Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to ask God to search our heart

The Peril of Presumption
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression."

—Psalm 19:12-13 (NKJV)

The verse above is as a heartfelt plea from King David, a man after God’s own heart, for divine intervention in his battle against sin.

While it is brief, this psalm is packed with profound wisdom for the Christian walk of faith. It reminds us of the danger of presumptuous sins and points us to God’s grace as our only hope for purity and spiritual growth.

Presumptuous sins are those deliberate, willful and often arrogant actions that disregard God’s authority and law. Unlike sins committed in ignorance or weakness, presumptuous sins stem from an attitude of pride, rebellion, or overconfidence. They reveal a heart that says, “I know this is wrong, but I will do it anyway.” Taking action on these sins is an attempt to assert our will over God’s. David’s prayer recognizes how easily such sins can creep into the life of even the most devout believer.

The Danger of Presumptuous Sins

Why are presumptuous sins so dangerous? First, they desensitize our conscience. The more we justify and repeat these sins, the less conviction we feel. What begins as a small, seemingly insignificant choice can snowball into a hardened heart. Over time, we may find ourselves far from God, unable to hear His voice or sense His presence.

Second, presumptuous sins often have a ripple effect. They can lead to greater transgressions, damaging relationships, and tarnishing our witness. David’s fear of “great transgression” points to the fact that unchecked sin escalates.

Finally, presumptuous sins challenge God’s sovereignty. Every time we knowingly disobey Him, we elevate our own judgment above His. This prideful stance puts us in direct opposition to the Creator and invites His discipline. James 4:6 (NLT) reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

David’s prayer, asking God to, “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins”, acknowledges that we cannot overcome sin in our own strength. Human effort alone is insufficient to resist the temptations of the flesh. This plea is both a confession of weakness and a declaration of trust in God’s power.

To guard against presumptuous sins, we must develop a deep dependence on God. This begins with humility—acknowledging our vulnerability and need for His guidance. It also involves immersing ourselves in His Word (The Holy Bible), which reveals God’s will and exposes the lies we might be tempted to believe. Psalm 119:11 (NIV) declares, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Scripture equips us to discern right from wrong and strengthens us to choose obedience.

Prayer is another vital weapon in the fight against sin. Through prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to convict us, guide us, and empower us to resist temptation. As we cultivate a consistent prayer life, we grow more attuned to God’s voice and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Freedom in Submission

The second part of Psalm 19:13 reveals a beautiful promise: “Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression.” While none of us can achieve blamelessness on our own, God’s grace makes it possible. When we submit to Him and seek His help, He transforms our hearts and renews our minds. His forgiveness cleanses us from past sins, and His Spirit empowers us to walk in righteousness.

Living Out Psalm 19:13

How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?

First, we must examine our hearts every day. Are there areas where we’ve grown complacent or rebellious? Are we justifying actions that we know are contrary to God’s commands? Honest self-reflection, guided by the Holy Spirit, helps us identify and address presumptuous sins before they take root.

Second, we need accountability. Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who encourage and challenge us in our faith is crucial. James 5:16 (NIV) encourages us to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Accountability fosters humility and provides support in moments of weakness.

Finally, we must cling to God’s promises. When we stumble, the enemy seeks to fill us with guilt and shame, but Romans 8:1 (NIV) assures us, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God’s mercy is greater than our failures, and His grace is sufficient for every struggle.

Let’s Pray:

Lord, we echo King David’s prayer: Keep us back from presumptuous sins. Protect our hearts from pride and rebellion and help us to walk humbly before You. Teach us to depend on Your strength, to treasure Your Word, and to seek Your guidance in all things. When we fall short, remind us of Your grace and lead us back to the path of righteousness. May our lives bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’s Name pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Search Me, Oh God, and Know My Heart Today” (hymn). Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: When God calls us to step out on faith

Count the Cost of Waiting
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Have you ever felt a nudge in your spirit to act but decided to wait instead?

Sometimes, waiting can seem wise. We tell ourselves, “I'm being patient” or “I'm waiting on God.” But the truth is, God never told us to wait. While there are times when God calls us to wait, more often than not, He calls us to move forward in faith.

The Bible gives us clear examples of what happens when people either move ahead of God— like Abraham and Sarah—or hesitate when He calls them to action, like Moses. Abraham and Sarah grew tired of waiting for God's promise of a son, so they took matters into their own hands. The result was conflict, confusion, and long-term consequences. On the other hand, Moses hesitated when God called him to lead the Israelites, offering excuses instead of obedience. These examples remind us that the cost of moving ahead of God is high, but so is the cost of waiting when God has called us to act.

If God is calling you to start that ministry, launch that business, or write that book, it’s time to take a step of faith. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. There are consequences for waiting when God has not told you to wait.

First, when you refuse to take action, you risk missing the windows of opportunity God has prepared for you. God's timing is perfect, and often, His opportunities are time sensitive. God’s plan will always be fulfilled, but you could miss the chance to be a part of it. So, take action in faith, even when you don’t know every detail. You don’t have to have all the answers to say yes to God’s call. Pray for wisdom, but don’t let fear of the unknown cause you to procrastinate.

Next, fear often shows up as “waiting on God”. But in reality, it’s disobedience. When God calls you to step forward, fear will try to convince you that you’re not ready, you’re not equipped, or that you’ll fail. Because here’s the thing: The longer you wait, the stronger fear grows. You’ll find more “logical” reasons to not take action, and you’ll remain stuck. This is how comfort zones are created.

So, take one small step. God will provide what you need along the way, not before you begin. Every time you feel scared, remind yourself that courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of feeling afraid. Finally, when God calls you to move and you choose to wait, you can also delay your blessing.

Delayed obedience can lead to missed blessings. So, step out in obedience, even if it’s uncomfortable. Ask yourself, “What simple step can I take today in obedience to God?” Take it one step at a time. If God has been calling you to start that business, take the first step by creating a plan. If He’s calling you to serve in ministry, get wise counsel and volunteer. Do something today that moves you closer to obedience. When God calls you to act, don’t wait.

If you’re unsure whether He is calling you to wait or act, pray and read His Word expecting to get an answer. But if you’ve already heard His voice and you’re still “waiting for confirmation” then it’s time to ask yourself if fear is disguising itself as patience. In that case, you’re not waiting on God, He’s waiting on you.

The cost of waiting is too high. Today, January 1 of a brand-new year, is the day to move forward in faith.

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me not lean on my own understanding. I ask for your wisdom and guidance as I step out in faith to do all that you have called me to do. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Walk on the Water” by Britt Nicole. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC. It includes Her RICH Coaching where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats. She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in early 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to accomplish the extraordinary by living their purpose, calling, and assignment. He has chosen every woman to fulfill a calling that is hers alone. And if she does not answer that calling, then that work will never be done. Joyce knows that there are people who are waiting for help that only God can give and only God can use His people to help each other. Joyce believes that we are called by God to help each other. She wants to answer that call and inspire others to answer it too so we can be of service to God.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” In addition to being an entrepreneur, Joyce currently serves as the Associate Teaching Director for the Community Bible Study International class in Georgetown, SC.

Joyce makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com