Author: Renee Faul

April 05

When Do I Sin?

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I have often pondered the meaning of sin: I am not a murderer. I am not a liar. I do not steal. I do not even kill a spider. So, when do I sin?

DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?
(Romans 6:16).

I became aware that to sin or not to sin depends on whose counsel I obey, moment-by-moment: the negative, destructive counsel of the father-of-lies, or the Counsel of the Perfect Father. I am not talking about obedience to the Ten Commandments, but the effects of a mutual, moment-by-moment relationship between God and His children.

AND EVERYTHING THAT DOES NOT COME FROM FAITH IS SIN
(Romans 14:23).

You see, when I obey the counsel of the father-of-lies—that I do not matter…that I am not acceptable…that I am not loved—I feel like sinning.  It is when I obey this dark counsel of doom, dread, and despair that I am drawn into the harmful habits of sinful solutions.

MANY TIMES HE DELIVERED THEM, BUT THEY WERE BENT ON REBELLION AND THEY WASTED AWAY IN THEIR SIN
(Psalm 106:43).

Precious One, how often have I called you to refrain from the counsel of the father-of-lies, but you were bent on rebellion. You wasted away in your sin. How often have I wanted to deliver you from feeling unloved, unwanted, and unworthy, but you were set in your own ways. You became a slave to the harmful habits of sinful solutions.

Know that you have a choice: to turn to the oppressing counsel of the father-of-lies…and sin, or to turn to Me, the Most High, in obedience to My Counsel. If you turn to Me, I will deliver you from the effects of the father-of-lies’ counsel and lead you into My Righteousness.

When do you usually feel like sinning—drawn into the harmful habits of sinful solutions? Whose counsel usually precedes this behavior?

What would it take for you to change—to turn to the Lord’s Counsel, in obedience, instead of relying on your sinful solutions to rescue you from the father-of-lies’ counsel?

PRAYER: Lord God, remind me, daily, that You can deliver me from the harmful habits of my sinful solutions and bring me into Your Counsel…if I am not bent on rebellion.

Maintain an Awareness

We run…and run…and run. We run towards bad distractions and destructions like alcohol, drugs, or even crime, or we run towards good distractions like entertainment, or our husbands, wives, friends, or counselors.

The Two Counsels

Beliefs/Emotions associated with this blessing.
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Abandoned Rejected Worthless

April 04

Walk in the Light of the Truth

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THIS IS THE MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD FROM HIM AND DECLARE TO YOU: GOD IS LIGHT; IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL. IF WE CLAIM TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM YET WALK IN THE DARKNESS, WE LIE AND DO NOT LIVE BY THE TRUTH. BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON, PURIFIES US FROM ALL SIN
(1 John 1:5-7).

 Precious One, you need to know that to walk in the Light means to live by My Truth. Truth turns darkness into Light. Therefore, you cannot be in agreement with the negative, destructive beliefs of the OLD MAN and in agreement with the Truth, at the same time. You cannot heed the counsel of the father-of-lies and My Counsel, simultaneously. You cannot be a friend of the Light and be a friend of darkness, at the same time. Darkness and Light do not mix. They are incompatible. You are either in the dark, or in the Light. As soon as you turn on the Light, the darkness flees, and as soon as you turn off the Light, it is dark. The Light is turned on by the Truth, because whoever lives by the Truth comes into the Light. Be careful, Child. If you are walking in darkness, you are not living by the Truth. If you are living by the Truth, you will not walk in darkness.

BUT WHOEVER LIVES BY THE TRUTH COMES INTO THE LIGHT
(John 3:21).

Expose the darkness in your mind to the Light.  Lay open the beliefs that cause you to despair.  Bring to light the interpretations you have made about yourself…the assumptions you have made about your enemies…the conclusions you have formed about your friends.  Live by the Truth, so you can walk in the Light.

FOR THE FRUIT OF THE LIGHT CONSISTS IN ALL GOODNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH
(Ephesians 5:9).

 May you walk in the Light of the Truth.

“I am a mistake. I am abandoned. I am fatally flawed. I have disappointed God. I am a failure. I have no purpose. I am invisible. I am not special. I am a disgrace.” Which of these dark interpretations live in your mind?

Embrace these dark conclusions, then expose them to the Light, and they will be exchanged for the Truth, for the fruit of the Light…is Truth.

PRAYER: God of Light, help me to understand that to walk in Your Light means to live by Your Truth.  Your Light is the Truth.  Your Truth turns darkness into Light.

I embrace these painful interpretations that live in my mind, Lord God. I expose them to Your Light. Exchange them for Your Truth, so I may walk in Your Light.

Maintain an Awareness

When your heart hurts, both the Lord Jesus and the father-of-lies stand ready to lead you out of that pain to a solution.

The Two Counsels
April 03

Your Mind

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THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH
(Romans 8:6).

Did you know that God does not deem your mind trustworthy?  Why not?  Your mind is not dependable, because the father-of-lies has had access to your mind since the day you were born.  You are not the only one sharing your mind.  During the disconcerting childhood circumstances of your life, the father-of-lies lured you into deception: false conclusions…wrong interpretations…inaccurate assumptions.  Therefore, when you pull answers from your mind, you are also drawing false answers from the father-of-lies.

SO I TELL YOU THIS, AND INSIST ON IT IN THE LORD, THAT YOU MUST NO LONGER LIVE AS THE GENTILES DO, IN THE FUTILITY OF THEIR THINKING.  THEY ARE DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD
(Ephesians 4:17-18).

Even after you have become a Christian, you must not live in the futility of your thinking, because your understanding is darkened by the father-of-lies.  In fact, he uses your own thoughts to separate you from God’s Presence and His Answers.

THE WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD. ON THE CONTRARY, THEY HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS. WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

What is your opinion about YOUR mind: that it is good…that it is trustworthy…that it knows the truth? Do you always rely on your mind to find a solution to your problem, your unworthiness, and your brokenness?  Do you run to your mind when things go wrong…when someone insults you…when someone fails you? 

I urge you to treat your mind as a deathtrap that is used by the father-of-lies, at any given moment in time.  Take every thought captive that enters your mind.  Question every belief that lives in your mind. Demolish every argument in your mind that has set itself up against the knowledge of God. Soon, you will notice the difference in your life.

PRAYER: God of Truth, keep me from running to my own mind-set when things go wrong…when someone insults me…when someone fails me.  Keep me from living in the futility of my thinking. Instead, let me look to You for answers to my problems, solutions to my unworthiness, and explanations to my brokenness, for only You know the Truth.

Maintain an Awareness

How often do we find ourselves doing “good deeds,” just to find out that our “good deeds” were not really good, but merely a reaction to the OLD MAN belief “You are bad”?

The Two Counsels
April 02

Crucified in Weakness

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FOR THOUGH HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN WEAKNESS, YET HE LIVES BY THE POWER OF GOD
(2 Corinthians 13:4).

How difficult it is to be weak during times of insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, especially when others are strong in their own defense mechanisms. How hard it is to be weak and lay down our own defense mechanisms, so the Power of Christ may be at work within us.

NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY
(Ephesians 3:20 21).

I bless you to be weak during insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, for it is during the times that you do not depend on your own defense mechanisms that God has a chance to establish His Power in you and through you. Therefore, lay down your own will and allow God to conform you to His divine Will in your thoughts, your actions, and your purpose.

THEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE IN INFIRMITIES, IN REPROACHES, IN NECESSITIES, IN PERSECUTIONS, IN DISTRESSES FOR CHRIST’S SAKE: FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG
(2 Corinthians 12:10).

May you become weak during hardships, so God may bring you to a new place in your life…a place where you have never been, before. Put an end to relying on your own wisdom, believing in your own self, and depending on your own understanding, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. Rather, let the Wisdom that comes from Heaven fill you. Then, you will be strong, even though you are weak.

BUT THE WISDOM THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN IS FIRST OF ALL PURE; THEN PEACE-LOVING, CONSIDERATE, SUBMISSIVE, FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUIT, IMPARTIAL AND SINCERE
(James 3:17).

What do you usually do during times of insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities? Do you depend on your own defense mechanisms…or do you become weak, so you may become strong?

What will it take for you to lay down your defense mechanism and become weak, so the Wisdom that comes from Heaven may fill you and the Power of Christ may be at work within you?

PRAYER: Most High, bring me to a new place in my life—a place where I am weak and You are strong.

Maintain an Awareness

If you would turn to the Desire of All Nations and receive the Love, Righteousness, and Purpose He has stored up for you in His Presence, you will be satisfied.

The Two Counsels

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Angry Bitter Jealous

April 01

Love One Another Deeply, from the Heart

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NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART
(1 Peter 1:22).

Realize that in order to love one another deeply, you need a purified heart: a heart cleansed from shame, released from abandonment, freed from condemnation, and set free from rejection. As long as shame stains your heart, you will have a tough time facing those who have hurt you. As long as abandonment contaminates your heart, you will have a hard time ministering to those who have many weaknesses. As long as condemnation besmears your heart, you will have a difficult time loving those who make mistakes. As long as rejection sullies your heart, you will have a horrible time accepting those who are not perfect.

SANCTIFY THEM BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH
(John 17:17).

Precious One, permit Me, your Redeemer, to set you free from the power of past abandonment: when that important person in your life left…when no-one was around to comfort you…when you had to take care of yourself, because there was nobody else. Understand that it is not the circumstances that are causing the abandonment, but the childhood conclusions you formed in your mind about these happenings. Today, I want to guide you into all Truth.

Beloved Child, allow Me to set you free from the power of past shame: when you were considered a disgrace…when you had to carry all the blame…when you were pushed aside as not being enough.  Let My Truth exchange your childhood conclusions for My Perspective.

Beautiful One, authorize Me to free you from the power of past criticism, disapproval, and rejection: when you could never please your dad…when you were never good enough for your mother…when you were never accepted for being you.  Only I, the Most High, can bring healing to your heart by replacing your childhood conclusions with My Truth.

BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS
(John 16:13).

Are you able to love deeply, from your heart? Do you love your blaming spouse, your disrespectful friend, and your hate-filled enemy?

If your answer is “NO,” I urge you to invite God’s Perspective into the spots of abandonment, condemnation, shame, and rejection that still live in your own heart. Once you know His Truth, you WILL be able to love everybody from your heart, even your enemies…that is, if you want to.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I bring my childhood conclusions to You. I want to know the Truth, so I may be set free from condemnation, rejection, abandonment, and shame…and be able to love.

Maintain an Awareness

Accompanying the original childhood conclusions were the original childhood emotions. These emotions were inextricably locked together with the childhood conclusions, so that one could not be evoked without the other.

The Two Counsels
March 31

Why Do You Run Away?

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I am a runner—I run away from pain.  The other day, my Everlasting Father asked me, “Why do you always run away from pain?  Why don’t you stay?”  It was then that I pondered the question: Why don’t I stay?  Why don’t I stay and face my pain of feeling that I am invisible…of feeling that I don’t count…of feeling that I am a mistake?

I run from pain, because I believe that it is not safe to stay.  I believe that the pain will destroy me if I stayed and faced it.

I run from pain, because I believe that it is a sin to experience feelings of shame, condemnation, abandonment, and rejection; therefore, I need to escape these as soon as possible.

I run from pain, because I believe that if I run away from it, the pain will go away all by itself…and I will be safe. But then I asked God for HIS Perspective, and He answered:

NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT
(1 Corinthians 10:13).

Precious Child, if you stay and face your pain, you will not be destroyed by it, since I will not allow the father-of-lies to tempt you beyond what you can bear.  Instead, I Myself will provide a way out of your pain, so that you may stand up under it.

Know that your pain is not the sin. Your pain is only the symptom of an oppressing belief from the father-of-lies that serves to convince you to run from Me, in order to prevent you from finding My Answers to his beliefs of shame, condemnation, abandonment, and rejection.   

Understand, Child, that if you run away from your pain, instead of facing it, your pain will only get worse over time and lead you farther and farther away from Me…into sin.  But, if you stay and face it, I, your Everlasting Father, will have a chance to heal your heart with My Love, Hope, and Truth.

I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING
(John 15:5).

What are the reasons YOU run away from the pain in YOUR heart?

I encourage you to bring your reasons to the Lord God, and ask Him for His Perspective. You might be surprised at His answers…or even the fact that He DOES answer.

PRAYER: Lord God, thank you that You are faithful. Thank you that You have Answers. Thank you that You have a way out of all my temptations. Help me to stay and find out what Your Answers are

Maintain an Awareness

God wants you to desire to be good, because He wants to fill YOU with His fruits of Righteousness.

The Two Counsels
March 30

Your Father in Heaven Is the Taskmaster

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TAKE CARE NOT TO DO YOUR GOOD DEEDS PUBLICLY OR BEFORE MEN, IN ORDER TO BE SEEN BY THEM; OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE NO REWARD [RESERVED FOR AND AWAITING YOU] WITH AND FROM YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN
(Matthew 6:1 AMP).

Many days I wake up and wonder, “What are the good works my Father has prepared for me, today?”  Since I have an intimate, personal relationship with God, I listen to Him to hear what He has planned for me for each day.  It took me awhile to stop doing ALL the good works that were available to me, to ONLY do the good works my Father has ordained specifically for me.

Beautiful One, I, your Father in Heaven, am aware of all the good works that you do.  But I want you to know that the good works that count the most to Me are the ones I have chosen for you before I even formed you. Know that I even made your unique spirit, soul, and body to match the specific tasks I had in mind for you. This is called My Purpose.

FOR WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO
(Ephesians 2:10).

Precious Child, I want you to grasp that the good works that I, your Father in Heaven, have prepared for you, you will be doing for ME, not the recipients of your good deeds.  I am the Taskmaster…the Employer…the Manager.  You are accountable to ME.  Therefore, be determined to commit yourself to Me, only.  Look for payment from ME, only.  Receive your honor from ME, only.  Take care not to do your good works for people, in order to be rewarded by them; otherwise you will have no reward from ME, your Taskmaster in Heaven.

THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU
(Matthew 6:4).

Which good works do you do, every day: the ones YOU have chosen for yourself, or the ones the FATHER IN HEAVEN has chosen for you? Not sure? Then, you need to stop ALL good works and establish a relationship with Him, first.

Understand that you need to become God’s workmanship, first, before you will find the good works HE has prepared for you, in advance. That means that you need to establish an intimate, personal relationship with Him, in order to hear His Voice. Then, He will tell you what HE has planned for you to do for Him.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, call me to an intimate, personal relationship with You. Make me Your workmanship, created anew in Your Son, Jesus. Then, quicken my ears and my eyes that I may hear Your Voice and see Your Purpose for my life—the good works You have prepared for me.

Maintain an Awareness

I found out that I had an enemy. You do, too. We have had him from the beginning of our lives. His name is the father-of-lies. His native language is…lying!

The Two Counsels

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Worthless

March 29

Doomed, Damned, and Despised

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THEREFORE, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, BECAUSE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE SET ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH
(Romans 8:1-2).

Do you feel doomed, damned, and despised? Does death reign in your spirit, soul, and body? Know that these are the effects of the Law of Sin and Death, governed by the father-of-lies. He will reign in your life as long as you let him, accusing you of being bad, beyond restoration.

But, the Everlasting Father has done something supernatural to end the father-of-lies’ reign in your life. He sent His own Son, disguised as a human, to end the Law of Sin and Death in your spirit, soul, and body. The Lord Jesus came to your rescue, to terminate condemnation—the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies that deem you doomed, damned, and despised. But, YOU NEED TO ACCEPT HIS SACRIFICE for you.

FOR GOD HAS DONE WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO, [ITS POWER] BEING WEAKENED BY THE FLESH [THE ENTIRE NATURE OF MAN WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT]. SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE GUISE OF SINFUL FLESH AND AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN, [GOD] CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH [SUBDUED, OVERCAME, DEPRIVED IT OF ITS POWER OVER ALL WHO ACCEPT THAT SACRIFICE]
(Romans 8:3 AMP).

Therefore, there will be no condemnation in your life if you allow the Lord Jesus to redeem you from the reign of the father-of-lies in your spirit, soul, and body, and bring you under His Government of Love, Hope, and Truth. His Law of Life delivers you from the Law of Death, enforced by the father-of-lies.  Know that it is for freedom that Christ Jesus has set you free: freedom from condemnation…freedom from disapproval…freedom from rebuke.

IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY
(Galatians 5:1).

Do you feel condemned…convicted…guilty…sentenced to death? Know that condemnation is not an effect of people’s words to you, but rather, an effect of the father-of-lies’ words to you.

Understand that the Lord Jesus has done what you cannot do: to deprive condemnation of its power over you, so you may feel accepted, acquitted, and approved. But you have an obligation: to invite His Law of Life to free you from the Law of Death that reigns in your heart.

PRAYER: Precious Lord Jesus, I praise you for the wondrous things You have done for my heart. You have done what I cannot do: to set me free from the power of condemnation over my spirit, soul, and body. Today I accept your sacrifice. I invite Your Law of Life to set me free from the Law of Death. I accept Your offer, in faith.

Maintain an Awareness

Thus, the OLD MAN became the origin of sin that causes the effect of sin in each of us. The OLD MAN is where it all started and where it all ends…unless we are delivered from it.

The Two Counsels

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Accused

March 28

Let Him Go Before You

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I KNOW YOUR [RECORD OF] WORKS AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING.  SEE! I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU A DOOR WIDE OPEN WHICH NO ONE IS ABLE TO SHUT; I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BUT LITTLE POWER, AND YET YOU HAVE KEPT MY WORD AND GUARDED MY MESSAGE AND HAVE NOT RENOUNCED OR DENIED MY NAME
(Revelation 3:8 AMP).

Beloved One, I Myself am going before you to open the door wide open through which I want you to enter.  Understand that it is not up to you to find your own door and force your way in.  It is not up to you to look and find My Will; instead, I will reveal it to you when and while you obey Me.

WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM”
(John 14:21).

Therefore, obey My Counsel. Hear My Voice. Seek only My Will. Then, follow Me through the door I will show you, as I guide you into all Truth and make My Will known to you.

Know that the door I open for you no one and nothing will be able to shut: not your lack of power, neither your lack of resources, nor your lack of knowledge, hope, or love.  You only have to obey…and follow!  Along with the open door, I will provide everything else you need.

I WILL LEAD THE BLIND BY WAYS THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN, ALONG UNFAMILIAR PATHS I WILL GUIDE THEM; I WILL TURN THE DARKNESS INTO LIGHT BEFORE THEM AND MAKE THE ROUGH PLACES SMOOTH. THESE ARE THE THINGS I WILL DO; I WILL NOT FORSAKE THEM
(Isaiah 42:16).

Are you using your own strength to push doors open, trying to live God’s Will for your life?

Do not speed ahead of God, searching frantically for an open door.  Instead, fall in step behind Him. Obey Him. Follow Him.  Let Him show you the way. Then, when you cannot see, He will turn the darkness into Light before you.  He Himself will lead you when you are in unfamiliar places. He will make all the rough places smooth. Do not be afraid. He will not forsake you. Just follow Him…from behind.

PRAYER: Abba, I look to You for guidance.  I have not renounced or denied Your Name.  I have obeyed You and look to You to open the doors.  You are the only one who can open doors which no one can shut. I need you to open the doors that have been shut for so long, since I have but little power. Make Your Will known to me. Make the rough places smooth, O Lord. Turn my darkness into Light.

Maintain an Awareness

Obedient surrender consists of three steps: EMBRACING, EXPOSING, and giving permission to be EXCHANGED.

The Two Counsels

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Fearful Worthless

March 27

Discipline Means Training to Correct

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OUR FATHERS DISCIPLINED US FOR A LITTLE WHILE AS THEY THOUGHT BEST; GOD DISCIPLINES US FOR OUR GOOD, THAT WE MAY SHARE IN HIS HOLINESS
(Hebrew 12:10).

I have many negative, destructive beliefs in my mind that have been planted there by the father-of-lies.  Usually, the first thing I do when one of these lies is triggered is to flee from it.  I would actually get up and walk away when I feel shamed in someone’s presence.  At that moment, all that matters to me is to withdraw and hide.  However, the Everlasting Father has asked me to do something different—HE HAS ASKED ME TO STAY:

ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE; GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS. FOR WHAT SON IS NOT DISCIPLINED BY HIS FATHER?
(Hebrew 12:7).

Child, instead of running away, I want you to stay when your shame is triggered…so I may turn it into Holiness.  I will use the same shame the father-of-lies uses to HURT you, to HEAL you, if you would only stay and let Me.

MY SON, DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE, AND DO NOT LOSE HEART WHEN HE REBUKES YOU, BECAUSE THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES
(Hebrew 12:5-6).

Discipline means training to correct.  If you would stay, face your shame, and surrender it to God, He would turn your shame into holiness, but if you run, your shame will come back to haunt you again…and again…and again.

NO DISCIPLINE SEEMS PLEASANT AT THE TIME, BUT PAINFUL. LATER ON, HOWEVER, IT PRODUCES A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT”
(Hebrew 12:11).

How do you react when something or someone evokes shame in you? Do you run to a hiding place? Do you become defensive? Do you pretend that nothing is wrong? What would it take for you to stay and allow God to produce a harvest of Righteousness and Peace in you?

I encourage you to become trained, corrected, and healed by God’s discipline. Stop hiding, running away, and blaming others when your pain is evoked by the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies. Stay! Let God have His way with you, so He may treat you as a son.

PRAYER: Everlasting Father, lift my eyes above the shame, so I would see Your Holiness…and stay. May I endure hardship as a training to correct, so You could turn my abandonment into Belonging, my shame into Confidence, and my condemnation into Acceptance.

Maintain an Awareness

I found out that I had an enemy. You do, too. We have had him from the beginning of our lives. His name is the father-of-lies. His native language is…lying!

The Two Counsels

Beliefs/Emotions associated with this blessing.
Click on any box below to access more blessings that pertain to the topic in the box.

Shameful