Overcome Shame

Text: Psalm 139:11-12

Key verse: I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night.

We are introduced to a world full of darkness in Genesis. But God separated it from light. In his wisdom he created lesser lights and stars to rule the night.

No matter the time of day or night, God is in charge.

When bad things happen, we begin to analyze it, playing it over and over in our minds. Sometimes we come up with regret that produces shame. Shame is feeling bad about who you are.

The feeling of shame makes you want to hide from people, and run into darkness. People will often refuse to open their windows to let the light in and when its dark inside, they avoid turning on the lights.

“But even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day.”

God sees you and knows what you are feeling. A.W. Tozer once said about the Lord Jesus, “He knows the worst about you and is the one who loves you the most.”

Quit running from God!

Maybe why you are uncomfortable still in darkness is because you are still not free from guilt. Guilt is feeling bad about what you did. Well, God has made provision for times when we willfully sin against others, ourselves and God, It is called repentance. Don’t just feel guilty, but go to those you hurt by your action and apologize.

Acknowledge you have done wrong, and regret your action. God will show mercy when we repent. Sometimes, people might take a while to accept our apology, but the repentance frees you up, and brings the whole episode to light. Jesus said, The truth will set you free.

“Darkness and light are the same to you.”

God’s love for you is the same, even when you have failed. You are still his child, in spite of what happened. Take a journey back home, to the loving embrace of a heavenly father, he will restore your relationship, giving you a ring, he will remove the garment of guilt and shame and clothe you with beauty and glory. Then, he will put on your feet new sandals that will keep you safe from harm.

God is here for you! Today.

Blessings,

Ada Babajide

Lagos, Nigeria

Do Not Fear

Cataclysmic things are happening in our world from the pandemic, to political polarization, to widespread persecution of believers, and to a scale of infant genocide unimagined decades ago. The list could go on. Seems like something is always right around the corner that could cause great fear.

For the follower of Jesus, there is hope and help. The prophet, Isaiah, writes it clearly.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Take a minute to reflect on this passage and reflect on these questions:

• What other passages come to mind about fear and the Lord’s comfort and help?
• What fears come to mind?
• What hope and help do you seek?
• How do the truths of this passage and others that come to mind, give a path to casting aside fear?

May you see the goodness of the Lord even in the midst of hardships and trials.

Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus)

God is for Us

This morning I spent some time reflecting on a few verses in Romans 8. Actually the whole chapter is worthy of much reflection.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” (Romans 8:31-34)

Take a few minutes to reflect on the passage. What stands out to you? What hope does this passage give? What questions does it raise?

Take some time to thank the Lord for all He has done for you.​

Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus)

God with US

What a wonder it is for God who is from eternity entered history, and embraced the limits of being human to be with and for us. The divine is revealed in weakness of being human to live with and love us.

God has come down to serve the little people in the little places. He has shown that true success is in service. To be great is not going up competitively to the top to be looked up to. True greatness is the way of going down below to live with the weak and love them sacrificially.

God’s coming in His Son Jesus Christ is not just an event to remember but an experience to renew our lives. God keeps coming. He keeps visiting to deliver His people from trouble and tragedy they struggle with in this broken world. God always finds His way to walk with us.

With God with us, we are not alone. We are encouraged and empowered to keep on the difficult journey ahead. Suffering will always be around but the One who is ever present will save us.

Despite the Covid vaccine that is already on the way, Covid-19 will still stay for a while or even longer. Our confidence is in God who comes alongside us. The assurance of God’s presence is what empowers us to sing in the midst of sorrow, feel confident to face the uncertainty, and sleep in peace in the midst of a troubled world. With this perspective of Advent we can truly say: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Herman Moldez

Manila, Philippines