Erased Guilt

Erased Guilt

Genesis 43: ¹⁵ So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. ¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.” ¹⁷ Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

 

¹⁸ Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers did as Israel told them to do. They took Benjamin and the presents and the extra money to Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he ordered the “steward of the house” to take them to his home and make a feast.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph may have suspected that his brothers would have killed Benjamin, so he needed to see him alive.
• Joseph started off as a steward of Potiphar’s house and now he had a steward waiting on him.
• Joseph’s brothers felt guilty, but little did they know, their guilt was erased.

 

Thinking about the mistakes they made over the years led them to a conclusion that they were about to be sentenced. It wasn’t just about the money, rather it was their guilty lives. Up to this point, they tried to kill Joseph, then sold him into slavery and covered up what they had done. Then when Simeon was put in prison, they told Israel a half-truth.

 

Now the brothers were being invited to a feast and they could not see this as a blessing. They thought the worst by saying they would be taken as slaves, possibly like they did to Joseph. They had no idea their guilt had been erased.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the reaction of Joseph’s brothers when they were invited to a feast?
• Have you ever felt guilty and had your mind made up that you are about to be punished?
• Do you realize that JESUS was tempted in every way you have so HE is sympathetic to the way you feel and loves you dearly?

Unstuck

Unstuck

Colossians 1: ¹⁹ For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. ²⁰ Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

 

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After years of dedication and hard work, I was told “the position is being eliminated.” Handing me an award for the best team added insult to injury. I could not concentrate during the final days. So much of my identity was tied up in work.

 

• I was stuck on “my” accomplishments.
• I was stuck on trying to make sense out of something that made no sense.
• I was stuck trying to see if I made mistakes, so I spent hours replaying words, actions and thoughts.

 

GOD the FATHER gives the ultimate example of moving forward, according to Paul’s letter. HE showed unmatched restraint by allowing the creation to senselessly murder and blame the creator. HE decided to reconcile versus destroy everyone and everything.

 

My Observations

• GOD provides me with a way to become unstuck when I get stuck in the past.
• GOD’s example of forgiveness is something I can obtain when I ask for it.
• GOD can help me to let go, especially when I relapse into pitying my circumstance.

 

“Forgive and forget” seems impossible when I am stuck. I mean, when I replay past hurts over and over and over again, I get stuck in a loop where there is no room for forgiveness. BUT GOD wants me out of the loop.

 

HE picks me up out of the hole of unforgiveness and moves me forward. HE gives me words of peace and reconciliation through the SON and enables me to serve those who threw poison darts at me. I am glad I can let go of seeing “punishment” and turn to GOD’s example of hoping everyone knows JESUS in a saving way.

 

Challenge

• What human intervention does the writer mention, if any?
• Have you ever been stuck in hurt or cannot see a way out of your situation?
• Will you follow GOD’s example and decide to move forward regardless of past or current circumstances?

Past is Passed

Past is Passed

Galatians 1: ¹³ You have been told how I used to live when I was devoted to the Jewish religion, how I persecuted without mercy the church of God and did my best to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was ahead of most other Jews of my age in my practice of the Jewish religion, and was much more devoted to the traditions of our ancestors.

¹⁵ But God in his grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him. And when he decided ¹⁶ to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the Gentiles, I did not go to anyone for advice, ¹⁷ nor did I go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and then I returned to Damascus. ¹⁸ It was three years later that I went to Jerusalem to obtain information from Peter, and I stayed with him for two weeks. ¹⁹ I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord's brother.

 

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“You shouldn’t do that” were the warnings I did not heed. I thought the Bible toting hypocrites were missing out on “life.” They warned me about life’s traps so I had to try them. When I did, I noticed that no lightning came from heaven and I didn’t end up in a burning pot of sulfur. I then tried other things I was warned against. Soon I found myself in trouble with nowhere to turn.

 

• I regretted my decisions to walk away from GOD.
• I felt that HE could not forgive me when I fell.
• I thought that HE only loved those who acted perfect.

 

Being a felon was not easy for Paul. He was a mass murderer, involved with killing followers of JESUS. BUT GOD in HIS grace chose Paul and revealed HIS SON to him. The past did not guide his future.

 

My Observations

• In the middle of my sins, CHRIST died for me.
• JESUS saw I would never be perfect, so HE walked the earth in perfection for me.
• GOD wiped away my past before I was even born.

 

Dwelling on past mistakes is a hole I fall into often. I replay the past over and over, trying to figure out how to avoid the gaff in the future. This causes me to make other wrongful decisions because my basis is the past.

 

GOD saw everything I would do and forgave me anyway. HE knows my past, present and future. HE gives me the opportunity to give HIM the past and my future so I can live in the present with HIM in love. I am glad this moment right here is special to HIM for me and you.

 

Challenge

• Do you sense the regret of the writer?
• How does the writer use admittance?
• Will you let go of any past mistakes by giving them to JESUS who forgave you of all your sins and who has a wonderful plan for your life today?

Looking Back

Luke 9: ⁵⁷ Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

⁵⁹ Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

⁶¹ And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

⁶² But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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Stressful was the only word to describe this particular job. Long days and even longer nights, I toiled to make sure everything was maintained in this politically charged climate. When I left the company after years of fighting, I sat at home, worried about my income. “I miss the perks” I thought. “I remember being sent to an island retreat.” I wonder if they would take me back.

• There have been times when I wanted parts of my sinful lifestyle.
• There have been times when I did not want to accept today so I looked back at yesterday.
• There have been times when I was overwhelmed by current situations so I desired comfortable circumstance.

JESUS gives some very surprising words to those who really wanted to follow HIM. HE basically says “I AM homeless” and “Dead people hold onto dead people and get stuck where they are” and “By looking back, you can never look forward.”

• GOD says to me “Do not worry about your possessions for they will come and go.”
• GOD says to me “Life and death are MINE to own and MY relationship with you is extremely important.”
• GOD says to me “Do not look back on your sinful lifestyle as something to be gained but focus on growing MY kingdom.”

When I experience extreme loss, it feels like I have nowhere to turn. I wanted my “old” life back. BUT GOD wanted something much different. HE wanted me free to serve people and to see that HIS way is far better than mine. HIS word can be spread without money, or family guidance.

HE asks me to trust HIM more and more each day and to let go of the old and focus on the new life HE has for me. HE guides me daily through HIS amazing word.

• Do you feel lost?
• Have you experienced a great loss of possessions and loved ones?
• Will you allow GOD to comfort you by letting go of past possessions, relationships and lifestyles so HE can transform you into a much stronger you?

Late Regrets

Matthew 27: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. ² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

⁶ The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” ⁷ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.⁸ That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹ Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, ¹⁰ and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

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Sneaking away from work had become the norm. When I returned, reeking of food smells, my boss had enough. “You lost my trust” he said to me. I did not think my slipping away would have any effect on him. I mean I got my job done quickly so I had time. He should understand, right? Wrong.

• There were times I regret.
• There were times I wish I could go back and do things differently.
• There were times I see that I was the problem and it’s too late to do anything about it.

Judas saw what they were about to do with JESUS because of his betrayal. He also saw that the dirty people around him would not stand with him and comfort him. On the contrary, they would blame him too. He regretted it to his own demise.

• GOD says to me, “Let me take on your regrets.”
• GOD says to me, “Let me have your past failures.”
• GOD says to me, “Let me remove your mistakes, mishaps and maleficent acts.

I can’t go back and fix that situation, BUT GOD did. JESUS was blamed for when I slipped off of work and HE innocently paid the penalty of death. When HE rose from the dead, HE decided to pardon me for this blatant sin. Only JESUS provides comfort for my past mistakes.

• Did you make a huge mistake that hurt someone else?
• Do you have past regrets?
• Can you stop replaying your mistake and let the HOLY SPIRIT give you comfort by forgiving you through JESUS resurrection?

Past is Erased

Psalm 26: ¹ Vindicate me, Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
    and have not faltered.
² Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

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Enjoying my normal speeding routine, I ignored all of the posted limits. Eighty just felt right for my old junker. Something said “slow down” so I did. As I crossed the threshold of about sixty eight miles per hour I saw a cop turn on his lights. He pulled me over and asked the normal “admitting you are guilty” questions. I answered “Yes I know how fast I was going.” To my shock and surprise, he said. “Slow down” and let me go.

• All have sinned and I am part of that group.
• All fall short of the LORD and I fall short daily.
• All hearts are wicked who can know them, mine included.

If I say “I have no sin” I make GOD a liar. So How can the writer say “I led a blameless life?” What if I declared myself to be blameless and I am full of blame? GOD does something amazing.

• GOD says to me “I have removed your sins and forgiven you.”
• GOD says to me “I have cleansed you of ALL unrighteousness.”
• GOD says to me “MY grace is sufficient” meaning even my sin cannot exceed HIS grace.

Sometimes I pout and think I “deserve” something from GOD. I mean I have been “good” for ten minutes or so. Don’t I deserve extreme wealth, no problems and health that lasts forever? Quite the opposite, GOD said to me “You will have troubles but I will never forsake you.” Troubles come from my sin or someone else’s.

BUT GOD became a human and eradicated my sin. HE pardoned me of my past and erased what I did. HE lets me take advantage of HIM, but loves when I admit my sins and follow HIS ways.

• Do you think your sins are too frequent or big for GOD?
• Do you think GOD can’t possibly forgive me?
• Can you throw away those lies and believe that GOD’s grace is much larger than any sin you could ever commit?
• Will you believe that JESUS is the way to being blameless?