Honesty is the best policy

Hello Everyone,
I need to be honest with God when my past controls me.

I cannot do this or that or I am this way and I will always be this way because of my past.
In the book of Ruth, Naomi couldn’t let go of her past. When her husband and two sons died, she became resentful with God. When she returned to her hometown, this is what she said of herself. (Ruth 1:20-21 NIV) "Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." What honesty but what resentment! The story of Ruth unfolds and we see at the end that Naomi was blessed with a new son in law and a grandchild. How do we overcome the past, first discuss it with God.

We need to be honest with God when I don’t want to admit my wrongs. It is so hard for us to say “I’m sorry” and to admit “I was wrong!” We would rather cover up our wrongs than admit them. This gets even harder with age. (Psa 32:5 NIV) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

We need to be honest with God when I’m all alone.This is a Great fear of the elderly to be all alone. (Heb 13:5 NIV) God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

I need to be honest with God when I’m sad. So Many things have come against so many that they have no joy. (Rom 15:13 NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I need to be honest with God when prayer doesn’t seem to help.I pray and pray and nothing seems to give comfort or help. Tell that to God. He will put people and situations in your life to help. (Mat 7:11 NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

We need to be honest with God when life doesn’t make sense.
There is so much injustice, suffering and pain in the world. (Rom 11:33-34 NIV) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

I need to be honest with God when I lose my faith in God.You don’t seem real anymore, and I don’t know what to believe. I wonder if you are even listening to me. You seem so distant. My doubts are crowding out my beliefs. Show me what I need to see to keep believing in you.(1 Pet 1:8 NIV) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,(1 Pet 1:9 NIV) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

So what?So many people are not honest with God. If we are honest with God, then this will help us to be honest with ourselves and others.
The biggest dishonesty is to say that you don’t need God. I don’t need Jesus; I don’t need any of that stuff.

1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

All for Jesus
Pastor Phil