clear, the assurance is back, and you can pray. But you cannot pray with a condemning heart. When you still have enmity between one another you won’t be united in prayer. If you don't have a good conscience, you cannot have great confidence, and if you don't have great confidence, you can't get your prayers answered. Love gives a good conscience and when love gives a good conscience, love gets great confidence.
- When have you lost sight of your identity in Christ in a hard moment?
- Why is reconciliation with others so important in the Christian life?
Practice This
Consider the last angry argument you had. If you have not already, pursue peace with the person with whom you were angry.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
