Will you be in front of God's people tomorrow? Tomorrow, will you have an opportunity to give spiritual input to people who are far from God?
Will you be leading a youth Bible study or a children's Sunday school class? Will you be praying publicly or playing an instrument or leading worship or making announcements? Will you be delivering a message?
If so, then you already know that spiritual preparation is even more important than technical preparation.
Psalm 51 makes that clear. In verses 10-12 we see six prerequisites that are necessary fir God to use us in teaching and leading so that people are truly helped.
1. A cleansed heart.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10a).
2. A renewed spirit.
"...and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10b).
3. The Divine Presence.
"Cast me not away from your presence" (Psalm 51:11a).
4. The Spirit's power.
"...and take not your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11b).
5. Our salvation's joy.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation" (Psalm 51:12a).
6. A willing spirit.
"...and uphold me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:12b).
And what happens when all these things come together? Psalm 51:13 tells us. It's what we long to see take place.
"Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you" (Psalms 51:13).
So, will you use verses 10-12 as a basis for your prayer and then claim the promise found in verse 13?
What might happen if you spent 30 minutes today to get ready to be useful on the Lord's day tomorrow?
Will you be leading a youth Bible study or a children's Sunday school class? Will you be praying publicly or playing an instrument or leading worship or making announcements? Will you be delivering a message?
If so, then you already know that spiritual preparation is even more important than technical preparation.
Psalm 51 makes that clear. In verses 10-12 we see six prerequisites that are necessary fir God to use us in teaching and leading so that people are truly helped.
1. A cleansed heart.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10a).
2. A renewed spirit.
"...and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10b).
3. The Divine Presence.
"Cast me not away from your presence" (Psalm 51:11a).
4. The Spirit's power.
"...and take not your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11b).
5. Our salvation's joy.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation" (Psalm 51:12a).
6. A willing spirit.
"...and uphold me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:12b).
And what happens when all these things come together? Psalm 51:13 tells us. It's what we long to see take place.
"Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you" (Psalms 51:13).
So, will you use verses 10-12 as a basis for your prayer and then claim the promise found in verse 13?
What might happen if you spent 30 minutes today to get ready to be useful on the Lord's day tomorrow?
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