What Delivers Us from Condemnation?

It is difficult to accept that one decision can affect the direction your life will take. Rare is the person who hasn’t desired to change a decision because its influence seems impossible to outlive. You remember details that continue to produce sorrow and regret.

Jesus made decisions that were physically and emotionally painful, but they did not produce regret. He pleaded with God to forgive those who nailed him to the cross resulting in him feeling abandoned by God as he became the sacrifice for our sins.

Fortunately for you and me, we are not up against the cutting edge of condemnation, for we belong to Christ Jesus.

 This truth gives us hope for a new purpose in life, set apart from those previous decisions, to make our own way through life. Sadness is replaced with joy by realizing God has the power to set in motion a new course for your life. Expect it to happen.

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…Every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son Of God. 

~1 John 5:4-5 Good News Bible  

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Is It Possible to Recover from Unwise Decisions?

It is impossible to move through the different stages of life without making a number of life-changing decisions. Take into consideration that decisions are not made in a vacuum, so others will be affected either positively or negatively.

Yet the majority of decisions have a personal component, even if on the surface they appear completely other-centered. Imagine the attitude of those on Wall Street whose main concern is personal financial gain knowing their decisions could mean financial ruin for innocent people.

Whatever unwise decisions you’ve made in the past, God will provide an opportunity to move toward recovery if you honestly repent and literally turn from evil. Pretending the past never existed is unthinkable, for natural consequences have rendered that impossible. Yet God is faithful to provide the endurance to survive what has to be faced when you’re fixated on going forward in the strength and courage God will supply.

                    

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…I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~Isaiah 41:9-10 New International Version  

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How Does Faith Help You Survive the Impossibles of Life?

We’ve all had to pretend things were just fine to get past a difficult situation, like being worried about a relationship, finances, or a loved one. No matter how desperately we try to give the impression all is well, a worried mind is not easily pacified.

It’s apparent that Jesus grew weary and needed to withdraw from the stress he felt. Each day’s concerns had to be faced regarding the challenges to the legitimacy of what he was communicating about himself and God the Father.

Are you facing a critical situation at this moment that has to be addressed? The temptation might be to pretend it doesn’t matter and push it out of your conscious mind. It’s amazing how God supplies the will to go forward and meet life’s challenges instead of pretending something doesn’t exist. 

A speck of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can change what looks impossible to what can actually be accomplished. God bless you today.      

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Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 

~Psalm 116:7-9 New American Standard Bible  

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How Can Your Mind, Body, and Spirit Find True Rest?

The majority of children love pretend games. Adults of all ages need to momentarily escape the world of reality through sports, watching favorite TV shows, or just focusing on a hobby. Our mind, body, and spirit need rest from the pressures of daily life.

In reality, pretending requires that we act pleasant although it might be far from our true feelings. It’s impossible to be happy every day in all circumstances. Getting up with the morning light and doing what’s required to get out the door means managing your resistance to the basic rudimentary rules of life.

Irritability cannot be transported to the workplace and social events so pretending becomes a necessity, but this is not the same as pretending all is well. God knows your mind and heart, so there’s an open invitation to share with him your heart’s concerns. God desires to give you comfort and courage to face today with confidence. He is your strength and joy. 

                 

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Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. 

~Jeremiah 33:3 New International Version  

[Jesus said,] “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

~Matthew 11:29-30 New International Version  

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How Difficult Is It to Hide Who You Really Are?

There are special occasions when dressing up in costumes and wearing a mask is acceptable and fun. Every year young and not so young children come knocking at the door holding out their bags expecting to receive a treat.

A high school student told me he put on an imaginary mask to pretend he was happy and all was well at home. He was forbidden to tell friends his parents were separated with divorce impending. Facades and false impressions rarely hide the real person.

The good news is it’s impossible to hide and cover up who you are from God because he knows your heart, mind and soul. Think about it: if others can see through your facades and false impressions, how much more in depth does God see you? God’s unconditional love tells you to take off the mask and come to him just as you are and make a new beginning free of falsehoods and cover-ups.

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 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.  

~2 Chronicles 16:9 English Standard Version 

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What Do Parents Need Most from Their Children?

Child development professionals affirm an important reinforcement for successful parenting is a child’s innate desire to please the parents. Parents desire to please their children by providing the necessities of life and meeting their reasonable desires.

Of course, parents love their children, and children respond favorably to that love by returning affection and obeying rules and boundaries. The desire to please is motivated by a deep, intrinsic need to make favorable impressions on others.

Parents need for their children to make good impressions on grandparents, friends, teachers and peer groups. Yet children learn to create facades and false impressions to cover up dissatisfaction with the person they are becoming. 

Genesis 1 informs us we were created in God’s image, and this truth serves as a reminder that God’s love purifies us from all that has contaminated our heart and soul.                      

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My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn… “If you hear his voice today, don’t be stubborn like those who rebelled.”  

~Hebrews 3:12-13,15 Contemporary English Version

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Is It Possible to Change from Giving False Impressions?

Living with false impressions is a way to cope with life when feelings of dissatisfaction with one’s personal identity are on display. A person may masquerade in sheep’s clothing to hide a ferocious wolf’s intent to deceive, according to Matthew 7:15.

The objective is to cover up distasteful character or behavioral flaws. Character flaws exist in each person, much to our dismay. However, each Christian should desire to live for Christ Jesus, but coping with character flaws can be discouraging.

The Christian life is an ever-maturing quest in need of God’s grace and restoration. False impressions cover up weaknesses of character capable of surfacing at any moment. The best defense against false impressions is to permit honesty and truth to saturate your consciousness. Honesty encased in humility reflects Christ Jesus within you. This is your best hope. 

                    

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You will earn the respect and trust of others if you work for good; if you work for evil, you’re making a mistake. ~ Proverbs 14:22 Good News Bible  

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