A Study On Shame And Recovery

Happy “Renew” Year!


ICEA – “Church at Study”

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way
of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
(Eph. 4:22-23, NLT)

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Can you count the number of times you have been wished a happy new year during the beginning of this year? Have you ever really thought about what a happy new year looks like? For many it would be 365 days filled with things that would fulfill every appetite.  If we were somehow granted many of the things we thought would make us happy, it would…no doubt…be to our detriment.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.
(Prov. 14:12)

God has shown us that every 365 days has with it challenges. For many of us adults, each year is not too different from years gone by. There are struggles – things we wish we could change, but, we eventually come to realize that everything will not change just because we make certain yearly resolutions.

As it is written, the just shall live by faith.
(Rom. 1:17)

If we are honest, there are things we have “commanded” (through sheer determination, year after year) to “be” or “not to be,” only to find those things either evading us or stubbornly persisting in our lives. Frustration often follows on the heels of Sheer determination. A frustrated new year does not look like a happy new year. The two are different. Many of us remember…our days prior to salvation were days we spent in pursuit of pleasures, that eventually led to lives of frustration.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
(Titus 3:3)

Anyone who seeks to please the flesh, saved or unsaved, will face the same conclusion – that happiness is not found in expectation of fleshly grasping something newly pursued after. (How does your new year look so far?)

The harvest is past, the summer is
ended, and we are not saved.
(Jer. 8:20)

On the other hand, happy new years are happy “renewed” years. Most who are truly happy are those who have renewed and continual relationships with God. They don’t necessarily look forward to a certain day or expectation of a coming year to find their satisfaction. They live their lives in the present (Matt 6:25, 34). (Notwithstanding…they are people of faith!) These are the people who have true faith in the precious promises of God. They have claimed those promises that they might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Peter 1:4). They  don’t “nullify” the grace of God by greedily “commanding” premature blessings…not yet intended for them! (James 4:3.)

He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
(Prov. 15:15)

“God…please grant us happy days – with things that
truly matter most – family, friends, and relationships!”

According to scripture, being truly happy has little to do with how much a person has or possesses.

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of
covetousness for a man’s life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth.
(Luke 12:15)

Let’s not look back on the years and see wasted times and opportunities — along with lives of regret. Let’s allow God’s Spirit to renew our thoughts, attitudes and relationships. With God’s help, we can truly make this year a happy “RE-NEW” year!

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A Lesson On “Recovering From Shame”


ICEA – “Church at Study”

I Timothy 3:6-7 reads:

And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.  And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

These are the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy concerning qualifications for ordaining Bishops in the church. Similar qualifications trickle down to other church leaders, as well. The church needs leaders who are above reproach, but the devil, our adversary, constantly seeks to discredit the reputation of those who shepherd and lead God’s people. Likewise…everyone who serves God should strive to have a good reputation. Why? Because everyone is subject to disgrace and coming under the trap of the devil. We see the first account in Genesis 3:9-10. God asks Adam, “where are you?” Many people know the context surrounding Genesis, chapter 3. Both Adam and Eve have transgressed God’s commandment. So…In answer to God’s question, Adam says, “I was AFRAID…I was NAKED…and I HID MYSELF!” Imagine a man who had uninterrupted fellowship with God — How blessed he and Eve must have been! Now Adam and Eve are faced with intense feelings they had never experienced before. These feelings are so intense that the ones who once enjoyed God’s fellowship are trying to flee from His presence. Oh the shame they must have felt! Thank God, there is a remedy for our shame! Jesus Christ has experienced the separation and rejection that is the result of sin (Heb. 12:2) and He knows shame first-hand. According to the scriptures: “He who knew no sin has become sin for us!” This may be hard to explain, but simply stated: He knows our deepest feelings of rejection! The shame of our past can absolutely cripple our efforts in going forward. Millions have experienced shame and guilt and are in such vulnerable conditions today. Isaiah, chapter 42:3 reads (with the focus being on vs. 3): “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.

Our Lord has nurtured even the most fragile out of the millions who have faith and believe in Him. From the most exposed plant stem to the smallest flickering fire, Jesus will restore bruised things back to health, and cause the flicker to burst into flames!

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

A Lesson On “Recovering From Shame”


ICEA – “Church at Study”

I Timothy 3:6-7 reads:

And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.  And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

These are the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy concerning qualifications for ordaining Bishops in the church. Similar qualifications trickle down to other church leaders, as well. The church needs leaders who are above reproach, but the devil, our adversary, constantly seeks to discredit the reputation of those who shepherd and lead God’s people. Likewise…everyone who serves God should strive to have a good reputation. Why? Because everyone is subject to disgrace and coming under the trap of the devil. We see the first account in Genesis 3:9-10. God asks Adam, “where are you?” Many people know the context surrounding Genesis, chapter 3. Both Adam and Eve have transgressed God’s commandment. So…In answer to God’s question, Adam says, “I was AFRAID…I was NAKED…and I HID MYSELF!” Imagine a man who had uninterrupted fellowship with God — How blessed he and Eve must have been! Now Adam and Eve are faced with intense feelings they had never experienced before. These feelings are so intense that the ones who once enjoyed God’s fellowship are trying to flee from His presence. Oh the shame they must have felt! Thank God, there is a remedy for our shame! Jesus Christ has experienced the separation and rejection that is the result of sin (Heb. 12:2) and He knows shame first-hand. According to the scriptures: “He who knew no sin has become sin for us!” This may be hard to explain, but simply stated: He knows our deepest feelings of rejection! The shame of our past can absolutely cripple our efforts in going forward. Millions have experienced shame and guilt and are in such vulnerable conditions today. Isaiah, chapter 42:3 reads (with the focus being on vs. 3): “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.

Our Lord has nurtured even the most fragile out of the millions who have faith and believe in Him. From the most exposed plant stem to the smallest flickering fire, Jesus will restore bruised things back to health, and cause the flicker to burst into flames!

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

How Do We Heal Church Hurts?


ICEA – “Church at Study”

God’s Word has the ability to enlightened
and heal wounded people.

Consider offering a session at your church where issues can be discussed in a non-threatening atmosphere and chosen topics can be brought out by a panel of wise counselors. Here is the information to get started:

IDEA STARTER

1. Create an advertisement for your church.
(Similar to the one here.)
2. Announce the event well.

Click on the text below to see our handout as an example:

“Church Hurt” Letter and Handout

Email iceaquestions@att.net If you would like a copy of the letter and handout in Microsoft Word to edit.

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

A Lesson On “Recovering From Shame”


ICEA – “Church at Study”

I Timothy 3:6-7 reads:

And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.  And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

These are the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy concerning qualifications for ordaining Bishops in the church. Similar qualifications trickle down to other church leaders, as well. The church needs leaders who are above reproach, but the devil, our adversary, constantly seeks to discredit the reputation of those who shepherd and lead God’s people. Likewise…everyone who serves God should strive to have a good reputation. Why? Because everyone is subject to disgrace and coming under the trap of the devil. We see the first account in Genesis 3:9-10. God asks Adam, “where are you?” Many people know the context surrounding Genesis, chapter 3. Both Adam and Eve have transgressed God’s commandment. So…In answer to God’s question, Adam says, “I was AFRAID…I was NAKED…and I HID MYSELF!” Imagine a man who had uninterrupted fellowship with God — How blessed he and Eve must have been! Now Adam and Eve are faced with intense feelings they had never experienced before. These feelings are so intense that the ones who once enjoyed God’s fellowship are trying to flee from His presence. Oh the shame they must have felt! Thank God, there is a remedy for our shame! Jesus Christ has experienced the separation and rejection that is the result of sin (Heb. 12:2) and He knows shame first-hand. According to the scriptures: “He who knew no sin has become sin for us!” This may be hard to explain, but simply stated: He knows our deepest feelings of rejection! The shame of our past can absolutely cripple our efforts in going forward. Millions have experienced shame and guilt and are in such vulnerable conditions today. Isaiah, chapter 42:3 reads (with the focus being on vs. 3): “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.

Our Lord has nurtured even the most fragile out of the millions who have faith and believe in Him. From the most exposed plant stem to the smallest flickering fire, Jesus will restore bruised things back to health, and cause the flicker to burst into flames!

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT!

3 CommentsLeave a comment