[Faith-talk] FW: [B.A.C.M] Today's Encouragement

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Steph" <smathews at hctc.net>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: [B.A.C.M] Today's Encouragement
Date: 
Wed, 12 May 2010 12:36:10 -0500

Instead of Shame | Encouragement For Today | Proverbs 31
MinistriesInstead of Shame 
12 May 2010 Susanne Scheppmann 

"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and
instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they
will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be
theirs." Isaiah 61:7 (NIV) 

I turned and walked away from God in anger and disappointment. I tossed
away the calling of ministry on my life. The Lord had hurt my feelings, so
I left my faith to find a fresh path. 

This happened during my twenties. With two toddlers climbing up my legs
during the day and crying intermittently during the night, I was physically
exhausted. Emotional turmoil began to disintegrate my marriage. My immature
faith lacked the stamina to hold to God tightly. So, for seven years I
wandered through sin, divorce, and miserable meanderings of my own making.
It was a time of spiritual drought-the years of shame. 

Although I walked away from God, He did not walk away from me. The Lord
allowed me to experience life in the wilderness of doubt, but He was right
there watching over me and waiting for me to return to the call of ministry
placed on my life at age eighteen. 

Eventually, I allowed myself to feel His presence in my life. Little by
little, the Lord Jesus wooed me back to Himself. I remember the exact time
and place that I felt Him whisper to my spirit, "Let's start over and do it
right this time." I wept with relief and joy. I began to study the Bible
and allowed it to change my damaged spiritual heart. This time it wasn't
going to be head knowledge, but heart knowledge. 

My faith was back on track, but I did not think my calling to ministry
could ever be restored. Hadn't I traveled too far off the godly path?
Surely, God didn't want me anymore in service to Hi s Kingdom. Surely, He
had more qualified daughters that could minister to others without the
shame of a sullied past such as mine. 

However, that is not how God thinks at all. The Bible says, "For God's
gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29, NIV). The Lord desires
for us to move beyond the shame of past mistakes and into His calling for
our lives. He will restore us to useful service in the Kingdom. It takes
time and it is a process, but the Almighty God still has a plan for each of
our lives. He intends to replace disgrace with rejoicing, so that we may
show our world that we are living miracles. 

Do I hear an "Amen"? 

Dear Lord, thank You for having mercy on me. Display Your will for my
life. Enable me to fulfill the gifts and call in my life, so that others
will understand Your grace and mighty power. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Related Resources: Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of
God by Susanne Scheppmann 

Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary E. DeMuth 

Intimacy with God: Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time by
Tara Furman 

Visit with Susanne on her blog 

Read My Daddy, a free resource from our P31 Woman magazine 

Application Steps: Consider the years of your life you feel might have
been wasted. Reread and memorize Isaiah 61:7, today's key verse. Cast away
your shame and look for your double portion of inheritance. Rejoice in
God's mercy and grace. 

Reflections: Do I feel I have lost my chance to use my spiritual gifts? 

How can I begin to use my spiritual gifts to display God's mercy in my
life? 

Power Verses: Joel 2:26, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are
full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked
wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed." (NIV) 

Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness
to the skies." (NIV) 

Romans 11:29-30, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as
you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a
result of their disobedience." (NIV) 

© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved. 

Proverbs 31 Ministries 
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105 
877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)