Some people are so ashamed of their actions that they can’t bring themselves to tell anyone their secret. The result is the worst kind of guilt that festers inside with no chance of relief. This is called unforgiveness of self. It is the worst kind of unforgiveness.

We are forgiven:

Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive ourselves for things we have done. But we all need to find a way to forgive ourselves. I believe it is easier to forgive someone else at times than it is to forgive ourselves. The thing we must realize is that if God has forgiven us, then we are forgiven and must constantly remind ourselves of this truth. Maybe we write down what we have done and after we have done that and prayed, burn it or shred it.

We have no condemnation:

So many are so incredibly hard on themselves. It’s constantly living a cycle of disappointment over the things they have done. It seems endless. I’ve heard it referred to as the obnoxious roommate who takes away your self-esteem. It reminds you of the things you have said about yourself that are negative and wrong.

We are cleansed:

What we have to remember is that no one is perfect. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. So, no one is perfect. We need to remind ourselves that I John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is a good God and wants to help us, never harm us.

So, let’s kick out that obnoxious roommate of unforgiveness and replace him with one of peace and forgiveness.

Just a thought,

PSS

Jesus said the traditions of men cancel the Word of God (Mark 7:13). The word tradition in Greek is paradosis. It simply means something handed down. Not always bad, but deadly when what men hand down starts carrying the same weight as what God said. That Greek word cancel is akyroo. It means to void something, to strip it of its legal authority. And the frightening thing is that it does not happen through outright rejection. It happens through slow neglect dressed up as faithfulness. You can attend church every week, own several Bibles, know all the right language, and still never allow God’s Word to actually shape how you think, forgive, give, or love. Presence is comforting. Centrality is transformative. And most of us want God present without ever letting Him be central.

James 1:22 says if you hear the Word and do not do it, you are only fooling yourself. And that is the real danger for a lot of people. Not that they do not know what God says. They know exactly what He says. They have heard it preached. They have read it themselves. But knowing and obeying are two completely different things. Unforgiveness stays. Generosity never comes. Pride never gets dealt with. And life never really changes. Not because God was not speaking, but because hearing became a substitute for obeying. The Word was never given to make us more informed. It was given to make us different.

Just a thought,

PSS

June is Fatherhood Month. We are reclaiming the month because the homosexual community has claimed it as Pride Month. That is perversion. We cannot participate in that ever. It is time we honor fathers the way our families and society desperately need.

A Needed Stand: June is a good time to remember how much fathers matter. A dad who loves God, worships God, and obeys God leaves a mark on his children that words alone cannot leave. Our families do not need perfect men. They need surrendered men who will say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

A Humble Heart: The Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. When the homosexual community calls their celebration Pride Month, it tells us everything we need to know. Pride says, “I will do life my way.” Folks, that is why it is so unbiblical. That is why it is unholy.

Humility says, “Lord, I need You to lead me.” That is where real strength begins. A father who bows before God is not weak. He is showing his family what true courage looks like. 

A Godly Example: Statistics prove it. When fathers get engaged in church and come to know the Lord, their whole family usually follows. It changes the home, the Church, and eventually society.

According to national research, 85 percent of youth in prison come from fatherless homes. Children with actively involved fathers are 43 percent more likely to earn A’s in school. And children are three times more likely to follow Christ when their dad leads spiritually.

Children watch more than they listen. They notice whether church is optional or a priority, whether prayer is real or just talked about, and whether God is first or not. When fathers put God first, it brings order, peace, and strength back into the home.

Dads, your family needs your example. Lead with humility, love, consistency, and faith. We are asking all the dads to be in church every service — one on the weekend and one midweek. Show your wife and kids that God comes first. Your kids will get into church. Your wife will come along. Marriages will get better, and families will get stronger. When we put God first, everything gets better.

Starting today, let us take our stand and reclaim June as Fatherhood Month.

God bless you,

Just a thought,

PSS

Freedom is never free. Someone always pays for it. We wake up in this country and we can go to church, say what we believe, raise our kids the way we want, and worship openly. None of that just appeared out of thin air. Behind every one of those freedoms are people who left their families, stepped into danger, and never came home. The least we can do is remember that.

Memorial Day is not mainly about cookouts and long weekends. For some families, it is not a holiday at all. It is an empty chair at the table. It is a folded flag on a shelf. It is old photographs. It is a name on a wall. Sacrifice is always personal to somebody. And people of character stop long enough to recognize the weight of what was given so they could live freely.

Here is what makes the Gospel so staggering. Soldiers give their lives so others can be free physically. Jesus gave His life so we could be free eternally. And while salvation is freely offered to you, it was not cheap to purchase. Our forgiveness cost Jesus His life. Our peace cost Jesus His suffering. Our freedom from sin cost Jesus the cross. You did not earn it. You cannot repay it. But you can live as if you know what it cost.

Just a thought,

PSS

Either you trust in someone or something, or you don’t.

Decide:

When you decide to trust someone or something, you are confident about its integrity, strength, or ability. So, in order to trust, the object of your trust must be worthy of your confidence and reliance. For example, we tend to marry someone we trust, and if that relationship remains healthy and continues to grow, the trust level will increase, not decrease.

Father knows best: 

As for our spiritual relationship, we need to realize that God has our best interest in mind. Sometimes we look for immediate gratification, where God is looking at the whole picture and for our future. When these ideas clash, it might be tempting to think, God doesn’t care for me or love me.

Trust God:

We have to learn to trust God and have confidence in Him. No matter what, God is the only one who sees our future, and He’s always looking out for us, for our own good, for our life. You can trust Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Just a thought,

PSS