Showing posts with label Ashamed of my sins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashamed of my sins. Show all posts

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual Awakening

Genesis 3: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was ]pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

 

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Belief in the lie Satan told and implied and inferred, caused the woman to innocently want more than she already had. She wanted to be “wise.” She did not know what she was missing, but, for some reason, felt she was missing something. The lie worked! Her husband was right there. He too was curious about what would happen. He had never seen death and probably wondered what it was.

 

My Observations:

  • Both man and woman could physically see so the “eyes” here are spiritual eyes that provides awareness.
  • Shame seemed to be the first thing they experienced when they became aware.
  • Everything became different from both of their perspectives.

 

Feeling inadequate or different or ashamed came from something seemingly innocent, namely eating. Humans compare sins like murder, adultery, or lying and label them as “big” sins. But eating something from GOD’s tree took down all of humanity! One bite doomed all humans to death. Satan had won, or so he thought. He didn’t know that GOD had already made a plan for the fall.

 

GOD never changed in the situation. HE was still GOD, but now the relationship with HIS creation was spiritually different. They would now see HIM as someone to question or blame or doubt. No longer was anything HE made,  “good” enough. They would try to make their own solutions to problems that did not exist.  Fortunately GOD knew how to fix this.

 

Challenge

  • Why do you think GOD went into detail to Moses, regarding the woman’s desire to be “wise?”
  • Have you ever wanted something that was possibly not good for you, yet you wanted it more and more?
  • Will you give your desires to GOD and ask HIM to align them to HIS will today?

Monday, March 20, 2023

Anytime, Anywhere

Anytime, Anywhere

2 Timothy 4: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. 

 

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After hearing the message “Preach the Gospel of JESUS” I was excited as I sat in church. But the next day, it became difficult. I was at work so I talked about work stuff all day. Then when I left I went to the gym and we talked about body parts and ogled at the opposite sex. Soon it was the weekend and I had to have a minute to myself right? I went out with friends to bars.

 

  • I did not see a time when it was right to speak about JESUS.
  • I could not see a place where it was right to speak about JESUS.
  • I felt awkward speaking about JESUS so I kept the message to myself.

 

Paul urges Timothy to “preach the message” and to “insist” that the message be preached by everyone. He then gave the value of preaching the Gospel. It can be used to convince, reproach and encourage. In other words, it is appropriate for all situations.

 

My Observations

  • How I live my life will determine how much I speak about JESUS.
  • GOD wants me ready to speak about JESUS, anytime, anywhere.
  • The HOLY SPIRIT should determine whether it is appropriate to speak about JESUS.

 

Fear, shame and doubt cause me to shut my mouth when it comes to JESUS. I mean, when I am in the middle of sin, I feel I can’t speak about JESUS, so I wait. When I am scared and facing difficult times, I feel I can’t speak about JESUS, so I wait. When I face new people or I am at work or I am doing a business deal I fear messing up and I feel I can’t speak about JESUS, so I wait.

 

I then find myself never, ever speaking about JESUS. I then hope someone else will do it or maybe I can be “good” enough that my example will show JESUS without ever needing to say a word. But this is counter to this command “preach the message and insist upon proclaiming it. Satan wants me fearing, shamed and doubting so I will not speak about JESUS because he knows it is powerful. I gladly put aside my fear, shame and doubt to speak about JESUS, especially when I feel it is not the right time.

 

Challenge

  • Do you feel the sense of urgency from the writer?
  • Have you ever felt ill-equipped, shamed or inappropriate to speak about JESUS?
  • When will you use actual words to “proclaim” HIS worthiness?
  • Will you let GOD help you with your fear, shame and doubt so you can be used by HIM to preach the message of JESUS to many today?

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Double Life

Double Life

2 Timothy 2: 14 Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. 15 Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth.

 

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Choosing a club to go to had some thought to it. “No one would know me at this club” I thought to myself. This way I could pick someone up and no one would know it. The next day I went to Sunday School to perform my assistant duties. “Hey! Didn’t we have a great time at the club?”, someone embarrassingly exclaimed in church. I didn’t know I was seen.

 

  • I was ashamed of mentioning GOD when I was at the club.
  • I was ashamed of mentioning the club when I was at church.
  • I was ashamed of my double life.

 

Paul gives a stern warning to pass on through Timothy. Instead of having religions quarrels, “win full approval in GOD’s sight.” This requires only two things; not being ashamed and teaching correctly the message of GOD’s truth.

 

My Observations

  • My life is flawed and through GOD’s forgiveness I am made whole.
  • My life is shameful and through JESUS’ death, burial and resurrection I can live eternally.
  • My life is broken and through the HOLY SPIRIT I am put back together.

 

All of us are sinners. I mean, if anyone says “I am without sin” he or she is really lost and does not know who GOD is. But there is one who is sinless, namely JESUS. HE is the only one who can forgive me for my sins.

 

HE sent the COMFORTER to live inside me when times get difficult. HE restores my soul. I am no longer ashamed to mention JESUS every day because HE is worthy to be praised.

 

Challenge

  • What does the writer mean by “full approval in GOD’s sight?”
  • Have you ever tried to please humans and what you were doing conflicts with the word of GOD?
  • Will you resolve the conflict you have with GOD and not worry about what humans think so you can be “fully approved” by HIM and teach HIS true message today?

Monday, February 27, 2023

No Longer Ashamed

No Longer Ashamed

2 Timothy 1: Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it. He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has ended the power of death and through the gospel has revealed immortal life.

 

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“Would you take over the inspirational message?” was the question asked by one of my peers at work. We worked at a very large, well-known company and I was on the rise. I had a title to protect and sending an inspirational message, like this one, would not fit. Or at least that’s what I thought.

 

  • I was ashamed to admit I followed JESUS.
  • I felt that most of my time should be spent with JESUS hidden and covertly implying HIM.
  • I thought speaking about JESUS would hurt my chances for advancement.

 

Paul addressed societal pressures Timothy may have faced. At that time, the church leaders had conspired against JESUS and killed HIM. They would never admit there was and is a risen Savior. They may have worked with business owners who would shut out those who mentioned the name of JESUS. Timothy needed “strength.”

 

My Observations

  • Societal pressures to harbor worry, fear and hatred can make me ashamed of JESUS, BUT HE is the only way to true strength.
  • My plans for “the next level” are laughable to GOD when I am ashamed of JESUS.
  • Any plan that does not include JESUS could be used for HIS good, but not for “my” good.

 

GOD’s word will never return void. I mean, if I mention what a preacher said or a Bible verse says, That message will bring glory to GOD. But if I do not believe in JESUS, or believe that I do not need to speak HIS name publicly, especially when I am uncomfortable, I may not benefit from speaking scripture or saying what someone said.

 

Being ashamed of JESUS can come in many forms. I may go to church and mention HIS name boldly on Sunday and never mention HIS name out loud  the rest of the week. No one I know would even know I had a relationship with JESUS, but they will know what I ate yesterday or what “fun” thing I did, or what group activity I participated in.

 

GOD does want a sincere witness that sometimes is quiet, but HE seems to also want us to be bold in living for HIM. I gladly speak for CHRIST now and I am more ashamed of being places where I cannot.

 

Challenge

  • What shame is the writer speaking about?
  • Have you ever felt that being bold for JESUS is unnecessary or even a problem?
  • Will you overcome any thoughts of hiding your relationship with JESUS because of your title, job or status and let GOD control your life so JESUS can be proclaimed boldly from your lips today?

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Waiting for Change

Waiting for Change

Philippians 3: 17 Keep on imitating me, my friends. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you. 18 I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on the cross. 19 They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. 20 We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. 21 He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.

 

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Things were not going as I expected so I decided to hang out with various people who seemed to be having “fun.” Weekends were spent prowling in the clubs, but soon that got old. I decided to go to church. I ran into a guy at church who recognized me and said loudly “We had a great time at the club last night!”

 

  • I was trying to live two lives; one to fulfill my bodily desires and one that sought to do right.
  • I was embarrassed that my hidden side had been exposed.
  • I was upset that the example I pretended to set was now besmirched.

 

Paul makes a bold statement when he says “Keep on imitating me.” He also mentions to pay attention to those who follow the right example. Were they perfect and never made mistakes? No. They simply placed their hope in “eagerly” waiting on the LORD.

 

My Observations

  • I am not a citizen of this world, rather a citizen of heaven through CHRIST JESUS.
  • I must eagerly wait for our Savior, the LORD JEWSUS CHRIST to come from heaven.
  • I look forward to having my earthly body changed into the same glorious body CHRIST has.

 

As I live and breathe, I will continue to make mistakes. I mean, I am a sinner who craves sin. BUT GOD has something better than me fulfilling my sinful desires. HE gives me purpose in HIS SON, JESUS our LORD and Savior.

 

I can now say “One day there will be no pain, no misery and no hurt.” I can also say “HE will wipe away my tears and I will one day be free from all sin and shame.” The ultimate example is not acting perfect, rather eagerly waiting on perfection to return. I am glad JESUS paid for all my sins and will one day return for me and you.

 

Challenge

  • What enemy does the writer mention?
  • Is there a part of your life that you may be fighting GOD?
  • Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to enter into your life and guide you to follow the right examples set forth by JESUS today?

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Out of Sight Out of Mind

 

Out of Sight Out of Mind

Romans 6: 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

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Dirty underwear, toys and stuff I found outside were shoved under my bed. The directive was to “clean my room.” I cleaned the room in record time. I knocked everything onto the floor, pushed it under the bed and sat down with a grin. As long as no one looked under the bed, I would never be suspected of being a slob.

 

  • Many times I have hidden things I was ashamed of.
  • Many times I shoved what I was ashamed of, into hidden places.
  • Many times I hid the garbage to have the appearance of looking clean.

 

Paul explains that we are no longer slaves to sin. He tries to reason with everyone about the temporary nature of sin. It brings on pleasure for a moment, but causes people to do things that remain hidden. If the thing was so “good” then why not say it to everyone? Paul then provides the right way, namely to do those things that lead to holiness.

 

  • GOD wants me to step out of the dark, hidden places and show HIS light.
  • GOD wants me to do things that I am not ashamed of.
  • GOD wants me to be bold enough to accept HIS free gift of love which is eternal life through CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

 

Shame causes me to seek more shame. I may even find a group of people who accept the shameful things I do so I can feel “good” about myself. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

Instead of seeking destruction, covering it up and pretending everything is fine, GOD wants me to seek HIS path which leads to HIS holiness and HIS eternal life. Giving up sin is sometimes hard, especially when I practice hiding it. BUT GOD helps me by providing courage to express my sin, little by little. I am grateful for JESUS who freed me from my path to death.

 

  • What are you shoving under your bed?
  • Do you pretend to be “good” or do you seek a crowd that will accept what you do?
  • Will you seek what GOD wants for you so HE can guide you to an abundant everlasting life?

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Ashamed and Humiliated


Ezekiel 16: 62 So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. 63 Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.

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Phone call after phone call made the day seem full of energy. I could handle it because my lavish company car had the first “hands free” gadget on the market. As I zipped along, dishing out advice I could feel the power of “my” title. When the title was stripped away along with the car, I felt a loss of self-worth. I was ashamed and humiliated.

  • There have been many times I have placed my self-worth in the wrong places.
  • There have been many times I have desired to be worth something to the wrong people.
  • There have been many times I have casted my pearls before swine in order to feel like something.


Making it to the top made the fall even further. I mean for a while I receive no phone calls and I as the one who sought after advice. Wandering and pleading was new for me, but after a while I got used to the new desert location. I could hear GOD for a change rather than the incessant ringing of my phone.

  • GOD said to me “I will establish MY covenant with you.”
  • GOD said to me “I will enable you to know that I AM the LORD.”
  • GOD said to me “I will make atonement for you and all you have done and you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation.”


Boasting about wealth and title soon disappeared. After a while I found myself speaking again, this time it was for something extremely valuable, namely the LORD. HE restored me to speak on HIS behalf and enable me to talk about HIS SON to those HE sent me. GOD made atonement for my blindness through the death burial and resurrection of the living JESUS. I am indebted to HIM.

  • Are you ashamed about where you are?
  • Are you demands not being met?
  • Can you stop demanding and start confessing to the LORD?
  • Will you change your ways and turn your words into GOD’s words?