Shed your burdens

Several years ago in a "Men's Fraternity" study (Robert Lewis) we learned about unresolved issues that many of us insist on "packing" with us wherever we go.

Similarly, my wife and several dozen sisters in Christ spent a recent weekend focused on "Shedding Your Burdens, Receiving His Grace." The women visualized their unresolved issues as "bricks," with scriptural support and a graphic skit to drive home the point of our natural resistance to surrendering our load to the Lord.

The reality is that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But it has never been God's desire for us to suffer under the weight of "bricks" such as guilt and fear.

Because of His grace, and the blood sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Who is Jesus the Christ, we are invited to GIVE OVER our loads and freely RECEIVE the unconditional, never ending love of the perfect Father.

I pray that someone struggling with the lie that he/she must first "clean up" before surrendering and receiving God's grace will finally see clearly that His invitation is simply to "come," warts and all.

I pray that someone who has surrendered his/her life to the Lord will speak the name of Jesus and claim His redemption when a demonic whisper suggests: "There is no way a perfect God could possibly love a phony like you."

Remember: "The thief (Satan) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy." Jesus, on the other hand, "...came that we may have life, and have it in abundance!" (John 10:10)

Recall the words of Jesus Himself: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mattthew 11:28-29