Shame/Not Living Up

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. - Hebrews 2:11

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. - Hebrews 4:15

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. - Jude 24

Slide 1: If everything was stripped away… Who would you still be? Slide 2: You are not your job title. Not your platform. Not your achievements. Not even the role you serve in at church. Slide 3: You are not your past mistakes. Not the opinions people formed about you. Not the labels placed on your life. Slide 4: Your identity begins with this: You are His son. You are His daughter. Before you ever did anything for God, you were already loved by Him. Slide 5: Temporary things will always change, but your identity in Christ never will.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

God’s love hasn’t run out. Won’t run out. Will never change.

Plot Twist: When God rewrites your story

1. You think God sees every mistake you've ever made. 2. He sees the person He chose before you even existed. 3. You think God sees someone who keeps falling short. 4. He sees someone covered by a grace with no limits. 5. You think God sees your worst moment. 6. He sees His child. 7. You think God sees the version of you that you're ashamed of. 8. He sees the version of you He’s making you into.

Nothing you've done has changed who God says you are

1: No matter your story. 2: No matter your background. 3: No matter where you are in your faith journey. 4: There’s a place for you in this community.

You don't have to have it all together.

The best excuses people gave God. 1. #5: Gideon. “My clan is the weakest and I am the least of my family.” God still used him to win the battle. 2. #4: Jeremiah. “I don’t know how to speak. I’m only a child.” God still wrote one of the longest books of the Bible through him. 3. #3: Moses. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” God still delivered Moses’ people through him. 4. #2: Moses (again). “What if they don’t believe me? I’m slow of speech. Please send someone else.” 5. #1: Sarah. Sarah laughed at the promise of God. Still, God gave her a son that became a mighty nation. 6. Our excuses don’t limit God from using us. He has an amazing plan for you regardless.

1. Love based on your performance will always exhaust you. 2. Love based on feelings will fade over time. 3. Unconditional love will bring true peace and fulfillment. 4. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” - Jeremiah 31:3

1. Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a character flaw. It’s a signal… 2. We usually just push through. Make another list…apologize for being behind…maybe even blame others… 3. Overwhelm comes from carrying something for too long. But there’s a better way. 4. Moses felt this way. He told God, “I cannot carry all these people alone. It's too heavy for me.” (Numbers 11:14) 5. God came through. 6. Remember: You are allowed to not be okay. You are allowed to need help. 7. Jesus invites us to come to Him when we’re overwhelmed and carrying heavy burdens.

You may hold onto your past, but God doesn’t.

1: You may hold onto your past, but God doesn’t. 2: You replay the mistakes. You feel regret. 3: But Psalm 103:12 says, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." 4: So if God isn’t holding your past over your head, why are you? 5: Don't live stuck in what God has already freed you from.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. - Psalm 34:5

How to pray about a habit you just can’t seem to break. 1. Skip the performance. Be honest with God. “I can’t stop. I need help.” 2. Pray against the shame, not just the habit. “Help me feel confident in your acceptance of me.” 3. Ask for the desire, not just the willpower. “God, give me your desires.” 4. Pray for what will replace it. “Empty me of ____, and fill me with _______.” 5. Don’t pray alone. Confess your sins to one another thqt you can be healed. 6. Remember a bad day is just a bad day. It isn’t permanent failure. 7. “God, you know what I'm dealing with. I'm tired of trying on my own. I don't just want willpower…I want to actually change. Search my heart, replace my desires, and remind me today that I am not defined by this. Amen.”

If perfection were required, church would be empty.