Remorse

Joel 2:13 (TLB)

13 Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered; he is full of kindness and anxious not to punish you.

This morning during my alone time with God, He brought to my rememberance a sin I had commited long ago; one I had repented of to him, but not to the person I had sinned against. This sin was something I'd repeatedly done over and over and over. Although I truly was sorry in my own mind, I would justify doing it again when given the opportunity. 

I have always had a sensitive conscience and after I sinned, I always told God quietly I was sorry but then, when put in similiar situations, I would repeat that same sin. When I would get accused of the sin, I would admit doing it and say how sorry I was until one day, after I apologized, the person said, "You're only sorry you got caught." 

Those words stung because I knew it was true. I wanted to deny it, but I couldn't. When I got alone with God, I cried as I talked to him about my dilemma, wanting so badly to be rid of the sin but always coming back to the excuses I felt to be legitimate. 

I repeatedly asked God for help because I wanted to please Him. I hated my sin. I hated how I felt after I sinned. I felt bad for sinning against other people. I loved helping people so how could I justify hurting them?  

I was good at beating myself up. But, one day during my alone time with the Lord, I asked him to give me a scripture and opened my Bible to Isaiah 43:1-4 (TLB) But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. I gave Egypt and Ethiopia and Seba to Cyrus[a] in exchange for your freedom, as your ransom. 4 Others died that you might live; I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me and honored, and I love you.

Tears were running down my face! I had gone to church since before I was born but I'd never heard those verses and for the first time, knew God loved me!

As time passed, God exposing me to more truths I needed to hear so I could be healed and set free of the chains that had bound me. I learned I'd gotten very good at a deadly sin and shame cycle and, although I had many things happen to me that were beyond my control, stopping the cycle of shame, was in my control. I learned valuable lessons far beyond the scope of my sin. God was healing me one layer at a time.

After learning how to stop the shame cycle, God put another verse in front of me that changed my life forever. James 2:10 He that commits one sin is as guilty as he who commits them all. Then God reminded me of a Scripture I'd memorized as a child. For by Grace are ye saved... 

Condemnation lost its grip on me and I stopped condemning myself for my failures. When I sinned, I took it to the Cross and laid it down in repentence; asking God to continue changing me and asking him to draw me closer to Him day by day. 

The last time I commited that sin, I got caught and was asked if I had done it. For a fleating moment, I thought how easy it would be to deny because it would have been almost impossible to prove. I thought about what it may mean if I told the truth. True to myself, I admitted truth. I had long since decided that I would rather face consequences on earth, than face God with sin on Judgement Day.

In the days and months to follow, I paid some harsh consequences, but something had changed in me. I wasn't regretting what I had done because I'd gotten caught or because of the consequences I was paying. I paid them gladly...grateful to God for his mercy. 

For the first time, I was truly regretting how I had harmed the other person. I was able to put myself in their shoes and felt the sorrow of the harm I'd caused. I told myself and others repeatedly how bad I felt for harming the other person and I truly never wanted to do it again.

I knew I wanted to change and knowing myself, knew I had to put some boundaries around myself so I would never get tempted again. Gone were the excuses and the shifting of blame. All I could think about were all the people I'd hurt and felt true sorrow.

A year ago, I asked someone to pray for me and that prayer revealed a deep dark secret that was hiding in my heart for most of my life...and I did not realize it! I was shocked when the Lord revealed my heart of bitterness.

In the days that followed, I laid prostate before the Lord, with my arms wide open asking Him to cleanse me of everything that grieved Him. I wanted Him to fill me and be seen in me. I didn't think there could be anything else hiding inside me that I was oblivious to...

Until this morning when my thoughts turned to a person God had gently reminded me I needed to ask forgiveness from. I was thinking about what to say to show how truly sorry I was. I tried to think of how I could make amends.

My mind wandered for a few minutes as I tried to assess the condition of my heart. I knew I didn't feel condemnation or shame...yes I was sorry and not because I had to be sorry. It was deeper than that. 

One word came to my mind...REMORSE... I knew I could convey my sincere regret and remorse because I no longer sinned that sin. A feeling of inner warmth overwhelmed my spirit. 

God had changed my heart! 

THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD ARE TRUE

by David Wilkerson | September 19, 2014

[May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011]

David's love for the Lord never grew cold because he had respect for every word. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:9-11). “By them thy servant is warned.” Who is going to warn all those deluded sheep whose shepherds do not tell them the truth? They call this doomsday preaching negative, false prophecy but David and the prophets called it all sweet honey!

The sweetest, most merciful thing God is doing today for His people is to once again send fearless prophets and watchmen to awaken the church and instill the fear of God. How sweet the sound: “Flee the wrath of God.” Honey! “Without holiness no man shall see God.” Honey! “Except ye repent, ye shall die in your sins.” Honey! “The earth and also the works therein shall be burned up!” Honey! I trust you can say with Jeremiah, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Jesus warned, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). This speaks of those whose love never decays, but rather grows and perseveres through all trials. Timothy ties it to our attitudes toward sound doctrine: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine . . . and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). A great resistance to pure, uncorrupt doctrine is coming in these very last days. Sound doctrine conforms hearers to godliness but many will not put up with it—they won’t endure it. There will be a widespread rejection of holiness preaching and prophetic warnings (see 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Thousands of Christians will be so cold at midnight that not even the falling judgments will move them back to God. Jeremiah mourned for his people: “Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction” (Jeremiah 5:3). We have this warning from Peter: “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17-18). Do not be led away by sin or false doctrines or by anger at the Word!

A Higher Place

Above the noise.

Above the storms.

Above the chaos of the day.

He takes me to a higher place.

He blesses my steps.

He wipes out regret.

His blood covers sin.

Mercy flows in.

He whispers peace.

He shelters me.

No weapon can harm.

There's no cause for alarm.

He helps me stand

claiming the land.

I give Him praise.

Guardian of my days.

In His 

Joy

Love

More excerpts from my journey to Joy

Matthew 17:20 (NIV) Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
I have Faith, Lord! Move my mountains so I can serve you!

10/5
"Every piece of your identity carries with it its own favor, its own permission, its own provision, its own anointing. Identity is who you are in God regardless of circumstances. It doesn’t matter what is against you. It only matters who is for you."

1 Corinthians 13

10/6

Today I'm still fighting the wrong battle...ruminating about happenings of the other day...stressing about whether or not I'm doing the right thing. I need to make sure...

I got this message on Facebook...Graham Cooke

"Faith is action. It is stepping out towards what God has shown you is yours in the invisible realm. If we believe, then we must make an action consistent with that belief. So faith is an external action based upon an internal belief."

I'm stepping out, Lord!

10/7

Still dealing with the after affects of the storm that pounded down on me on Sunday...but getting more used to my new found freedom, I prayed, "Lord, I give this to you. Fight my battles so I can fight the right ones."

I reminded myself, it takes 3 weeks to change a habit and loudly decreed...

"THIS IS NOT MY BATTLE!"

"Stay in the moment!"

My first message today:

THIS IS JUST A TEST! THE GREATER THE TEST THE GREATER THE CALLING.

A test? Hmmm..

Then I got Kenton's message

Problems are just preparations for God to show off in your life. Thank YOU JESUS CHRIST !!!

Does the seed that God plants grow smaller or better? Does God become faithless or is He always faithful? Did God choose human experience to be truth or is His Word (spoken and written) the truth? Does the message of the Kingdom that Jesus preached start when we die or did Jesus establish His Kingdom? Does salvation come when you die or when you receive Jesus? Does Jesus nod His head towards your actions or do you nod your head towards His? Can Jesus be Savior without being Lord? Do you seek a ministry title or is son/daughter all you need? Are you sitting back waiting for the great escape or are you preparing the next generation to bring transformation? 

Jesus is Lord. He is preparing the next generation for Kingdom transformation as it may be thousands of years before He returns. He is spreading His Kingdom throughout the earth. Life is getting better. The world can not overcome us. Revival has been increasing since Jesus rose from the dead. Our experience is the lie and never can be depended on when contrary to God's truth. Let man be a liar and God be true! 

Jesus loves you deeply. He hugs you without letting go. Heaven's kisses smack you on the lips.

You are an incredible and valuable son/daughter of God. Nothing is impossible for you. Your age makes no difference, Jesus has much for you to experience. You have such great value. When you love without condition heaven's joy floods your life. You are kind and gentle. You are pleasing to your loving Father God. He is nothing like most earthly fathers. There is no backslide in God. He has your backside. Who can defeat Him? 

Sin? No worries Jesus has you covered! Grace? Yes, more than enough! Too much grace gives a license to sin. LIE!!!! Don't believe self speakers. Grace is the conduit of holiness. TRUTH!

Smile today, you are in a good place.

Than I read this....

Mark 4:39 – And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

My Dearest Friends – May these words of encouragement speak to your heart today and reveal God’s unconditional love to you. May these words of inspiration open your eyes to the greatness that is our God. May you be lifted up in whatever area of  life you may be having a struggle by feeling the presence of Jesus in the very midst of the storm with you, and hearing His words echo ,”Peace, be still”.

I so love this passage of scripture in its entirety. Jesus had entered a ship with His disciples at evening time and they were going to the other side of that sea into the country of the Gadarenes, and other smaller ships accompanied them. Jesus, having had a long day of ministering and teaching the people, entered the ship and had fallen asleep on a pillow in the hinder part of the ship. Now the hinder part of the ship is the part of the ship that contains the rudder, an aspect of the steering mechanism.  I mention this to reiterate that Jesus was in control of the ship as soon as He was on board even though He was sleeping. And yet when a storm comes up suddenly, the disciples had to run and awaken Jesus to ask Him if He cared that they were all about to perish. Isn’t that just like our human nature? Don’t we respond to sudden storms in our lives just like the disciples did? After all, when the journey began, Jesus had said to them, “Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:35b).

So where in the events of storms in our lives do we forget Jesus’ words to us that He will be with us from one side to the other, in any and every circumstance? The first thing that will trip us up and cause us to lose focus is fear. Once fear has gotten a foothold, we begin to lose faith that Jesus can and will take care of us. And yes, I have even asked Him personally, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 5:38), at those times when I begin to focus on the raging of the storm and not on the anchor of my soul.

But, dear ones, He is faithful when we’re not. Just as He arose and rebuked the winds and waves and there was a great calm, so He comes to us in the most fearful, trying times with His, “Peace, be still”. We are at these times humbled by His presence, thankful for His faithfulness when ours has failed, and strengthened to continue our spiritual journey, hand in hand with Jesus. Once you look into the beautiful face of our Savior, fear is no longer an issue. You might have felt your life was pretty much over, perhaps you felt that God had somehow forgotten you, and for some reason He wasn’t going to show up this time. I’m sure somewhere in your spiritual experience you’ve heard the expression - He’s never there when you need Him, but He’s always on time. Well that’s our God and our humanness all wrapped  up in one little catch phrase – God shows up in His time and gets the glory, and we get the help.

So know today He’s a much bigger God than we can even wrap our little minds around. But if you will wrap your heart around His, He’ll do things in your life you never dreamed possible.  His love covers everything we may come up against or that may come against us in our human experience. He will be an anchor for your soul, and if you invite Him into your heart, you will hear His whisper, “Peace, be still”, in the midst of your every storm.

Knowing it was a test, I found peace.

Mad at God

I was mad at God and told Him so...many times. I was mad because he didn't save me from being abused and neglected. I felt like a ugly, unwanted step child.

My Christian counselor invited me to a Christian Sexual Abuse weekend retreat. When I got there, I started unpacking when someone came to the door and invited me to a praise service in the chapel. When I got there, the service had already started. Everyone had their hands raised praising God. I tried!! I even tried to prop my hand up with my other hand but stopped remembering my childhood declaration that I would never fake it. I left the service, heading back to my room when I noticed two ladies sitting in the dining room. I went in and we started talking. I ended up telling them what happened. They told me to go tell my counselor so I got up and went back to the chapel.

When I opened the doors, I saw Jerry standing in the back of the chapel. The service had just ended. I told him what happened. He smiled and said "Come with me." I followed him to the front of the chapel. Jerry got the two couples leading the group and a retired minister to pray for me.

As they prayed the Minister started talking. He said "I see a little girl. She's being badly wounded. Jesus wants her to know He was there. He saw her tears and was crying with her. Jesus said He couldn't stop what was being done to her because He gave freewill but He PROMISED to deal with her abusers and Promises to ALWAYS take care of that little girl."

Tears were running down my face. After the prayer, I saw a video going off in my head of all the times, Jesus had protected and provided for me even when I didn't deserve it!

I've NEVER BEEN MAD AT GOD SINCE and He still takes care of me!! ~Joy

Daughter of God

More excerpts...
9/28
I'm on my honeymoon with Jesus!! My guard is down and I can smile! I want joy back in my life!

Daddy God,
As we walk the path to You give us:
Joy in the morning
Eyes focused on you
Ears tuned to your voice
Hands to praise
Hearts of love
Compassion for souls
Strength for the Journey
Endurance for the race
Might in battle
Faith to move mountains
Courage to stand
Wisdom to know 
Patience to wait
Forgiveness when we stumble
Mercy instead of judgement
Rest in your peace.
Amen
-Joy

9/30
To be a Christian, Forgive the inexcuseable. because God forgives the inexcuable in you.
What an appropriate Word for the day! 

Mark 11:22-24
King James Version (KJV)
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them

 Perfect timing..as God's word always is. I had my first exercise in staying in the moment getting smacked in the face with a mountain yesterday. I struggled with old thoughts and patterns but I made a decision to focus on love and my eyes on Jesus. This is God's battle and I stepped back! I have faith this mountain will be removed!! I'm at peace!

Psalms 103
With all of my heart I bless your Name
With all of me I praise 
I sing your glorious ways
O Holy Lamb of God.

You forgive my sin
You heal my land
You ransomed me from Hell
I bless you, Holy Lamb.

Surrounded by your loving kindness
Your tender mercies ever new
You fill my life with good things
You restored my youth.

Your hand of justice gives fairness
to those where none's been shown
You're merciful and tender
to those undeserving on their own.

You reveal your will to us
It's seen in all you do
To your children everywhere
Your nature's revealed in truth.

With all of my heart I bless your Name
With all of me I praise 
I sing your glorious ways
O Holy Lamb of God.

In His
Joy

PRAYER COVERING FOR YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY

PRAYER COVERING FOR YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray this prayer in the power or the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind, rebuke and bring to no effect, all division, discord, disunity, strife, anger, wrath, ......murder, criticism, condemnation, pride, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, evil speaking, complaining, lying, false teaching, false gifts, false manifestations, lying signs and wonders, poverty, fear of lack, fear spirits, murmuring spirits, hindering spirits, retaliatory spirits, deceiving spirits, religious spirits, occult spirits, witchcraft spirits (including Jezebel, Delilah and Apollyon) and spirits of antichrist. 

I bind all curses that have been spoken against me. I bless those who curse me, and pray blessings on those who despiteful use me. 

I bind all spoken judgment made against me and judgments I have made against others. I bind the power of negative words from others, and I bind and render useless all prayers not inspired by the Holy Spirit; whether psychic, soul force, witchcraft or counterfeit tongues that have been prayed against me. 

I am God's child. I resist the devil. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I put on the whole armor of God. I take authority over this day, in Jesus' name. Let it be prosperous for me, let me walk in your love, Lord. The Holy Spirit leads and guides me today, I discern between the righteous and the wicked. 

I take authority over Satan and all his demons, and those people who are influenced by them. I declare Satan is under my feet and remain there all day. I am the righteous of God in Christ Jesus. I am God's property. Satan you are bound from my family, my mind, my body, my home and my finances. 

I confess that I am healed and whole. I flourish, I am long lived, stable, durable, incorruptible, fruitful, virtuous, full of peace, patience and love. Whatsoever I set my hand to do shall prosper, for God supplies all my needs. I have all authority over Satan, all demons, and beasts of the field. God, I pray for the ministry that you have for me. Anoint me, God, for all you have called me to do for you. 

I call forth divine appointments, open doors of opportunity, God ordained encounters and ministry positions. I claim a hedge of protection around myself, spouse and children throughout this day and night. 

I ask you God, in the name of Jesus to dispatch angels to surround me, my spouse and my children today, and to put them throughout my house and around our cars, souls and bodies. I ask angels to protect my house from any intrusion and to protect me and my family from any harmful demonic or other physical or mental attacks.

I ask this prayer in the name of Jesus AMEN.

Only in true repentance is there true change

Only in true repentance is there true change

7 signs of true repentance 
by Wisdomforlife

HOW DO YOU move toward reconciliation when you’ve been deeply or repeatedly hurt by someone? HOW CAN YOU rebuild trust?
The first and most important step is to confirm the GENUINENESS of the apology or the repentance of the one who hurt you.

I am not suggesting that CHANGES to deeply ingrained patterns occur overnight or that we can easily erase consequences. But GENUINErestoration cannot begin apart from the essential attitudes that point to true repentance. We simply must know what true repentance looks like.

Seven signs of genuine confession and repentance

The offender…

Accepts full responsibility for his/her actions (instead of saying, “Since you think I’ve done something wrong…” or “If have done anything to offend you…”).
Accepts accountability from others.
Does not continue in the behavior or anything associated with it.
Does not have a defensive attitude about being wrong.
Does not have a light attitude toward the hurtful behavior.
Does not resent doubts about sincerity or the need to demonstrate sincerity (especially FOR repeated offenses).
MAKES restitution wherever necessary.
Restitution gives the offender an opportunity to demonstrate by actions that he or she wishes to be restored to the injured PERSON and to society in general. The harder you work to make restitution and repair any damage you have caused, the easier it will be for others to believe your CONFESSION and be reconciled to you. Forgiveness does not necessarily release an offender from responsibility to repair the damages caused by his or her actions. An injured party may exercise mercy and choose to waive the right to restitution, but in many cases making restitution is beneficial even for the offender. Doing so demonstrates remorse, sincerity, and a new attitude, which can strengthen reconciliation. At the same time, it serves to establish lessons that will help the offender avoid similar wrongdoing in the future.

Move FORWARD with caution

An unrepentant offender will resent your desire to confirm the genuineness of his or her CONFESSION and repentance. He or she might resort to lines of manipulation.

“I guess you can’t find it in yourself to be forgiving.”
“You just want to rub it in my face.”
“I guess I should EXPECT that you want your revenge.”
“Some Christian you are, I thought Christians believed in LOVE AND compassion.”
These lines reveal an unrepentant attitude. Don’t let yourself fall for such lines. Don’t be manipulated into avoiding the STEP of confirming the authenticity of your offender’s confession and repentance.

Use these signs carefully and with prayer. In difficult cases, seek a wise counselor. For genuine reconciliation to occur, you must be as certain as you can of your offender’s repentance—especially in cases involving repeated offenses. It is hard to restore a broken relationship when the offender is unclear about his confession and repentance.

Even God will not grant forgiveness to one who is insincere about his confession and repentance. The PERSON who is unwilling to forsake his sin will not find forgiveness with God (Proverbs 28:13).

I realize that only God can read hearts but we must evaluate actions. JESUS said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16a). We must not be deceived by superficial appearances of repentance. Clear changes in attitude and behavior are the fruit of true repentance.

Steve Cornell

"MY SECRET PLACE"

I love to be in that secret place

Where only You and I can go;

I tell You all my secrets--

Things You already know.

You know my every desire--

Each and every thought;

You know me inside and out

All my sin You bought.

I cry to You with all my needs;

You listen to every word.

You hold me close and guide me,

Knowing my eyes are blurred.

You are so gentle,

So sweet, and so kind;

You whisper so lovingly,

"My child, you are mine."

I lift my arms and open my heart 

As I whisper, “Show me Your desire;

I want to see; I want to hear;

Set my heart on fire."

I leave my burdens at Your feet,

As I praise Your Holy Name;

I thank You for Your precious love;

It always remains the same.

Staying in Your presence,

Being filled with Your power,

Giving You all the glory,

With Your strength, I need not cower.

I am never alone;

You are always there.

I want to worship only You,

That is my earnest prayer.

Thank You for this special place

Where You and I can go;

I want to stay in Your presence

Where peace and love and blessings flow.

In His 

Joy