From the Cross: Shame
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Shame is the negative feeling of worthlessness. It fuels thoughts like, “I am of no value. I am worthless. I am a bad person. I will never amount to anything.” First, let’s take note of the difference between guilt and shame. Guilt, yesterday’s topic, believes, “I have done something wrong.” Shame believes, “I AM wrong.” If guilt wants to plague you because of your actions, shame wants to destroy your entire identity. You could even think of it like this: guilt provides the building blocks with which shame can build the house. Once you find yourself living in...
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From the Cross: Guilt
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Guilt is a stronghold that many people bring to the foot of the cross. Guilt is the stomach churning feeling that you have done something wrong. Christian apologists deduce that this negative emotion is one of the main emotions that helps to prove the existence of God. In order for there to be guilt, there must be a moral law within a human being that he or she thinks has been broken. “Conscience” is another word people use to describe this tension that exists between guilt and innocence. And everyone worldwide possesses this conscience at some level or another. Paul...
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From the Cross: Selfishness
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Selfishness is engrained in the heart of every human being. We are all selfish in one way or another. Isn’t selfishness at the heart of all sin? A bent toward self. A desire to want what we want when we want it. What happened in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve rebelled against God and his authority, was rooted in selfishness. I tend to think selfishness and pride are synonymous. A need to be #1. Always needing to be right. A belief that the world revolves around me. It is a mindset that leads to destruction! The solution to selfishness is this: You must be born again (John...
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From the Cross: Broken Marriages
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Broken marriages are plaguing people both inside and outside of the church. Divorce statistics are staggering, even among those who call themselves Christians. There is no greater pain in the hearts of Christians than a marriage that falls apart. No one walks down the aisle on their wedding day and thinks to themselves, “One day, we will end up divorced.” Most every couple truly believes that they will remain together “until death do us part.” Unfortunately, we live in a broken world with broken people who have broken wills and desires. Divorce, though hated by God...
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From the Cross: Prodigal Sons and Daughters
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick One of the greatest heartaches that I hear from congregants is concern for their wayward children. Many people have prodigal sons and daughters who either don’t know Jesus or have run far from God. Parents fear for their children’s eternal salvation. A wandering child who has rejected the faith leaves a believing parent in so much angst. If this is your story, what should you do? First, keep believing! Keep praying for the salvation of your prodigal son or daughter! There is something extraordinarily powerful about a parent’s prayers for a child. Remember, you are...
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From the Cross: Future Uncertainty
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick No one knows the future except God. He controls all (Psalm 24:1). The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness of it all! Genesis 1:1 reminds us that with one word, he created the world and began to write his story! And one day he will end his story (Revelation 22). One day, all of time will be fulfilled and God will make his new heaven and new earth, a home without sin or blemish. This is God’s world. He created it. He controls it. He knows everything…including the future! Uncertainty of the future is another sin pattern that hangs people up. Many in our congregation...
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From the Cross: Inability to Forgive
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Personal offense. The inability to forgive someone who has hurt you. This hangup can keep people in shackles for a lifetime! The first step in breaking free from personal offense is to recognize that it is going to happen in life. We live in a broken world with broken people. Inevitably, we will step on each other’s toes. Only when we truly come to grips with the reality that we owe a billion dollar debt because of our sins can we freely forgive the debt of someone who has hurt us. To escape the prison of bitterness is the ultimate prison break. Bitterness not only defiles...
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From the Cross: Family Conflict
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Family conflict is our next burden that was brought up and laid at the foot of the cross. Few live this life without it! It could be with a sibling, an absent or abusive dad, a controlling mom, a crazy cousin, or a demanding aunt or uncle. So, how do we handle this? First, realize that family conflict has been going on since the beginning of time. Right after the Fall in Genesis 3, do you remember what happened? A family conflict! Cain hated his brother so much that he murdered him. For starters, you can count your blessings that your situation has not resulted in death! Now...
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From the Cross: Health Issues
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Health issues are another thing that many people in our church brought up to lay at the foot of the cross last Easter. This is such a big and nagging problem. We have found ourselves living in a world that is full of sickness and brokenness. We all have only one body that is given to us on this side of eternity. We are one person with three parts: body, soul, and spirit. We must care for all three parts of our being as we live in this broken world. I believe care for the temple is one of the most overlooked and under taught topics in the western church. If we believe in...
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From the Cross: Financial Problems
A Moment of Hope
by David Chadwick Financial problems are another real angst in people’s lives. I would say that financial problems are typically what I would call a fruit issue more than a root issue. Usually the problems arise because of something going on at a deeper heart level. It could be worry, bad stewardship, lack of personal responsibility and discipline, fear, laziness, or just a pure attack from the enemy. Whatever the root issue is, debt and financial tensions can really overwhelm the human heart! Did you know that financial problems are mentioned in the Bible—especially in the book of...
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Personal offense. The inability to forgive someone who has hurt you. This hangup can keep people in shackles for a lifetime!
The first step in breaking free from personal offense is to recognize that it is going to happen in life. We live in a broken world with broken people. Inevitably, we will step on each other’s toes. Only when we truly come to grips with the reality that we owe a billion dollar debt because of our sins can we freely forgive the debt of someone who has hurt us.
To escape the prison of bitterness is the ultimate prison break. Bitterness not only defiles you, but those around you. It contaminates relationships and robs you of purity. See Hebrews 12:16, which says, “It’s ultimately for YOUR benefit to forgive!
So how does this look? What steps need to be taken to forgive?
You may need to practice forgiveness over and over again toward the person or persons who have hurt or betrayed you. Usually, forgiveness is not a one time practice. Can you understand more why Jesus taught Peter to forgive 70 times 7? It is because it often takes a repetitive, daily outpouring of God’s grace on you toward the person who has hurt you.
Take a moment. Picture your offender or the offensive situation. I know this can be really painful, but pause for a moment and try. Now, picture Jesus. The nails through his hands. The crown of thorns on his head. The mockery toward him. The pain he endured. Now take the grace that he showed you and imagine pouring it out on your offender. Over time, bitterness will become weaker and eventually abate!
Finally, remind yourself that Jesus forgave his offenders from the cross (Luke 23:34). While he was dying for our sins, preparing to take his last breath, he chose to forgive those who had placed him on the cross.
Yes, it’s very hard to forgive those who have hurt us, but it is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can’t do it in your own strength, which is what makes it all the more powerful. We must allow Jesus to forgive through us! The One who forgave his offenders now resides in those of us who believe. Let his supernatural, forgiving power flow through you! Walk in freedom, no longer chained by bitterness. Live as Jesus has called you to live!
And finally be set free. After all, forgiveness is primarily for your benefit!