Daily Devotionals
Friday, August 30, 2024 (Ashley)
The other evening, I had a complete and total meltdown that I am not at all proud of. I could list my personal reasons why I acted like a complete fool but they aren’t important. Truth be told, they only excuse my behavior which I know was just dead wrong. In fact, I snapped this picture right after as I took a walk to clear my head and repent to the Lord.
The cruddy part… my daughter saw the entire thing.
The worst part… she imitated my exact behavior the following day.
“Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
-Ephesians 4:26-27
You see, as the anger intensified inside of me, I knew what was about to come out and I didn’t control myself enough to refrain from sinning (verse 26).
And then, by releasing my sin, I gave a foothold to the devil which I saw in the consequences of my behavior affecting my daughter’s attitude the day after (verse 27).
Believe me, I felt complete shame over the entire situation and honestly, is the last thing I care to share here publicly. BUT… This is real life.
Real anger.
Real sin.
Real consequence.
However, because of the God we serve, that’s not where He leaves us
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” -Psalm 32:1-5
Presenting our sin to the Lord, free’s us of the weight of guilt!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
-Psalm 139: 23-24
By asking the Lord to reveal more sin buried in our hearts, we are allowing him to prune away at our flesh, strengthening our Christian maturity!
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” -Colossians 3:13
By asking those we have hurt for forgiveness, God strengthens our relationships through our humility.
This is our real walk with the Lord.
Real grace.
Real love.
Real redemption.
Sister – If you have been hiding from your sin, your body wasting away, your strength evaporating, His hand of discipline heavy on you… stop trying to hide your guilt and confess your sin to Him!
He can restore your joy, clear your record, and remove your guilt!
It’s not about what we’ve done… but who He is!
Ashley
The cruddy part… my daughter saw the entire thing.
The worst part… she imitated my exact behavior the following day.
“Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
-Ephesians 4:26-27
You see, as the anger intensified inside of me, I knew what was about to come out and I didn’t control myself enough to refrain from sinning (verse 26).
And then, by releasing my sin, I gave a foothold to the devil which I saw in the consequences of my behavior affecting my daughter’s attitude the day after (verse 27).
Believe me, I felt complete shame over the entire situation and honestly, is the last thing I care to share here publicly. BUT… This is real life.
Real anger.
Real sin.
Real consequence.
However, because of the God we serve, that’s not where He leaves us
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” -Psalm 32:1-5
Presenting our sin to the Lord, free’s us of the weight of guilt!“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
-Psalm 139: 23-24
By asking the Lord to reveal more sin buried in our hearts, we are allowing him to prune away at our flesh, strengthening our Christian maturity!“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” -Colossians 3:13
By asking those we have hurt for forgiveness, God strengthens our relationships through our humility.This is our real walk with the Lord.
Real grace.
Real love.
Real redemption.
Sister – If you have been hiding from your sin, your body wasting away, your strength evaporating, His hand of discipline heavy on you… stop trying to hide your guilt and confess your sin to Him!
He can restore your joy, clear your record, and remove your guilt!
It’s not about what we’ve done… but who He is!
Ashley
