USHERRAY'S MIRROR: October 2016

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<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus Christ gave His life that we might have righteousness- or as I
like to write it, Righteousness. Righteousness is meant for all who
believe"with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the
Messiah)" (Romans 3:22).</span>

</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 3.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking of Jesus, Peter wrote, "He personally bore our sins in His
[own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we
might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you
have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We were created by God to feel right and good about
ourselves. But the devil wants all of us to feel wrong about ourselves; he
wants us to feel shame, guilt, and condemnation. Because of the presence of sin
in the world, and the sin nature that came upon us through the fall of mankind,
we cannot do everything right.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To resist
the devil's temptation to live in constant regret instead of continual victory,
we must know and understand the truth of God's Word. When we accept Jesus as
our Savior, He imparts or gives to us the gift of righteousness, and by
faith,we are made right with God. We are not made right with God because of our
own perfection or good works; we are</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page109"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">considered righteous because of our trust in Jesus Christ. In 2
Corinthians 5:21 the apostle Paul tells us what God did for us: "For our
sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and
through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of]
the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in
right relationship with Him, by His goodness]."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 8.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God sent Jesus to redeem us (that is, to buy us back from the devil to
whom we had sold ourselves as slaves to sin), to restore us (to make us as we
were supposed to be in the beginning). We were created and redeemed by God for
righteousness, not shame, guilt, and condemnation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No Condemnation In Christ</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 4.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we read and understand the Word of God, we can be set free from wrong
thinking about ourselves. Paul wrote in Romans 8:1: "THEREFORE, [there is]
now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ
Jesus,who live and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the
dictates of the Spirit."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course, if we would follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we would
never do anything wrong, so guilt would have no place to take root in us.
However, since we are human, none of us is incapable of making a mistake. As
our Lord pointed out, "The</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-right: 48.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page110"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 kjv).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We cannot
perform perfectly, even though we would like to, but we can live free from
guilt by walking in the Spirit. The Lord promises to lead us through life, if
we listen to Him and obey Him: "Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be
your God and you will be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command
you,that it may be well with you" (Jeremiah 7:23, emphasis mine).We sin
when we stop doing what the Holy Spirit guides us to do. Condemnation and guilt
feelings come as a result of that sin, because the devil sees an opening and
immediately moves to rob us of our confidence in God's grace. If we ever hope
to live without guilt, we must deal with the temptation to sin as soon as we
are aware of it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.95pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you do give into temptation or fall into sin, instead of trying to
restore yourself through good works, which is walking after the flesh (your
human nature), ask God to forgive you and choose to turn back to the Spirit.
You sin because you stop following the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you keep
following the flesh, you will only get deeper and deeper into trouble and
turmoil. Instead, turn back quickly to following the Spirit, allowing Him to
lead and guide you in correcting your situation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-right: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Spirit always has the correct answer for every
problem- and He will not condemn you when you return to Him. It is written:
"For God has not</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 104%; margin-right: 12.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page111"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">appointed us to [incur His] wrath
[He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His]
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)" (1 Thessalonians
5:9).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 101%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
example, the Spirit will lead us to repentance, which produces forgiveness from
God: "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is
faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our
sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in
purpose, thought, and action]" (1 John 1:9).Following the flesh will lead
to works that supposedly win the right to receive God's favor. But the flesh
always attempts to repay for mistakes rather than simply receive God's gift of
pardon and restoration.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dealing With Guilt</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Lord
once gave me a great revelation about guilt. I had felt guilty as long as I
could remember. Guilt was my constant companion. We went everywhere together!
This sin- consciousness began early in my childhood when I was being sexually
abused. Even though my father told me that what he was doing to me was not wrong,
it made me feel dirty and guilty. Of course, as I got older and became aware
that it was wrong, but had no way to make it stop, the guilt continued and
increased.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page112"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I learned firsthand that guilt is an unbearable burden, a heaviness that
depresses the spirit. Guilt makes everything seem dark and makes us feel tired
and weary. Actually it drains our energy and saps the strength we need to
resist sin and Satan. So the result is that guilt and condemnation actually
increase sin.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 104%; margin-right: 3.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I believe that I was addicted to guilt. Before I learned about God's
grace, I can never remember being guilt-free! Even if I was not doing anything
particularly bad or sinful, I found something to feel wrong about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.5pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan wants to press us down. He is the accuser of those who believe in
Christ; he continues to bring charges against us before God (see Revelation
12:10). But David, the psalmist, wrote, "You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For example, I was shopping one day, and my ever-present companion of
guilt was with me. I do not recall what I had done wrong this time; it does not
even matter, it was always something. I was about to get out of my car and go
into a store when the Holy Spirit said to me, "Joyce, how do you plan to
get forgiveness for this sin?"I knew the right answer. I said, "I'll
accept the sacrifice Jesus made for me when He died at Calvary." We can
know the right answer (have head knowledge), and still not apply it to our own
situation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then the Holy Spirit continued:
"I see, Joyce, and</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page113"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">when do
you plan to accept Jesus' sacrifice?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A major revelation began to shine forth in me! At that moment I knew
that I could wait two or three days until I felt guilty long enough and then
accept God's forgiveness, or I could receive that pardon right then.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I always
asked for forgiveness for my sins right away, but I never accepted it until I
felt that I had suffered enough to pay for it. God revealed to me what I was
doing, how much unnecessary pain I was causing myself. He even showed me that
what I was doing was insulting to Jesus, that in essence I was saying,
"Lord, the sacrifice of Your life and blood was good, but not good enough.
I must add my work of feeling guilty before I can be forgiven."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.85pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 104%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That very day I began getting free from guilt and condemnation. I
encourage you to do the same. Remember: Guilt does no good at all! It
accomplishes nothing, except the following:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.35pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 111%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Guilt drains your energy and can even make you
physically or mentally ill.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Guilt
blocks your fellowship with God. Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have
a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared
feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of
temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are,</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page114"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly
draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us
sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help
in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just
when we need it]."Guilt, as a work of the flesh, demands that you try to
pay for your sin.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 3.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Guilt drains your spiritual energy. It leaves you weak and unable to
resist new attacks from the enemy. Successful spiritual warfare requires
wearing of the "breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14 kjv,
emphasis mine). Guilt causes you to sin more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Guilt exerts such tremendous pressure on you, suggesting that getting
along with others is difficult. It is nearly impossible to live under a burden
of guilt and still operate in the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22, 23).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 104%; margin-right: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surely you can see from this list that guilt is a good thing to give up.
Let it go! It is from the devil and is intended to prevent you from ever
enjoying your life or your relationship with the Lord.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.5pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you have a serious problem in this area of guilt, you may need to ask
someone to pray for you. If your faith is strong enough, pray for yourself.
However, guilt steals faith; if you have lived for a long time buried under a
load of guilt and condemnation, your faith may need to be strengthened. Get the
help you</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page115"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">need. Refuse to live any longer pressed down under a burden of guilt and
condemnation.6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What About Shame?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-right: 21.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now that we have a better understanding of guilt, let's turn our
attention to the subject of shame.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is
a shame that is normal and healthy. If I lose or break something that belongs
to someone else, I feel ashamed of my mistake. I wish I had not been so
careless or negligent. I am sorry, but I can ask for forgiveness, receive it,
and then go on with my life. Healthy shame reminds us that we are human beings
with weaknesses and limitations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
Genesis 2:25 we read that Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden, and
they were not ashamed. Besides the fact that they were not wearing any clothes,
I believe this verse means that they were totally open and honest with each
other, hiding behind no masks, playing no games. They were completely free to be
themselves because they had no sense of shame. Once they had sinned, however,
they went and hid themselves (see Genesis 3:6-8).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.85pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People should be able to enjoy perfect freedom with each other and with
God, but very few are able to do so. Most people pretend. They produce false
personalities and hide behind them. They act as if they are not hurt when they
are, or they pretend that they do not need anyone when they do.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page116"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a poisonous shame that can drastically affect the quality of a
person's life. This occurs when an individual who is being abused or mistreated
in some way begins to internalize the shame he feels. He is no longer just
ashamed of what is being done to him, but he becomes ashamed of himself because
of what he is being subjected to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Such an individual takes the shame into himself where it actually
becomes the core of his being. Everything in his life becomes poisoned by his
emotions so that he develops into a shame-based person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At one time I was shame-based, but I did not know I was ashamed of
myself. I was seeing the results of shame in my life, but was unsuccessfully
trying to deal with the fruit of it rather than the root. The implied
definition of the word translated ashamed in the King James Version of Genesis
2:25 is: to be disappointed,or delayed . . .confounded."7</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This word
confounded simply means to be frustrated or confused. Webster's New World
Dictionary defines the verb confound as: "confuse";
"bewilder"; "damn."8 Webster defines the verb damn as:
"to condemn to an unhappy fate"; "doom"; "to criticize
adversely"; "to cause the ruin of"; "make fail."9</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-right: 19.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you will take the time to really study these definitions, you may
discover that the root of your</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page117"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">problem
is shame.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dealing With Shame</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My life
was filled with confusion because I was trying desperately to do right (so I
could "feel right"), but no matter how hard I tried, I always failed.
It seemed as if I were doomed to failure. I did not fail at everything,
however. I was successful in the corporate world, and in a few other areas, but
I was a failure at godly behavior. I always felt defeated because no matter
what I accomplished on the outside,I still felt bad about myself on the inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.85pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was ashamed of me!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I did not like who I was. I did not like my basic personality. I was
continually rejecting my real self and trying to be someone or something I was
not and never could be. (I will discuss this topic more fully in another
chapter.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 104%; margin-right: 3.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Multiplied thousands of Christians spend their entire lives in this
pitiful condition-living far, far below their rightful position as heirs of God
and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. I know, because I was one of them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.5pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul wrote that the suffering we endure now will one day be worth the
glory of the inheritance due to us:And if we are [His] children, then we are
[His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His
inheritance with Him]; only we must</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page118"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">share His
suffering if we are to share His glory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present
time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is
about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! (Romans
8:17-18)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a
great day when the Holy Spirit led me to understand that shame was the source
of many of my problems! There are promises in the Word of God that assure us
that we can be delivered from a sense of shame. For example, it is written in
Isaiah 61:7: "Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold
recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in
their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had
forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's examine more closely this passage, which offers "a twofold
recompense." Are recompense is a reward or compensation for injury. In
other words, if you trust God and do things His way, He will see to it that you
are repaid for every injustice ever done to you. You will receive double what
you have forfeited or lost, and everlasting joy will be yours! That is a
wonderful promise, and I can vouch for the reality of it. God has done that
very thing for me, and He will do it for you too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another promise from the Lord is
found in Isaiah</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page119"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">54:4: "Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be
confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall
forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the
reproach of your widowhood any more."How inspiring and encouraging it is
to know that you will forget the harm of your past and will never have to
seriously remember those hard, hard times! This is even a promise that you can
stand on if you are still being abused or mistreated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps
you feel that the Lord has told you to endure for a season some verbal or
emotional abuse while He is doing a work in the person who is hurting you. How
can you protect yourself from developing a shame-based nature? The prayer of
the psalmist can be yours also: "O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me
not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You"
(Psalm 25:20).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God can keep you from shame. I suggest that every time you suffer from
verbal or emotional abuse, simply pray and ask God to keep you from the shame
that tries to build up within you. Use this word in Psalm 25:20 as a
double-edged sword against the enemy (which in this case is shame).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-right: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Following is an example of how this approach will work for your benefit.
I know a pastor's wife who has no problems at all in her sexual relations with
her husband, even though relatives sexually abused her for many years. On the
other hand, as a result of</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 103%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-right: 9.0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page120"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">my sexual abuse, I had many, many problems to confront and overcome in
my sexual relations with my husband.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 3.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What made the difference? While questioning my friend, I discovered that
throughout her childhood she had maintained a strong faith in God. The abuse
began when she was about fourteen years of age. By that time she had already
enjoyed many years of good Christian fellowship and an active prayer life. She
prayed each time her abusers molested her, asking God to cover her so it would
not affect her sexual relationship with her future husband. She knew that one
day she was going to marry a pastor because the Lord had already revealed it to
her. Her prayers protected her from shame and bondage in that area.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.05pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 14.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my case, I did not know enough about God to activate my faith through
prayer. Therefore I did suffer from shame-until I discovered that I was
shame-based and learned about God's promise to deliver me. You can also be
delivered from shame, which is the source of many complex inner problems, such
as:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alienation</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 104%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Compulsive behaviors (drug/alcohol/substance abuse; eating disorders;
addiction to money, work, or other objects or activities; sexual perversions;
excessive need to be in control;</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 104%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 3.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page121"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">lack of self-control or self-discipline; gossiping; judgmental spirit;
etc.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Depression</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 2.0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deep sense of inferiority ("There-is-something-wrong- with-me"
thinking)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Failure
syndrome</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Isolating
loneliness</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lack of
confidence</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 4.0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Neurotic behavior (A neurotic person assumes too much responsibility; in
times of conflict he automatically presumes that he is at fault.)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perfectionism</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Timidity
(fear of all types)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 32.0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">      </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inability to develop and maintain healthy relationships</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Depression</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What we believe in our heart about ourselves deeply influences how we
act: "For as he [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs
23:7, paraphrased). If</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page122"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we think
poorly of ourselves, we will be depressed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Extreme numbers of people suffer from this terrible condition of
depression, which has many complex causes, one of which is shame. If you are
prone to depression, it may be a sign of a deeper problem- a root of shame.
Those who are shame-based think and speak negatively about themselves. Such
wrong thinking and speaking places a heavy weight on the spirit. This is a
major problem because God created human beings for righteousness, love, and
acceptance. God is always pouring forth these virtues upon His children, but
many of His children do not know how to receive them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.15pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%; margin-right: 2.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You cannot receive love and acceptance from God if you are against
yourself. If you have a problem in this area, do not just sit by and allow the
devil to destroy you. Confront your spiritual enemy with spiritual action.
Change your thinking and your speaking. Begin purposely to think and say only
good things about yourself. Make a list of your best qualities and what the
Word says about you, and confess it several times a day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.85pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meditate
on truths from God's Word such as: "For our sake He made Christ
[virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might
become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of
God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship
with Him, by His goodness]" (2 Corinthians 5:21).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page123"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then say,
"I am the righteousness of God in Christ."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.2pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Say out
loud "God loves me" when you read, "For God so greatly loved and
dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son,
so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not
perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life"
(John 3:16).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 101%; margin-right: 1.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 101%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read Romans 12:6-8: "Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities)
that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift
is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; [he
whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who
teaches, to his teaching; he who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he
who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid
and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy,
with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness." Then confess, "I
have gifts and abilities given to me by the Lord."Ponder in your heart the
words of the Lord when He said, "Because you are precious in My sight and
honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in
exchange for your life" (Isaiah 43:4). Rejoice as you admit, "I am
precious and valuable to God."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-right: 67.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Search the Word of God for other positive confessions about yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another wise practice is to get a
thorough medical</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="page124"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">examination to rule out the possibility of any physical condition that may be affecting your mental and emotional outlook. Unless your depression is caused by some health problem, it can usually be traced to negative thinking and speaking. Even when the depression is caused by some physical condition (hormonal or chemical imbalance, etc.), the devil will take advantage of the situation. He will offer many negative thoughts, which, if received and meditated upon, will only make the problem seem many times worse than it actually is.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.15pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 102%;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 102%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I repeat:
When you feel depressed, check your thinking. It is not God's will for you to be depressed. Align your thoughts with the Word of God. Isaiah 61:3 says that the Lord has given us "the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a
heavy, burdened,and failing spirit." Nehemiah said, "The joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold" (8:10). Believe what the Word says you are, and that is what you will become. Believe what the devil says you are, and you will become that. The choice is yours: "therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19).</span></div>

USHERRAY'S MIRROR

Sunday, 30 October 2016

Kindness Poems About Being Kind To Others

Saturday, 29 October 2016

TO MAKE IT IN LIFE IS NOT BY AMERICA VISA

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

CHAPTER 10 REDEEMED AND MADE RIGHTEOUS