Certainty in Uncertain Times

Sometimes life throws us a "curve ball" that can leave us dazed and confused. When those times come, we need to focus on the truth of who God is.  While we don't always understand His ways, we can rest in His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

The God of All Comfort

I used to clean an elderly couple’s home and in their one bathroom was a little sign that read, “Don’t regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied many.”  Though I read it every time I cleaned, I never thought much about it until this past year.  The tragic death of a close friend at the age of 37 and most recently the passing of an 8-year-old child at my daughters’ school after battling a brain tumor has brought home to me the fragility of life. 

Their deaths have also left me asking God, “Why?”  While I can find no value in their departure from this earth, I also know that there are many things that I will not understand on this side of heaven nor am I meant to.  

I’m reminded of this in Isaiah 55:8-9, which says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

In this time of confusion, I’ve decided to go back to what I KNOW for sure: God is good, He is a very present help in time of need, He heals the brokenhearted, He loves my friend and this child and is with them in heaven, and He cares more for their families than I ever could.

As I grieve, I will be speaking these truths to myself and I encourage others who may be mourning the loss of a friend or loved one to do the same.  Grieving is a process and we need to allow ourselves time to be comforted. 

Healing and comfort will come.  God is faithful and He will bring it to pass.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

Posted by Redeeming Love

Let Go and Let God

With a New Year upon us, many resolve to give something up to improve their physical health in the months ahead. While pounds may be shed and bodies become trimmer, there is a burden that many may still be carrying that doesn't have to do with weight.  It's called unforgiveness. While God calls us to forgive others, He also calls us to forgive ourselves. This New Year I encourage you to forgive yourself of any past or present sins and shed the guilt and shame that may be weighing you down. God's mercies are new every morning and we can walk in the fullness of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness daily. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)   

Forgiving Yourself

You've blown it. You have really messed up this time. You have agreed with God that what you did was sin. You know that God heard your prayer asking forgiveness, and you really meant every word. You believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and that His sacrifice forgives all your sins. But you still feel guilt and condemnation. You know from the Bible that God has forgotten that sin. He has removed it from you as far as the east is from the west. But you still feel horrible! How do you get past that feeling? 

 

We make life hard by blaming ourselves for things we did in the past. But God says through Paul, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). What does that freedom really mean? It means that you are not saved from hell to be imprisoned in self-punishment. God has set you free. You are no longer a slave to self-hatred and self-condemnation.
  
Forgiveness is not a feeling. You must choose to deny Satan the accuser and his plans to make you feel guilty and dirty because of sins in the past. When Satan tries to remind you of your past, do these things: 

Meditate on the truth of who God is and who you are in Him.

• Take into your heart and spirit scriptures about God's forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love. Psalm 103 is a good place to start.

• Take an objective view of your past to learn from your failure. What did you learn about yourself and God through this experience?

• Allow God to expose the wound for His healing touch, and refuse the attempts of the accuser and destroyer to harass you anymore, because the King of glory stands as your Defender and Advocate.
   

Pray this prayer of commitment and begin enjoying the blessings of forgiveness and freedom: 

Heavenly Father, thank You that you have never rejected me, and You never will. You have received me unconditionally. I am accepted in Jesus. My acceptance does not depend on anything but Jesus, His love, mercy, grace, sacrifice, and righteousness. I am not ashamed before You.

I repent of my sins in Jesus' name. Thank You that I am completely forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I will not allow the enemy to harass me about the past. I choose to forgive myself and receive the full freedom of Your forgiveness.

Thank You that my body can function in Your peace, healed and whole. I choose to let Jesus cover past failures and struggles and enjoy Your love, Your thoughts, and Your ways so that my mind is at rest. What amazing grace that You remember my sins and iniquities no more! Jesus took them on Himself. They are nailed to His cross.
 

Because of the amazing forgiveness of Jesus, I can forgive others in His name. I choose to forgive all those who have hurt me, harmed me, or spoken against me. I free them in my thoughts and no longer hold their sins against them. Bless them in Your mercy. I do this by Your indwelling power. 

Thank You that I am a brand new creation. All the old has passed away, and I stand clean in Your sight. I can settle this today with You. I choose to receive Your healing grace by the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit within me.

Thank You that You control me, not my emotions or what others say or do. I receive all Your blessings for my life and give You all praise, honor, and glory.  Amen.
 

                       Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 

Reprinted with permission from From Seek Him Meet Him weekly online devotional, © by Sylvia Gunter, The Father's Business, P. O. Box 380333, Birmingham, AL 35238, www.thefathersbusiness.com.  Email: info@thefathersbusiness.com