Experience the truth

John 8: 31-32 MSG “Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him.  “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.  Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”

It is with excitement I start today, I am so grateful that I am able to sit down at my computer and write my thoughts.  Walking through God’s word each and every day is such a privilege.  It is my heart's desire that I am able to learn as much as I can and that I am able to renew my thinking.

Struggling with fear and doubt is something everybody probably experiences, for myself, I am not fearful but I do believe that doubt is constantly nagging at my heels.

The one thing I am currently doing is to read God’s word, meditate on it and stay focused on what I am reading.  When Jesus was speaking to the Jews he knew them and what they were thinking.  He also said that “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.  Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”  What an awesome revelation. 

When you keep your focus [Scopos] on the Word of God, you are disciples for sure.  You will experience the truth which in turn will free you.  What an awesome thought and we are learning to renew the way we think.  Deciding what is important.

Prayer

Lord, please help us to focus [scopos] on Your Word.  Teach us and guide us, help us to ditch doubt and fear and to embrace believe that Your word is changing out thoughts word-for-word and thought –for-thought.  In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen

Pray for them!

Luke 22: 31-32 AMP “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen!  Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain; but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter, that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [ in the fait].”

I thank the Lord Jesus for people who intercede on my behalf because sometimes I just don’t have the strength to pick myself up and carry on.  It sounds so easy to say you will pray for someone.  The fact is we just say things like, “I will pray for you” and walk away instantly forgetting about that person.

Satan is constantly standing before God asking that the sifting will start, he believes that he is on a good foot.  Please start praying for your loved ones, praying for family and friends and the people you believe are not saved.  Time is running out, we never will know when the Lord will appear in the clouds but it's closer than you and I even know.

When you enter into your quiet place before God, remember to bring the people you deem important and place them before You.  Remember because of Noah his entire family lived.  We are also living in the same perilous times.  Keep watch and don’t stop praying, stand in the gap for the people you love.

Prayer

Abba Father, thank You that we still have the opportunity to come to You in humble prayer, that we may stand in the gap for our loved ones.  We know and realize Satan is asking for the sifting to start.  Please have mercy on us Lord God, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  Amen

Do Not Stop Praying!

1 John 3: 21-22 AMP “Beloved, if our heart does not convict us [of guilt], we have confidence [complete assurance and boldness] before God; and we receive from Him whatever we ask because we [carefully and consistently] keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight [habitually] seeking to follow His plan for us].”

For a couple of days I felt so out of sync, you know I lost my rhythm and I just couldn’t see what the problem was.  I would start my day saying “thank You, Lord, for another day.”  Rising and it seemed I would get caught up in doing so many other things that I would forget what I was doing in the first place. 

As I reflect on the things that have become so “important” to me I have come to realize that I have stopped praying.  Taking the time to come and sit at the Lord’s feet.  Just being in His presence and speaking to Him about everything that I needed and wanted.

Thank the Lord for the “little voice” that reminds me, “Hey, aren't you going to make time for the Lord today?”  We see that the Lord Jesus disappeared early in the morning to go and speak privately with the Father, see Mark Chapter 1 verses 35 – 39 NIV. 

Only after the Lord had spent time in the Father’s presence was He ready to share with the people.

Prayer

Please Lord, forgive me for not always being faithful when it comes to my prayer life.  Help me to stay focused on You, create a pure spirit within me and a clean heart.  Help me to seek You, early in the morning and late at night.  For You, Lord is the Light of my soul.  In the Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Hebrew word "Scopos" - "Look"

Philippians 2: 4AMP “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others.”

“Look” in Greek is “scopos” which means to focus on.  We also derived “microscope” and “telescope” from the same word.  My thinking here is that we are reminded to focus on the needs of our fellow man and not be so self-absorbed.

We are so easily misled when it comes to our own needs and we really believe that we should first look out for No. 1 (me) and the rest will follow.

True we should look our for ourselves but we shouldn’t be so concerned about our own interests that we forget about the rest.  The problem with being so selfish is that your needs will never really be met.  You always need more and want more. 

Giving all our focus and being interested in the wellbeing of our fellow man should be our focus point but it is a hard decision to make.  You might have to give something up and why should you be the one helping?  “Bad things happen when good people do nothing.” 

The Apostle Paul is reminding you and me to take a look at the person next to you and stop looking for your own interests.  Are you able to do that?  Do you want to take the focus off yourself?  Something each and every one of us needs to consider.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we are all guilty of focusing on our own interests most of the time, forgetting that other people also need our help.  Today as we start our day, please give us the necessary compassion and love and understanding for our fellow man.  Teaching us to be fair and kind and helpful as You intended it.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Boomerang

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Matthew 7: 1-5 MSG “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment.  That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.  It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.  Do you have the nerve to say, “Let me wash your face for you,” when your own face is distorted by contempt?  It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part.  Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”

Perhaps you can associate with me, sometimes you seem to have all the answers and you assume people are just not as smart as you think you are.  Or you may know someone that is the “Know-it-all” person when you start saying something they will end the story with something that happened to them.

But then you notice they have so many faults and you just want to point it out to them but in the meantime, you have even greater problems. 

I have had to deal with myself for a very long time and fault finding was one of the things that I was a master at.  The slightest thing and I would be in your face, never mind all my own faults.  I was according to me, perfect and the rest of the people weren’t on the same page.

Now when this boomeranged back on me I was totally devastated, how on earth could this happen to me, I am not that kind of person.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please Lord, forgive me for my over zealous judgement of other people and their problems.  Help me to first investigate my own life before I deem it my business to check others.  Forgive me for being such a fault find and not a love seeker.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

#Good #Parents

Hebrews 12: 11 NOG “We don’t enjoy being disciplined.  It always seems to cause more pain than joy.  But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes doing what is right.”

What is it that we need to do here?  When it comes to our children we all want the very best, I mean things I never had I wanted my children to have and they are doing exactly what I did.  So when it comes to Dad’s we know that they too are acting out as good Fathers.

As a mother it is difficult for me to discipline my children and I have tried, when my youngest son was still in school he was much taller than I.  So when I wanted to smack him, he would hold both my arms so that it was impossible to spank him.  After holding my arms I would just let it go. 

When children have a father there is no getting away with things that are wrong, and discipline is inevitable.

The thing about discipline, we want to teach our children good values, we want them to know right from wrong and we want the very best for them.  It is and still will be the most important thing in my life.  I dislike being disciplined, now that is a different kettle of fish.  It not only hurts but it isn't fun and I don’t like the discomfort.

Prayer

Lord thank You, for being my Good, good Father, I don’t know what I would be without You.  Yes, I know when You are disciplining me, I want to pray that in times of discipline that You will teach me, show me and guide me so that I am able to learn to form my discipline.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

When we pray

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Psalm 39: 12 NOG “Listen to my prayer, O Yahweh.  Open your ear to my cry for help.  Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident without, a stranger like all my ancestors.”

As an intercessor, I realize that when I pray to the Lord my God I need to be open to receiving a vision or an answer through God’s word or even while speaking to friends.

I have witnessed so many answered prayers for family and friends it amazed me so.  I believe God is looking for men and women who are willing to come before Him and intercede for our families and friends.

Sometimes we fall to the ground it feels like we are just not being heard.  As I cry out to the LORD in humble prayer asking that He will listen as I cry for help.  That He will see my tears as I feel that I am a stranger in this land and I need help.

Do you need someone to stand in agreement today with you about something you are worried about?  Do you feel alone and that no one seems to understand what it is you are facing?

You are very welcome to drop me an email and I will pray with you and ask the Lord to help you solve your problems.  We know that when there are more than one praying about a specific problem, God hears and will address it.

Prayer

Humbly, Father, we pray for guidance, we pray for wisdom and we pray that You will touch our hearts, soul, and minds.  Whatever it is that is driving us crazy today, we bring it to You in humble prayer.  Please Abba Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help us.  Amen

Eat your own words

Proverbs 18: 21 (NOG) “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.”

My mom constantly said “think before you speak” and most of the time I would speak my mind anyway.  Sometimes people will take offense and other times they wouldn’t.  I was of the opinion “if the shoe fits, wear it.”

Now, unfortunately, I am learning the hard way, constantly getting back exactly what I put out there many years ago.

It never occurred to me that as you grow older people say harsh words, and many times they cut like knives.  At least the Lord has given me the opportunity in correcting my mistakes.

Someone I know had made a statement and to be honest I took offense, this person is young and believes that she is right and I do suppose she feels that she may speak her mind.  Something I also realized is that she doesn’t have all the facts at hand and was only making assumptions, which by the way implicated me in something I wouldn’t like to be implicated in.  Anyway, I thought and prayed about this matter and have decided to cut ties with her totally.

I didn’t speak my mind and I don’t think I need to this is now in the Lords' hands.  I am watching my own tongue as it can set a whole city lit up.  My words can be sweet as honey and they also can come out so wrong.  So from my side, I don’t want to be eating my own words anymore.  I release the lady and move on.

Prayer

Lord because we have life and death in our mouths and many times we love to hear our own words.  Humbly I confess that I have sinned on more than one occasion.  I confess Lord that I am guilty of speaking my mind without thinking.  I pray asking You Lord, forgive me for I have sinned and help me keep a watch over my mouth and keep a watch over my thoughts and mind.  I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Hebrew “Pardes” – Garden

Genesis 3: 8 (NOG) “In the cool of the evening, the man and his wife heard Yahweh Elohim walking around in the garden.  So they hid from Yahweh Elohim among the trees in the garden.”

Picture yourself walking in the Garden of Eden, Pardes.  There is a slight breeze and the afternoon sun is shining over the garden.  While you are walking in the garden you can hear someone calling your name.  Do you recognize the person calling you? 

I read that someone suggested while you are reading the bible you are entering into the Garden of Eden, God’s Pardes.

The interesting part of the Garden is that we now are able to learn more about our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Think about it, each time you read something in your Bible it comes to live within your spirit.  The Holy Spirit that is living inside of you is guiding you and teaching you.  The words are starting to make sense and you are starting to see how the Word of God is working in each of His children's lives.

I am still on my journey, I do not believe that I have arrived as yet, but it sure is my heart's desire to draw closer to God.  I want to recognize His voice when He calls my name, don’t you?

Every revelation or insight I receive from walking through Pardes is something helping me to grow spiritually.  Today, I want to encourage you to keep on reading God’s Word, you will grow and mature into a beautiful Christian.

Prayer

Elohim, the Lord, thank You, for today, that we may come into Your garden, pardes.  As we open our Bibles, Holy Spirit touches our lives and teach us how to use the word.  Guide us and be your guide each and every day.  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

#Midbar - #Desert #Experience

Hosea 13: 5 AMP “I knew and regarded you and cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.”

I believe each one of us is going through a season, some people are enjoying summer and others are in fall.  But what about the people that are going through a desert experience – Midbar?  Do you know that the word “midbar” means “the place of the word.”

Awesome wouldn’t you agree, that means that in our desert experiences we are closer to God.  I remember when I had been facing really trying times in my own life, that I was the closest to God.  It seems that I also grew spiritually and that I was able to understand what God wanted from me.

I want to encourage you today that should you find yourself in the desert and maybe you feel all alone.  Stop for one minute and meditate on these words:  “For the mountains may be removed and hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,”  Says the LORD who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54: 10AMP

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, thank You, Lord for today, that we may draw near to You in our desert experiences, knowing that we are in the place of the word.  We pray please Lord help us face each day, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Before I ...

Proverbs 3: 6 (HCSB) “think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”

Before I do anything these days I feel it is of great importance to sit down and take a moment and come before the Lord my God.  I want to do something and I need to know whether what I am planning on doing will be in my interest and whether I am in God’s perfect will.

You now the Lord Jesus would pray about everything we see that in Luke chapter 5 verse 6 NIV “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  As you think about what it is you want to do today, even the food you want to eat.  Bring it before the Lord, asking Him to guide you.

We have become so good at making our own decisions and we also are so sure of ourselves that we don’t realize that this might be our last day here on earth.  My thinking these days are Deo volente (Latin) for God willing.  Each time I want to do something I pray about it doesn’t matter how small or insignificant it is I am asking God to guide me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, please be our guide and show us the way that You have prepared for us.  Give us the necessary wisdom and insight to identify what we should be doing.  Help us to never lose sight of the fact that You are our CEO in life.  We need Your input in our lives in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour we pray.  Amen

#Thank #You

To one and all, Thank You, you are awesome, I am so happy you are there for me.  God bless you!

You Need #Jesus

You Need Jesus

Do you know God loves you?  He desires to have a living relationship with you and wants to give you salvation, a purpose, and the eternal life.  You must realize the importances of making the right decision that no one else can do only you can take that decision, don’t delay, take it today!

1)     We all have a past
Romans chapter 3 verse 23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

2)  A price to pay for Sin
Romans chapter 6 verse 23 says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  When you work you earn wages (a salary) but remember the wages of sin is death.  What does this mean?  If you die, you are separated from God forever and that means it is over, but here is some good news.

3)  Jesus Christ paid for our Sin
Romans chapter 5 verse 8 says: “But God commendeth His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” We know even though we are sinners, Christ loves us so much that He died in our place to pay for our sin.

4)  Believe it
Romans chapter 10 verse 9 says: “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Do you want to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ today?  Please come and pray this prayer with me today:

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for me and that Your blood paid for all my sins.  Lord, please forgive me I have sinned.  I want to ask You to be my Lord and my Saviour.  Lord thank You for dying in my place and for forgiving me of my sin and giving me the gift of eternal life.  I am turning away from my sin and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Saviour.  Please, Lord, lead me and guide me in Your ways.  Amen

P.S. I want to encourage you that if you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, please go and find a church that teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Attend regular church services.  If you want to know more please feel free to write to me yvettevanniekerk.com go to my web page and drop me a line.  God bless you.

Enjoying Life Now!

Romans 15: 13 KJ21 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

As you embark on your daily journey and you think about what it is you're doing today I want to encourage you to live your life purposefully.  Do whatever you are doing with intent. 

You and I both know that our hope is in God who fills us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

We also know and realize that all things work together for good of those who love God.  Today is Father’s Day and you are spending time with your family and loved ones.  It is great to enjoy their company and to sit down to a great meal with the family.

I just love being around my family, enjoying the chatter and laughter and bantering.  You know when your son’s continue to make jokes and tease their sister.  The grandchildren running around the yard, playing with the puppy. 

The warm sunlight shining through the window and the sun rays spilling over the clean floor giving off a shine of brilliant sunlight.

Prayer

Lord thank you for the opportunity of living our best lives now.  Teach us to enjoy each and every minute of our lives, help us to live our lives to the fullest with family and friends.  Drawing near to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

How do you know you are hearing from God?

GOD’s Word Translation Colossians 3: 15 “Also, let Christ’s peace control you.  God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body.  Be thankful.”

Many people I have met want to know ‘how do I know its God speaking to me.”  I believe that the word of God is my guide, and we read here in Colossians chapter 3 verse 15 that “Christ’s peace controls me.”

You may be facing a difficult situation and need some kind of answer, you actually need to speak to God, and how can you do that?  In humble prayer, this is our connection to God. 

If you are unhappy and feel frustrated and uncomfortable you know without a doubt that there is something wrong.  You are not happy with what you are experiencing, there is no peace.  Then you aren't in God’s good and perfect will.  Sometimes we fall into His permissive will for our lives but we are far from His perfect will.

The apostle Paul reminds each of us that in Romans chapter 13 verse 8 (GW) “Pay your debts as they come due.  However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other.  The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses’ Teaching.”

Come into agreement with the people around you, love them and try and understand them with mercy in your heart. 

Prayer

Lord You know my circumstances, times, when I feel frustrated and uncomfortable and unhappy, is because I am not in Your will.  Today, please help me to learn how to stay in Your perfect will.  I am listening and reading Your word and I accept that You have given me peace and are steering me into another direction for my own life.  Guide me, help me and show me the way forward, in Jesus Christ's name.  Amen

The #Messiah

Mark 14: 61 TLB “To this Jesus made no reply.  Then the high priest asked him. “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?””

So the high priest asked Jesus “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?”  To which Jesus answered:  “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Here it is clear that Jesus is claiming His Deity.  By expressing that He was the Son of God.  Jesus is also accepting His Messiahship and Deity.

Further confirmation of Jesus’s Messiahship is found in John chapter 4 verse 25 and 26 “The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) is coming.  When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”  Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”  Confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah.

The Jewish leaders were hoping to entrap Jesus but think about this God knows our thoughts and minds, so Jesus never falls into their trap.  They wanted to pin a charge of blasphemy on Jesus.

Now when Jesus answered “I am” it was explicit, unambiguous declaration that Jesus was the Messiah the “Son of Man.”

Prayer

Thank you, LORD God, that YOU, sent YOUR only begotten Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth to come and save us in this broken world.  Thank You for all the confirmations we have readily available to us, proving that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is Your Son.  Amen

Mercy "me"

James 2: 13 PHILLIPS “Anyway, you should speak and act as men who will be judged by the law of freedom.  The man who makes no allowances for others will find none made for him.  I am still true that “mercy smiles in the face of judgment.”

Showing mercy towards one another is probably one of the major factors in today life.  I have come to realize that many people are judgmental and have no consideration or mercy for their fellow man or woman.  Something happened a couple of days ago and it made me realize people don’t have mercy. 

Look at Matthew chapter 5 verse 7 TLB “Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.”  It is clear that the Lord God wants each one of us to be kind and merciful.  We should strive to be kinder to each other and show mercy before we start judging people.  We all know that the world we are living in is broken and God expect us to be merciful towards each other.

What a mighty God we serve, our God is so rich in mercy, and His love for us extended far beyond what we could every realize.  Yes, we were dead and doomed to our spiritual death of our sins that God gave us back our lives through the Lord Jesus Christ who was raised from the dead – only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved. (Ephesians 2: 4-5)

Prayer

Abba Father, LORD GOD, thank You for this lesson we are able to learn, open our hearts, souls, and minds to receive Your word on Mercy today.  Help us to extend mercy toward family, friend and whoever we meet.  In the precious name of the Lord JESUS Christ, Amen

A Discerner of the thoughts

Hebrews 4: 12 KJV “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Our God is great, wouldn’t you agree?  He sure is, we get to start a new day each day and this means we can improve on what we did yesterday.  If you feel that you didn’t do your best yesterday at least you have a chance to go and make things right today.

The same applies to our thought life.  Taking my thoughts captive can be really difficult at times but when I wake up in the morning I remind myself that I am working on the renewing of my mind.  I know that God’s word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.  This allows me to bring my thinking sort of under control.  The minute I catch myself wondering or speaking negatively, I stop and say no.  Start over.

Sometimes we slip up and we do and say things we didn’t want to but it came out.  Confess your mistakes, pray and ask the Lord to forgive you, turn from it and start over.  I believe that my mind is still under construction and I know that it has to be checked each and every day.  Without the Holy Spirit in my life, it would be a disaster, I will not be able to make the day.

Prayer

Lord thank You for being patient with me today, knowing that it is my desire to renew my thought life and my thinking.  I bring to You my negative and bad words asking that You would cut away the negativity I carry around with me and help me to replace it with your peace, love, and kindness.  In the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Amen.

How effective are your prayers?

Nehemiah 1: 6-9 MSG “I said, GOD, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful to those who love him and obey his commands:  Look at me, listen to me.  Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel.  And I’m including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you.  “We’ve treated you like dirt:  We haven't done what you told us, have followed your commands, and have respected the decision you gave to Moses your servant.  All the same, remember the warning you posted to your servant Moses “If you betray me, I’ll scatter you to the four winds, but if you come back to me and do what I tell you, I’ll gather up all these scattered peoples from wherever they ended up and put them back in the place I chose to mark with my Name.”

Today I want the Lord GOD to hear my prayers, so I believe that I need to identify who God really is, confess my sins and remind God of His promises to me and specifically pray for the problems I am facing.

Nehemiah was a captive and he knew who God really was, so he went and wrote a prayer for the nation Israel.

As you focus on your problems and circumstances today, do you know who God really is, or do you just know of Him?  We need to be able to identify who God is so that we are able to speak directly to Him, through the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Think about Who God is.  God is a good, good Father, God is Wonderful, God is omnipresent, God is our Counselor, God is faithful, God is love and God is merciful.  Then think of your own sins, where did you sin knowingly and even unknowingly.  Confessing your sins as well as your family and countries sins.  Now, remind God of His promise “if we repent, you give it back to us.” Did God forget His promises?  Absolutely not, but we need to remember the promises because we want God to act. Now pray specifically for your problem and wait for the answer.  Being specific makes it easier to identify the answer.

Prayer

Father God, Abba Father, we humbly come into Your presence today, yes Lord we want to come and bring praises to Your Holy Name.  For You O LORD, God is a good, good Father.  You are a Wonderful and Mercyful God.  We are so grateful that You are our Counselor.  We worship at Your feet in adoration.  Humbly, LORD, we confess that we have sinned against You.  Lord, myself, my family and my country are guilty of sinning against YOU.  We were unfaithful and have not obeyed your commandments.  Ignoring You and doing as we please