Are you struggling with guilt and condemnation? Do you often question if you are good enough for God? In this 6-day reading plan, discover the Unlimited Grace of God for you and let His Love empower you to walk in freedom.
Paula Burr
Day 1
Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 3:11, Acts 17:26-28, Jeremiah 31:3
The Search for God
From when I was small, I had always believed in God and somehow thought that if I was good, He would help me when I asked Him. As I grew older, that sense that there was a Being beyond all the wonderful things I could see in the world, and He wasn’t just a Force, but a Personal Being was always there. I tried to escape Him when I was 11 by not going to Sunday School when my parents moved to a new area, but something drew me to return when a friend invited me to go to Bible class with her. God had a Plan for me and wasn’t going to let me go.
As you look back on your life, can you see where God has been at work in your circumstances and relationships?
Take some time today to reflect on this question. Write down the moments the Holy Spirit highlights to you.
Prayer
Father God, I thank you that you have made me and that you love me. Show me more of yourself so that I may know you better. Amen
Day 2
Scriptures: Romans 7:18, Romans 7:24-25
The Futility of Trying to Keep the Rules to Be Right with God
In the months before my encounter with Jesus, I was falling into a pit of despair because I was trying to be a Christian but couldn’t get it right. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that even what we thought counted and our righteousness had to surpass that of the meticulous Pharisees. I had wholeheartedly committed my life to Jesus and set out to live as good a life as possible, but I just had a sense of always falling short and felt condemned because I could not please God with my efforts.
Are you living under a sense of guilt and condemnation because you cannot keep the rules—wanting to do good but not being able to?
Write down the things that make you feel guilty and ashamed. Choose to surrender them to Jesus today. Tear up that piece of paper and throw it away.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, that it doesn’t depend on me getting it right all the time but on your Sacrifice for me so that I can be forgiven and have a new life in you.
Day 3
Scriptures: John 1:29, 1 Peter 2:24
Jesus, the Ultimate Sufficient Sacrifice for Me
These words were read at an evening Bible study:
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
I had heard them many times at Communion services, but that night, the words took on a life of their own; it was like a bright light had been turned on. After feeling like a condemned failure for several months for not being able to be perfect, Jesus said to me in my spirit, “I know you can’t do it by yourself. That’s why I died for you.” It was like a heavy load had been lifted off me after I had been in despair over my relationship with God. I was accepted.
Take some time to behold the Lamb and see Him laying down His Life for you. He loves you and accepts you just as you are.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank you for giving yourself for me so that I could be free of sin and guilt.
Day 4
Scriptures: Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:31-39
Jesus Frees Me from Condemnation
When I had been walking with God for a few years, I found that sometimes, this condemning voice would tell me how bad I was and that I had messed up with God because of what I had done. This caused a lot of inner struggles, but then Jesus assured me through the following verse that I had been set free from condemnation.
The condemning lies of the enemy tried to bring me down, but my soul was overcome by the glorious Truth that Jesus had freed me from being a slave to doing wrong. I have His Spirit living in me each day, leading me the right way. He does the same for you, too, as He lives in you.
Write Romans 8:1 on a post-it note or piece of card and put it somewhere where you can see it often. This will remind you of the freedom you have with God’s Spirit living in you.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for your Love, which conquers all that comes against us. Amen
Day 5
Scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 53:4
Jesus Takes Our Heavy Load and Brings Rest to Our Souls
A few years ago, I went youth hostelling in Scotland with some friends. I remember walking 10 miles with a heavy rucksack on my back to reach a point where we could catch a post-bus. When we finally arrived and I removed the rucksack from my aching shoulders, I felt such intense relief at being free of the weight that it seemed like I was going to fly! This feeling of relief is like what I experienced when Jesus took away the burden of guilt for not being able to get things right.
Are you feeling weary and burdened? Come to Jesus, and He will lift your heavy load and give you one that is just right for you.
What is in the load you are carrying in your life? Imagine coming to Jesus with them all and giving them to Him. When you find yourself being weighed down by a heavy burden, just give it back to Jesus again.
Prayer
Dear Jesus Thank you that you don’t give us heavy burdens but only what is fitting for us. I give you my heavy burdens now and take your light and easy yoke.
Day 6
Scriptures: Hebrews 7:25, Philippians 1:6, Jude 1:24-25
Jesus Keeps Us by His Interceding for Us
One of the things that used to bother me early on in my walk with Jesus was that I wouldn’t make it to the end as a Christian, as I was so aware of my flaws. I had witnessed one or two friends at University give up on their faith even though they had appeared to be very keen and well thought of, so that worried me. God showed me through the promises in the Bible that He is able to keep me to the end and that He would finish the Work He had started in me, making me like His Son. Do you worry that you haven’t got what it takes to finish the race?
Drink in God’s Promises that show that He can keep you from falling and present you spotless at the end.
Prayer
Jesus thank you that you are interceding for me and have promised to keep me to the very end. Amen.