Some people are so ashamed of their actions that they can’t bring themselves to tell anyone their secret. The result is the worst kind of guilt that festers inside with no chance for relief. This is called unforgiveness of self. 

Forgive yourself:

Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive yourself for things you have done. It is the worst kind of unforgiveness. I believe it is easier to forgive someone else at times than it is to forgive ourselves. But we all need to find a way to forgive ourselves. The thing we must realize is that if God has forgiven us, then we are forgiven; and we must constantly remind ourselves of this truth. 

Let the past be past:

Maybe you write down what you have done and, after you have done that and prayed, burn it or shred it. So many are so incredibly hard on themselves. It’s constantly living a cycle of disappointment for the things you have done. It seems endless. I’ve heard it referred to as the obnoxious roommate who takes away your self-esteem. It reminds you of the things you have said about yourself that are negative and wrong. 

Allow yourself to be imperfect:

What we have to remember is that no one is perfect — we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We need to remind ourselves of what 1 John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is a good God and wants to help us, never harm us. 

So, let’s kick out that obnoxious roommate of unforgiveness and replace him with one of peace and forgiveness.

Just a thought,

PSS

In our everyday lives we will encounter moments or situations that will need to be dealt with. In other words, we may need to confront some issue with someone to resolve some dispute or a disagreement.

Definition:

The word confront is defined: to come face-to-face with, especially with defiance or hostility: to come against: encounter: to face, especially in challenge: to cause to meet: bring face-to-face. Get the picture? To confront means I’m going to come face-to-face with someone to deal with an issue.

Don’t be a peacekeeper:

In our society people have come up with this notion, “Better to leave alone than to confront. I don’t want to start a problem.” The problem is, nothing will ever get resolved. There will be conflict constantly. I believe it’s better to deal with stuff than to keep packing hurts, disappointments, and lack of understanding away, and trying to manage it emotionally.

Be a peacemaker:

Confrontation is good when done in a proper manner. Don’t do it in anger; if you do, the person or persons you are confronting will see your anger, and will not see the issue. Be willing to see the other side. Sometimes we deal with things from our perspective, but when we hear the other side, understanding can come. Know that just because we think something, doesn’t mean that’s always 100% the way it is. Don’t work to be right as much as you work to resolve. Look for places to find agreement.

Remember: confrontation done in the right way, with a proper perspective, is always good.

Just a thought,

PSS

Serve God with Fastings and Prayers

As we begin our churchwide time of praying and fasting, I want to encourage you that whatever fast you do, finish it, complete it. 

Fleshly appetites:

If this were easy on our flesh, then everyone would do it a lot more. If you have never fasted, it will amaze you how strong our fleshly appetites are — how much of a struggle it is to deny these fleshly appetites. It will take discipline, will power, and God’s Holy Spirit to help you. Push through; don’t give up. 

The bread of life:

The Bible says we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The word of God will sustain you. So, while you are fasting, spend time — extra time — in prayer and reading your Bible. 

To him that believeth:

Believe for something in your personal life — maybe a breakthrough in an area, maybe for a family member, maybe you need the wisdom of God. But believe for God to do something in your personal life. Then pray and believe for God’s Church (Legacy Church) to thrive and grow and reach more and more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ — that the lost would come in, that our church finances would increase so we can continue to expand His Church, making more and more room for the harvest of souls that He is sending us. Let’s believe God together for great things to happen in our personal lives, for the Church, and for our city. 

Remember: finish it, no matter what. Push through and watch God move in your lives.

Just a thought,

PSS

Resilience

We all need resilience to live a fulfilling life. With resilience, you’ll be more prepared to take on challenges, to develop your talents, skills, and abilities so that you can live with more purpose and more joy.        — Eric Greitens

Learning to deal with:

Resilience means the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Resilience comes from believing in yourself, but most of all believing in God and the Lord Jesus. It’s not a trait people are born with. It involves learning to deal with behavior, thoughts, and actions — developing these things.

Characteristics of:

Here are a few ways to develop your resilience. Resilient people don’t try to solve problems with the same thinking that created them. In other words, resilient people don’t make the same mistake again and again. Resilient people have learned that life is not what happens to us but what happens within us. Resilient people keep giving. They find a way to serve others even in the toughest of times. They remain selfless.

Rejoice in the Lord:

So, we can learn to be more resilient if we want to. In Habakkuk 3:17-18, it talks about even though I lose everything, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

Tough times never last, but tough people do. We can grow and become more resilient if we believe and serve the Lord.

Just a thought,

PSS

Selfishness Leads to Unhappiness

The opposite of love is selfishness. Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant (Matthew 20:26 NCV).

It’s about me:

Selfishness is sweeping our nation, our world. Today, “It’s about me — I’m number one.” No wonder people don’t get along. Selfishness is destroying our country, destroying so many relationships. Selfish: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for anyone else. Being selfish is not living as one wishes to live. It is asking others to live as one wishes to live.

It’s destructive:

Selfishness says, “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” Selfishness is destructive. If life is all about you — your needs and what you want — and no one else, then your life is a sad one.

It’s really about others:

Selflessness, servanthood is the way to go to truly live. We must learn to care about others — to realize other people matter as well. Happiness doesn’t come through selfishness but through selflessness. We can change if we want to. Start by putting your spouse first, your children first, and watch how God changes your life.

Let’s learn servanthood.

Just a thought,

PSS

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