Don’t Condemn Yourself

Don’t Condemn Yourself

TODAY’S VERSE
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 (NLT)

“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I.’” (NLT)
John 8:10-11 

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I love the account of Jesus listening to the men who wanted to stone a woman to death, whom they said committed adultery. Jesus instructed them, “the one without any sin should throw the first stone.” One by one each man left until only the woman and Jesus remained. Jesus asked, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” The woman stood there, no doubt astonished and said, “No Lord.” Then Jesus said those words of freedom, “Neither do I.” Paul brings the point home after explaining our human condition of doing things that we don’t want to and not doing those that we should. He shouts the victory cry, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Hallelujah! That should be enough to set anyone free. Or at least you would think so. However, it is not always God or others that accuse us. It is not Jesus who is condemning us. It is our inner voice that has picked up the stone. It is the internal dialog of guilt, shame, remorse, worthlessness that is pelting us, leaving us bloody and beaten. You see, we can be free from the condemnation of those around us. We can believe, in our mind, that Jesus has forgiven us, but if we do not deal with the inner conflict, the lifelong attitudes of low self worth, we are not free from the pain of condemnation. We must take an inventory and one by one take all our internal accusers and watch them leave. Each one, unqualified to condemn us, until there are none left and then Jesus can say to us, “Where are your accusers?” And we can lift our heart in deep gratitude and say, “There are none!”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, I thank You that You have forgiven me for my sins. However, there are voices inside my heart that constantly condemn me. They use shame, guilt, and legalism to tie me up and keep me from experiencing the freedom You have given me. Today, help me renounce those inner voices and celebrate your forgiveness. Help me live in the reality of Your love.
AMEN

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What Is Your Dream?

TODAY’S VERSE
“For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’
Jeremiah 29:11

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Often we are asked, “What is your dream for your life?” It is a legitimate question. We should have a dream. We should have a God- sized vision of our reason for being here. But have you ever considered that God Himself has a dream for your life? We see this in today’s passage. Jeremiah says, “For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the LORD.” In the book “TrueFaced” the authors write, “Ever since we were children we have had dreams and hopes of destiny. Some of these dreams are our own, but others came from the very heart of God – God dreams that you would discover your destiny and walk into the reasons He placed you on this earth.” Jeremiah finishes today’ passage writing about the plans God has for us. He writes, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Now many people take this to mean God desires us to have the American dream of wealth and success. After all, what else does prosper mean? But perhaps “prosper” is not about our accumulation of wealth but the results of what we do with our life. The authors of TrueFaced write, “God’s dreams for you are ultimately not really about you. Oh, don’t misunderstand. They’ll bring you some of the best days of your life; you will be fulfilled beyond any imaginable expectations. But God’s dreams take form only when they are about others, for the benefit of others. Loving them. Guiding them. Serving them. Influencing them. Filling their heads with dreams and hope. There are no other types of God dreams. Nothing less or else will compel, attract, or seem worthy of this God heart within you.” In this respect I pray that God would prosper you to prosper others. I pray that He will give you both a hope and a future so you can give the same to others. 

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me see the dream You have for my life. Help me dream the same. Take my life. Use it for your glory. Might I prosper in helping others. Might the hope and future You give me be what I in turn give to others. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Enlighten My Heart

TODAY’S VERSE
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Psalms 95:7-8

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I have always loved poetry. I love words put together on a page with hidden meaning, a puzzle waiting to be solved, pregnant with truth and wisdom. My father has always loved “The Road Less Taken” by Robert Frost. Growing up, he would quote the ending. I have it memorized. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” How true that phrase is. We have choices. And there is no greater choice than the one you make regarding your heart. God desires us to follow Him and yet He will not force us. We have a choice. Which road will we take? Will we listen to bitterness, jealously, self pity and other negative emotions? Will we turn our back on His love and allow our heart to become hard? Or will we open our heart to hear what He has to say? Paul knew how serious our heart was so he prayed for the Ephesians. He prayed that their hearts would be enlightened toward the things of God. Have you ever sought God’s enlightenment? Have you asked Him for wisdom that you might understand the depths of His love for you? Do you ask Him to show you the purpose He has for your life? Do you ask Him to teach you about His great power He has for you to live by? You have a choice with your heart. Will you let it harden or will you let God breathe His heavenly life into it?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, take my heart and breath Your life into it. I don’t want a hard heart. I want a heart that is enlightened by Your Holy Spirit. One that is led day by day, living by faith, trusting in Your love and power.
AMEN

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Our Real Self

TODAY’S VERSE
“For to me, to live is Christ”
Philippians 1:21 

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul had found the secret to real living. He found his true authentic self when he found his life in Christ. It is not that he “lost” himself but that his true purpose and meaning for existence was “found” when he considered them in relationship to his Christian experience. There was no dichotomy in his life. There wasn’t a “church” personality on Sunday and a different one at work on Monday. Rather there was integration between his faith and his life. Dr. David Benner in his book “The Gift of Being Yourself” writes about our identity found in Christ. He writes, “With a little reflection, most of us can become aware of the masks that we first adopted as strategies to avoid feelings of vulnerability but that have become parts of our social self. Tragically, we settle easily for pretense, and truly authentic self often seems illusory. There is, however, a way of being for each of us that is as natural and deeply congruent as the life of the tulip. Beneath the roles and masks lies a possibility of a self that is as unique as a snowflake. It is an originality that has existed since God first loved us into existence. Our true self-in-Christ is the only self that will support authenticity. It and it alone provides an identity that is eternal.” What about you? Have you dedicated your life to Christ in such a way that you have found your true authentic self? Can you say with Paul, “For me to live is Christ”? If not, why not surrender your heart to Him today? Ask Him to reveal to you, your true self in Christ.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I admit, I have built my life the way I have seen fit. I have ignored the restlessness deep in my heart that cries out for You. Today, I choose to make You ruler of my life. Father, please help meI want to say with Paul, “For me to live is Christ.”
AMEN

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Help Me When I Am Slipping

TODAY’S VERSE
“I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalms 94:18-19 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you ever slipped? I have. It is a helpless feeling. Your legs fly up and your body comes down without warning. Once I slipped off a tree limb and landed many feet below on the ground. There were scratches down the side of my body from the many branches that I hit on my descent. My son fell off a cliff but fortunately I was below on a ledge and caught him. Slipping out of control can be a terrifying experience. But there can be more fearful slips. Ever fear that you will be found out? You know something you do or think or have done in the past that if known, could really ruin your present situation? One “slip” and you could be in a horrendous predicament. Ever fear abandonment and the one you love keeps playing with you, threatening to leave. You live in terror, afraid to “slip up”, causing them to desert you. You never seem to have a sense of security. The good news is God can help you down from those mental and emotional cliffs that you are hanging on to by a thread. As difficult as it may seem, as terrifying you may think the outcome could be, God is with you to help and comfort. He will help you find a way out. The Psalmist was in a dilemma. It was sheer horror that made him cry out to God, “My foot is slipping!” But when he did, God’s unfailing, better said, His never failing love, supported him. When his anxiety was so high, when doubts filled his mind so much that he could not stand it, God consoled him, bringing real joy deep to his soul. God will do the same for you. Bring him your fear, your anxiety, your terror. Bring Him to the spot where you are slipping. Reach up your hand and He will grab you. He will hold you with His strong arm. He will put your feet in a safe place.

TODAY’S PRAYER
 Father, I am slipping. Please come to my aid. Catch me, hold me, help me find better footing. I need Your consolation. I need Your never failing love. I need Your help. Guide me, comfort me, rescue me, in the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN

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New Habits of Praise

TODAY’S VERSE
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.”
Psalms 92:1-2 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” It speaks to the nature of man in that we tend to cry out to God when we are in dire need or when we need something. This isn’t just the unbeliever though. Many who claim the name of Christ, never spend time talking to God or meditating on Him, unless they are in trouble. The atheist says he doesn’t believe in God, but what is our excuse? For some it is a shallow knowledge of God without an inward reality. However, for others it is good intentions gone astray. Busyness, lack of priority or poor habits have left our soul barren and dry. Today’s passage has the answer. We need to create new habits and attitudes. The Psalmist says, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.” When we begin to give thanks to God, when we begin to fill our life with worship music we will begin to foster an “attitude of gratitude” for all God has done for us. This inward joy will bring a new energy to our Spirit and create a hunger for more. But how do we develop this into a habit? The author of today’s Psalm writes, “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” As we create a habit of proclaiming God’s love for us in the beginning of the day, and remembering all He has done when the day is done, it will keep our heart ever drawn to Him. It is in this daily journey that we will find the peace, joy and love that we have always wanted.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, forgive me for not working harder on our relationship. I have not pursued You like I should have. I have not made You the priority that You should be in my life. Today, help me create new daily habits of praise and worship. Help me proclaim Your love every morning and Your faithfulness in the evening.
AMEN

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Live What You Know

TODAY’S VERSE
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you ever tried to lose weight? There is no fast way to lose the pounds you acquire over a long time. Now some ways are faster than others but there is no way you will lose twenty pounds overnight. What is it about losing weight that is so hard? You can know all about losing weight but it won’t make a difference. It is difficult because you have to apply what you know one day at a time, each and everyday. Knowledge of the weight loss principles combined with the discipline needed to support your knowledge equals weight loss. James felt the same way with spirituality. There were all kinds of “spiritual” people in Jerusalem where James was head of the church. Christianity was young and many were calling themselves “teacher”. But James wrote about the great equalizer. You can teach all you want but if it doesn’t effect the way you live, what good is it? It is like a weight loss program that you won’t follow. What was James’ advise? It was simple, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Today, take the word of God that you know in your heart and apply it to everything you do.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, my mind is full of “knowledge” about Your word. Today, help me apply all that knowledge to everything I do. In Jesus name.
AMEN

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Power Through Weakness

TODAY’S VERSE
“Each time he said, ‘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.”
II Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We all have different skills and abilities. Some are natural, some are learned but many are honed through experiences. Good experiences and bad help us mature and add to our personal development. From our experiences we can reach out and help others. Paul was going through a bad experience and God told him that He would provide all the grace Paul would need. Paul could then testify to others how God’s grace was all he needed. Thornton Wilder, in “The Angel That Troubled the Waters” writes about a Physician who wanted to be healed but God did not heal him. Instead an Angel came and said this to the Doctor, “Without your wounds where would your power be? It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living. In Love’s service, only wounded soldiers can serve.” Henri Nouwen expanded this concept in his book, “The Wounded Healer”.  He writes, “For a deep understanding of his own pain makes it possible for him to convert his weakness into strength and to offer his own experience as a source of healing to those who are often lost in the darkness of their own misunderstood sufferings.”  Christ wants to allow His power to be used through your weakness. Bring your weakness and troubles to Him today and begin helping others in the way Christ helps you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, You know my struggles, my weaknesses and my human frailty. I come to You and ask for Your grace to give me all I need to be a wounded healer. Help me relate how Your grace has been sufficient for me. May your power be manifested in my weaknesses today.
AMEN

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Growing In The Knowledge Of God

TODAY’S VERSE
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
Colossians 1:9-10

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is one thing about life you can count on. Life is not static. You are either living or you are dying. I had a beautiful Japanese Acuba plant, right in the front of my house. It was around seven foot tall with beautiful green waxy leafs with yellow spots. One day I noticed the limbs were droopy. Some vitality had left the plant. I watered and fertilized it, trying to nurse it back to health. Soon one of the leaves turned black, then another. I went to a specialist and he told me it was root rot. The plant was set in clay and the hole it was in, acted like a large barrel contained water. With no escape for the water, the roots could not get oxygen and they rotted. There was nothing I could do. What was life, turned into death. We must nurture and care for our own soul by letting God fill us with the knowledge of His will. He does that through Spiritual wisdom and understanding. As you seek God and learn more about Him, the more alive you will become. This will result in a life worth living, pleasing to God. The secret to Spiritual growth is your knowledge of God. Today, stop being static in your spiritual life and set your heart on gaining Spiritual wisdom and understanding. Grow in your knowledge of God.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me grow in You. Help me gain Spiritual wisdom and understanding as I read Your word and listen to Your Holy Spirit. Help me grow in my knowledge of You.
AMEN

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Unconditional Love

TODAY’S VERSE
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love”
John 15:9 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I have had Christians chide me for my passion over the unconditional love of God. What about the Holiness of God, the part of God that hates sin? And yes, I understand that God is Holy and that He doesn’t have to love us at all – but He does. He chooses to. He sees my sin and then He sees the sacrifice of His son. Jesus Himself said it, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” How much does the Holy Father love His only begotten? Can we fathom it? And Jesus makes only one request. That we understand it? That we rationalize it? That we argue over it? No, He asks us to remain in His love. Like myself, Brennan Manning taught for years about the love of God without personally understanding its depths. Manning speaks of his own awakening in his book, Abba’s Child. He writes, “Unwittingly I had projected onto God my feelings about myself. I felt safe with Him only when I saw myself as noble, generous, and loving, without scars, fears, or tears. Perfect! But on that day in Colorado I came out of hiding. Jesus removed the shroud of perfectionist performance and now, forgiven and free, I ran home. For I knew someone was there for me. — I finally felt all the words I have written and spoken about stubborn, unrelenting love. That morning I understood that the words are but straw compared to the reality. I leaped from simply being the teacher of God’s love to becoming Abba’s delight.” Today, you too can leap from reading to reality. Quick trying to earn His love and accept the unconditional love He has for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, dear Father. How long have I felt unworthy of your affection? How long have I strived trying to win Your approval?  But today I quit. Today I quit trying to earn Your love. Today I surrender. I surrender to Your word and accept the love that You freely have for me. Thank you Father for Your unconditional love.  AMEN

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