Don’t Hold Back

**What secret sin is keeping you from walking close with God?

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Recently, while attending a woman’s retreat, I found myself with a task at hand as I sat staring at a blank page with a heading of “Sin List” at the top.  I began to write my sins there; what kept me away from my Lord, and those things that held up a barrier in my relationship with Him.  As I finished, I stared at that page knowing the depth of His forgiveness and the immensity of His love for me.   I couldn’t simply rip up the page and go on my way.  There was more I had to do.  You see the focus of this retreat was choosing joy in the seasons of life.  From the depths of my being I determined to go beyond the sin list, beyond the knowing of His forgiveness, on to a place of praise and gratitude.

Philippians 1:6 promises us, “Being confident in this, HE WHO BEGAN a good work in you, WILL CONTINUE it on to completion.” (emphasis mine)

Joshua 23:14 reminds us, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the Lord Your God gave you has failed.  Every promise has been fulfilled: not one has failed.”

1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

With fullness of joy in Him I began:

You are my shield
You are my Rock
You are my stronghold
You are my fortress
You are my cleft of safety
You are my shelter
You are my hiding place
You are my strong tower
You are my covering
You place a banner of love over me
You uphold me with arms that are strong and everlasting
You are my promise keeper.

I wrote a Psalm on that same piece of paper and I invite you to be still before Him and ask:

Am I holding back from You?
Am I not walking near Your side?
Where am I shielding You from my heart?
Where does my confidence in Your power die?
Do I obey You?
Do I trust You?
Do I believe You?
Are You my Lord?
Are You my first love?
Have I put You in that place?
Have I given You control?
Is my heart fully surrendered?
Am I holding back from You?

~Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that You never turn a repentant heart away. I turn to You now. Forgive me for holding back from You.  I pray now that nothing will hold back my heart from You.  May I open my life, my heart, and my every breath to You!  Your power, Your grace, Your truth, Your faithfulness, Your love are so amazing.  Thank you!

Questions: Are you holding something back from God?  Do you trust God totally? Take some quiet time today and ask God to forgive you for having gone your own way; surrender your heart fully to God.

About the Author Nancy O’Bosky

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