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Are you familiar with the concept of a plea bargain? Often a court will allow a defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid going to a full trial. As a part of the deal the defendant is required to make a full confession. Does it seem to you that this is an injustice; that the defendant is getting off easy? Yet these are the same terms that I offer you. It is my will that you do not sin, but if you do you have me as an advocate. As a part of the deal you must confess your sins, but if you do so you will be spared the punishment deserved. This is the good news of the gospel, and the best deal you will ever get.

[I'm leaving town for 10 days to visit family and will resume messages when I get back. DC] 

Have you ever been involved in the legal system and required to appear in court as a defendant? You are fortunate if you have not, but all must go to court in a spiritual sense.  Have you noticed that the Bible is written in legal terms? There are judges and advocates, evidence and witnesses, accusers and laws. Even those who have not violated the law of the land have sinned and fallen short of my glory. For this you need an advocate, and should be familiar with the spiritual legal process. If you confess your sins, I will be your advocate, and will be faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

Overview from Pastor Vijay Christian: Samson is an anointed and passionate evangelist, head of our missions, takes care of monthly village evangelisms (preaching gospel in 4 to 6 villages), heads boot camp to remote tribal villages. He is our office accountant and main vocalist of our A2J band.

You are familiar with my commandment to forgive others, and you take it seriously. Yet even after you have forgiven, do you keep a case on file in your heart, with all the supporting facts and evidence, enough to secure a conviction? If you hold a claim of justice within yourself, even if you don’t prosecute it openly, have you really forgiven? The Christian standard is higher than superficial expression, even as in the Sermon on the Mount I made a contrast between the ancient teachings of the law and what I taught. This burden is too heavy for your spirit to bear. Make it a deliberate point in prayer to complete forgiveness by releasing any claims of justice you hold.

Have you noticed that low self-esteem is always considered a problem and that high self-esteem is a desirable trait? This is contrary to Biblical wisdom. Can you find anything in the Bible that tells you to think more highly of yourself than you otherwise would? Yet there are many admonitions to humble yourself and to esteem others better than yourself. High self-esteem is inherent in the human race and it is a big part of your problem. The conflict between this and reality is mistakenly called low self-esteem. A mature Christian has a proper understanding of his own nature and position. He is content to be accepted and beloved by me, and has nothing to prove about himself to himself or to others.

Do you ever think of sleep as a spiritual activity? If you seek me with all your heart but are too sleepy to concentrate and focus then sleep may be the most spiritual thing you can do. I recognized in my own disciples that the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. This is not a problem for me and I watch over you with attentive diligence even while you rest. Not all sleep can be regarded as spiritual, but if your waking life is redeemed and an expression of obedient faithfulness, then your sleep will be an extension of that, restoring and refreshing you spiritually, mentally, and physically. This is the sleep that I give my beloved, and sweet dreams.

Lord, God, how do we pray prophetically?

My word teaches you to pray without ceasing. Does this seem like too much to ask, for your focused attention to be on prayer all the time? Yet there is a way in which you are able to pray always. Are you thinking during all of your conscious hours? You have my promise that I am with you always, and you know this by faith. Let this knowledge register on your mind as a constant awareness of my presence with you. Then as you proceed with your normal daily thought life you will see a shift, that your thoughts are informed by the purposes of heaven, and become a form of prayer without ceasing. 

I quiet myself: “I am here, Lord Jesus. I am here. I look for You. I wait for You. I long to see You and hear You. Where are You, Lord. My heart and soul wait for You.”

Have you ever received a gift that someone else received as a gift and gave it to you because they didn’t want it, or bought for themselves and reconsidered their desire for it? Did this seem to be a lower quality of gift than something thoughtfully obtained for you out of deliberate purpose? It really is the thought that counts more than the monetary value of the gift. I give you gifts as well. These are not discards or hand-me-downs, for I make all things new. Even your friends who love you and give gifts with the best of intentions only know you in a limited way, but I know you better than you know yourself. The gifts I give you are perfectly suited to your innermost being.