No Longer Held In Shame

       

        Thoughts from worship last night:

       Sometimes we let our shame hold us back from God. We don't always live as if we truly believe that He has taken it all from us. We despair that we'll ever break free of our sin patterns. We hold parts of that shame as if it still has power over us... Is His blood not enough?

     He died for you. He loves you that much. Do you believe that?

     He loves us totally, perfectly, wildly. He knows us down to the very core of who we are - and He calls us His children. He calls us His bride. He calls us His.

      We are not slaves of fear. We are not slaves of shame. We are not who we used to be. We are Free.

      We should live life in Awe of the amazing gift God has given us. His forgiveness should humble our hearts, and flood us with thankfulness. We should have the type of joy that the world looks at and marvels. We have the Love of God - how are we pouring it out on those around us? How are we living now that we're Free?

 Hebrews 12:18-24 

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

    18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b]

  22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Galatians 4:4-7

     4 But when the set time had fully come,God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b]6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

"You split the sea, so I could walk right through it

My fears are drowned in perfect love 

You rescued me, and I will stand and sing 

I am a child of God!"