All of us have a past, and we have a present, and a future. Some people are stuck in the past, some people can only think about here and now, while others are putting everything off til the future. What do you do when your past is consuming both your present and your future?
In the Bible we see King Saul, who made mistakes, he lied, he disobeyed God, he spent most of his life trying to make up for it. The Bible says that a tormenting spirit came and made him miserable. This is what happens when our past comes knocking on our doorstep, and won't go away. The consequences of our past does us less harm than the guilt that it brings. It is a terrible thing to live in constant fear that the past will repeat itself. Some people fear that they will never get out of it's clutches. One thing is for certain, no one cheats God, whatever you dish out, is coming right back at you.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he
also reap. Galatians 6:7
To understand how this works, look at your life like as if it were a garden. First you get the ground ready. Second you plant the seeds. Third you tend to the plants and harvest the fruit. By the time you are in the harvesting period, the ground preparation and the planting were in the PAST. If you did not do a good job cultivating the ground, or if you planted the wrong kind of seed, you are not going to get the harvest that you wanted to get.
Bad 'seeds' (actions) produce bad fruit. Good 'seeds' (actions) produce good fruit.
If you plant 'bad' seeds, are you going to get a 'good' harvest? No, you are going to get a 'bad' harvest. If you do plant bad seeds and get a bad harvest what can you do to get a 'good' harvest the next time? Well, you have to start all over at square one, cultivating the ground. You have to dig up all the bad plants, work the soil, and prepare it for the good seed.
Before you ever get a harvest of good things there is a lot of WORK that has to be done. Those who want to reap a good harvest before they do any work, is not going to see a good harvest. You must work hard preparing yourself, and planting the right seeds for a long time before you see good fruit come back to you. Anyone who is more interested in playing, rather than working is not going to find a prosperous harvest in the end. If you 'play around today' you will find that in the future the consequences of that choice often eliminates you from producing the best harvest that you can produce. Even if your interest is a sports, you have to work hard on your skills to advance. Anyone that plants good seeds for a short time, but then gives up because they do not see results from it as quickly as they would like, will not receive a good harvest. You must do good, and continue to do good, until a good harvest comes back to you.
What do you do if your past comes back to haunt you? You can learn a lesson from your past. Don't make the same mistakes all over again. As long as you keep making the same mistakes over and over again, you will continue to produce the same lousy harvest. Look back to when you were planting your seeds? What kind of seeds did you plant? I have heard people say, "I will do whatever I want to do." That may be true, but, you WILL NOT get to have whatever harvest you want to have...your harvest will be the direct result of your choices good or bad. You are able to chose your actions, but you cannot control the outcome of those actions. It is true that each or our actions are within our own power to command, but the result of those actions (our harvest) is what we are stuck with...there is no changing that.
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground:
for it is time to seek the LORD, till he comes and rains righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
What does the future hold?
We all have a purpose in life. Some people go to College to try to find, prepare and train for that purpose. Others will take a talent or an interest and build upon it to find their life's purpose and destiny. Some people will mentor after their family or friends interest, and find their place in life following in someone else's footsteps.
One of the worst feelings in the world is when you feel like you are missing your destiny. One of the hardest things is to search for your purpose and then really not find it. And harder still is when a spouse or a parent feels like they 'know' your life path, and they try to force you down a path that really isn't what you were called to do. After a while, panic and fears begin to settle in as you wonder along feeling like time and life is slipping by while you still don't have a clear direction for your life.
There are some people that let their dreams lead them, still others let their common sense take over, and some just do whatever their parents or friends want them to do. I have heard many people say over the years, "I just want to do what God wants for my life, I just don't know what that plan is." I have seen people bound and determined to follow their own hearts desires, and most often their heart leads them into nothing but a big mess!
You cannot look at your basic skills, desires or qualifications to find out God's path for your life. Look at Moses. He was sent to speak to Pharaoh, and it was common knowledge that he had a speech impediment. So how do you find God's purpose. How do you find God's will for you life?
No matter what purpose you were created for in this life, God has desires and plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
But, how do I find this abundant life in Christ Jesus. It is the wisdom of God that will lead us to find our God given destiny and life purpose.
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. prov. 24:14
Where is wisdom? How do we find God's wisdom? God has a life path for each of us that leads to his design, purpose and plan for our life. Finding that purpose will being fulfillment and peace to our soul. It is God's Word that shows the path of God for our lives and helps us find our destiny.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. psalm 119:105
How does this Scripture apply? Let's say someone is looking for someone they could marry. What does God's word say?
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
We are not to counsel with the ungodly, nor stand in the way for the sinners...so going to a place of sin to find a mate is going to get you OFF of God's path. The path of God is always found as you obey his WORD. This applies to every area of our lives.
If a person is looking for a career, what does the Bible say about finding that path? Throughout the book of proverbs the Bible declares that for guidance we should have many counsellors. If you only listen to your own heart, or a small circle of your friends, you will not find the correct path. Broaden your circle. Listen to your grandma, to your siblings, to your teachers, to your parents, to your coach, to your heart, to your friends, your Pastor or spiritual leader, even listen to those who criticize you. If you keep an open mind and an open heart and do not shut your heart up with a rebellious spirit you will find God's path! Even if you failed to listen in the past, and now you are in one big mess, it is not too late to start listening.
Jeremiah 29:11
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
One of the worst feelings in the world is when you feel like you are missing your destiny. One of the hardest things is to search for your purpose and then really not find it. And harder still is when a spouse or a parent feels like they 'know' your life path, and they try to force you down a path that really isn't what you were called to do. After a while, panic and fears begin to settle in as you wonder along feeling like time and life is slipping by while you still don't have a clear direction for your life.
There are some people that let their dreams lead them, still others let their common sense take over, and some just do whatever their parents or friends want them to do. I have heard many people say over the years, "I just want to do what God wants for my life, I just don't know what that plan is." I have seen people bound and determined to follow their own hearts desires, and most often their heart leads them into nothing but a big mess!
You cannot look at your basic skills, desires or qualifications to find out God's path for your life. Look at Moses. He was sent to speak to Pharaoh, and it was common knowledge that he had a speech impediment. So how do you find God's purpose. How do you find God's will for you life?
No matter what purpose you were created for in this life, God has desires and plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
But, how do I find this abundant life in Christ Jesus. It is the wisdom of God that will lead us to find our God given destiny and life purpose.
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. prov. 24:14
Where is wisdom? How do we find God's wisdom? God has a life path for each of us that leads to his design, purpose and plan for our life. Finding that purpose will being fulfillment and peace to our soul. It is God's Word that shows the path of God for our lives and helps us find our destiny.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. psalm 119:105
How does this Scripture apply? Let's say someone is looking for someone they could marry. What does God's word say?
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
We are not to counsel with the ungodly, nor stand in the way for the sinners...so going to a place of sin to find a mate is going to get you OFF of God's path. The path of God is always found as you obey his WORD. This applies to every area of our lives.
If a person is looking for a career, what does the Bible say about finding that path? Throughout the book of proverbs the Bible declares that for guidance we should have many counsellors. If you only listen to your own heart, or a small circle of your friends, you will not find the correct path. Broaden your circle. Listen to your grandma, to your siblings, to your teachers, to your parents, to your coach, to your heart, to your friends, your Pastor or spiritual leader, even listen to those who criticize you. If you keep an open mind and an open heart and do not shut your heart up with a rebellious spirit you will find God's path! Even if you failed to listen in the past, and now you are in one big mess, it is not too late to start listening.
Jeremiah 29:11
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Getting rid of the storms!
When we are facing trials and issues it can be disheartening. Most people like to try to figure out why they are facing the storms of their lives. I have talked to many people that are afraid when they are going through a storm that perhaps they are doing something wrong. The questions of 'what is going on' with this situation and 'why am I going through this' weighs on the hearts and minds of many people.
All of us have studied the story of Jonah, or heard someone teach it to us when we were a child. Most of the time the story of Jonah is either told through the eyes of heaven, or through the eyes of Jonah, but, I want you to stop for just a minute and think about the captain of the boat. Think of the story of Jonah, and imagine for a minute what the captain of that boat must have went through during that journey.
He is starting out this journey to Tarshish just like any other ocean charter he has ever sailed. He has his supplies, his boat, his crew, his cargo, and finally his passengers. Everything seems to be fine. He checks the signs of nature and any incoming reports from people who have been out on the sea. The weather should be fine. He is hoping for an uneventful trip. Then the best luck and fortune that could ever happen to a Captain happened. The PROPHET of the Lord wanted to ride on HIS boat! That would ensure the hand of God on this trip. This is going to be so easy with Jonah aboard, cause God is with him. It would seem like a blessing, but, the captain did not know that Johan was a man running from God!
Here they are in the midst of the ocean, and POW, up comes the worst storm. They are all fighting for their lives! They are throwing all supplies over board. They are fearful that this storm is the mother of all storms, and she is going to take them out. Each man began to call upon his God to save them. BUT WHERE IS THE PROPHET WHEN THEY NEED HIM THE MOST? They finally find him below decks ASLEEP. Can you imagine the thoughts of this captain. Here is this man asleep, when they are all fighting for our lives.
They prayed for deliverance from God, but, God would not help them. The Captain begins questioning the situation. What is going on? Who sinned, who brought this trouble? Why am I in this storm? Is God trying to teach me anything? What are my options? They decided to cast lots to see who's sin had brought this storm upon them. The lot fell to Jonah! Now the captain is shocked! What did you do! Jonah then confesses that he is a man who is running from God. The Captain and these other men did not do anything to bring on this storm, but, because they were in the same boat as JONAH, all of their lives were now in danger! The Captain tried everything he could to save he ship, but, in the end Jonah tells the captain the only way to save them all is to throw him overboard into the sea. The Captain is a good man, he doesn't want to do this. Finally, he prays and ask God not to hold him responsible for Jonah's death...and they throw Jonah into the sea...and immediately the storm stopped!
Whatever storm you are facing right now, it may not be the result of anything you have or haven't done. You may be in a storm right now cause you are in the same boat with someone who has sinned against God, and stirred up trouble. There are certain relationships, certain places of work, certain places of worship, certain homes that if you want to hang on to them, you will always be in the middle of a storm! How long with the storm last? The storm will last as long as whoever is bringing the storm is in the middle of your boat! Sometimes we are like the boat captain. We don't want to have to bring an end to a situation, cause we don't want to feel that we have abandoned anyone at sea, but, there are times you have to clean out your boat and start fresh!
2 Peter talks about people that they are driven by the storm...clouds carried with the tempest.
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved 2 Peter 17-18
If there are people in you boat that are arrogant, and talk crazy words, and have fleshly 'hang ups' these are the kind of people that are driven by the storms of life. Keep them in your boat, and the storm will eventually destroy your ship!
All of us have studied the story of Jonah, or heard someone teach it to us when we were a child. Most of the time the story of Jonah is either told through the eyes of heaven, or through the eyes of Jonah, but, I want you to stop for just a minute and think about the captain of the boat. Think of the story of Jonah, and imagine for a minute what the captain of that boat must have went through during that journey.
He is starting out this journey to Tarshish just like any other ocean charter he has ever sailed. He has his supplies, his boat, his crew, his cargo, and finally his passengers. Everything seems to be fine. He checks the signs of nature and any incoming reports from people who have been out on the sea. The weather should be fine. He is hoping for an uneventful trip. Then the best luck and fortune that could ever happen to a Captain happened. The PROPHET of the Lord wanted to ride on HIS boat! That would ensure the hand of God on this trip. This is going to be so easy with Jonah aboard, cause God is with him. It would seem like a blessing, but, the captain did not know that Johan was a man running from God!
Here they are in the midst of the ocean, and POW, up comes the worst storm. They are all fighting for their lives! They are throwing all supplies over board. They are fearful that this storm is the mother of all storms, and she is going to take them out. Each man began to call upon his God to save them. BUT WHERE IS THE PROPHET WHEN THEY NEED HIM THE MOST? They finally find him below decks ASLEEP. Can you imagine the thoughts of this captain. Here is this man asleep, when they are all fighting for our lives.
They prayed for deliverance from God, but, God would not help them. The Captain begins questioning the situation. What is going on? Who sinned, who brought this trouble? Why am I in this storm? Is God trying to teach me anything? What are my options? They decided to cast lots to see who's sin had brought this storm upon them. The lot fell to Jonah! Now the captain is shocked! What did you do! Jonah then confesses that he is a man who is running from God. The Captain and these other men did not do anything to bring on this storm, but, because they were in the same boat as JONAH, all of their lives were now in danger! The Captain tried everything he could to save he ship, but, in the end Jonah tells the captain the only way to save them all is to throw him overboard into the sea. The Captain is a good man, he doesn't want to do this. Finally, he prays and ask God not to hold him responsible for Jonah's death...and they throw Jonah into the sea...and immediately the storm stopped!
Whatever storm you are facing right now, it may not be the result of anything you have or haven't done. You may be in a storm right now cause you are in the same boat with someone who has sinned against God, and stirred up trouble. There are certain relationships, certain places of work, certain places of worship, certain homes that if you want to hang on to them, you will always be in the middle of a storm! How long with the storm last? The storm will last as long as whoever is bringing the storm is in the middle of your boat! Sometimes we are like the boat captain. We don't want to have to bring an end to a situation, cause we don't want to feel that we have abandoned anyone at sea, but, there are times you have to clean out your boat and start fresh!
2 Peter talks about people that they are driven by the storm...clouds carried with the tempest.
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved 2 Peter 17-18
If there are people in you boat that are arrogant, and talk crazy words, and have fleshly 'hang ups' these are the kind of people that are driven by the storms of life. Keep them in your boat, and the storm will eventually destroy your ship!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Finding your peace in the storm
He is our peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus said that in this world we would have troubles. The psalmist said that his troubles had gotten bigger, and put him in distress. Sometimes we look for relief but it seems as if our troubles get worse instead of better.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring me out of my distresses. Psalm 25:17
We see that the troubles were matters of the heart. It is one thing to have bad circumstances, but when your situation causes you to become troubled in heart it begins to have a tremendous impact. A troubled heart is an emotional heart under stress. Just like a vulture that surrounds an animal waiting for it to die, this is how the devil circles around a troubled heart, waiting for it to faint!
Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my soul is troubled; my heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaves, at home there is as death. Lamentations 1:20
Sometimes we bring our own troubles upon ourselves, sometimes though we have done nothing wrong, trouble seems to surround us. In Lamentations the prophet declares..."I am in distress...and my heart is turned within me." In times of great trouble and stress people often have chest pains, or other symptoms of heart attack. It is overwhelming the impact on the heart that distress can cause us.
Whenever fear, and panic and stress overwhelms us what brings us the comfort and relief that we need? Will narcotics help? Some people go with a temporary relief by using narcotics, but this kind of solution eventually backfires, and in the end will usually cause even more problems and stress for us. Isn't a narcotic just a means of escape? Isn't it just a way to run from problems. There was never a problem solved by running from the situation.
The Bible declares that He (God) is our peace. Peace is a gift from God.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
We see here that peace is something that God gives, it is not something that we take for ourselves. All the self-help books and techniques in the world will not bring peace, only God gives peace, it is a gift from God. We all understand how important peace is. When we go to a family gathering, we hope that peace is present. If we know before we go that someone will be there who will want to argue with us, or to confront us, we may be uncomfortable with going. Most of us don't like walking into a non-peaceful situation. When the enemy wants to stop you from doing God's will, the first thing he will do is to take your peace. How does he do this? By sending you a lot of trials, problems, lack of cooperation from the people around you. The world sometimes refuses to give you peace.
What if people are determined to always stir the pot, and troubles abound. You can still have peace. Jesus said, "MY PEACE I leave with you."
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
If the world and the things of it, and the people in it are trying to take peace away from you, turn to God and receive his peace. Oh, he will give you peace in the midst of the storm. He is a friend who sticks with you closer than a brother. He will never leave you nor forsake you. If God be for you, than who can be against you!
It is possible to have peace in the midst of our storms, ask God to give you his peace. It is a peace that passes all understanding.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring me out of my distresses. Psalm 25:17
We see that the troubles were matters of the heart. It is one thing to have bad circumstances, but when your situation causes you to become troubled in heart it begins to have a tremendous impact. A troubled heart is an emotional heart under stress. Just like a vulture that surrounds an animal waiting for it to die, this is how the devil circles around a troubled heart, waiting for it to faint!
Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my soul is troubled; my heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaves, at home there is as death. Lamentations 1:20
Sometimes we bring our own troubles upon ourselves, sometimes though we have done nothing wrong, trouble seems to surround us. In Lamentations the prophet declares..."I am in distress...and my heart is turned within me." In times of great trouble and stress people often have chest pains, or other symptoms of heart attack. It is overwhelming the impact on the heart that distress can cause us.
Whenever fear, and panic and stress overwhelms us what brings us the comfort and relief that we need? Will narcotics help? Some people go with a temporary relief by using narcotics, but this kind of solution eventually backfires, and in the end will usually cause even more problems and stress for us. Isn't a narcotic just a means of escape? Isn't it just a way to run from problems. There was never a problem solved by running from the situation.
The Bible declares that He (God) is our peace. Peace is a gift from God.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
We see here that peace is something that God gives, it is not something that we take for ourselves. All the self-help books and techniques in the world will not bring peace, only God gives peace, it is a gift from God. We all understand how important peace is. When we go to a family gathering, we hope that peace is present. If we know before we go that someone will be there who will want to argue with us, or to confront us, we may be uncomfortable with going. Most of us don't like walking into a non-peaceful situation. When the enemy wants to stop you from doing God's will, the first thing he will do is to take your peace. How does he do this? By sending you a lot of trials, problems, lack of cooperation from the people around you. The world sometimes refuses to give you peace.
What if people are determined to always stir the pot, and troubles abound. You can still have peace. Jesus said, "MY PEACE I leave with you."
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
If the world and the things of it, and the people in it are trying to take peace away from you, turn to God and receive his peace. Oh, he will give you peace in the midst of the storm. He is a friend who sticks with you closer than a brother. He will never leave you nor forsake you. If God be for you, than who can be against you!
It is possible to have peace in the midst of our storms, ask God to give you his peace. It is a peace that passes all understanding.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
How to find Hope
In my blog yesterday I wrote about looking and seeing. What we look for is what we see. Seeing is so very important. Each of us need eyes of faith. My husband worked as a mechanic for over 20 years. He loves motors and engines and cars. He can look over in a field and see a rusted out piece of metal that is over 30 to 40 years old, half way falling apart, and he can tell you the make and the model of the vehicle. I see a rusted out piece of junk, but he imagines what this thing would look like restored. He doesn't have to actually go through the process of restoring the car to see it's potential. When he looks at the car, he is able to envision in his mind a fully restored vehicle with a hopped up engine. I'm looking at it too, but all is see is a piece of metal with grass growing up through the engine compartment! When you look at your own life and it's potential what do you see? What other people see of the potential of your life is not nearly as important as what you see of it's potential.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Hope is something that resides in the heart, or at least it should be in each of our hearts. Sometimes our hope can be displaced, and replaced with despair. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for...What is substance? Dictionary.com defines substance this way.
1. that of which a thing consists; physical matter or material: form and substance.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Hope is something that resides in the heart, or at least it should be in each of our hearts. Sometimes our hope can be displaced, and replaced with despair. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for...What is substance? Dictionary.com defines substance this way.
1. that of which a thing consists; physical matter or material: form and substance.
Now take the definitions from dictionary.com and apply them into the Scripture, Faith is that of which a thing consists: physical matter or material: form and substance. God formed the worlds by what? By faith. Faith is the building block of this universe, it had the power to transform God's words into light, matter, energy, materials...faith is the key to everything!
Faith is the substance of what? The things you are hoping for! We start with hope. For the Bible says that we are not without hope and without God in this World. When we put our hope in Jesus, our faith is born! We are to preach this Gospel of peace the HOPE of all mankind! We should be hope builders. When I spark hope into the life of another person I am giving FAITH something to work with within that person. If there is no hope within a person, then faith has nothing to work with, and faith cannot bring the will of God into substance and reality for that individual!
Here are some practical examples. If you are called to work in a certain area, and you begin to lose hope that you will ever make an impact, than faith has no way of manifesting. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith isn't simply what a person believes, it is the manifestation of the things that you have hoped for.
When I was 23 weeks pregnant, my water broke and I was bleeding very bad. I was rushed by ambulance to the UK hospital in Lexington, KY. I was not given much hope. I was told that most of the time delivery occurs within 3 to 4 days after the water breaks, and my baby was around one pound in weight. The doctor explained to me that I had about 25% chance of the baby surviving. That wasn't much hope, cause even if the baby did survive it was likely he would be handicapped. I placed my hope in God. I didn't have much to go on except my hope in God. I did not lose hope, nor get discouraged, I remained fixed on the hope that God would intervene. Seven weeks went by and I still had not delivered. The miracle was that I never did get an infection in my womb. Normally when your water breaks deliver is forced shortly afterwards within a few days because infection sets in. The doctors told me that waiting that long to deliver after my water had broke had likely broken a UK hospital record. The good news is that my baby grew from one pound to 3 and 1/2 pounds during those 40 days! I still remember the day the doctors came into my room and said, "I think this baby is out of the woods. You are 30 weeks gestation now, and if he were born he would likely be a live healthy birth!" Today my baby is 18 years old. I named him Bobby after his daddy. He is active, healthy and works as a minister to the LORD. I am so glad that I held on to hope instead of giving way to anger, depression, fears and bitter thoughts. I was only allowed on my feet for 90 minutes a day for all seven weeks that I spent in the hospital, but, I was able to minister to my room mates, the clean up ladies, the nurses...no matter what the circumstances, God can make a way!
If you are discouraged and downtrodden, think about what happened to your hope. Go back to the place you lost it, and find it again! Go back to that place where you were criticized, and decide to hang on to hope instead of giving way to the criticism. Go back to the place you were rejected, and decide to hang on to hope instead of giving way to rejection. Go back to the place where you failed, and decide to hang on to hope instead of giving way to anger. Go back to that place where you were hurt, and decide to hang on to hope instead of giving way to bitterness. Go back to that place where you sinned, and decided to hang on to hope instead of giving way to excuses. Hang on to your hope! If you lost your hope, find it again. God will take the things you have hoped for and make them reality though the gift of FAITH.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
What you see is what you get
A common saying is "What are you looking at?" Or when a child is performing his first task he will cry, "Look at me! Look at me!" Store owners will put items in a certain place in the store just to catch your eye. We spend a lot of time as humans trying to get others to look where we want them to look. In 2 Chronicles 16:9 the Bible declares: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show
himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Yes, even God is looking throughout the whole earth.
Why all this importance on being seen? Why try to catch the eye of someone else? In Genesis chapter 3, we see that the original sin was something that Eve first heard with her ears, and then caught with her eyes.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Gen. 3:6
Desire is birthed within our hearts as we look with our eyes. If you look for trouble, you will find it. If you look for faults you will see them. If you look for something praise worthy you will see it. We find exactly what we are looking for. There are people that purposely go out of their way, to look for drugs, and sure enough they found some. Then they wonder why they are always getting in trouble with the law? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out! I knew someone that habitually broke the law. They were always complaining that they were not able to go to the store without the police getting in behind them. I have been driving for nearly 30 years. I seldom have that problem, the police hardly ever get in behind me, because they were not looking for me. They were looking for someone that was breaking the law. And they know where to look. No matter what your position in life, we all spend a lot of time looking!
If you are going to find what you are looking for, you must look in the right places! I used to live on a ridge, there were a lot of woods there. I could search and search those woods for gold if I wanted to. It was my property after all. However, I would be searching the wrong place. You can't find gold where there is no gold. Just because we are looking does not mean we will find what we want. We must look in the right places. Why go to a place of sin, looking for someone that would be a companion. What are you going to find in a place of sin? If you haven't found the things you are looking for in life, you are looking in the wrong places.
God tells us in the Bible what we should be looking for. Don't forget, what you look for is what you will find. We spend so much time looking for worldly things, that we think will satisfy us. If you have been trying to find worldly things and accomplishments, and cannot find peace and satisfaction it is time to look somewhere else.
Psalms 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from which comes my help.
Why all this importance on being seen? Why try to catch the eye of someone else? In Genesis chapter 3, we see that the original sin was something that Eve first heard with her ears, and then caught with her eyes.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Gen. 3:6
Desire is birthed within our hearts as we look with our eyes. If you look for trouble, you will find it. If you look for faults you will see them. If you look for something praise worthy you will see it. We find exactly what we are looking for. There are people that purposely go out of their way, to look for drugs, and sure enough they found some. Then they wonder why they are always getting in trouble with the law? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out! I knew someone that habitually broke the law. They were always complaining that they were not able to go to the store without the police getting in behind them. I have been driving for nearly 30 years. I seldom have that problem, the police hardly ever get in behind me, because they were not looking for me. They were looking for someone that was breaking the law. And they know where to look. No matter what your position in life, we all spend a lot of time looking!
If you are going to find what you are looking for, you must look in the right places! I used to live on a ridge, there were a lot of woods there. I could search and search those woods for gold if I wanted to. It was my property after all. However, I would be searching the wrong place. You can't find gold where there is no gold. Just because we are looking does not mean we will find what we want. We must look in the right places. Why go to a place of sin, looking for someone that would be a companion. What are you going to find in a place of sin? If you haven't found the things you are looking for in life, you are looking in the wrong places.
God tells us in the Bible what we should be looking for. Don't forget, what you look for is what you will find. We spend so much time looking for worldly things, that we think will satisfy us. If you have been trying to find worldly things and accomplishments, and cannot find peace and satisfaction it is time to look somewhere else.
Psalms 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from which comes my help.
My
help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
As we lift up our eyes to behold God, this is where our help comes from. As we begin to look unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith we find what we need in him. Your eyes open up the doors to the desires of your heart. What does Jesus bring to us when we keep our eyes focused upon him? Peace, health, healing, salvation, joy, love...and a more abundant life. When we look around us to see drugs, we find them. When we look around us to see hurts, we find them. When we look for disappointments, we find them. When we look for discord, we find it. When we look for Jesus, we find Him. He was there all the time.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Insomnia...Insomnia...Insomnia...
Insomnia is a hard condition to live with. It is often mixed with anxiety, stress, fears, panic disorders, it can be a real nightmare. God intended for our rest to be peaceful, and our nights to be filled with peace. Getting caught up in a cycle of insomnia is a difficult thing to live with. It seems that our society does not have much patience with someone suffering from lack of sleep. The psalmist said that his own heart instructs him in the night seasons.
I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. Psalm 16:7
This verse is saying that God gives counsel. We know that this counsel comes for God's Word, the Bible. But then the psalmist adds, and my heart also instructs me in the night season. It is a wonderful thing to lay upon your bed, and your heart is agreeing with the Word of God and your will is in agreement with both. But, it is very stressful when you know in your heart what the Bible teaches, yet, you know that you are not living those things which have been taught. There are many people that do whatever it takes to get away from the voice of their own conscience. Our conscience is just like any other voice of reason out there. If we ignore it, this does not make the consequences of our actions go away. God intended for us to rely on his counsel through the day, and for HIS song to take us through the night.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8
There have been many times when I faced difficult circumstances, and long nights in which I asked God to send his angel to help me through. Often a spiritual song will begin in my Spirit, and the song will replay over and over again, and HIS peace will cause me to rest. Sometimes we do not have the strength to fight the battle, nor the will to climb the mountain, but, we can rest in HIS presence, knowing that our faith in HIS provision will see us through! Instead of remembering our difficulties, we can remember the LORD'S promises through the night. I have found that if I pray, and ask God to remind me of HIS word that peace soon comes over me and I am sound asleep. And, if by chance I don't go to sleep, what a wonderful productive way to spend the night, in prayer and meditation. It is better than spending it in misery and aggravation and fears.
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:6
When you are having trouble sleeping. Don't try to make yourself sleep. Don't try to stop the worry. Don't try to calm the panic. Instead get up and read your Bible. Memorize a verse or two as you lay upon your bed. Walk back and forth and get some exercise while you are praying. Sit up in your bed, and ask God to send an angel that will help you sing spiritual songs. Turn your dreadful nights, into spiritual nights and it won't be long until the rest of God envelopes you. Even if you don't find yourself getting tired enough to rest, think of the good that you could accomplish!
I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired: Psalm 77:6
I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. Psalm 16:7
This verse is saying that God gives counsel. We know that this counsel comes for God's Word, the Bible. But then the psalmist adds, and my heart also instructs me in the night season. It is a wonderful thing to lay upon your bed, and your heart is agreeing with the Word of God and your will is in agreement with both. But, it is very stressful when you know in your heart what the Bible teaches, yet, you know that you are not living those things which have been taught. There are many people that do whatever it takes to get away from the voice of their own conscience. Our conscience is just like any other voice of reason out there. If we ignore it, this does not make the consequences of our actions go away. God intended for us to rely on his counsel through the day, and for HIS song to take us through the night.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8
There have been many times when I faced difficult circumstances, and long nights in which I asked God to send his angel to help me through. Often a spiritual song will begin in my Spirit, and the song will replay over and over again, and HIS peace will cause me to rest. Sometimes we do not have the strength to fight the battle, nor the will to climb the mountain, but, we can rest in HIS presence, knowing that our faith in HIS provision will see us through! Instead of remembering our difficulties, we can remember the LORD'S promises through the night. I have found that if I pray, and ask God to remind me of HIS word that peace soon comes over me and I am sound asleep. And, if by chance I don't go to sleep, what a wonderful productive way to spend the night, in prayer and meditation. It is better than spending it in misery and aggravation and fears.
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:6
When you are having trouble sleeping. Don't try to make yourself sleep. Don't try to stop the worry. Don't try to calm the panic. Instead get up and read your Bible. Memorize a verse or two as you lay upon your bed. Walk back and forth and get some exercise while you are praying. Sit up in your bed, and ask God to send an angel that will help you sing spiritual songs. Turn your dreadful nights, into spiritual nights and it won't be long until the rest of God envelopes you. Even if you don't find yourself getting tired enough to rest, think of the good that you could accomplish!
I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired: Psalm 77:6
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Love is hard when you have been hurt
We all want to believe the best of others around us, and we hope that people believe in us. It can be kind of insulting to find out that someone does not believe in you or trust you. It is even more disheartening when you ask someone why they struggle with trust, and they say that it is nothing personal, they simply do not trust anyone. This means that they have decided to judge everyone on the planet, before they have even given them a chance to prove themselves. The bible says we are to lay down our lives one for another.
I John 3:6
By this perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
So, not only are we required to love one another, but, we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How many marriages and relationships are being disrupted because of past hurts? Is it really wise to mistrust the people in your present, because the people in your past have hurt you? We get the idea that we will mistrust until they earn our love. Shouldn't we shower the people around us with love and acceptance? What kind of damage do we do to others when we reject them, though they have never done anything to receive our disrespect. It is the same as saying, No matter what you do, I will expect you to be a liar! We are commanded by Jesus to love one another.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another
Now some people would say, "Oh, I love people, I just don't trust them." Love means that we reach out and minister to others, give to others, care for one another in actions and deeds. When we turn inward in our mistrust, and refuse to reach out to others we are not loving as Jesus commanded us to love. To love means to give. That doesn't mean you trust someone else with all your deepest secrets or anything like that, it simply means we must be a giver to others! When we allow our hurts from the past and our mistrust of others to make us inward turned and we are no longer giving back to society, we have failed to obey Jesus' command to love one another. The Bible does not say that there is pain in giving and loving, but rather JOY. We miss out on the joy of giving because we sit back by ourselves and wither in the pains of the past.
John 15:9-11
I have spent a lot of time counseling people. If I had a dime for every person that told me that they simply no longer trust anyone because they have been hurt in the past, I would be rich today. We lose our pure heart, our eagerness to give, or eagerness to serve, our compassion to reach out to another when we stop believing in others. Jesus said that people would know we were his disciples by our love one for another. Why do we get depressed and sit in our own pain instead of getting relief from the hurts of the past. It is because we shut ourselves up like a bottle. We refuse to minister to others, to reach out to others, to connect with others, and Jesus said to love each other so that our joy would be full. There is joy in giving, don't let your past hurts steal that joy away from you!
It is our child like trust, our eagerness to serve and meet other people and give of ourselves that brings joy and happiness into our lives. We were made in God's image. God is a giver by nature. He has given each of us far more than he has taken from us. It is impossible to love like God said to love unless we are willing to give.
I John 3:6
By this perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
So, not only are we required to love one another, but, we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How many marriages and relationships are being disrupted because of past hurts? Is it really wise to mistrust the people in your present, because the people in your past have hurt you? We get the idea that we will mistrust until they earn our love. Shouldn't we shower the people around us with love and acceptance? What kind of damage do we do to others when we reject them, though they have never done anything to receive our disrespect. It is the same as saying, No matter what you do, I will expect you to be a liar! We are commanded by Jesus to love one another.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another
Now some people would say, "Oh, I love people, I just don't trust them." Love means that we reach out and minister to others, give to others, care for one another in actions and deeds. When we turn inward in our mistrust, and refuse to reach out to others we are not loving as Jesus commanded us to love. To love means to give. That doesn't mean you trust someone else with all your deepest secrets or anything like that, it simply means we must be a giver to others! When we allow our hurts from the past and our mistrust of others to make us inward turned and we are no longer giving back to society, we have failed to obey Jesus' command to love one another. The Bible does not say that there is pain in giving and loving, but rather JOY. We miss out on the joy of giving because we sit back by ourselves and wither in the pains of the past.
John 15:9-11
As the
Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love. If you
keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my
Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These
things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your
joy might be full.
I have spent a lot of time counseling people. If I had a dime for every person that told me that they simply no longer trust anyone because they have been hurt in the past, I would be rich today. We lose our pure heart, our eagerness to give, or eagerness to serve, our compassion to reach out to another when we stop believing in others. Jesus said that people would know we were his disciples by our love one for another. Why do we get depressed and sit in our own pain instead of getting relief from the hurts of the past. It is because we shut ourselves up like a bottle. We refuse to minister to others, to reach out to others, to connect with others, and Jesus said to love each other so that our joy would be full. There is joy in giving, don't let your past hurts steal that joy away from you!
It is our child like trust, our eagerness to serve and meet other people and give of ourselves that brings joy and happiness into our lives. We were made in God's image. God is a giver by nature. He has given each of us far more than he has taken from us. It is impossible to love like God said to love unless we are willing to give.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Happiness is closer than you think
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jer. 29:11
God has a set design, and purpose for each of us. Our lives are precious, no matter what kind of condition we are in today. Society shapes each of us more than we realize. For instance, in many Asian cultures, success means you are the best at whatever you do. There is no room for not achieving high goals in many Asian cultures. There have been people in those cultures, that have committed suicide, simply because they did not do as well as someone else.
How does our culture effect us. Many in our culture values happiness, recreation, and prosperity. In the Asian culture, you will be in high esteem if you win a Kung Fu tournament, simply because you were the best, and it took discipline and character to achieve your status. In our culture, you might be held in contempt by some, for winning the Kung Fu tournament, because you are letting it take your time, when you could be using your time to better you life standing, and prosperity.
Should we allow our culture to effect us, to set our world view? The Bible tells us to no longer conform to this world, but to renew our minds.
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:12
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this World." There is another kingdom that you can tap into that will show you what to value in this life. That is the kingdom of God. The thing about the kingdom of God is that it is so easy, a child can walk in it. Not everyone can be the best in a contest. Not everyone can find a life of ease, luxury, and wealth and prosperity. We feel pressure in this world to perform, to be the best. Often, we are not measured by our character or morals, but by our records of accomplishments.
In this worldly kingdom, we rely on things to bring us happiness. In the Kingdom of God we rely on happiness to bring us to other things. The world won't give you happiness unless you do something great. God gives us happiness, not because of our achievements, but because of our surrender to him.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, How shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:31-33
What a shame to devalue your life just because society or the culture you were born into makes you feel like a failure, or an under achiever. Remember, God has a plan for your life, and the only requirement is surrender. Surrender you life to God, and then you will find your life again! In this world, there will always be people who are just average, who can't seem to be at the top of society. But, In God's Kingdom, no matter what your age, your status, or your financial standing we all have access to the throne room of God.
God has a set design, and purpose for each of us. Our lives are precious, no matter what kind of condition we are in today. Society shapes each of us more than we realize. For instance, in many Asian cultures, success means you are the best at whatever you do. There is no room for not achieving high goals in many Asian cultures. There have been people in those cultures, that have committed suicide, simply because they did not do as well as someone else.
How does our culture effect us. Many in our culture values happiness, recreation, and prosperity. In the Asian culture, you will be in high esteem if you win a Kung Fu tournament, simply because you were the best, and it took discipline and character to achieve your status. In our culture, you might be held in contempt by some, for winning the Kung Fu tournament, because you are letting it take your time, when you could be using your time to better you life standing, and prosperity.
Should we allow our culture to effect us, to set our world view? The Bible tells us to no longer conform to this world, but to renew our minds.
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:12
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this World." There is another kingdom that you can tap into that will show you what to value in this life. That is the kingdom of God. The thing about the kingdom of God is that it is so easy, a child can walk in it. Not everyone can be the best in a contest. Not everyone can find a life of ease, luxury, and wealth and prosperity. We feel pressure in this world to perform, to be the best. Often, we are not measured by our character or morals, but by our records of accomplishments.
In this worldly kingdom, we rely on things to bring us happiness. In the Kingdom of God we rely on happiness to bring us to other things. The world won't give you happiness unless you do something great. God gives us happiness, not because of our achievements, but because of our surrender to him.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, How shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:31-33
What a shame to devalue your life just because society or the culture you were born into makes you feel like a failure, or an under achiever. Remember, God has a plan for your life, and the only requirement is surrender. Surrender you life to God, and then you will find your life again! In this world, there will always be people who are just average, who can't seem to be at the top of society. But, In God's Kingdom, no matter what your age, your status, or your financial standing we all have access to the throne room of God.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Don't be so hard on yourself all the time.
Condemnation is a terrible thing. Feelings of guilt can absolutely cripple your soul. Condemnation and guilt work together, but they are not the same thing. Look at a court of law. Our guilt in a court of law is what determines our condemnation. For instance, if we stole someones car, the prosecuting attorney will try to prove our guilt. If we are found guilty, then the judge will give us our sentence, which is our condemnation, the punishment that we receive.
What happens when we are the guilty party, the prosecuting attorney, the judge, and the prison warden all wrapped up in one person. Too many people spend a big portion of their lives trying to punish themselves for something they did a long time ago. Why is it so hard to receive grace? God freely gives us grace to release us from our guilt, but instead of freely receiving his grace, too many people hold onto a guilty conscience. Sometimes it is hard to receive God's forgiveness, because we have already condemned ourselves.
I have spent 27 years in the ministry, and I have counselled a lot of people, of all different genders, races, and ages. What I have found is that there is a large number of people, who cannot forgive themselves for their past. Since they cannot forgive themselves, they also have a hard time receiving God's forgiveness, and feeling good about themselves, for who they are in Christ Jesus. No matter how many times you try to convince them that they are forgiven, often they will say, "I understand it with my mind, and I know God has forgiven me, but, I cannot grasp it in my heart." So they continue to live under a cloud of doubt, fear, and condemnation spurned on by the guilt of their past. A parable that Jesus taught can help us understand this situation.
Matthew 18:23-35
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
When we hold hard feelings towards others, or want to judge them for the way they live, or the things they do, we are storing up the same judgement for ourselves. When we find it easier to judge people then to forgive them, we will also find it hard to find it within ourselves to find forgiveness. God has created us, so that the same measure that we use on others, is also used on us. Have you ever needed someone to forgive you for a wrong action? We all have. Since we need others to forgive us, then we should also forgive others, from our heart. We like to condemn others, and talk as if they are a worse person than we are. When we do this we hold judgement over our own heads just like Jesus taught in the parable. Consider that maybe you are having a hard time shaking guilt, because you hold others guilty. If you find yourself wanting to talk about the faults of others, maybe it is time to consider that forgiveness means I no longer hold their debt against them. Learning to forgive is not so that others can get off the hook for their past mistakes. Learning to forgive sets us free so that we will not hold our own failures and sins against ourselves.
Condemnation and guilt is a terrible thing to hold against anyone, especially yourself. Jesus said, "Freely you have received, so freely give." As we give out forgiveness and grace to others, we will find that we are released from the condemnation and guilt that has brought us down as well. When we are hard on others, we are also being hard on ourselves. Judging others is only being hard on yourself. Don't be so hard on youself all the time.
And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25
What happens when we are the guilty party, the prosecuting attorney, the judge, and the prison warden all wrapped up in one person. Too many people spend a big portion of their lives trying to punish themselves for something they did a long time ago. Why is it so hard to receive grace? God freely gives us grace to release us from our guilt, but instead of freely receiving his grace, too many people hold onto a guilty conscience. Sometimes it is hard to receive God's forgiveness, because we have already condemned ourselves.
I have spent 27 years in the ministry, and I have counselled a lot of people, of all different genders, races, and ages. What I have found is that there is a large number of people, who cannot forgive themselves for their past. Since they cannot forgive themselves, they also have a hard time receiving God's forgiveness, and feeling good about themselves, for who they are in Christ Jesus. No matter how many times you try to convince them that they are forgiven, often they will say, "I understand it with my mind, and I know God has forgiven me, but, I cannot grasp it in my heart." So they continue to live under a cloud of doubt, fear, and condemnation spurned on by the guilt of their past. A parable that Jesus taught can help us understand this situation.
Matthew 18:23-35
“Therefore, the
kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his
servants. As he began the
settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talentsg was brought to
him. Since he was not
able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all
that he had be sold to repay the debt. “The servant fell
on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back
everything.’ The servant’s
master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that
servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred
denarii.h He
grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he
demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
When we hold hard feelings towards others, or want to judge them for the way they live, or the things they do, we are storing up the same judgement for ourselves. When we find it easier to judge people then to forgive them, we will also find it hard to find it within ourselves to find forgiveness. God has created us, so that the same measure that we use on others, is also used on us. Have you ever needed someone to forgive you for a wrong action? We all have. Since we need others to forgive us, then we should also forgive others, from our heart. We like to condemn others, and talk as if they are a worse person than we are. When we do this we hold judgement over our own heads just like Jesus taught in the parable. Consider that maybe you are having a hard time shaking guilt, because you hold others guilty. If you find yourself wanting to talk about the faults of others, maybe it is time to consider that forgiveness means I no longer hold their debt against them. Learning to forgive is not so that others can get off the hook for their past mistakes. Learning to forgive sets us free so that we will not hold our own failures and sins against ourselves.
Condemnation and guilt is a terrible thing to hold against anyone, especially yourself. Jesus said, "Freely you have received, so freely give." As we give out forgiveness and grace to others, we will find that we are released from the condemnation and guilt that has brought us down as well. When we are hard on others, we are also being hard on ourselves. Judging others is only being hard on yourself. Don't be so hard on youself all the time.
And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25
Monday, September 17, 2012
Darkness is not my friend
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
When my heart is in pain...
Pain is inevitable in life. Nobody likes it, too many inflict it, we try lots of things to get rid of it. The prophet Jeremiah said,
"Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? ... Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? ... Jeremiah 15:18
When our bodies are in pain, everyone is able to see and understand what our situation is, and they expect to see us suffer and receive treatment. It is a terrible thing to have infirmities and sicknesses that cause us to suffer. There is a pain though, that no man can see. It is the pain of the heart, and the inner man. This is when the soul is in suffering and pain. All though it cannot be seen with scopes and test, like physical pains, it hurts none the less. Getting help for these kinds of sufferings is often joked about or made fun of, so often, people try to hide the pain and go on, though they are suffering daily.
"Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away." Job 16:6
There are many ways that we try to deal with pain and those inner hurts of the heart. We can talk to someone that is willing to listen, but often the pain remains. We can turn bitter, or angry, but this just drives the pain deeper. There are times that we push everyone else away. We may feel that we cannot allow anyone else to touch our heart, there is simply too much pain there already. Sometimes people use narcotics to drown it, laughter to mask it, anger to protect it, or bitterness to replace the love that we once felt in our hearts toward mankind.
You did say, Woe is me now! for the LORD has added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest. Jeremiah 45:3
It is sad to say, but it is possible to cry out to God, even day and night, and yet still get no relief or healing for the pain that grips our heart inside. Inner wounds of the heart can impact our health, our sleep, our current relationships, our work, and many more things, too numerous to mention. There are many ways we try to heal our inner pains. We look for a relationship with a person to heal it, but this often backfires. We look for a better job, or better pay, or to move to another place, thinking that maybe the pain will go away, but it still persists. The inner pain of the heart, can be a very destructive force in anyones life.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalms 107:20
We find answer for our pains in the Word of God. There are times when the HOLY SPIRIT can come upon us in power, and, heal our inner pains in a matter of moments. Spend time in prayer and ask God to send the HOLY SPIRIT who is the comforter to heal your broken heart.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17
I spent 40 days in the University of Kentucky hospital back 1993, when I was expecting my oldest son. I was told that he would not be a live birth. I was 23 weeks, and my water had broke. I was a long way from home, in Lexington, KY. My husband had to work, my mother was watching my kids, my siblings all lived in other states. I was all alone in a big hospital, and I had to face my fears for my child. But, each night as I began to pray and sing and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to come and comfort me, the presence of God would come into my room, and suddenly I was not alone. It was the strength I needed to get through each day. My son was born live 40 days later, a real miracle birth, but God's Holy Spirit had been my comfort each day.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has revived me. Psalm 119:50
Jesus promised us that we would not be alone in this world. He promised to send the HOLY SPIRIT to be our comfort in this life. Ask God to send you the comfort of his Spirit, to mend your broken heart. God made these hearts, and only he can fix them through the comfort of HIS SPIRIT.
"Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? ... Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? ... Jeremiah 15:18
When our bodies are in pain, everyone is able to see and understand what our situation is, and they expect to see us suffer and receive treatment. It is a terrible thing to have infirmities and sicknesses that cause us to suffer. There is a pain though, that no man can see. It is the pain of the heart, and the inner man. This is when the soul is in suffering and pain. All though it cannot be seen with scopes and test, like physical pains, it hurts none the less. Getting help for these kinds of sufferings is often joked about or made fun of, so often, people try to hide the pain and go on, though they are suffering daily.
"Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away." Job 16:6
There are many ways that we try to deal with pain and those inner hurts of the heart. We can talk to someone that is willing to listen, but often the pain remains. We can turn bitter, or angry, but this just drives the pain deeper. There are times that we push everyone else away. We may feel that we cannot allow anyone else to touch our heart, there is simply too much pain there already. Sometimes people use narcotics to drown it, laughter to mask it, anger to protect it, or bitterness to replace the love that we once felt in our hearts toward mankind.
You did say, Woe is me now! for the LORD has added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest. Jeremiah 45:3
It is sad to say, but it is possible to cry out to God, even day and night, and yet still get no relief or healing for the pain that grips our heart inside. Inner wounds of the heart can impact our health, our sleep, our current relationships, our work, and many more things, too numerous to mention. There are many ways we try to heal our inner pains. We look for a relationship with a person to heal it, but this often backfires. We look for a better job, or better pay, or to move to another place, thinking that maybe the pain will go away, but it still persists. The inner pain of the heart, can be a very destructive force in anyones life.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalms 107:20
We find answer for our pains in the Word of God. There are times when the HOLY SPIRIT can come upon us in power, and, heal our inner pains in a matter of moments. Spend time in prayer and ask God to send the HOLY SPIRIT who is the comforter to heal your broken heart.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17
I spent 40 days in the University of Kentucky hospital back 1993, when I was expecting my oldest son. I was told that he would not be a live birth. I was 23 weeks, and my water had broke. I was a long way from home, in Lexington, KY. My husband had to work, my mother was watching my kids, my siblings all lived in other states. I was all alone in a big hospital, and I had to face my fears for my child. But, each night as I began to pray and sing and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to come and comfort me, the presence of God would come into my room, and suddenly I was not alone. It was the strength I needed to get through each day. My son was born live 40 days later, a real miracle birth, but God's Holy Spirit had been my comfort each day.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has revived me. Psalm 119:50
Jesus promised us that we would not be alone in this world. He promised to send the HOLY SPIRIT to be our comfort in this life. Ask God to send you the comfort of his Spirit, to mend your broken heart. God made these hearts, and only he can fix them through the comfort of HIS SPIRIT.
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