WEEKLY MESSAGE
SUN, 15/12/24 - SAT, 21/12/24
ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: LET GOD CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK
KEY VERSE: “DO NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD... DO WHAT IT SAYS” (JAMES 1:22)
If anyone has been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, it can undermine their self-worth. You think, ‘If someone did that to me, there must be something wrong with me.’ You feel like your soul is soiled; like you’re ‘damaged goods’. But you’re not! These two scriptures are from God’s lips to your heart: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again and you…will be rebuilt’ (see Jeremiah 31:3-4). ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past... I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland’ (see Isaiah 43:18-19).
What happened to you was bad, but you are not bad!
Today God says: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God’ (see Isaiah 43:1-3). Shame and depression go hand in hand. And while doctors can prescribe medication for depression, there’s no remedy for shame - except the medicine of God’s Word. So instead of believing your thoughts and emotions, stand on God’s Word regardless of how you feel. Being ashamed of who you are is like being perpetually punished - except you’re doing it to yourself. What’s the solution? ‘Let God change the way you think.’
Shame grows in the dark, but once you expose it to the light of God’s Word, it loses its grip on the child of God! Feelings can be so fickle. And often they’re triggered by everyday things like a familiar song, the mention of someone who hurt you, an anniversary, a birthday, a holiday such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day etc. That’s why James tells us, ‘Do not merely listen to the word... Do what it says.’
One counsellor writes: ‘Shame can hold us back, hold us down, and keep us staring at our feet... Many systems and people are controlled by it and want us to play their game... Compulsive behaviours, sexually addictive behaviours, overeating, chemical abuse, and addictive gambling are all shame-based behaviours. Our past experiences, and the brainwashing we may have had, can tend to put shame on us. “Don’t think... don’t feel... don’t grow or change... don’t feel alive... be ashamed!” These are all the voices of shame. But listen up, be done with shame! Attack it. Go to war with it. Learn to recognise and avoid it like the plague.’
The Bible says, ‘Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?’ (see Romans 8:33). Whether you committed the offence or the offence was committed against you, ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin’ (see 1 John 1:7). Note the word ‘all’. Instead of talking about how you feel, start talking about what you know! God’s Word, which is God’s opinion of you, is the greatest healing force on earth. So read it, believe it, speak it, and stand on it. As you do, you’ll begin to rise above any shame-based, lowly thinking.
Have a victorious week in Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Article/ extract from ucb, word for today)
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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.
Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.