Wow. I can't believe how much this chapter has talked to me, in fact I can't help but think about finding some way to put up Psalm 32 so that it can be a constant reminder of the blessing and relief that God gives us when se confess what we have done wrong. The three lies that spoke out to me the most were I can sin and get away with it. My sin isn't really that bad. I cannot walk in consistant victory over sin.
I would like to write the prayer I wrote for Psalm 32:1-5. I already read this to Scott, and he said "Amen!"
Lord there is so much in this passage. Oh the blessings we receive from you upon our confession. The terrible weight keeping our hearts down is lifted. Is this what is causing my depression? I know Scott has mentioned that I am also unergoing a spiritual battle. Lord, help me to be like "Cheryl" confessing that I cannot do this on my strength. Help me to know youar strong and able hands are there to lift me up. Lord, I know there have been oh so many sins that I have committed, the most common is lieing. I thank you for giving me the strength and courage to start telling Scott the truth. I pray it will not be too long before he feels he can trust me again. Help me to be the wife and mother you have called me to be. I thank you for the dvds that have helped me to know how to show respect o Scott better, but that still has a long way to go on both our parts.
This is my prayer, and if you feel led to be praying for us, pray that our marriage will strengthen and that God will be the center of our marriage as he is the only thing we know will be the constant in it all. Pray that we will learn about each other and that we will have a willingness to share it without feeling threatened or that the other person may not really care. Pray for our kids as I know that this can not be an easy time for them with mommy going through so much, but that this will actually be a time of learning for them and that they will know in the future that seeking help is not something to be afraid of doing.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Chapter 4 Comments from Joan
Dear Ladies,
Due to a bad cold & cough, I am also home this morning from church. I hope your knee heals quickly, Eva.
Yesterday I finally finished chapter 4 - I guess there's a good side to having a cold. :)
Since my last blog was super long, I just want to note a few things in point form that God has been teaching me.
1. Satan tells the same lies to us today as he did to the first woman on earth.
2. Most of us don't think our natural, fleshly choices will be fulfilled by consequences in our lives
3. Sometimes God delays divine retribution because He wants us to repent
4. Sin is sin, no matter if it's murdering someone or telling a lie
5. Many prefer to see their sins as "weaknesses"
6. God considers every sin as rebellion against Him
7. The Bible doesn't state we need to forgive ourselves
8. All Christians feel they need to atone for their sins
9. Praise the Lord! His blood on the cross has atoned for all my sins of the past, present & future - I don't need to do "good" things to be forgiven in His sight. Yes, good works will follow as I submit myself to Him and obey Him.
10. As Christians we often play the blame game to diminish our own responsibility in a matter
11. We will only be free from guilt when we accept full responsibility for our actions & attitudes
12. Our "flesh" will continue to wage war against the Spirit of God living within us until the day we die!
13. Satan would have us believe we cannot walk in consistent victory over temptation & sin
14. We, as humans, are powerless to change ourselves.
15. Only through Christ's finished work on the cross can we live in victory over sin
16. The only means of eternal salvation is through placing our trust in what Jesus did for us on the cross, when He died in our place. Therefore, when we confess our sins, turn away from them and place our trust (believe) in Jesus we are truly saved from eternal condemnation.
I look forward to reading more comments from you.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Joan
Due to a bad cold & cough, I am also home this morning from church. I hope your knee heals quickly, Eva.
Yesterday I finally finished chapter 4 - I guess there's a good side to having a cold. :)
Since my last blog was super long, I just want to note a few things in point form that God has been teaching me.
1. Satan tells the same lies to us today as he did to the first woman on earth.
2. Most of us don't think our natural, fleshly choices will be fulfilled by consequences in our lives
3. Sometimes God delays divine retribution because He wants us to repent
4. Sin is sin, no matter if it's murdering someone or telling a lie
5. Many prefer to see their sins as "weaknesses"
6. God considers every sin as rebellion against Him
7. The Bible doesn't state we need to forgive ourselves
8. All Christians feel they need to atone for their sins
9. Praise the Lord! His blood on the cross has atoned for all my sins of the past, present & future - I don't need to do "good" things to be forgiven in His sight. Yes, good works will follow as I submit myself to Him and obey Him.
10. As Christians we often play the blame game to diminish our own responsibility in a matter
11. We will only be free from guilt when we accept full responsibility for our actions & attitudes
12. Our "flesh" will continue to wage war against the Spirit of God living within us until the day we die!
13. Satan would have us believe we cannot walk in consistent victory over temptation & sin
14. We, as humans, are powerless to change ourselves.
15. Only through Christ's finished work on the cross can we live in victory over sin
16. The only means of eternal salvation is through placing our trust in what Jesus did for us on the cross, when He died in our place. Therefore, when we confess our sins, turn away from them and place our trust (believe) in Jesus we are truly saved from eternal condemnation.
I look forward to reading more comments from you.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Joan
Chapter Four
Its Sunday morning, and instead of being at church, I'm at home with an ice pack on my knee. On the way to the car, I slipped on a patch of ice and banged up my knee (sent my shoe flying) and bruised both hands. I opted on staying at home and having a devotional with God instead.
I read the comments written by others on Chapter Four and find it interesting how God is using this book to reach out to where we as individuals are at. We all seem to agree with the statement that "the reason people disobey God is that they believe they can get away with it". Amazing how we have bought into this, and how true as well. I appreciate how DeMoss has been able to clearly pinpoint the consequences of sin and why I need to repent.
I see the importance of telling others that "you are solely and personally responsible for yur own behaviour, no matter what anyone else does". I need to take ownership of when I feel jilted or slighted, and see beyond of why, to either forgive the person of what they did to me or seek forgiveness from them, not to go into a pity party, justifying my actions of sin. We need to teach our children (and grandchildren) that they are responsible for their actions. I thank God for the wise parents our children are, in that they just don't tell them the action is wrong, but take the time to tell them why it is wrong.
I am looking forward to finding out how we can claim victory over our actions that cause us to sin.
God bless, Eva
I read the comments written by others on Chapter Four and find it interesting how God is using this book to reach out to where we as individuals are at. We all seem to agree with the statement that "the reason people disobey God is that they believe they can get away with it". Amazing how we have bought into this, and how true as well. I appreciate how DeMoss has been able to clearly pinpoint the consequences of sin and why I need to repent.
I see the importance of telling others that "you are solely and personally responsible for yur own behaviour, no matter what anyone else does". I need to take ownership of when I feel jilted or slighted, and see beyond of why, to either forgive the person of what they did to me or seek forgiveness from them, not to go into a pity party, justifying my actions of sin. We need to teach our children (and grandchildren) that they are responsible for their actions. I thank God for the wise parents our children are, in that they just don't tell them the action is wrong, but take the time to tell them why it is wrong.
I am looking forward to finding out how we can claim victory over our actions that cause us to sin.
God bless, Eva
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