Cheryl Potts November 2nd 2014

I don’t know about you, but Judges is one of the books in the Bible that I don’t feel myself being readily drawn to, to encourage me in my walk with God.But then again, maybe I should. Judges exposes all the worst of the human condition.How easy it is to become complacent about our sin and selfishness, the culture in which we swim dulling the sharp edges of Jesus’ message. Hardness of heart replaces mercy and compassion, fear replaces trust and faith, cynicism replaces truth and vulnerability, contemporary life, objects and practices (even Christian practices) replace naked intimacy with Jesus.Judges reminds me how much I need the Lord Jesus in my life, how much I need the conviction of the Holy Spirit to flood through every corner of my being, exposing my heart, its motives and those well-worn paths of behaviours. Not because I have a perverse need to flog myself daily, but so I can live into the glorious fullness of Life that Jesus spoke about - the inner inheritance and blessings that come with daily submitting to His will. Don’t you wish you could say the words that Jesus says in John 8:29, “The Father has never left me alone for I always do what pleases Him”?As I grow older I’m finding myself drawn to the simple words of our Anglican liturgy: “We do not presume to come to your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord who nature is always to have mercy.”Since we have a great High Priest set over the household of God, let us draw near with true hearts and the fullest confidence, knowing that our inmost souls have been purified by the sprinkling of his blood, just as our bodies are cleansed by the washing of clean water. In this confidence, let us hold onto the hope that we profess without the slightest hesitation, for He is utterly dependable. Amen? AMEN!!Blessings and love,Cheryl