True Repentance
Sometimes life can feel like one big performance. We can get caught up in pleasing people, becoming successful, and attaining our greatest dreams. While those things are all good, what happens when we fail?
Most people go hard on themselves when they don't live up to their own expectations, or the expectations others have set for them. Can you remember a time you messed up? Did you feel guilt, shame, or even condemnation?
God’s Word talks about this very thing. That’s because God knows that we are not perfect, and that we will mess up in life. But when Paul talks about sorrow that comes from God, he talks about it very differently.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul says that godly sorrow doesn’t lead to condemnation, shame, or guilt, but rather it leads to repentance and restoration. When we look to Jesus, we are reminded that He took on all of our shame and guilt on the cross. This means we don’t have to carry the shame that Jesus already carried.
When we mess up, our first response should be to go to God and remind ourselves of the truth of the cross. While earthly sorrow pushes us down, godly sorrow brings us to Jesus where we can know we are forgiven and made new.
So while we may still mess up and fail, we can be confident that we are continually being made new by Jesus. God’s love and forgiveness never change.
Take some time to think about the love of God and His forgiveness in your life. Remind yourself that you are a new creation empowered by the Spirit of God to walk in new life. Write down one or two ways that you can remind yourself of these truths throughout your week.
Strength in Every Season
Philippians 4:13 is a popular Bible verse that you may have seen posted on coffee mugs, social media, or even cars. Maybe you’ve heard someone recite this verse before a sporting event or while trying to accomplish a difficult task.
Unfortunately, this verse is often misunderstood. This verse is not saying that we can accomplish whatever we want. Paul isn’t talking about winning a football game or having the courage to do something daring.
Instead, Paul is actually talking about his time in prison. He is referencing the power of God that was with him during this difficult time of ministry.
In Philippians 4:12 he talks about the power he has to live content in every situation in life. He learned how to live with abundance and with nothing. He learned to live with very little food and resources, and also with abundant food and resources.
Paul found that regardless of his circumstances, God continued to supply him with the power to do the work of God. He never lacked the...