February 2014
Welcome. It is so wonderful to experience God’s loving kindness and freedom from the baggage of the past. If you are tired of guilt and shame, it is time to accept God’s forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross. “He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” 1
Right Believing …
Our choice is to believe it or not. For me, it is a no brainer to receive forgiveness, and not to wallow in the more of the past. Listen to Jeff’s response:
“I have followed your story for a good number of years. I was a history major in school and did a lot of specialized on notable crimes. But it was the born-again Christian in me that has become fascinated with your story. I had always struggled with some guilt and shame over things in my past. I am a recovering drug addict, so you can imagine, I had found the Lord, there was still an overwhelming sense of doubt… the idea was stuck in my mind that God could never or would never forgive me: not for the sins I had committed. I began to wonder if I had ever really changed as a person or if I was lying to myself. It was after reading your books, that God made it real to me that He could do ANYTHING; change anyone, forgive ANYONE, love anyone; that His blood had already washed my sins. It was that day that all of the guilt, those questions, those doubts were lifted from me.
I thought that it might brighten your day to know God worked thru you to reach me; even 3,000 miles away. Your work for the Lord while incarcerated has been an inspiration, and I sincerely wish you well. I am praying for you and may you continue to be such wonderful service to our Lord. God bless you!”
If you’d like to brighten my day like Jeff did, my address is on our "Contact Us" page.
Guilt And Shame…
Maybe you have struggled with guilt and shame like Jeff has over the years. You may realize your lack of ability to forgive yourself, because true forgiveness comes from God alone. His forgiveness sets you free spiritually, mentally, and emotionally from past events.
“Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, you are truly my disciple if you remain faithful to my teaching. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 2
Jeff has experienced true freedom from guilt and shame. He has a bright future not only for himself, but he has tapped into the ability to brighten the day of others. “So as the Son [Jesus Christ] sets you free, you are truly free.” 3
As we take our eyes off ourselves and focus on the finished work of Christ, the baggage of our past fades away, so that God’s love can flow through our lives to others.
Fear Of Dying…
There are multitudes of the unbelievers loaded down with guilt and shame around the world, who needs us to brighten their day with the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is especially true for the elderly, who are close to death and fearful of dying in their guilt and shame. Jesus Christ came to break the power of death by dying for our sins on the cross. Then, God raised Him from the dead to give us eternal life.
“Only in this way could He set free all who have lived as slaves to the fear of dying.” 4
Maybe God is calling you to brighten someone’s day in an assisted living community. Many sit there in their sin, not understanding God’s love and freedom, which you have to offer. The gospel is God’s offer of Salvation through His Son’s death, burial and resurrection, when this is received by faith. God uses us to deliver this good news.
A Bright Future…
The Lord has a bright future for us who believe in Him. We are promised so much more than what we see here on earth.
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, and eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands… For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 5
For instance, my future would look bleak if I lived solely by what I see around me in prison. That is why it is so important for our world views to change. As we surrender our views, our opinions, and our will to the view and will of God, our future brightens. His view and will is contained in His promises, such as the apostle Paul writing;
“We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our own dying bodies must be transformed into that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” 6
Isn’t it wonderful to know that Christ has made it possible for us to live forever in the presence of God?
A Prayer For You...
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and dying for me on the cross. Your precious blood washes me clean of every sin. You are my Lord and my Savior, now and forever. I believe You rose from the dead and that You are alive today and sitting to the right of our heavenly Father. Because of Your finished work, I am now a beloved child of God and heaven is my home. Thank You for giving me eternal life and filling my heart with Your peace and joy. Amen.
Scripture References:
1 Eph. 1:7
2 John 8:31,32
3 John 8:36
4 Heb. 2:15
5 II Cor. 5:1,7
6 I Cor. 15:51b-53