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God Cleanses From Guilt & Shame - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) December 17, 2024

Do you ever feel bad when you do something wrong? If you do, praise the Lord because you have a conscience. Those are long gone from the hearts of the wicked so there's hope for you.


But on a serious note, there should be a tug in your chest when you stray from God's instructions. Yet, that feeling should not devolve into lingering guilt - the kind that leaves you destabilized and unproductive whereby you feel you can't pray, praise, or study God's word because you feel shame.


The Lord has not called us to dwell in guilt, self-condemnation, or shame. This is why He sent Jesus to bear the burden of our sins. As a result, our job as believers who have given their lives to Christ (if you haven't, this post is not for you but you can learn why here) is to quickly repent and prayerfully make choices (aided by Jesus and the Holy Spirit) to not return to the sin we repented for. The process may not be instant but the Lord will help us with each passing day.


All of this is possible because Jesus cleansed the children of God when He died on the cross (Ephesians 5:25). Before that, He cleansed His disciples by washing their feet in John 13, telling them, "[u]nless I wash you, you have no part of me" (John 13:8 BSB). He also told them, "[y]ou are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). And in John 17:17, he prayed to the Lord, "[s]anctify them by your truth, your word is truth" (BSB).


That cleansing is available to all who would believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to die for the sins of the world. However, you have to accept that it is yours for it to play its appointed role in your life.


Unless you accept and appreciate that Christ cleansed you with His word, you will never break free from guilt and shame. It is a choice each believer must make. Christ understood that His disciples needed the ceremonial act of their feet being washed by Him. He knew they needed that act to receive the truth that they had been set free from every burden satan wanted them to carry. 


Judas did not believe and so he submitted to the will of satan (as had been prophesied per John 17:12). Instead of being one who sold the good news to souls hungry for God's light, he sold out the light of the Lord to those hungry to impose darkness on mankind. His guilt and shame led to his eventual self-destruction.


Each of us is in a position to make a better decision. We have the opportunity to agree with God that His word sanctified us and that the blood of the Lamb provides redemption for sin. God is patient and He wants us to believe in His character, His word, and His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have given your life to Christ, have received the Spirit of the Lord, and are allowing God to build you up despite your imperfections, then hold onto John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free (NLT). You are a new creature, set free from guilt, shame, and every lie the devil wants you to believe to your detriment.




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Don't Speak Arrogantly About God - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 13, 2024

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This statement comes from Proverbs 9:10 and is a great warning for all who seek to honor and serve God with their life. When an individual fails to walk in the fear of the Lord, they are bound to do and say things without restriction. These things will likely cause them to sin and run afoul of the Creator.


One consequence of lacking the fear of the Lord is speaking arrogantly against Him. This issue is mentioned in Malachi 3:13-15 - “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”


Have you ever said those words or something similar? Have you heard others utter them? Maybe you only thought along those lines but never spoke that way about God. Or do you know (of) someone who proudly said they can do whatever they like because God won't do anything (Psalm 10:11;13)? Please understand that speaking arrogantly against God is something to avoid at all costs.

And if you wonder why, consider that doing so is akin to slandering and blaspheming Him because it questions His character. In such cases, you essentially say He is unfaithful and a liar. When Believers do this publicly, they are breaking faith with Him. They are also speaking about Him falsely and He considers that a great offense. He concludes that they risk not being saved. Hosea 7:13 - Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.


If you are to be honest, you have probably spoken disrespectfully or 'recklessly' about God. You likely did it at a point of intense emotions, say during a period of disappointment. You may have been shocked that something you'd prayed for didn't materialize and spoke in a manner that didn't reflect the fear and reverence you should always have for Him. 


Maybe you said, "God has disappointed me." Or you may have called Him a liar outright. Whatever the case, God is in the business of forgiving those who genuinely repent and seek His forgiveness when they recognize their sin. Therefore, if you have spoken arrogantly or falsely about the Lord, today is the day to repent without hesitation and ask for His mercy. Call on His Holy Spirit to help you so you never forget to revere Him. 


This is not to suggest that God wants us to speak of Him and pray to Him with a formal approach. He is and will always be a kind and loving Father to His children and He enjoys a warm relationship with them. Still, remember how Jesus referred to Him. Though the most powerful man on earth, He always gave God the glory and spoke of Him with great deference. In the moments before He was captured and led to His death, He prayed that God would spare Him but also said these key words, "not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). He was subject to God in His speech, thoughts, and actions. We too are called to do the same and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall no longer speak arrogantly against our God, IJMN, Amen. 




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