Life Change

Tis the Season for Forgiving!


Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(Luke 23:34)

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Does the holidays have you stressed out because you don’t seem to have much to give?  Why don’t you give someone a wonderful gift this holiday season that may be valued more than money? Give forgiveness! This great gift that you have can, no doubt, bring joy to some troubled soul today. You may very well have the power to release someone of past offenses done to you or levelled at you. Release them and in turn, release yourself. You may find it to be the best gift you ever gave.

It is true that some people don’t accept gifts to well, but still give it in the spirit that Christ would (St. John 1:11). All of us have given quality gifts we thought people would like only to find it didn’t suit them, and that’s okay…but, give anyway!

There has never been a better time when Christmas and Easter come together so beautifully. We celebrate both Christ’s birth and resurrection as well as reflect on His death. His birth is a season for giving. His death is a time we reflect on Him giving himself for those who humiliated and wronged Him. They planned and schemed. They lied in wait for Him and finally, beat and put Him to death. Here is a quote from Luke 23;34, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In His humility, Christ was a VICTIM who became the world’s greatest OVERCOMER (Phil. 2:8-9)! He gave to those who hurt Him the most. His example is the true spirit of giving this holiday season!

Why don’t you, by the Spirit of the Lord, call someone and tell them you are sorry for what happened in the past and ask for forgiveness or maybe you need to tell them you forgive them. These make great gifts this time of year!

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An Imitation of Love!


Little children, we must stop expressing love merely by our words
and manner of speech; we must love also in action and in truth. 
(1 John 3:18)

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There is a movie titled: “The Imitation of Life”, that could have easily been named the Imitation of Love. The two main actors are a single black mother and her fair-skinned daughter, who conveniently passed as white. The daughter had struggles loving her mother because she wanted to “fit in” with white America during the 1950’s. The mother pursued the daughter with unconditional love. The daughter (suffering her own struggles with her skin color) rejected her mother’s love. She finally realized the depths of her love for her mother at the time of her mother’s death — which was too late. (This was a tragic story!) The movie should be seen by all people who have issues loving anyone because of internal and external pressures.

In many ways there are struggles we face with those who are considered different than who we have defined ourselves as. Many only want those type of people in their world. The church also struggles with loving certain members who are in the body. We all know that love can be expressed by words, but “I love you” means nothing if there are no actions that back up mere words. Take a moment and ask yourself how would you define love? What does it look like? Is it a nice feeling you have for someone and they, in-turn, have for you? How would you define it? Let’s go back to I Corinthians, chapter 13 and revisit the “love” chapter and see what love really is. Here is a good biblical definition of love, as well: For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE his only begotten son. The verse clearly suggests that love is a sacrifice. Forms of intense giving are expressions of love. Love means little to others if our flowery words are simply poured out on them. We must be careful because there is an imitation of love. It looks like love, and it often masquerades as love, but it can have its root in selfishness and indifference. True love cannot be imitated with just words of expressions.

God — help us to love — not just with words, but also in deeds! Amen!

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Delight!


Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will
give you the desire of your heart.
(Ps. 37:4)

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The heart — being the depths of our mind and thoughts — can be a unique and personally emotional place. The bible tells us that the heart has its issues and who really knows it (Jer. 17:9).  Proverbs 14:10 reads: “The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.” Many of us have attempted to share our past experiences with others. We sensed they were not fully able to grasp our account of the moment we were trying to convey. No one can really share in the feelings of another’s deep and personal experiences. The word vicarious is no doubt a word that comes close to experiencing what others have experienced, but very few know the seat and aspirations of the hearts of others. It is true that some have the skill to probe human hearts, but only do so — not really knowing exactly what will surface (Prov. 20:5; I Cor. 14:24-25).

Only God fully knows the heart — this personal and secluded place! He knows what we long for and what really is our heart’s desire! What each person longs for is just as unique as who we are and as complicated as our hearts. God has the option and ability to answer the desire (or longings) of the heart. He has given us two clear methods of receiving from Him. One method we are familiar with and that is simply asking Him. He will give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11). The second method seems not as well travelled. That method is to DELIGHT one’s self in what God has an interest in. If we delight ourselves in Him, we can see our families begin to come together. If we give time for personal and systematic Bible study, He will turn His favor toward us and begin to work on our behalf. If we make time for Him, He will bless our endeavors. If we will give to the community and volunteer (as unto the Lord – Col. 3:23), we will look around and realize God has answered our prayers and given us the desires of our hearts! Mountains will be moved, relationships will be mended, business matters will materialize, and we will rejoice that God has done all things well!

God’s watching to see what you and I will do. What we take an interest in will determine the outcome of the blessings from God! Will you accept the challenge to delight yourself in the Lord so that He may give you the desires of your heart? Do it and watch God move!

 

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Shielding Against Depression


Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye
shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(Eph. 6:16)

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Here is a video depicting warfare by arrows in ancient days. The apostle Paul gives us insight into the sometimes-constant battle against the mind. The thoughts that the enemy bombards us with is similar to the warfare fought in this video. Knowing the word of God and having faith in God are both sword and shield used to come away from the battlefield victorious!

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Cares!


Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you.
 (I Peter 5:7)

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Those who have feelings of anxiety often feel like there is no hope and no one understands — and there is no one to help them come out of what they are experiencing in that moment. People with anxiety can often feel overwhelmed with thoughts of what other people’s opinions are about them.  Those with anxiety are worried about the future or something that is unfolding in their lives.

GOD IS THE ANSWER TO ANXIETY! David had feelings of anxiety, but he learned how to overcome his fears. He said in Psalms 61:2-3, “From the most remote place of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy” (NHEB). The enemy is expert at trapping unsuspecting souls, but it is written: “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 124:7-8).

There are solutions to life that we don’t have and questions about life that we can’t answer. God is there to give solutions and to answer questions. He will amaze you with His problem-solving and answers! He has the ability to take the most complex situation in our lives and turn it around for our good! What a mighty God we serve! He will never leave or forsake us; He proves Himself time and time again!

Can’t you hear Jesus’ words to Martha: “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41 – ESV).  Like Martha’s sister, Mary, there are times when we are to put away the details and come sit at Jesus’ feet! We are to cast all our cares on Him. He cares for us! This day has enough to deal with, so don’t give undue thought about tomorrow, but seek God’s kingdom (Matt. 6:33-34). We are not to be anxious about anything, but our cares should be given over to Jesus as we pray (Phil. 4:6-7).

He that has ears to hear, let him hear!

 

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