I command you today to love the Lord your God. Do what He wants you to do. Keep His commands, His rules, and His laws. Then you will live and grow in number. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are going to take as your own. - Deuteronomy 30:16
Have you ever done something you know you should not do, but did it anyway. And as you were doing it or perhaps even after you did it, you felt horrible. It was as if your mama was looking at you with her "mother" eye. Instantly, you wanted to die, crawl in a hole, or vanish into thin air rather than hear her say, "Now what possessed you to do something so foolish? You know I didn't raise you that way." Then it's the forbidden phrase of forever torment. "Wait until your father gets home." Then you just want to runaway.
Our heavenly Father plays two roles. He is the nurturing mother who sees everything, and is able to love and protect at a moments notice. He is also the father that disciplines, and says to us, "Now this hurts me more than it hurts you." Why do you think that matters to us? It matters because we want to please our parents. It matters because they love us enough to tell us when we are wrong, and put us back on track so we can be responsible adults. More importantly, it matters because God is able to love us no matter what, forgive us when we have done wrong, and set us back on track aligned in Him. In order to do that, we must have God in us. As we continue to read His Word, apply it to our lives, and spread the Good News, we are willingly being obedient to Him. And through our obedience to Him we are pleasing Him, edifying Him, and giving Him all the praise and the glory He deserves.
What small steps of obedience can you take today? What are you willing to do for Him?
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Oh, yes. I did this just last week. I said something even after God specifically told me not to say it. Afterward I felt guilty. I know God was willing to forgive me, but I wasn't, not for a couple days and it made those days hard. Usually, I walk with God - I aim to seek his guidance constantly throughout my day. But, with the guilt, I didn't feel comfortable talking to him as much - except to say sorry. What a stumbling block! I know God will love us regardless of our sins - but it inhibits his power in our lives when we sin. What if God needed to use me to help someone during that time but I was too busy feeling guilty to hear God's instructions on how to help?
ReplyDeleteEven when we are too busy for God, He still watches over us. His Holy Spirit, our Helper, convicts us every time we think about sin, act out the sin, and ponder the sin. There are several keys to focus on. The first key is to talk to God even when you're angry. He wants us to communicate with Him intimately. Prayer is a conversation with God. A song is a prayer as well. As we lift up a song unto God, He listens to our heart as we sing and speak it. Perhaps, someone is standing nearby and hears that song, sees you praying, or notices the light (no matter how dim) and at that very moment connects to God.
ReplyDeleteThe second key is to ask for forgiveness. We must ask for forgiveness so we can grow in Him even more. Our growth leads to eternal life ... His great plan for us. And when you ask for His forgiveness, forgive yourself as well. Know that you are forgiven, believe you are forgiven, and trust you are forgiven.
The third key is to move forward in God, so others can learn how good God's love, grace and mercy are each day.
The fourth key is the fruit of the spirit.
But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. - Galatians 5:22-23.
I say all of this to emphasize, there is no guilt, shame, fear or confusion in God. He gave us His Son Jesus Christ. He paid it all. And all we have to do is repent, be baptized, and go forth spreading the Good News. He knows we will sin, and He also knows all about our trouble.
Trust me when I say, "Be obedient to His Word, His will, and seek Him first always, and leave the rest (silliness) up to Him. He will fix it for you.