Ep 16 "Ten Lies We Tell Ourselves" Part 2
01-08-2020

THIS WEEK'S LIES:

1.  I’ve gone too far, sinned too much, repeated the same sins too many times, to ever be completely forgiven. 

It is prideful madness for us to think, “God’s mercy and grace apply to everyone, except me." The adversary would have us believe ourselves MORE POWERFUL THAN THE INFINITE AND ETERNAL ATONING SACRIFICE OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! 

Affirmation: “It is true I am a sinner. It’s also true that I sometimes repeat sins I’ve repented of. But my sins and my weaknesses are swallowed up in the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose atonement on my behalf is both infinite and eternal. I am both amazed by and saved by God’s grace.” 

2.  The Lord is disappointed in me. I’m not living up to God's expectations of me.

If you look up the word, “disappoint” you’ll find these definitions:

1. To fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of _____;
2. To defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart or frustrate.

Related words: Disillusion, dumbfound, baffle, deceive, mislead, hinder, thwart 

God is all-knowing. He’s omniscient. He cannot be baffled or misled or deceived. 

The word “expectation” means “the degree of probability that something will occur.”

God's Plan is not a plan of probability. 

Satan wants us to “hide our face” from God. That’s exactly what he told Adam and Eve to do in the Garden after they partook of the forbidden fruit. 

SHAME separates us from God. Godly sorrow UNITES us or RECONCILES us with God. 

Affirmation:  “Sometimes I disappoint myself because I don’t live up to my own expectations. But my mistakes and imperfections are part of mortality and they are a necessary part of God’s plan for my progress to become like Him. God is not the author of SHAME and separation; He is the author of FORGIVENESS and UNITY through the enabling powers of Christ’s Atonement. God’s love for me is a gift freely given.”

3.  I wasn’t blessed with the gift of ministering. If I was, then I would instinctively know how to serve others. 

Ministering comes in many shapes and sizes. We minister to bring relief to others. Relief is not always defined as a “casserole.” When it comes to our perception of what it means to be a good minister, I think a common mistake we sometimes make is comparing our area of weakness to someone else’s areas of strength.

Are you a stay at home mom caring for your children all day? A career mom trying your best to balance your work with home? Are you a grandma looking for ways to help support your children and bring joy to your grandchildren? You are ministering! 

Affirmation: “It’s true that some people seem to have a natural talent for serving others. But I have been given spiritual gifts and talents that are uniquely mine to share. Acts of service come in many forms. If I pray for help, the Lord will teach me how to use my gifts to lift, love, and serve others.” 

DOT Invitation

This week we will continue the invitation to recognize the voice of our inner critic and come up with an affirmation to replace a specific lie it tells us. It helps to write our affirmations down and practice saying them until they begin to sound more natural than the lie. This helps us replace our lie with a truth that will serve us in our forward progress. 

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Music for this episode: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" Free music download.

Have a great week everyone :-)