Deep morning thoughts with my cup of coffee and the Truth that sets us free:

When I read my Bible, I take what I’m reading to heart. I don’t just read for memorization or to check off my time spent with Jesus box. I soak in what God’s Word is teaching me and willingly choose to yield to His ways over mine.

This is not a duty, it’s a heart posture in the presence of God where I learn His ways and then abide in Him as I walk through life.

I remember reading this passage in Luke years ago and going before the Lord, bearing my heart in the secret place. I genuinely desired to purge anything and everything that didn’t honor Him and completely remove it from my life.

“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” —Luke 8:17 (NLT)

I read passages like this one and take it seriously…the secrets in my heart will be exposed at some point, so I may as well face the truth of my heart before the Lord. I’d much prefer to humble myself in God’s presence and allow Him to have His way in me and through me than to be exposed publicly for some secret in my heart that I chose to hide and not deal with. This has not been a one and done moment. This posture has been continuous and as long as I’m on this earth, I will continually seek His face and allow His Truth to penetrate my heart, bringing me from glory to glory.

Family, we all have hidden junk in hearts from jealousy, bitterness, envy, anger, selfishness, and pride that leads to other sins, and these areas need to be brought before the Lord. Nothing is hidden from God so let’s stop fooling ourselves, justifying thoughts, actions and behaviors that do not honor Him and boldly go to His throne room of grace!

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. —Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

He wants to help us, heal us, purify our hearts and give us a brand new one…one that isn’t weighed down by the burdens we are carrying or by the secret sins that are blocking us from the abundant life that Jesus paid for.

I’m challenging you today to truly, with your whole heart, go to God and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what’s lurking in the hidden places of your heart that needs to go.

It’s time to come out of agreement with any and all hidden sins that are costing you your true freedom in Christ. It’s time to take back those areas in your life that have kept you bound to your old nature, giving the enemy access to steal, kill and destroy what rightfully belongs to you through the blood of Jesus!

Amen?