Sometimes life’s challenges can distort our concept of God. Do you believe that God has abandoned you? Disappointed you? Or if HE really loved you? In this episode, if you are willing, I walk you through renouncing some of the common negative core beliefs about God and embracing the Truths of God based on HIS word. These renunciations and truths can be found in the book Steps to Freedom in Christ by Neil Anderson. His book can be purchased here: The Steps to Freedom in Christ: A Biblical Guide to Help You Resolve Personal and Spiritual Conflicts and Become a Fruitful Disciple of Jesus https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764219421/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HF4HB2W2X66H3K8S4D9F

Join Nathalie Smythe and I as we address the topic of shame and it’s impact on the believer, but most important what Jesus has done to restore us back to HIMSELF. (Scripture Ref. Gen 3:1-7)

“In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:12-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.5.12-13.NLT Reading on leprosy: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-leprosy.html

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.139.23-24.NKJV

“On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:40-48‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.8.40-48.NLT

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.18.6.NLT

“Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance?” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭TPT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.2.4.TPT

Sometimes life and life challenging experience can negatively impact our concept of God. Ephesians 1:21 is a great reminder of who it is that we have the honor of coming before when we pray and seek HIS precious face. LAMENT!!!

Lament is defined as “a passionate expression of grief or sorrow”. As a believer, lamenting can sometimes be difficult to express to others and even more intimidating to think about when it comes to God. For many years I struggled to be authentic about my true emotions with GOD, and quite honestly it is still an area I am working through. Lament: The Devotional, will be a space where we will learn together how we can bring our authentic feelings to the LORD. It will be a space where we will grow into the awareness that not only does God feel what we feel, but that HE also wants to be with us in the midst of our struggle. HE is our refuge…HE is our fortress…HE is our safe space. “I want my people to know that I feel what they feel. I am acquainted with their sorrow…Lament!” “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.11.28.NLT