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| Don't give in to shame |
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A few days ago I had some junk to confess to God, and as a result I didn't feel very close to Him. So during my devotions with God that morning, with broken spirit I pleaded for His forgiveness. Then as I proceeded with some bible reading, I "coincidentally" came across the following passage, which I saw as a sign from God (Daddy) that He had indeed forgiven!! 69:30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 69:31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. 69:32 The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live! First of all, that's what I love about mornings with God. They are so alive! I never know what God is going to say to me through His Word!
Second, I heard God saying that even more than oxen and bulls, both typical sin offerings in ancient Israel, God really wanted His people's praise and thanksgiving. Basically He really wanted them to offer their hearts!
Initially my sense of guilt dampened my desire to seek God, and could have easily driven me away from Him the entire day. Earlier in this same psalm the author writes "my guilt is not hidden from you," so he knew that he had guilt/sin issues, yet he persisted in offering up praise and thanks to the Lord, seeking to glorify Him regardless of his recent sins! For the believer, perseverance is key! Our Father loves this!
It’s sad that shame and guilt needlessly drive people away from God. Jesus overcame all of that on our behalf! Satan is the one telling us God has reached the end of his forgiveness, we've offended Him too much, or perhaps too many times, to be forgiven. This is a lie, and we must recognize it. We mustn't elevate fear or shame above God. He is faithful to forgive (1 Jn 1:9)!
So that morning with God, I clearly heard Him telling me to look beyond the fact of my sin, realizing there was nothing I could do to "make up for it" (humility), and simply bring Him my heart. And in so doing, life with God would continue with sight (spiritually speaking) and gladness! |
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| To add a comment to "Don't give in to shame" |
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| June 14, 2007 |
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God is so full of grace and forgiveness.
Amen to that! |
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| June 14, 2007 |
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| Ain't it grand to spend that time in the morning with God, then face the day with a clean slate, a right heart, and a strengthened spirit? He is good! |
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| June 14, 2007 |
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| Jen, that is the perfect comment to follow up this blog! |
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| June 15, 2007 |
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12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. He doesn't want our "make-up" offerings, He wants our living sacrifices -- our lives! Indeed a good word for you to pass along to us: bring your heart back to Abba today and leave all the junk you've already confessed where it belongs, in the past. You cannot experience the renewing of your mind until you offer yourself as a living sacrifice (notice how strangely verse 2 comes after verse 1? lol), nor is offering yourself as a living sacrifice something "above and beyond"...it's reasonable, which could also be translated "appropriate", "practical", "rational", or "sensible"...or more modernly, "the least you could do." I like that one. :) Good reminder, bro! |
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| June 15, 2007 |
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| Thanks Jason! Yep, I like that word "reasonable". It is so tempting to wanna "clean up our lives" first, then come to God. There are a handfull of verses which communicate God's desire that we present ourselves first and foremost, the one you give possibly the best! Psalm 40 (Sacrifice and offering you did not desire...then I said, "Here I am..) and Psalm 51 (The sacrifices of God are ...a broken and contrite heart) also come to mind. I really hadn't noticed this one before, so it was really awesome when it jumped out at me at just the right time. ~mike |
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| June 15, 2007 |
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There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, (Romans 8:1).
I think the 'accuser of the brethren' loves to guilt us into believing that we can't live for God, and granted, if we try to do it in our flesh we will always fail. However, when His Spirit lives in us we can be confident that we have been made free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). We can trust in His unmerited favor knowing that we are His and He, being God, knows our end and sees us as righteous, holy and without spot or wrinkle. What a mighty God we serve! That, of course, doesn't give us a license to keep on sinning, but to strive all the more to be like Him.
So, Amen Mike, we need not give in to shame! Peace ~ Linda <><
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| June 15, 2007 |
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There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, (Romans 8:1). With emphasis on the second half of the scripture. Most modern version leave this important part of the scripture off. It makes no sense to do so in that all of Romans 7 addresses this. If you are walking in the flesh you will experience condemnation, IOW. Christians who walk in the flesh (any of us) experience such! |
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| June 15, 2007 |
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Thanks guys, I appreciate your point!! Linda, that's very well put!
In the footnotes of the NIV, it says "Romans 8:1 Some later manuscripts Jesus, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit," so fortunately (I guess) it isn't left out entirely. But one might question why this portion doesn't appear in the earlier manuscripts, or all manuscripts? ~mike |
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| June 15, 2007 |
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| Thanks, Mike. Got that from my 'Daddy'. |
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| June 17, 2007 |
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When pondering that verse from Romans 8 and the thoughts posted regarding it, I was struck with the realization: how wicked do we have to be as people that the "accuser of the brethren" and "father of lies" doesn't have to lie one bit when accusing us? Often times we do things that he can report 100% truthfully and show us for the wretched sinners we still are. I don't think that walking in the flesh is the trigger for condemnation, though it does give your accuser more to accuse you with...rather, who it is we look and listen to for affirmation determines whether we receive condemnation or conviction/correction. If we look to/listen to satan, we will receive what he gives: condemnation. If we look to/listen to Jesus, we will receive what He gives: conviction/correction. Perhaps too often, we're just looking to and listening to the wrong guy. :) |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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| Gee, Mike. It sounds kinda like what that gardener said. You know, the one who was hiding in the gardenias with his wife. . . a long, long, long time ago. |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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| That is what He wants. Our hearts. |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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Lara, thanks! Why not 8?
Hi Joey! Especially good to hear from you, after reading your last blog. |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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He alone forgives and we as his children should ask often to be forgiven. He already knows what has and will happen, all we have to do is confess. He is so merciful. PRAISE HIM... I have to confess quite often and really feel guilty, but I know he loves me.
Confession really is good for the soul.... |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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| Amen |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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OK I'll call Lara's Amen X 7 and raise her one, that would equal Amen X 8. I think we are suppose to be transparent with one anothe so that God can cleanse us from these things but I find it real hard not to want to run off and try and make myself right.
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| December 05, 2007 |
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| Dave, as long as we don't run off but run to God. And yes, sometimes that is done publicly (or amongst brothers). Thanks for your comment! |
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| December 05, 2007 |
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Great plug, Pastor Tim! And thanks for the scripture, very apropos!
Arlene, I too know some of Satan's best tricks for keeping us away from God!
Thank you Cheryl!
Yes Mary (mstoval..), confession is good, keeps us honest before God, also helps point us in the right direction (repentance). |
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| December 06, 2007 |
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Mike n Laura,
Wonderful blog!
Pastor Tim,
I love the scripture verse that you shared here! In learning how to walk with HIM...that verse has comforted me countless times.
Cathy |
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| December 06, 2007 |
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| I believe the difference between self-condemnation (or condemnation from Satan) and God convicting us of sin is how with the former all we do is focus on ourselves and what's wrong--not the solution of turning to the Lord, confessing our sin, and then praising Him again. The Holy Spirit's conviction (to me, anyway) leads me to sorrow over my sin, but then an eagerness to return to the Lord and praise Him again--to focus completely on Him. |
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| December 06, 2007 |
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Suzanne, that is a stunningly accurate observation, IMHO. Self-condemnation (shame) leads us away from God and others, to sulk and beat ourselves up -- like you said, a self-focus. Godly sorrow (conviction) leads us to waste no time in repenting, returning, and praising God for the provision for our wrongdoing! Great comment Suzanne!!
Thank you so much Cathy. Yes, that scripture Pastor Tim provided is perfectly applicable - I'm meditating on it as we speak! |
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| December 06, 2007 |
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Great blog Mike, and I totally agree with Suzanne regarding condemnation and conviction. God brings conviction through His Spirit, but satan points the finger of condemnation. We have already been forgiven and cleansed, so turning our sins back over to Him is the only solution that brings...
peace |
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| December 06, 2007 |
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| I used to have guilt and shame over some things in my past, and only when I finally gave them over to God was I able to worship Him with all my heart. We cannot let things get between us and God. We have to confess and let go, and then we can worship Him with all our hearts! |
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| December 06, 2007 |
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Lucas, when he was five, learned a new song...
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made
I wiil rejoice, I will rejoice...
and then he would stop. After about the third go round I finished it for him...
and be glad in it and be glad in it.
"NO!!! NO!!! NO!!!, pa, that is not how it goes."
You know what, Mike, he was right. That is not how it goes.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice. I may not always be glad. Sometimes I may need to confess junk. Sometimes I go thru tough times. Sometimes my emotions are down. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit not an emotion. But when everything inside of me and outside of me is in turmoil and unrest...this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice.
.....peace..... |
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| December 07, 2007 |
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Mike! Mike! Mike! I so love you, yes I do. I love your passion for the Lord. I love you daring to be transparent... even though I believe that is not your aim... yet, it's such a teaching tool, it's such an inspiration, it's such encouragment and shows others how to overcome all those lil no'see'ums. You are a blessing to me and I know you are a blessing to others.
Pastor Aminata |
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| December 07, 2007 |
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Glenn I totally agree, thanks for checking in! Deb, I am extremely glad to hear that all that is in the past, and you are fully engaged now with the Lord (it certainly seems so from what I've read in your blogs!).. apureheart, I have come to truly love your posts. I can identify with this one, thanks! Jack2me, thank you for your determination to encourage the saints, it's always a joy to hear from you! |
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| December 08, 2007 |
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| Amen to you brother |
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| December 08, 2007 |
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The poor shall see and be glad.
This is true. By sharing this with us you have made the poor glad. It always makes the poor glad when someone offers the sacrifice of praise in spite of, not because of, circumstances. There is even hope for someone like me.
.....peace..... |
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| December 12, 2007 |
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| I'm glad that someone bumped this up. I needed to read this today. |
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| December 12, 2007 |
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Yikes, some comments I missed!
Shannon, I think a lot of shame comes from elevating what others think about us up to or above what God thinks of us. Isn't this like idolatry? If God is foremost in our heart/mind/soul, then what he thinks of us (forgiven, righteous thru Jesus' blood, adopted child of his, loved) should far exceed what the world thinks (guilty).
Thank you Loren and Patrick, wonderful to hear from you!!
Gordon (apureheart), there is indeed hope for you, and for me! |
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| December 12, 2007 |
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| You and me both Shannon! |
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| December 12, 2007 |
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| Eliza, ooohhhhhh no you most definitely aren't the only one! (Although I'm sure that satan would love for you to believe that!) Your comment to my blog has absolutely made my day, thank you so much for sharing this. ~mike |
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| December 17, 2007 |
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Lara,
I'll see your seven amens and raise you five. Twelve is the number for community.
Mike,
This community appreciates you and your blog.
Merry Christmas, my friend. |
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| October 20, 2008 |
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| HMMMM thanks Mike! Whenever I'm having a difficult time or a down day I know reading one of your blogs always brings some sort of insight! It's jusy amazing that I seem to choose the right one!!!! Thanks man! |
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