Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
How do you respond when somebody has hurt you, abused you, or misused you?
God wants to heal you from the brokenness and bitterness that comes from un-forgiveness.
At some point in our lives, all of us will be hurt by another. We will be cheated. Betrayed. Lied to. Lie about. Let down. Somebody we love will leave us. Abuse us. Or hurt us. But God wants to heal us!
For God to heal you will require that you do what God commands you to do-forgive the one who hurt you.
Why does God command us to forgive other? (verses 30-32)
The sin of bitterness and un-forgiveness grieves God's Spirit who lives within us.
Our sin does not break the "seal" of God's Spirit, but it "grieves" God's Spirit. The human "heart" is the "holy of holies" where God's Spirit dwells and it "grieves" Him to dwell in an un-forgiving heart.
Bitterness and un-forgiveness is a hindrance to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
But when we relinquish the resentment and we're broken from our bitterness, something supernatural begins to happen within us-the Holy Spirit fills us with His power and peace.
In every healthy human relationship giving forgiveness and receiving forgiveness is a contant.
The difference between healthy/happy relationships and broken\bitter relationships is forgiveness. All of us at times need to be forgiven and at other times we need to forgive. The mark of a strong, healthy relationship is one where forgiveness is freely given and freely received.
When we "hold grudges" and "keep score" and "bury resentment" we become bitter people.
Bitterness that seizes our hearts becomes a poison to our souls. Hebrews 12:15, "Pursue peace with all people...lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled".
Bitterness is a life of bondage. It's one of Satan's methods of holding us in captivity so we never live in victory and , as Jesus said, abundantly.
But you CAN forgive-forgiveness is more than a feeling-it's a choice.
God is not commanding an emotion- He's commanding a motion. Forgiveness is more than a feeling-it's a decision. When you put forgiveness in motion, the emotion will eventually follow.
You'll eventually feel it if you'll make the decision to do it. But forgiveness is not something you do one time-it's something you have to choose over and over again. Every time the bitterness starts to "well up inside" you have to choose forgiveness again.
To forgive and forget doesn't mean you suddenly have amnesia and can no longer remember...It means you no longer hold the offense against them or hold it over them. It means you no longer keep a record of the offense-you may never forget in your mind, but you no longer remember it in your heart.
When we stop keeping record of all the wrongs, we let go of the past so it quits affecting the present.
Three things to learn about true forgiveness: 1.) It knows no limits
2.) It keeps no record
3.) It sets you free
Bitterness brings bondage, but forgiveness brings freedom~you choose. Your decisions define your destiny. You can choose forgiveness and find freedom or choose bitterness and live in bondage.
God's word is clear...Colossians 3:13 ...bearing with one another, and forgiving one another even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do....
An unforgiving heart is a prideful heart-it wants to be forgiven by God, but not forgive others.
Pride likes the feeling of self-pity...but humility brings healing...humility "lays it down" and forgives.
Let God keep the score~He's got it under control. Let God deal with you and leave it to God to deal with others.
Lord, thank you for your goodness and your mercy...Help me to be a woman that extends forgiveness freely and quickly. Help me to put me aside and choose to do as Your word commands. In Jesus Name, Amen
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Don't be afraid, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
The Lord met me right where I was at, broken and at my rock bottom..The day after I gave my heart to Jesus....I had an experience. I will do my best to share that experience with you now.
It was early evening on Monday night, June 28th, 2004. I was depressed and confused, knowing that I wanted a better life but not knowing how to get that life. My dad had gone back to Kansas City and the events from the day before seemed far away. My boyfriend that I lived with and I were not speaking, he was not impressed or convinced that I was or could be changed from my "church thing" as he called it. I was lying on top of the covers, in and out of sleep. Something began to happen in me and it frightened me. It began with a humming and a small purple light both of which can only be compared to a tanning bed. The warmth that came next with an increase of light that soon enveloped all of my senses was overwhelming at first. I thought to myself, I need to wake myself up and go back to sleep the right way. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in that instant...I don't mean that I heard an audible voice but I heard this..."Sweet girl, it's OK...don't be afraid, just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride." Instantly I recognized that I could trust this voice AND He spoke to me in my language. You see, I ride a motorcycle and that is exactly what I would say to someone that had never been on a motorcycle before. I immediately relaxed, and allowed the washing of peace and joy that came with the intensity of the beautiful light, comforting humming, and wonderful warmth. It was amazing! It seemed like it went on forever, but I'm sure it was more like a minute in our time. It went away as quickly as it came. I stood to my feet and in the next instant found myself in the fetal position on the floor,just steps away from the bed. Now the strange thing is (as if that wasn't strange enough) we lived in an old house that when you walked across the floor the pictures on the walls would move. I know that I did not hit the floor lightly, so why didn't he notice? I was just a tiny little turn over his shoulder from his sight. I forced myself to get up for fear that he would see me and ask what the heck was going on.
Now I look back and laugh because I thought it was just for that moment that I needed to "not be afraid, sit back, relax, and enjoy this ride". I had no idea that the ride that I would embark upon would be THIS crazy and awesome! And it just seems to get crazier the more I fall in love with my Creator. We don't serve a safe God! I know that statement may mess with some one's theology but it's true. Don't get me wrong...for the first time in my life I am safe. But...this ride should be radical, crazy full of love, over the top. He is not safe! Why does it say to "fear not", "don't be anxious or afraid" so many times in the Word of God?! We should be uncomfortable in stepping outside of ourselves and our little safety zones and do something for God! TODAY! We are here for a vapor in time the bible says. I'm tired of Christians sitting in church doing nothing to save our youth. Did you know that 2\3 of our youth don't believe that there is a hell or a devil? So the next time someone calls me a Jesus Freak or "way too in to this whole God thing" I'm going to say THANK YOU! I have been commissioned to go into the world and tell the good news!
Lord, thank You for who You are. I pray that you would fan the flame of our desire for Your son Jesus. Open our eyes to the hurting and lost souls. Prompt our spirit to step outside of our comfort zone to get radical for You...whether that's to hug and encourage a complete stranger or give them money or just to tell them how beautiful and important they are to You. We will be in expectation and we love You...In the precious name of Jesus we pray...Amen
It was early evening on Monday night, June 28th, 2004. I was depressed and confused, knowing that I wanted a better life but not knowing how to get that life. My dad had gone back to Kansas City and the events from the day before seemed far away. My boyfriend that I lived with and I were not speaking, he was not impressed or convinced that I was or could be changed from my "church thing" as he called it. I was lying on top of the covers, in and out of sleep. Something began to happen in me and it frightened me. It began with a humming and a small purple light both of which can only be compared to a tanning bed. The warmth that came next with an increase of light that soon enveloped all of my senses was overwhelming at first. I thought to myself, I need to wake myself up and go back to sleep the right way. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in that instant...I don't mean that I heard an audible voice but I heard this..."Sweet girl, it's OK...don't be afraid, just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride." Instantly I recognized that I could trust this voice AND He spoke to me in my language. You see, I ride a motorcycle and that is exactly what I would say to someone that had never been on a motorcycle before. I immediately relaxed, and allowed the washing of peace and joy that came with the intensity of the beautiful light, comforting humming, and wonderful warmth. It was amazing! It seemed like it went on forever, but I'm sure it was more like a minute in our time. It went away as quickly as it came. I stood to my feet and in the next instant found myself in the fetal position on the floor,just steps away from the bed. Now the strange thing is (as if that wasn't strange enough) we lived in an old house that when you walked across the floor the pictures on the walls would move. I know that I did not hit the floor lightly, so why didn't he notice? I was just a tiny little turn over his shoulder from his sight. I forced myself to get up for fear that he would see me and ask what the heck was going on.
Now I look back and laugh because I thought it was just for that moment that I needed to "not be afraid, sit back, relax, and enjoy this ride". I had no idea that the ride that I would embark upon would be THIS crazy and awesome! And it just seems to get crazier the more I fall in love with my Creator. We don't serve a safe God! I know that statement may mess with some one's theology but it's true. Don't get me wrong...for the first time in my life I am safe. But...this ride should be radical, crazy full of love, over the top. He is not safe! Why does it say to "fear not", "don't be anxious or afraid" so many times in the Word of God?! We should be uncomfortable in stepping outside of ourselves and our little safety zones and do something for God! TODAY! We are here for a vapor in time the bible says. I'm tired of Christians sitting in church doing nothing to save our youth. Did you know that 2\3 of our youth don't believe that there is a hell or a devil? So the next time someone calls me a Jesus Freak or "way too in to this whole God thing" I'm going to say THANK YOU! I have been commissioned to go into the world and tell the good news!
Lord, thank You for who You are. I pray that you would fan the flame of our desire for Your son Jesus. Open our eyes to the hurting and lost souls. Prompt our spirit to step outside of our comfort zone to get radical for You...whether that's to hug and encourage a complete stranger or give them money or just to tell them how beautiful and important they are to You. We will be in expectation and we love You...In the precious name of Jesus we pray...Amen
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