"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51: 10 I long for a pure heart. Have you ever had that sin that continually nags at you robbing you of purity of spirit? I believe that is one of Satan's strongholds on humanity.
God's word tells us "I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist." Isaiah 44:22 So why am I so rattled with past guilt? Consumed with things that I have given to Him? Things He has forgiven me for.
I believe all things can be used for God's glory. Even my past...my ugly, hurtful past. I am the one caught in the stronghold of guilt, because my Father says "It is I who sweeps away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25 You see He says "for My own sake," I believe that is the key to my freedom. The key is knowing my past, however ugly, can still be used to bring glory to His Kingdom. It is me that has to get over the heartache, the disappointment of letting myself and possibly others down. He is faithful to forgive...to renew. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:19
My heart is clean....it is just a matter of getting that through to my head. Satan is sophisticated, He wants me to believe that at some point I am rendered useless to God. I'm learning, however, that is never the case..."Therefore this is what the Lord says, "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me." Jeremiah 15:19 Once you've repented He has done His part. The rest is up to me.
Overcoming fear is one of the biggest obstacles when stepping out in obedience to serve Him. Fear of the repercussions of sin and the pressures of our society. This is where I'm trying to grow in my faith, learning that "God did not give me a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well balanced mind..."2 Timothy 1:7 He is encouraging me "To be strong, courageous and firm;" reminding me "fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you: He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
So I'm learning that I've been forgiven and there is no need to fear. Do I think I need to tell everyone everything? No, but I do think I am called to live a life of transparency. I think often times Christianity is about secrecy and shame and I think that defeats the purpose of my sweet Savior dying on the cross. "We have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 I think if others could see where some of us were then and where we are now they might like to know more about our Savior. My prayer is that I will learn to see my past as just that...the past. Something to grow from, something to learn from, but something that will no longer render me useless!
"I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:13-14
Until next time...
1 comment:
Forgiveness is the scent that flowers give when they are trampled. It's something we all need, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Moreover, it's a goodness we need to extend to others, for if you "forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Forgiveness blots out the infraction. When God forgives sin, He remembers it no more forever.Forgiveness doesn't bring it up again; if it does, it's not forgiveness. It puts things back like they were before the breach occurred. When it buries the hatchet, it doesn't leave the handle sticking out.
.....forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ~ Matthew 6:12
I think the hardest thing of all is forgiving ourselves!!!
Thanks Cindy~ I so look forward to your entries!!!
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