Five Ways to Find Healing from Your Past – Part 2

January 9, 2012

Quick Review of Last Week:

Life-altering wrongs committed against us may never be corrected in this lifetime. But what about the times when we’ve wounded others? How can we remove the “Cain-stamped” seal on our souls–the glaring sins and blunders that have almost destroyed our lives in the past?

Only God can completely remove those, but Part 2 shares two more ways to help you find healing from your past. Read more

Five Ways to Find Healing from Your Past – Part 1

January 2, 2012

“Get over it!” “Move on!” “The past is gone!”

Well-meaning friends may offer you their best unsolicited advice, but their words hurt. Why? The past still haunts you. Are new beginnings possible? Is healing a reality? How do we confidently release the past and embrace the future? How do we find the strength to “press on?”

I’ll be the first to admit that some gut-wrenching issues in my life have taken time and even Christian counseling in order to heal and move forward again. So I’m not offering you pat answers.

Life-altering wrongs committed against us may never be corrected in this lifetime. But what about the times when we’ve wounded others? How can we remove the “Cain-stamped” seal on our souls–the glaring sins and blunders that have almost destroyed our lives in the past? Read more

25 Christmas Prayers – Day 12

December 12, 2011

Day 12 – Adonai, the Lord

It’s so easy to call you “Lord,” yet sometimes difficult to follow You in complete obedience. Jesus, some see You only as a man; others call you Savior. But You are also our “Adonai, Lord,” the blessed controller of our lives every day. Read more

Should We Apologize for Our Blessings?

November 22, 2011

Good News Is Hard to Keep Quiet

On facebook last week I shared a “Day-votional Truth for the Day”: “Good news is hard to keep quiet.” I quoted the response of Peter and John after they had been asked by some Jewish religious leaders not to speak of Jesus again: “”Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20, NLT).

One of the facebook comments about my post brought up an interesting perspective, and maybe even a different issue altogether–about feeling guilty when sharing with others what God has done for us.  But maybe we can tie the two thoughts together. I promised to address it in today’s blog.

Should We Apologize for Our Blessings?

Do you ever feel guilty about speaking of God’s personal blessings to you, especially around an unbeliever or someone less fortunate? Do you ever feel like Jacob’s favored son, Joseph, sporting his coat of many colors and almost bragging about his God-given dreams about his brothers (Genesis 37)? Should you apologize for your blessings? Should you keep quiet about them? Read more

Five of the Best Gifts You Can Give Your Children (Part 2)

October 25, 2011

What kind of gifts do you give your children? Last week we talked about three of the five best gifts you can give your children. We could list many more. But here are the last two: Read more

Five of the Best Gifts You Can Give Your Children (Part 1)

October 18, 2011

What parent doesn’t want to give good gifts to their kids? But what kind of gifts should they choose? Here are five of the best gifts you can give your children: Read more

How Deep Is God’s Grace?

August 30, 2011

 

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? The most terrible act committed against you? The one thing you have the most trouble forgetting? The worst deed ever committed in history? In your lifetime?

Can God’s grace cover that? Read more

Promise for Today: God’s Power in Your Weakness

May 20, 2011

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

It’s not exactly a Bible promise we like–at least not at first. Who wants to boast of weakness? Power and strength are what enamor us, especially when the task is our idea.

When we’re operating in our own strength, who gets the credit? But when God’s power shows up in our weakness, who gets the glory?

Is Your Weakness an Excuse or a Reason?

Have you ever tried to use weakness as an excuse for avoidance, rather than a reason to give God glory? Probably all of us have! See if you can guess the identity of these biblical characters–and their excuses for saying no to God:

• “I can’t speak well.” (Exodus 4:10)
• “I’m only a child!” (Jeremiah 1:6)
• “Valiant warrior? Right, Lord. That’s why I’m hiding. No one even knows me.” (Judges 6:12-15)
• “Not me, Lord! I don’t want to!” (Jonah 1:1-3)
• “It’s too risky!” Esther 4:9-11
• “I’m too tired!” 1 Kings 19:3-5
• “I’m too scared!” Matthew 14:29-30

Ever used any of those excuses?  Fortunately, none of our inadequacies or excuses matter. God’s promise of sufficient grace and power–His gracious favor–is all we need. If we’re willing, He’ll do the rest.

The choice is yours: Will you use your weakness as an excuse not to do what God asks, or as a reason to let God’s power be seen through you?

What Task Are You Facing?

• Writing a book?
• A new job interview?
• Raising teens?
• Considering a mission trip?
• Sharing Christ with a neighbor?
• Going back to school?

If God is asking you to do something, He has a reason–and a promise–that will break through all your excuses: His power for your weakness.

What about you? In what areas do you feel inadequate? How has God’s power shown up in those areas of weakness? What other excuses have you given for not doing something God asked? Feel free to share your comments below. You may e-mail this entire blog to someone or repost on social media using the buttons below. If you want to post this on your own blog or website please ask permission first.

Related articles

• It’s Enough (truth4today.wordpress.com)

Promise for Today: A Light in the Darkness

April 2, 2011

“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness” John 12:46 NLT.

Ever been through a dark time in your life? I have. It’s not particularly fun, is it? You don’t have to live through a power outage to know what it’s like to live in the darkness. Most of us have experienced that at one time or another. Read more

Promise for Today: A New Beginning

March 25, 2011

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

The start of a new year is not the only time for new beginnings. So is Springtime. About this time each year, my fingers itch to bury themselves in the fertile soil outside, planting new flowers. I love Spring!

But God’s promise is for anytime–and anyone! He loves for people to experience His new beginnings. Even in the winters of our hearts–especially in the winters of our hearts–He wants to usher us into “springtime”– that new beginning with Him. How many of us are longing for that something new to begin? Read more

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