Don’t let shame hold you back
Have you ever struggled with shame? I used to, but I discovered the secrets to living a shame-free life. Would you like to know what they are?
The Bible says Peter told the crowd, “‘You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.’” (Acts 3:14-16, NIV) Peter denied Christ three times, but he bounced back. Peter lied to a little girl about his relationship with Jesus, but God forgave him.
Paul the Apostle was also quite a scoundrel. He persecuted the believers and even led a murderous mob to kill Stephen: “At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:57-58, NIV)
I vividly remember my first ministry trip to a prison. A leader warned me about a mass murderer I would meet. I was told he was a hitman for the mob. I have to admit I was nervous. Prisons were quite intimidating for a 22-year-old kid like me. Although I had done some wild things growing up, I had never spent any time in jail.
friend, have you ever been in prison? Jesus loves prison ministry: “‘“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”’” (Matthew 25:36, NIV) So I obeyed Jesus’ words and volunteered to go. As I walked past locked gates, I noticed a huge mountain of a man. Our eyes locked on each other, so I decided to greet him first. I fought my fear and intimidation. I reached out in love and found a brother in Christ. He’d been touched by God. I could tell that Jesus had already started a work in him.
friend, you’ll never be disqualified from the love of God. So turn to Him for forgiveness and healing. God will never leave you or forsake you.
Because you are a miracle.
