FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

How Do You Handle Guilt?

“How do I handle the guilt of having lived in adultery for twenty years?” a woman asked me.

First, I led her to the Lord. Then I assured her that the past was forgotten, just as if she had never sinned. The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). The moment we receive Him, we start a new life. Our past is never remembered again.

God has promised, “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 8:12). It is often said that God casts our sins into the sea of His forgetfulness and puts up a sign: “No fishing allowed.”

However, Satan can use guilt feelings to rob us of our joy and effectiveness for Christ. Often he brings to our remembrance the past with all its ugliness. To overcome this assault, we must have full assurance that we have been forgiven of our sin (the promise of 1 John 1:9). Then we must dwell with Christ in daily communion, constantly aware of His glory and the joy of knowing that He wants to use us in spite of our past.

Having received forgiveness in Christ, we must next forgive ourselves for our failures. This is what I believe the apostle Paul was thinking when he wrote, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Phil. 3:13).

I picture Paul sitting down one day and, in a state of despair, declaring, “I am the worst of sinners.” Then the Holy Spirit whispers, “Forget those things which are behind. You did your best. You did all that you could do, and God knows all about it, so forget all the things which are behind you. Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ” (see Phil. 3:13,14).

The Holy Spirit makes the same statement to us today. Do all that you can now and leave the rest with the Lord. Look toward the future.

Our thought processes can work to our advantage or to our disadvantage. I believe that “Gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Pet. 1:13) means don’t allow yourself to look back, especially on failure and on the sins for which you have been forgiven. Think on those things that edify the soul. Philippians 4:8 expresses beautifully the kinds of thoughts that should fill the minds of Christians: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

It is very hard for me to reflect on my life. I have found it much healthier to look ahead, reflecting only long enough to say “Thank you, Lord.” I never wallow in guilt, even for two minutes. I will not allow my mind to do that.

I learned to control my thoughts at a very young age. After singing in church one night, I was angry with myself because I thought I had done a bad job. My brother Bob asked, “Did you do your best?”

“Yes, I did,” I answered.

He simply said, “Well?”

“Thank you, Bob,” I replied.

That lesson stuck with me. During the first year of our ministry, I fought those angry feelings when I didn’t do a good job. The Holy Spirit seemed to speak to me as Bob had done.

“Did you do your best?”

I did.

“Well?”

I realized that although I might not do a superb job every night, I could do my best… and that’s all that is required.

Each of us struggles with personal failure. Remember Paul’s frustration in Romans 7? The things he wanted to do, he didn’t do. The things he didn’t want to do, he ended up doing. That is also true in my life. I echo his cry, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24,25).

You may feel guilty over a son or daughter who has strayed away from God. Don’t condemn yourself by asking, “Where did I go wrong?” Did you do your best in rearing him or her for Christ? Then claim the promise of Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Don’t spend the rest of your days in regret. Rather, seek God’s guidance in helping your child now. Forget the past and let your love and concern show through your prayers to the God who cares. Hands off — God is at work!

We will never be perfect in this life, but it’s good to know we have been forgiven — not only for our past sins, but also for our daily shortcomings and the weaknesses that will cause us to fall short of the glory of God throughout life on earth.

Think of it! We are forgiven… past, present, and future! “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).

No condemnation! And no guilt!

A CLASSIC MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Jesus Paid The Price – part 2

Christ Suffered

Second, Christ paid the price of suffering. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

First Peter 3:18 states, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust.

Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Were you under the impression that Calvary was an easy ordeal? It was not! He endured-endured the cross.

In this day of easy-believism, are we to suffer as Christians? Are we to pay the price in winning lost souls to Jesus? Let’s see.

Philippians 1:29: For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. It is not enough just to believe. One becomes a Christian by believing, but discipleship produces suffering. Believing gets one into heaven, but discipleship presents one with heaven’s best crowns to place at the feet of Jesus.

Yes, He suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps (see 1 Peter 2:21). His suffering was for sinners. Our suffering should be for the same reason. Think of this statement in the light of the millions of Christians who have never won a soul to Christ. Think of the shame that awaits their entrance into heaven (see 1 John 2:28).

Suffering is again discussed in Philippians 3:10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. All of us want a life filled with blessing, but few want to fellowship in His sufferings. Read again the listing of 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 wherein Paul enumerates his sufferings. Then bow before God and say “God forgive me for my greedy, grasping, selfish attitude. Forgive me for allowing the old nature to have full sway.”

Christian, will you have any scars, like Paul, at the Judgment Seat? Many live luxuriously and complain about the hardship of being a Christian. Let’s accept slander and suffering as the will of God and press on to greater service for the Lord.

Christ Was Slain

Third, Christ was slain. He gave His life for a sinful world. God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).

Jack, will you go so far as to state that a Christian should be willing to follow Christ, even to death, in winning souls? I suggest it because Jesus taught this truth. He said in Luke 9:23, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. We must go back to the first century to understand the implications within this statement. The cross was the means of capital punishment in Christ’s day. It was an instrument of death. A convicted criminal had to drag his own cross to the place of his execution. When one passed by pulling or dragging a cross, it meant that he was going to be crucified, yea killed.

Jesus said that one should be willing to die daily, or bear the cross 24 hours per day in order to follow Him. I believe this same lesson is pictured in Revelation 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. There is more in this verse than the thought of faithfulness to Christ as long as one has life. The context indicates that a horrendous time of persecution was to come. Some would be hanged; others murdered in tortuous ways for the name of Christ. When it came, faithfulness unto death was the means of earning the crown of life for the martyr. This happened in past history, and may soon be the experience of God’s people in America. Christians in Russia, China, and other parts of the world have already suffered greatly. Were you next, would you have the spiritual stamina to stand for Christ? Even unto death?

Adoniram Judson went to India as a missionary. He was soon imprisoned because of his love for Christ and the souls of men. They bound him in a stench-filled dungeon. There he was alone with his God for months. Many were the hours of torture he experienced. Anne, his sweet wife, would often look into the place of his interment and with tears flowing down her cheeks cry out, “Hang on, sweetheart. I know it is difficult to bear, but God will give us the victory.” Time passed, and the visits from Anne ceased. How Judson wondered as to the welfare of his family.

After a few years, he was released. He immediately went to the area where he and Anne had lived. As he arrived at the location, he saw a grimy, dirt-covered tot playing outside a tent. He did not realize it was his own little girl. He rushed into the tent and saw a bald woman lying on a bed. She was dying. Malnutrition had taken her hair and health. As he stood over the form of the one he had loved so dearly, his tears fell on her face. This revived his darling and she opened her eyes. She took his hand and said, ‘Adoniram, be true to the Lord. Hang on, sweetheart. When I am gone, don’t quit. Be faithful. Pay the price.”

Today there are thousands of Christians and hundreds of gospel-preaching churches in India because the Judsons took up the cross daily and followed Jesus. What will you do with your life, Christian? Give it to the Lord now in prayer.

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

Hi my dear Rexella

I’m Sherry W. and have been your partner for many many years and I’m a stroke patient and enjoy everything I receive from you and your loving Dr Jack. I pray for you every day and love you

God Bless you

Sherry W.
Savannah Georgia

I still read my Soul Food devotional you and Dr Jack sent me years ago❤️❤️

Hi,

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading the newsletter, and it has touched my heart! Keep Up The Good Work and Never Give Up!

Erica!

HIGHLIGHTED MINISTRY OFFERS

Jesus Revealed in the End Times

THE END TIME SHOULDN’T SCARE
US — BUT BRING US HOPE

Most books about the end times focus on the events described in biblical prophecy — wars, natural disasters, economic turmoil, and more — rather than the One who is revealed in those events.  The result?  God’s people end up fearful about what is to come rather than hopeful about Who is to come.  But the Bible’s prophecies of the last days can fill us with joy and peace as we anticipate the return and reign of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Jesus Revealed in the End Times, bestselling author Dr. Robert Jeffress takes a radically different approach to prophecy, helping you see the end times through the lens of Jesus Christ.  You’ll stop fretting about future events as you start to know Jesus more deeply, see Him more clearly, and praise Him more joyfully.

By the time you finish this book, you’ll not only have a greater understanding of God’s plan for the future but also have a greater sense of calm and courage in the face of what is to come — because you’ve come to know the One who controls the future.

Jesus The Only Way

Jesus is! He’s so good, perfect, and kind! And He’s the only way to heaven Believe in Him Today!

We live in such a confused, chaotic world! And yet there is hope to be found in the person of Jesus Christ and in His completed work at Calvary

Let us never wash down the message or attempt to combine it with the false messages of other religions Jesus is God’s gift to us, and by believing in Him, we are assured an eternity in heaven!

This little booklet answers many of the questions Drs Jack and Rexella Van Impe were asked through the years about Jesus, the possibility of One World Religion and God’s divine plan through the work of His Son on the cross

May the truths presented herein bring hope encouragement and joyful anticipation for the future we’ll spend sitting at the feet of Jesus!