Emotional Health - The Emotion of Guilt

We started a new series on Sunday. We began our discussion with the emotion of guilt, because if you don't get a grip on this emotion, you will never get a grip on the rest of your emotions. Here are a few facts you should know about guilt:

1. Guilt never says enough.

The problem with guilt is, it is never filled. Guilt never has enough. The thing that can be damaging about guilt is the fact that most of the time, it is shrouded and masked in such religiosity, that it can be hard to say anything against it. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Guilt says, "If you prayer, you should have prayer longer." "If you asked someone for forgiveness, you should have done it sooner." "If you read your bible, you should have read more."

You see guilt never says enough. The reality is, you could ALWAYS read the bible more, prayer longer, or ask for forgiveness sooner. However, the point is, at least you prayer, read your bible, and asked for forgiveness. But guilt won't allow you to think that way.

2. Guilt always focuses on the bad and not the good.

People who live under the power of guilt, can never look at the positive changes that they are making in life. It's all about what they are not doing, or what they should have done better. For these people the cup is always half empty and not half full.

God is bigger than our guilt. Just as there is no fear in love....it's impossible....there is no condemnation (guilt) to those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus took guilt out of the equation.

3. God or Guilt?

We all have to ask ourselves this question, are we going to follow God or live in guilt. God will never guilt you into His will. Why? Because there is no guilt in Christ. I have never seen anyone change because they felt guilt enough to change. No, change is a result of making right decision based upon God's Word. It's just that simple.


Something to think about,

Pastorj

Seeing Life In A Different Color

Let me start by saying what an awesome service we had yesterday. The sound of the house was powerful (worship).

We have been talking about "The Power of Vision" for the last few weeks. Yesterday, we dealt with the importance of seeing your life in a different color. What do I mean by that? Well let me explain.

Have you ever wondered why people can watch a movie, and come away with two different feelings about what they saw? Or how about reading a scripture and it means one thing to one person, and something completely different to the next? Why is that? Simply perspective!

Perspective is the way that we view our life. It's our outlook on everything. It's our worldview. It's our compass that guides us through the terrain of life. Perspective.

Sadly, so many Christians have the wrong perspective about their life. I have said this many times in our church services, and I would like to tell you as well, "God didn't send His Son to die, so that you could hate your life!" Many Christians have a black and white view of life, when God wants them to see their situation in color! I encourage you to read 1 John chapter 1, it talks about people who live in the light (color) verses those who are stumbling around in the dark (black and white). Here are a few colors that can change your life:

1. THE GOD COLOR (A look above)

When you recieve a revelation of who God is and what He wants to be in your life, that is a game changer. It changes your entire life. I have never seen anyone who had a true encounter with God stay the same.

When you see God vividly, you approach your world with opportunity. Seeing God helps me see like God! Nothing changes without this color in our lives.

2. THE HISTORY COLOR (A look behind)

Every great plan or vision builds on the strengths of the past. It also evaluates the weaknesses of the past as well. Sometimes the greatest indicator of future behavior is past behavior. It's not that we live in the past, but we look at it to reavaluate our current position.

3. THE ME COLOR (A look within)

What are you made of? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Your life will never change until you know who you are, where you are going, and who you are doing it with! Paul said, "If we will judge ourselves, God won't need to..." (paraphrased) The greatest responsibility you have in life is to yourself. Knowing who you are helps you bless other people.

Something to think about,

pastorj

..My New Year's Resolution is TO STAY WHERE I AM...

You don't say that do you...? No one creates a resolution to stay the same, I mean, that doesn't even make sense. A resolution is a firm decision to change, and yet so many people will make the decision, but will never follow through with that decision. Kinda like the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7, "I can will it, but I can't do it..." (paraphrased)

So in essence, are we making a resolution to stay where we are? It's possible.

At MFH, we have been learning about the power of a Vision! A vision is the only thing that seperates winners from losers. It's the only thing that distinguishes success from failure. Nothing more than a vision.

A vision is simply your dream written on paper! It's a dream with legs. It's an active approach to an inward conviction. Here are some ways that the bible tells us we can live a life that explodes with potential and success with the power of a vision:

1. WRITE IT DOWN

You would be amazed at what happens when you take the time to simply write down what you are expecting out of 2010. I don't know what it is, but writing out your plan helps concrete it in your life. The bible says to "Write the Vision..." So as soon as you are done reading this, go and write it down.

2. MAKE IT PLAIN

A goal that is not clearly defined is not a goal at all, but rather a wish. Wishes may not come true (sorry Walt Disney) but a clearly defined vision with corresponding goals will make a gigantic step in accomplishing it. Remember you eat an elephant one bite at a time.

What is it that you want to accomplish in 2010? What are some of your goals?

Something to think about,

Pastorj