SUNDAY 10/20/13 - Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional - The Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Shame

SUNDAY 10/20/13 - Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional - The Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Shame

Psalms 25:20

20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them!

Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.

The Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Shame

Every day we encounter two different kinds of shame and it's critical that we know the difference.

There is a type of shame that is normal and healthy. For example, if I lose or break something that belongs to someone else, I feel disappointed about my mistake. I wish I had not been so careless or negligent. I am sorry, but I can ask for forgiveness, receive it and go on with my life.

Healthy shame reminds us that we are imperfect human beings with weaknesses and limitations. It reminds us that we need God.

Unfortunately, when the healthy shame doesn't stop there, it becomes unhealthy and poisonous. When a person doesn't ask for or receive forgiveness, they can punish themselves and start to hate who they are.

Don't spend your life in this position. Remember your rightful position as an heir and child of God (see Romans 8:17). Unhealthy shame will make you forget who you are in Christ, but healthy shame will remind you that you're nothing without Him. Today, ask God to help you discern the difference.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I don't want to live under the weight of unhealthy shame. Help me to remember how much You love me. Because You have forgiven me, I don't need to punish myself.

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If you just started reading the Bible and have not yet asked Jesus into your heart to become your Lord and Savior, all you have to do is:

A - ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER

Roman 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

B - BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS GOD'S SON AND EXCEPT GOD'S GIFT OF FORGIVENESS FROM SIN

Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household"

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me."
Ephesians 2:8-9 ....8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.


C - CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD

Roman 10:9-10, 13 ..... 9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart the God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

If  your are ready to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, you can pray a simple prayer like this to God.





Dear God,


I know I have sinned and my sin separates me from You. I am sorry for my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sin can be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God please forgive me. I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I will obey You and live for You the rest of my life, Thank You in Jesus' name I Pray.  Amen