Who I am in Christ?

[Soldier4Christ]

and on the list goes but each found forgiveness, and I want that too.

We do not need to do anything to gain God's love and acceptance.

All too often we struggle with our past. We struggle with the idea that we may not be forgiven because of our past. We struggle with following the word of God. We struggle wanting a closer relationship with Christ. If we but stop struggling and let God work in and through us we could achieve all this and more. There is an old saying that does apply. "Let go and let God." We must let go of those things that are haunting us in our past, stop struggling with them and give them completely over to God. Let Him deal with those things for us.

When we struggle then we are actually trying to take care of those things ourselves instead of trusting in God to do as He says He will do. We bind our lives in those things.

How do we quit struggling and let God do the work? We turn to Him in prayer, handing those things we have struggled with over to Him, asking Him to take care of them, to heal our hurts and anguish. Then we let go of them.

 

[musicllover]

All too often we struggle with our past. We struggle with the idea that we may not be forgiven because of our past. We struggle with following the word of God. We struggle wanting a closer relationship with Christ. If we but stop struggling and let God work in and through us we could achieve all this and more. There is an old saying that does apply. "Let go and let God." We must let go of those things that are haunting us in our past, stop struggling with them and give them completely over to God. Let Him deal with those things for us.

When we struggle then we are actually trying to take care of those things ourselves instead of trusting in God to do as He says He will do. We bind our lives in those things.

How do we quit struggling and let God do the work? We turn to Him in prayer, handing those things we have struggled with over to Him, asking Him to take care of them, to heal our hurts and anguish. Then we let go of them.

 

Pastor Rogers,
I know all these things, I've read them or heard them and agree with them in part.  It isn't as simply as letting go and letting God. Don't take this the wrong way but is that a Scripture or just a cliche' because I don't understand it and I don't know how. I sound bitter, and resentful, and I don't want to be, I know prayer is the place to begin, and to continue in but saying then we let go... well makes it sound too easy. Isn't there more to it than simply letting go.... cause I think I've let go a million times. Of coarse your going to tell me I never really let it go or I wouldn't be dealing with it all again. Which may be be true, I can honestly say, letting God have my past, that is a hard call for me I have only come to understand it myself in the last few years. Its ugly, its not something you want your Lord to see, (even though he knows already) the idea of standing before God some day is unbarable and so shameful. 

I don't intend to argue or sound disbelieving but I have prayed, many many times.

I've not gotten to do alot with the scriptures you have offered, but I will, my PC is in the shop and when I get it out I can make a copy of them and begin looking them over each day. From head knowledge to heart knowledge.... from words on paper to word written on my very soul I want to know who or what I am suppose to be in Christ. I will not stop praying but there is something missing in all this.
 Jesus is Lord,

[Soldier4Christ]

Let go and let God is a cliche but it is one that is based on Biblical principles. It is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Many people struggle with this concept. I can understand about things in our past being embarrassing and not wanting to stand before God and have such exposed. You will not be alone in this aspect. Praise God that He is understanding and oh so willing to forgive us our sins. Some times it is a matter of learning to trust in God's promises to us and abiding in His strength, not our own.

Something that may help is to remember to praise God, thank Him for all that He has done for us even if it is things we do not see. Start it with the first waking moment of the day and all day long right to the moment just before going to sleep. Talk to the Lord as though He were a very, very close friend for He is indeed the best friend we will ever have. He already knows our every secret and loves us and is willing to forgive us despite all that. It is the very reason that He gave His all for us on the cross.

[Maryjane]

I love this...As I read the topic...I was about to post the same list...My pastor asked me to do the manuscript typing for His book..Equipping the Saints..and I typed all that we are in Christ...We have been given life so abundant...How in the world can we not share this with a dying world?....How can we not be bold?...

[nChrist]

Hello Musicllover,

There's a reason why the Holy Bible describes a war between the old man and the new man. First, we are still in the world, so the temptations of sin are all around us. Second, we are still in this corruptible body of flesh that is weak and susceptible to sin. Paul described a continuing war within himself, and there is a continuing war within all of us during this short life. We are capable of doing many things with the help of GOD, even during this short life. However, no Christians are able to totally conquer sin in this life.

GOD never promised Christians an easy time in this short life. In fact, he promised the opposite. There is no irony that we grow stronger in CHRIST with trials, trouble, illness, and the other problems that we will all face in this life. We will all also face death unless JESUS CHRIST comes for us first.

It's obvious that Christians handle all kinds of problems differently with CHRIST. We also do better as we grow and mature in CHRIST. However, this doesn't hint that we won't have trials, problems, and crisis to face. We will just handle them better and better as we grow and mature in CHRIST because we aren't alone. GOD is with us and in us, so we don't have the same level of despair as those who are alone and lost. Many of a Christian's trials and troubles can actually be a good thing because they draw us closer to CHRIST and stronger in HIM. These are things that we have to learn, and GOD helps us if we pray and ask HIM to. After all, we have the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD living in our hearts as a comforter and guide. GOD doesn't force us to accept HIS help, but Christians with common sense will learn how to pray for HIS help and accept it with Thanksgiving.

Christians all have a different quantity and quality of fellowship with GOD, and that's because of us - not GOD. Do we worship and praise GOD every day, or do we just come begging when we have trouble? Do we given GOD the proper place in our lives, or have we made HIM 2nd, 3rd, or worse in comparison to many other things. HE is ALMIGHTY GOD - OUR CREATOR, and HE'S already told us that there won't be any other gods (little "g") before HIM. Have we given HIM HIS rightful place as NUMBER ONE and the CORE OF OUR LIVES? If NOT, what should we expect? This is also part of our growing in the strength of CHRIST and maturing in HIM. BUT, this still doesn't hint that we won't have trials and problems to face. We will simply be stronger in CHRIST and better equipped to handle them because of HIS help.

I hope this made some sense.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 8:26-27 NASB  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

[Brother Jerry]

Musiclover

I'm not sure how to wrap my past around a forgiving God

let me first say that you are not to wrap anything.  God has already taken your past and wrapped it with the blood of Jesus.  This is done.  There is nothing else to do with it as far as God is concerned. 

I'm not sure how to wrap my past around a forgiving God

Galatians 1:13-15
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

1 Corinthians 15:9-10
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

You said that you have read of Paul.  These are two groups of Paul's writings that sum him up completely....and they sum every saved person up completely.  Paul accepted who he was as Saul.  He knew who he was and what he had done.  Persecution unlike anything ever seen since Christ.  But notice he does not doubt at all that God had taken all that he had done and washed it away.  It did not matter what Paul had already done in his life.  What mattered is what was Paul GOING to do with his new life.  In both of these verse groups what do we see as being the one who pulls the person from their sinful nature...God through Grace.  I know you know this, but it is a matter of trusting in this.

letting God have my past, that is a hard call for me I have only come to understand it myself in the last few years. Its ugly, its not something you want your Lord to see, (even though he knows already) the idea of standing before God some day is unbarable and so shameful.

Ok not only does the Lord know what you went through...He went through it with you. 

I want to know who or what I am suppose to be in Christ.

That is easy.  You are supposed to be you. 

As PR had mentioned before it is a matter of letting go and letting God.  Letting go as in stop trying to control what happens.  Stop trying to make things happen.  Letting God is letting God take control of things, and let what God wants to happen, happen. 

This is truly one of the hardest things for people to do.  But yet it is also one of the easiest things to do.  Yeah I know that was as clear as mud.  But what I mean for that is that it is incredibly hard to actually do, but once you do it and look back you realize that it was easy to do, what made it difficult was you.  Our sinful nature has made it where we want to have control in our lives.  We want to think it was because of the work we have done that got us the job, we want to think that it was because of the work we have done that got us a date, or our wife, or our house, or whatever.  That is natural for that too happen.  But what we must realize is that it is ALL the work of God.  And then what we have to do is now listen for when He says to jump...we need to jump. 

ML if you remain true to God in your heart then He will reveal to you the directions He wants you to go.  But you have to be ready and willing to go where he points you.  If God puts it in your heart to sing to the bushpeople of Africa then I suggest that you get your sun screen and bug repellant and get ready for the bush. 

And right now there are 20 Christians that just read that and said "amen! I would go"...but there are 19 of them when called said that they were to busy or that they could not leave their family or job or whatever.  And honestly I would probably be one of those 19.  Which is my struggle of the flesh.  I am all about it unless it means packing up my household and moving...then I would probably struggle.

And I know that when I struggled with my faith I quit going to church, I stopped reading my Bible, and I quit praying.  When God finally broke me and humbled me I saw all of the times before that He had provided me an out.  One that would have been less painful and less humiliating...but I did not listen and then finally just before I did lose everything, I finally listened.   God led me to James and I started reading and weeping.  What verse broke me may do nothing for you because circumstances are different....but the point is do not quit reading your Bible, do not stop praying, and do not stop going to church.

ML you have the prayers of all of us here.  You are not alone, Jesus has been there with you all along and we are with you here now.

Dear heavenly Father we do pray for our sister.  Lord we know that you are the great Healer and the Mighty Comforter, and we ask that in the troubled times of our sister that she can feel your shoulder to cry upon if needed, and your warm embracing hug of reassurance.  Lord we lift her up to you as a sweet sister in need.  Lead her and guide her to what it is that you would have her to do in her life.  Let her feel your guidance in letting go of everything in her life and turning it over to you Lord.  Guide her through finding you and herself in your Word.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.
 

[nChrist]

AMEN BROTHER JERRRY!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 3:20-21 NASB  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Another Amen! Brother Jerry.

I would like to share a very old story about a broken pot.

  The Broken Pot 

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on an end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws.

Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness your strength is made perfect.


2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10  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.

[Maryjane]

Beautiful story 

[musicllover]

Hello Musicllover,

There's a reason why the Holy Bible describes a war between the old man and the new man. First, we are still in the world, so the temptations of sin are all around us. Second, we are still in this corruptible body of flesh that is weak and susceptible to sin. Paul described a continuing war within himself, and there is a continuing war within all of us during this short life. We are capable of doing many things with the help of GOD, even during this short life. However, no Christians are able to totally conquer sin in this life.

GOD never promised Christians an easy time in this short life. In fact, he promised the opposite. There is no irony that we grow stronger in CHRIST with trials, trouble, illness, and the other problems that we will all face in this life. We will all also face death unless JESUS CHRIST comes for us first.

It's obvious that Christians handle all kinds of problems differently with CHRIST. We also do better as we grow and mature in CHRIST. However, this doesn't hint that we won't have trials, problems, and crisis to face. We will just handle them better and better as we grow and mature in CHRIST because we aren't alone. GOD is with us and in us, so we don't have the same level of despair as those who are alone and lost. Many of a Christian's trials and troubles can actually be a good thing because they draw us closer to CHRIST and stronger in HIM. These are things that we have to learn, and GOD helps us if we pray and ask HIM to. After all, we have the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD living in our hearts as a comforter and guide. GOD doesn't force us to accept HIS help, but Christians with common sense will learn how to pray for HIS help and accept it with Thanksgiving.

Christians all have a different quantity and quality of fellowship with GOD, and that's because of us - not GOD. Do we worship and praise GOD every day, or do we just come begging when we have trouble? Do we given GOD the proper place in our lives, or have we made HIM 2nd, 3rd, or worse in comparison to many other things. HE is ALMIGHTY GOD - OUR CREATOR, and HE'S already told us that there won't be any other gods (little "g") before HIM. Have we given HIM HIS rightful place as NUMBER ONE and the CORE OF OUR LIVES? If NOT, what should we expect? This is also part of our growing in the strength of CHRIST and maturing in HIM. BUT, this still doesn't hint that we won't have trials and problems to face. We will simply be stronger in CHRIST and better equipped to handle them because of HIS help.

I hope this made some sense.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 8:26-27 NASB  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Tom,
        I couldn't agree more with the old man, new man, what you have said makes perfect sense. I am wrestling with my own sin and the sins of my past. Do you believe in generational curses? Because not only did the abuse come through step parents but also my own paternal grandfather, and I wonder is this what I am dealing with? YES, I  Praying for understanding, seeking forgiveness, seeking the Holy Spirits guidance. I am studying the book of John, and then I spend time singing playing my guitar or piano maybe both. I am giving God the time he needs to lead me, talk back to me through song or his word.This it is not like me usually I jump into something with both feet, but not this, this is too important to try to skip corners. Sadley, Its almost as if I have forgotten how to pray, when once I thought of myself as a prayer warrior, on my face, or with groanings....I'm not gotten there yet, but I am not going to stop either. I know God still listens. I  battle the condemnation of not attending church, not praying more in the last several years, not being a wife, my sins are many and some very personal. I get very angry when some of what I am dealing with isn't necessarily my sin but sin that was brought into my life by the perverison of others. But I have allowed their sins to affect my walk with the Lord. I wasn't steadfast, and have become weak...but again I know the scriptures. I have gotten beaten down in every area of my life, faith, family, finances, my marriage, my church... I want to pick the pieces up or maybe not even worry about that, but I do want to move on with Jesus as my center.

[musicllover]

Brother, I have tried to copy and answer below each quote, hope this works.
[/quote]
let me first say that you are not to wrap anything.  God has already taken your past and wrapped it with the blood of Jesus.  This is done.  There is nothing else to do with it as far as God is concerned. 
Galatians 1:13-15
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, [/quote]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, it is not I but God who does the work of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but it is still hard for me mentally to not only understand the concept but deal with the shame and lack of trust in myself and to some degree Jesus. I know what the word says and that makes it almost harder for me because I do know how forgiveness works. Its like having the knowledge of knowing how to walk but then ending up in a wheel chair, you still have the knowledge but lack the ability. I have in many way become a spiritual cripple, knowing what I know, but feeling powerless to do anything. YES Jesus does the work but at the same time don't I need to have myself in a better place spiritually and physically? Aside from a Damascus road conversion I feel I need to prepare because this is a spiritual battle. 

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

You said that you have read of Paul.  These are two groups of Paul's writings that sum him up completely....and they sum every saved person up completely.  Paul accepted who he was as Saul.  He knew who he was and what he had done.  Persecution unlike anything ever seen since Christ.  But notice he does not doubt at all that God had taken all that he had done and washed it away.  It did not matter what Paul had already done in his life.  What mattered is what was Paul GOING to do with his new life.  In both of these verse groups what do we see as being the one who pulls the person from their sinful nature...God through Grace.  I know you know this, but it is a matter of trusting in this.

Paul is one of my favorite people of the scriptures, because he was as human and as sinful as any man today. I do not doubt all that God has done or will do, it is me I doubt? I want to be real in my faith, I do not want this to be a hollow battle, I do not want to simply go through the motions which is what I did for years before facing my past. I find myself wanting the spiritual renewing, the rebirth that John speaks about, but not trusting myself either. Crazy isn't it, wanting what is free for the taking but not trusting yourself enough to take it?

[musicllover]

OK not only does the Lord know what you went through...He went through it with you. 

You have no idea what kind of horror this causes me, and yes I find some comfort too. But mostly I feel shame. I had a Christian therapist who had me place Jesus at my side as he had me revisit some of the abuse, I couldn't do it, it was like the whole world wouldn't have been big enough to hold that much shame and anger. Yet I know Jesus understands betrayal from those who one day called him savior and then screamed crucify him the next. I am afraid to place him there in my mind, but I long to feel his love, protection, and yes forgiveness. Even forgiveness for those who hurt me. I can't deny there are days that I hope they burn in hell (two are passed away). But then I ask for forgiveness for those thoughts, cause I'm no less sinner than they were.

That is easy.  You are supposed to be you. 

OH no,  you see I don't think I like "me" very much. There in lies the first questions, how do I know who I am in Christ? Cause if I can find that person then maybe I could like her. I could be the person God intended, not because of my past, but because created a brand new me. Not someone who was fake, or only going through the motions, what I seek is a dieing of the old me, and a rebirth of what God really intended for me to be. Maybe I am only fooling myself but God placed a call on my life before I was born, the abuse stole that, the devil used those I trusted to kill  who I was suppose to be. But God call has not been really stolen just side tracked for a while. I am fighting to retrieve it.

As PR had mentioned before it is a matter of letting go and letting God.  Letting go as in stop trying to control what happens.  Stop trying to make things happen.  Letting God is letting God take control of things, and let what God wants to happen, happen. 

This is truly one of the hardest things for people to do.  But yet it is also one of the easiest things to do.  Yeah I know that was as clear as mud.  But what I mean for that is that it is incredibly hard to actually do, but once you do it and look back you realize that it was easy to do, what made it difficult was you.  Our sinful nature has made it where we want to have control in our lives.  We want to think it was because of the work we have done that got us the job, we want to think that it was because of the work we have done that got us a date, or our wife, or our house, or whatever.  That is natural for that too happen.  But what we must realize is that it is ALL the work of God.  And then what we have to do is now listen for when He says to jump...we need to jump. 

ML if you remain true to God in your heart then He will reveal to you the directions He wants you to go.  But you have to be ready and willing to go where he points you.  If God puts it in your heart to sing to the bushpeople of Africa then I suggest that you get your sun screen and bug repellant and get ready for the bush.  ...

And I know that when I struggled with my faith I quit going to church, I stopped reading my Bible, and I quit praying.  When God finally broke me and humbled me I saw all of the times before that He had provided me an out.  One that would have been less painful and less humiliating...but I did not listen and then finally just before I did lose everything, I finally listened.   God led me to James and I started reading and weeping.  What verse broke me may do nothing for you because circumstances are different....but the point is do not quit reading your Bible, do not stop praying, and do not stop going to church.

I believe this is one of the hardest things I have ever done, allowing God control is hard for me, with out knowing it I have been a control freak all of my life. Partly because that was the way I felt safest, so again this is an area I have to let go of.

I am guilty of all that you have stated, I have prayed only some of the time,  not read enough, and stopped going to church. I absolutely need a good church, but my hands are tied in that area for the moment. I have no car to travel to church at the moment but soon I will have my own car (after I begin getting a pay check in Sept.). We have 3 churches to choose from, and one I will not attended since they believe they are the only one going to heaven. My husband attends a denominational church, but I don't go. Which is a very long story. A short version would be I am not liked there because I believe differently than they do, I am full gospel love to sing, pray, laying on of hands, and the signs of the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues. When I tried to attend the other church here in town it caused major problems with my already bad marriage because my kids wanted to attend with me and not my husband, either my kids were mad or my husband was mad. For a few years I attended a church away from here, but that was even harder on my marriage because I devoted most of my Sundays to my church, the kids wanted to go with me again, and my husband believes this is against scripture and the bible says you must attend church in the town you live in. (I haven't found the scripture he uses for that one) SO I stopped going there for several reasons, the church no longer exists. Now I go nowhere and know this is wrong.
When or where God calls I am willing that is all I can say, I can't imagine God calling me to Africa but hey I have seen him do such things, right now I must get back on my bigger and better spiritual feet.

ML you have the prayers of all of us here.  You are not alone, Jesus has been there with you all along and we are with you here now.

Dear heavenly Father we do pray for our sister.  Lord we know that you are the great Healer and the Mighty Comforter, and we ask that in the troubled times of our sister that she can feel your shoulder to cry upon if needed, and your warm embracing hug of reassurance.  Lord we lift her up to you as a sweet sister in need.  Lead her and guide her to what it is that you would have her to do in her life.  Let her feel your guidance in letting go of everything in her life and turning it over to you Lord.  Guide her through finding you and herself in your Word.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

THANK YOU so much, I find great comfort in this prayer and knowing that others are praying for me.

I feel as though I have given you tons of excuses. I don't want to give the impression I am dodging my responsibilities I want to love God again, I want a relationship with my Jesus better than before.  I ask lots of questions and explain so much but I need the wise council, and direction that this board can give me since I have no one else. God is great and he is able to do all things, I am willing and want only God's will in my life. Forgive me for the times I seem difficult, I do not intend to sound unbelieving but I need so many answers.

[musicllover]

Another Amen! Brother Jerry.

I would like to share a very old story about a broken pot.

  The Broken Pot 

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on an end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws.

Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness your strength is made perfect.


2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10  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.

WOW, never thought about God still using me in the shape I am in. Kinda feel as though I could fill an ocean with the leaks I have. But to comform something that htis story does bring out, during my quiet time pray this morning I didn't know how to even begin. I ended up simply saying ok God here I am, this is it, me and all the ugly please make do. I then came here and read this. Maybe all the cracks in my vessel has more of a purpose than I have ever given thought too.  I have much to think about, to pray about. In all things God be glorified.

[Soldier4Christ]

First of all let me assure you that no one here is judging you in this. We are simply trying to assure you and hold you up in the Lord.

Yes, I understand what you are saying, it is not I but God who does the work of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but it is still hard for me mentally to not only understand the concept but deal with the shame and lack of trust in myself and to some degree Jesus.

I do not doubt all that God has done or will do, it is me I doubt?

I can see the confusion that you are dealing with, because you say that to some degree lack trust in Jesus and then later say that you do doubt all that God has done or will do. If there is no doubt in God then there should be no lack of trust in God.

I want to be real in my faith, I do not want this to be a hollow battle, I do not want to simply go through the motions which is what I did for years before facing my past. I find myself wanting the spiritual renewing, the rebirth that John speaks about, but not trusting myself either. Crazy isn't it, wanting what is free for the taking but not trusting yourself enough to take it?

Not crazy at all. As I've said before, all too often we do the the battling when we should be letting God take control of the situation. We must give these things to Him and let Him work in us.

OH no,  you see I don't think I like "me" very much. There in lies the first questions, how do I know who I am in Christ? Cause if I can find that person then maybe I could like her. I could be the person God intended, not because of my past, but because created a brand new me. Not someone who was fake, or only going through the motions, what I seek is a dieing of the old me, and a rebirth of what God really intended for me to be. Maybe I am only fooling myself but God placed a call on my life before I was born, the abuse stole that, the devil used those I trusted to kill  who I was suppose to be. But God call has not been really stolen just side tracked for a while. I am fighting to retrieve it.

The things that we go through even those that are negative are the things that mold us into who we are. Even the negative can be turned into positive by God. (i.e the ex-homosexual that is now witnessing to and helping homosexuals out of their life of sin.)

Realizing our sinful past and being ashamed of it is what brings us humbly to the Lord. Let me say here that you speak of abuse. We are not held accountable for the sinful acts of others that we had no control over. Yes, we should forgive those individuals as hard as it may be. This is a part of turning it over to the Lord for we maybe too weak to do so on our own. As the Lord says, when we are weak He is strong. This is when we realize the need for Him.

I believe this is one of the hardest things I have ever done, allowing God control is hard for me, with out knowing it I have been a control freak all of my life. Partly because that was the way I felt safest, so again this is an area I have to let go of.

This is a normal response for someone that has suffered abuse at the hands of others. It is something that does need to be given over to the Lord. Difficult? Yes. The human nature in us continues to battle against this. This, too, is realizing the need for God as we are not capable to do so on our own.

I would really like to respond to more of your post but I need to get running. It is a busy day for me but know that I am and will be praying for you in this matter, that the Lord will help you in dealing with these things.

[nChrist]

Hello Musicllover,

First, please know that we will all continue to pray for you.

I think that Pastor Roger has already hit the nail on the head. Pray for forgiveness and know that the Blood of JESUS on the CROSS is more than enough. Let GOD clear your conscience and know that HE will wash you white as snow. Pray for guidance, pray some more, and wait on the LORD. In the meantime, study HIS WORD, worship, praise HIM, and thank HIM. There doesn't need to be any hurry. Know that HE is able and HE has already made you worthy. Start slowly putting things together and wait on the LORD to help you and guide you. I think that forgiveness is the first key issue. The easiest part will be the absolute knowledge that you will be and have been forgiven. The hard part will be you forgiving others, but GOD is with you. Take all the time you need with GOD and go one step at a time with HIM. Remember that you can approach the Throne of Grace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so pray and pray some more.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Peter 1:3 NASB  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.