By: Undre Griggs, Jr. Shame and guilt are the feeling we get when we know we have sinned. Our morality comes from our creator; so whether we want to admit it or not, we do not enjoy sin. Jeremiah 3:25 (NIV): Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the Lord our God, both we and our ancestors; from our youth till this day we have not obeyed the Lord our God.” Understanding sin separates us from God helps us to understand why we would feel sorrow or shame when we sin. To remove shame we must reunite with God under the salvation found in His son Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16 (NKJV): For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 10:11 (ESV): For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Once we have placed our trust in Jesus, we must forgive ourselves of the sins we have committed. We should not demean ourselves by continually playing our worst decisions in a loop. Our last mistake is not going to be our last mistake; so we need to learn to let go and let God handle the issues of our life. We cannot be fearful or ashamed of our human weaknesses; we must be confident in the person we can become by abiding in Christ. Isaiah 54:4 (ESV): Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. When we put our trust in God, we will be able to endure all types of persecution and hardships. No matter the ridicule, no matter the embarrassment; if we are working for the furthering of God’s kingdom, no shame will be in our game. 2 Timothy 1:11-12 (NKJV): For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Psalm 31:1-2 (NIV): In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. In life, we do not have much of a say when it comes to results. Through effort we can increase our probability of success, but we ultimately do not have any way to guarantee the result that we want. Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NIV): I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. A content person may research the education and experience needed for a particular job, they may attend the highest rated program, and they may even be willing to move to a particular city. These actions only increase the likelihood they obtain that job, but content people are okay with whatever the results are. Content people understand that complaining about things not going their way, even if they believe they “deserve it”, is an insult to God. Exodus 16:8 (ESV): And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.” A content person’s faith is so massive; they are willing to trust in God through all hardships. They have an unshakeable resolve to endure whatever life throws their way for the faith. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV): For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. A content person understands their intellect, skills, and opportunity to succeed are all signs of God’s favor in their life. James 1:17 (NKJV): Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. If we were given an infinite number of chances to plan our life, we would fail every time. We would always want to change something because we are continually learning. God’s plan is the best plan because God’s wisdom is infinite. God does not have a beginning or an end; He was always there and will always be.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. One of the vows commonly found in Western weddings is the promise to love through the good times and the bad. Marriage is a promise before God to stay with someone until death. We recognize that we will grow old and that we will change. We comprehend some of those changes may draw us closer together, while other changes may push us further apart. We understand there may be unforeseen events that can challenge that commitment, but it is our responsibility to exhaust all options available. We are but an obedient child to the standard our Father has set on what love is. Romans 5:8 (ESV): But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. To make a long term relationship work requires a commitment that few achieve. To make a relationship work, we must give the most of ourselves when our spouse deserves it the least. Christ made it clear, loving and treating others well when they are loving and treating you well is not saying much. Luke 6:32-34 (NIV): "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.” Understanding how difficult this can be, we must constantly remind ourselves of the perspective we are to have. Loving our spouse (or anyone) through the “bad times” is much easier when we have a humble heart. The wages of all sin is death, and while we may personally believe some actions are “more bad” than others, our love can cover a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8). We only need to be willing to forgive and show mercy to our loved ones, as God forgave and showed mercy to us (Matthew 6:14-15). And while it may not always be easy, there is nothing more difficult than being judged without mercy because we didn’t show mercy to our loved ones. James 2:12-13 (ESV): So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr In English “scoffer” can mean; “one who mocks, ridicules, or scorns the belief of another“. According to Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew word translated as “scoffer” can also be translated to mean “ambassador”. Meaning a scoffer does not simply disagree with an idea, but they make it their personal mission to prove your idea wrong. Throughout the Bible, a scoffer is considered someone who chooses to disbelieve God and His Word. This is not limited to nonbelievers who believe there is no God (Psalm 14:1), but also believers who choose not to be obedient to all of God’s Words (2 Timothy 4:3). You will notice scoffers do not like to: Be Corrected - Proverbs 15:12 (ESV): A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. Listen to Correction - Proverbs 13:1 (ESV): A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Grow in Understanding - Proverbs 14:6 (ESV): A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Have People Around Them Who Correct Them - Proverbs 9:8 (ESV): Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. We will never truly be able to avoid scoffers. They will be present within our family, our faith, and our workplace. To combat scoffers, we should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks . . . to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). With that said, it is important to understand that we need to avoid speaking to scoffers once we start to become influenced and not influencers (1 Corinthians 15:33). But rest assured, there is coming a promised day when "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). On that day there will no longer be any scoffers. They will finally accept the whole truth, and their scoffing will be forever silenced.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. In the world, we don’t always feel like dealing with the abuse or lack of recognition. We don’t always feel appreciated or understood, but we cannot let that affect our effort. Our effort is a testimony to the Lord and of the Lord. Matthew 5:16 (ESV): In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Colossians 3:23 (ESV): Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, We have to continually remind ourselves that we are not working for anyone but the Lord. That means we are not worried about earthly rewards and recognition. We are not easily deterred by people, because our work ethic is only contingent on Jesus Christ (and He has never let us down). When we keep our eyes on the Lord, it is easier for us to remember that everything we have was given to us. Therefore, there is nothing we can do in life that cannot be used for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV): So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Romans 11:36 (NKJV): For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Our days on this earth are not promised to us and we need to live every moment for the Lord. We cannot let the roller-coaster that is life stifle our effort and representation of Christ. Neither should we assume any task cannot be used for the furthering of God’s kingdom. Our lives and talents are precious to God and should be precious to us; live today without regret as if Christ was returning tomorrow.
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Dean Road
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