November 29, 2006

• Steps of Grace…

  As I was growing with God in college, He led me through a time of inner healing and release of guilt and shame from things of my past.  This might seem long, but I encourage you to read through it all.  These verses set me free.  I wrote short explanations under each about how they have impacted me.  God bless you!

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
  I knew this Scripture for so long, but only when God began to do inner healing within me did the power of the Scripture become real to me.  ALL HAVE SINNED.  No one is worthy.  We have all been covered in dirt and crap… from the greatest pastor/leader on down.  Satan likes to make each of us think that we are scum and no one could have sinned like we did.  He tries to make us think other people are worthy, but we aren’t.  But all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

  
  Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
  WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS.  God is eternal, spanning from the beginning to the end.  He knew our future sins and failures before we were even born.  Despite knowing this… He STILL took the punishment for us, so great is His love for us!  Again, we are unworthy, we are saved by grace and grace alone (Ephesians 2:8).

  
  Romans 8:1-2 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
  The price has been paid… before we even sinned, the price was paid.  And it always will be.

  
  Psalm 103:11-12 – For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
  Ever looked up at night at all the stars and felt small?  As far as all those stars are from us… His love for us is greater!  I encourage you, stand up as you are reading this.  Try and reach up to the heavens.  Try it!  And now stretch out one hand to the east (to the right) and the other hand to the west (to the left).  As you are stretched out, think about the symbol you have just made.  It is the symbol of His love.  By His love, our sins have been cast away.

  
  Isaiah 43:25 – I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
  It is for His glory that we are made clean.  If we have repented and sought forgiveness, He forgets our sins and those parts of our past.  And so should we!  =)
  
  Jeremiah 31:34b – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
  Lets say it again, “He remembers our sins no more.”

  
  John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
  We can now claim this with confidence!!!  =)

  
  But what if we still feel guilt and can’t shake it?

  
  James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed; the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective.
  Us Christians are the light of the world (Matthew 5:16).  We shine like stars (Philippians 2:15b).  When sin and hurts are confessed before sons and daughters of God, it is consumed by the light (Psalm 139:11-12, Psalm 18:28).  Confession is one of the hardest things to do because we must humble ourselves and become completely vulnerable, but when it is done around true children of God, there is no judgment and only love and freedom!  The freedom afterwards is awesome!  The darkness has been consumed by the light.  =)

  
  But what about the sins and temptations that keep creeping up on us?  

  
  Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man (or woman) keep his way pure?  By living according to your Word.

  
  Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
  To know God’s Word is to know His heart.  As we draw closer, we are able to know His promises truly are eternal.  He is always faithful.  And in knowing these things, our love will only grow stronger.  

  
  1Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
  This is important Scripture to memorize when battling a sin.  No matter how difficult the temptation may seem, God always provides a way out.  Quoting Scripture, praying, and seeking fellowship are ways of freedom.

  
  Psalm 34:8 – Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
  As we taste His great love, all the desires of this world fade away.  Nothing compares to Him! 

  
  Psalm 63:3 – Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
  Praise is proclaiming God is Sovereign and reigns in our lives.  There is a reason in Philippians 4:6-7 God tells us to lift up our burdens not just in prayer and petition, but with thanksgiving.  As we praise Him, we are able to remember just how great a God He is and we will again be filled with His life and His strength.

  
  1John 4:4 – You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
  Claim victory!  The Spirit within us is greater!!!  Exercise your spiritual gifts, pray, praise, nourish yourself with the Word and with fellowship.  =)

  
  God bless you!

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