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GailFriends - Sneaky Sins, Yom Kippur & the Election
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GailFriends - Sneaky Sins, Yom Kippur & the Election
By Gail Golden
Publicist and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
My husband, Rabbi Jem Golden, and I lead Magen Da’vid Messianic Synagogue in Merritt Island, Florida. We believe and teach that the Messiah – Jesus – has come. We believe and teach both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Scriptures.
Recently, we observed Yom Kippur. Please allow me to briefly explain this Jewish Holy Day in the context of belief in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah. We believe that Messiah Yeshua’s sacrifice is our complete atonement for our sins. Yom Kippur is a time to remember and acknowledge that Yeshua atoned for us, and we thank Him and praise Him for that atonement. This Holy Day is somber because it reminds us to think about our sins against God, our fellow man, and ourselves. It is a time of soul-searching…of looking deeply into our hearts.
I knew about atonement but not a lot about soul-searching. As I have embraced the Jewish Holy Days, I have learned a greater awareness of forgiveness and reconciliation. Yom Kippur has made me think about rash words, complaining, insincerity, and broken promises, to name a few of the “sneaky” sins that that have a way of worming their way into our lives. On the Day of Atonement, we examine our hearts and ask forgiveness of God. We also go to anyone we have harmed, to ask forgiveness and to seek reconciliation.
I would like to share with you this soul-searching part of our Yom Kippur service. Following, is the list of sins we search our hearts for on Yom Kippur. I encourage you to read this list 3 times, slowly and prayerfully, asking God to reveal any “sneaky” sins in your life:
For the sin we committed in Your sight brought about because of our pride
For the sin we committed against You by our unbelief
For the sin we committed in Your sight in not looking to You, our first Love
For the sin we committed against You through our lack of trust in Your Word
For the sin we committed in Your sight unintentionally
For the sin we committed against You publicly and privately
For the sin we committed in Your sight knowingly and deceptively
For the sin we committed against You by offensive speech
For the sin we committed in Your sight by oppressing a fellow man
For the sin we committed against You by evil thoughts
For the sin we committed in Your sight by casting off responsibility
For the sin we committed against You for passing judgment
For the sin we committed in Your sight by plotting against men
For the sin we committed against You by sordid selfishness
For the sin we committed in Your sight by levity of mind
For the sin we committed against You by being obstinate
For the sin we committed in Your sight by murmuring
For the sin we committed against You by complaining
For the sin we committed in Your sight by running to do evil
For the sin we committed against You by groundless hatred
For the sin we committed in Your sight by tale bearing
For the sin we committed against You by swearing falsely
For the sin we committed in Your sight by breach of trust
For the sin we committed against You by a confused heart
For the sin we committed in Your sight by violence
For the sin we committed against You by profaning Your name
After searching our hearts, we say the following Prayer: We thank you, Hashem, that You are slow to anger; You are compassionate, merciful, and quick to forgive us from all our transgressions and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! Amen
Now…go back and read the list 2 more times. If you are like me, you will see things you don’t see the first or even second time. I remember the first time I read this list, I was shocked to find out that complaining was a sin! I also used to think that being obstinate was a good thing….I called it determination! On this Yom Kippur, God has shown me sins I did not see at this time last year. How kind and merciful He is to bear with us in our willfulness.
I pray for all of my GailFriends to search their hearts, especially as we prepare for the upcoming election. Please join me as I seek His face, and pray for our land.
Gail is a ministry partner with and Publicist for Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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