THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD!

God is always near when struggles overcome us

Are You Struggling with Sin?
Problems with Backsliding
Anger
Feelings of Guilt, Shame, & Hopelessness
Spiritual Attack

When life is very difficult it's easy to become discouraged. Below are some helpful reminders of His mighty love for us, and how He can help us to weather any storm. God is always here to uphold us with His righteous right hand. He truly is YOUR shepherd!

Problems with Constant Sin?

[ Romans 7:14-15 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ]

Breaking these verses down, The Apostle Paul is trying to give us never before considered understandings about our own humanness and weaknesses. We are carnal – flesh and blood. We were sold under sin by the fall in the garden.

Here’s a basic rundown of verse 15: Often the things we know to be right we don’t do, and the things that we hate, and know are wrong, those are the things we often end up doing. This is our human flaw, and it’s not a new thing. Every Christian struggles with this in one way, or another.

If we’re revisiting a favorite sin, talk to God and ask him for help. He will help. He helped me with that very problem. Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins
What did Christ die for? Who did He die for?

If we sin all day and say “I’ll just confess it tonight before bed”, then we crucify Christ all over again. Wrong decisions can happen when we listen to the wrong people, take ungodly advice, get swayed by liars and false prophets, or just live in our own fantasies outside of Christ.

Consider the weight of the cross you carry, and how triumphant you can be when you walk with God!

Backsliding

“I’ve been backsliding, way too much, I’m just lost now. It’s too late for God to forgive me.” Wrong! Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 is a firm reminder of how much love the Father has for us, and though we backslide, there is always foregiveness. His arms are open when we run to Him! Just look at this promise in Luke 15:31: Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
God does not idly boast his love.

God literally came down to this earth, was born a human man with needs and sufferings, and suffered extremely just to reach you, and me, and all of us. Like the story of the prodigal son, this is a God who will come running to you if you walk toward him. Jesus told parables to speak truths in roundabout way. And since Jesus cannot lie, his word in the parable of the lost son, is absolute truth. Luke 15:20: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

However, make no mistake: backsliding is a state of sin, and we must be repentant of our sins.

Read what it says in 1 John 1:7-10: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil Every Christian can struggle with this one too, but the sin of anger is what it does to you! Don’t hang on to anger. Let it go; living in anger is opening the door for Satan and inviting him in.

Anger gives way to stupidity; it gives way to personal weakness, wrong thinking, wrong actions, and a wrong heart.
Serious anger can lead to legal problems, and perhaps even jail.

The Lord provides a way for us to deal with our anger. Some issues in life deep-rooted, and aren't easily resolved. Knowing how to take our problems to Jesus is extremely important. Just talk to him: "Heavenly Father, my anger is a sin against you, and it grieves the Holy Spirit. I pray now Father, that you see the anger I'm experiencing, and help me to find away to move forward. I know that you can do all things Father, and I pray that you'll help me to re-focus on what I am so angry about, and help me to find my way back to you."

Look at Jonah. He hated the people of Nineveh, and did not want them to be forgiven by God. He was so angry he resisted God and tried running from him. The book of Jonah ends with him never resolving that anger.

God answered Jonah's anger with a question: Jonah 4:9: And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry?

Feelings of Guilt, Shame, and Hopelessness

Life, when out of our control, can bring a dire sense of hopelessness. This is when we need God more than ever. The key words here are: “out of our control.”

God is never going to remind us of our sins; He promises us this! For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. — Hebrews 8:12

Satan is the one that likes to remind us of our sins, and to bring feelings of shame and guilt upon us for the things we've done in this life. God does not hold these things against you anymore — period. When Christ died on the cross for you, he paid your debt, and washed away your sins with His blood.

Shame and guilt can be overwhelming emotions, but again, we are forgiven of our sins if we confess them. * Pastor Harold Vaughan states : "Once confessed, God will never remind the believer of his sin. If the incident comes to mind again, it is not God convicting, but Satan trying condemn. Feelings of guilt must be refused and displaced by thanks and praise."

* [ Harold Vaughan from his book “Lord, Help Me Not to Have These Evil Thoughts!” chapter 2:Recognizing the Source, Christ Life Publications, 2006. ]

I picture an imaginary conversation with God going something like this:

Me: "Lord, I know I've confessed this sin to you already, but I still feel guilty about it."

God: "You've been forgiven that sin. I've forgotten about it, why don't you?"

If you’ve given your heart to Christ, and you truly believe, and are suffering with these feelings, take them to Him. God has a plan for you! Ask Him what it is! He will NOT let you waste away—this is NOT what God does with His own.

Our bodies are stationed here on the earth and in this world; but when the heart and the mind walks with God, there is always hope.

Spiritual Attack

First of all, be very certain that you are walking in God's light, and that you are dwelling within His presence. In short, are you right with Him? If you're not sure, and if you are not truly saved, you can visit this page to learn how to become saved in Jesus Christ. Belief in Jesus, and his finished work on the cross is key. Confession of sin is important, and a true heart of repentance is necessary to be right with God.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

If you experience spiritual attack know this: you are so important to God that you are in Satan's way! One of Satan's greatest gifts is making us forget that he's always working. He likes to invade our thoughts with feelings of guilt, shame, negativity, anger, despair, and feelings of hopelessness. At times he'll make you question your salvation; do not listen to him! Satan is a liar.

God is in full control, always has been, and always will be. In the book of Job, chapter 1, Satan needed permission from God to torment Job: only upon himself put not forth thine hand. (verse 12)

Satan is the prince of this world. But as a Christian, you are not of this world! 1 John 4:4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 John 5:18: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Here's proof of your salvation, and that God does not go back on His word: John 10:27-29: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Satan will attack you when you’re at your weakest. He hates you, he hates me. He hates all of us. Call on God when these attacks come on.

"What if someone puts a voodoo curse, or a witch curse on me?"

Pray to God something like this:

"Dear heavenly Father, please put a hedge of protection around me, and if anyone has put a curse on me that I either know, or don't know about, I pray that your Holy Spirit will blot out any cursings or demonic attacks. I believe what is written in your holy word, and I know that you are more powerful than any demonic forces. I need you now Lord, protect me."

Take comfort in God's word. In Romans 8:38-39, a most blessed assurance exists for us. When Paul speaks of principalities, powers, and things present, he is speaking about the prince of this world—Satan:

Romans 8:38-39:
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you feel you are under spiritual attack, read scripture out loud; Pray Satan out of your presence:

Chapter and verse suggestions for reading out loud: 1 John 4, Psalm 1, Genesis 3:14-15, Exodus 12, Nehemiah 9:7-38, or anything you choose from God’s word.

Do you have a special need that you would like help with? Let Us Pray for You