Say No to the Lies

Guilt is the biggest lie of the enemy. 

If you are unwilling to let it go, than you are (intentionally or not) claiming a lack of trust. 

You are saying that God is not strong enough to take that from you. 

Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

Jesus gave up everything for the worst of us, so that He could have the best of us. The best of what we could be, through Him. 

Luke 23:34

"Jesus said, 'Father forgive them, for they do not now what they are doing." 

He was even praying for those who hated him, tortured, and ultimately killed his body. 

Unconditional love. 

Ultimate Forgiveness.

Micah 7:18-19

"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 

You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and her our inequities into the depths of the sea." 

We always must remember that we are not God... and God is not us. Forgiveness sometimes takes work for us. Sometimes being merciful is a burden when our baser nature wants to rear it's fangs.

God has no "baser nature". He delights to show mercy! He delights in turning your darkest secrets and deepest pains, to dust. He delights in loving you no matter the "condition" you feel that you are in. 

If he expected you to not make mistakes, He would not feel the need to leave us with not only written instruction, a Holy Spirit to guide our conscience, but also allow his only Son to suffer and die to cover the inevitable sins that He knows we will commit. 

...and yet He still delights in providing mercy for our inequities...

I know that sometimes the guilt and pain goes so deep, it feels hopeless. Possibly you feel that you don't deserve to be forgiven. You may even be afraid of letting go of because it has become such an "interwoven" part of who you are. 

It's a wall that you are helping the enemy build between yourself and God. 

Isaiah 38:17

"Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back." 

None of us deserve forgiveness, but that's where the LOVE comes in. No sin is too big for God's forgiveness. 

Great men of the Bible?

David, described as the apple of God's eye.

               Committed murder and adultery. 

Paul, one of the greatest missionaries and men of wisdom, of the Bible... in a very dangerous time to be so. 

                  Before being changed by Christ, went by the name of Saul and committed Christian              

                  genocide.

What do these men have in common?  FORGIVENESS. 

There are obviously many more examples of God's forgiveness and Mercy. So many that it would be difficult to list them all. 

Ephesians 3:12 

"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." 

Do not be ashamed, be repentant. 

Allow the Lord to wash away your shame and sins so that you may be free and so that you may approach him with confidence!!!!!! 

Your guilt is a chain, padlocked to the ground, limiting your mobility for the Lord. 

Let him take your ugly and make it beautiful.