July 30, 2008

I sought the Lord and he answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.

(Psalm 34: 4-5)

It’s taken me some time to realize that shame comes from Satan. Satan will put thoughts into your head like “yes, you’re the type of girl who would do that” or “everyone knows what you did.”

These kinds of thoughts are not of the Lord.

Once you have truly asked for forgiveness of something and repented, which means turn and run in the other direction, you are forgiven of that sin. God no longer remembers it. Now that’s a lot easier said than done. As humans, we tend to constantly remind ourselves of that sin and ask for forgiveness repeatedly.

Is it because we don’t trust God and his word? He clearly says:
Psalm 103:12 “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

It’d be a whole lot easier if we just believed Him and we felt like our slate was wiped clean. Then we worry about what others might think of us and wonder if they’re judging us. This too is what Satan does to trick us into thinking we are not forgiven, but sister, let me tell you- you are.

Turn it over to Jesus- the one who can make the lyrics of this popular hymn become reality

“My chains are gone, I’ve been set free,

My God, My Savior, has ransomed me,

and like a flood, his mercy rains,

unending love, amazing grace.”

God’s grace is good and I hope you have found it. I want to encourage you to spend some time in His word, get to know Him. That’s what it’s all about. A relationship with the Savior so when you get to Heaven after a lifetime of proclaiming His name- Jesus will proudly proclaim YOUR name to those in Heaven.

I want Him to be able to say, “Well done Michelle, well done. You gave ME the glory. That’s what it was all about.”

Now, my face is no longer covered in shame because I sought the Lord and he answered me.

Have you given God the glory out of a sinful situation?

It’s never too late.

HOLDING ON...

Michelle

July 17, 2008

Bearing A Grudge or Extending Forgiveness?

Eph. 4:32 AMP “And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.”

Luke 6:37 AMP “…acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment; let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released.”

Why is forgiveness so hard sometimes? And why is it that life sometimes catches you off guard and you find yourself instantly in a situation where you know you need to forgive – but your flesh desires to nurse the offense and hang onto it just a little while, just long enough for that bitterness to start to well up…

That happened to me this week… My father-in-law is here visiting for a week. He will be here thru this coming Sunday. This is no big deal, no problem. He is very laid back, very easy to please, very appreciative of anything we do for him, and we are all enjoying his visit. The boys are absolutely loving having him here – I just fear they are being too demanding of his time, they desire to play with him constantly!

So, the incident which brings up my need to extend forgiveness… My husband gets a call from a cousin who is coming through town Saturday. Without discussing it with me first, he invites 7 people to spend the night here Saturday night! I hear him on the phone saying he will just have to ask for forgiveness! I feel the rage and the stress building!! I am a planner, I am an organizer – and this bit of information seems to throw my life in CHAOS!

I am thinking: where will they all sleep, what will I feed them all for dinner and breakfast, even snacks, how can that many people shower and get dressed on time on Sunday morning – we have to go to church, how will I get my house clean again while we still have company, I have already bought groceries for the next 2 weeks, I will have to go to the store again, and on and on the thoughts go.

I even wrote a short, frustrated and irate sounding post, posted it for about 10 minutes but then deleted it – the Lord would not let me leave it up.

I know I need to forgive him BUT… He does not seem to understand why this has upset me. I told him he should at least consult with his wife before inviting 7 people to spend the night, say you need to talk to your wife and you will call them back. I would not have said no, I just wanted to be consulted. It made me feel unappreciated and like all that I do is taken for granted.

The whole time I am mentally ranting and raving, that still small voice is saying “You need to forgive him.” But I reply, “He hasn’t asked for forgiveness, he hasn’t even apologized…” The still small voice replies, “That does not matter, I command you to forgive, whether he ever asks or says he is sorry.”

So, I have forgiven him. That night as we were laying in bed, I had to force myself to tell him that I forgave him for hurting my feelings and not talking to me about having overnight guests before committing to it. He did not apologize then, but he did the next day… but why was it so hard? It is the battle of the flesh against the Spirit, they do not like each other. I strongly desire to be more controlled by the Spirit rather than my flesh, what about you?

Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? Even if they never apologize or ask for your forgiveness, God has commanded us in His Word that we are to forgive. Ask Him to enable you to forgive, do not let the bitterness, anger, or rage build up for one more minute, one more day. Forgive, and walk in the freedom and abundant life that Christ has for you!


Luke 17:4 AMP “And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).”

Col. 3:13 AMP “Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].”

1 Peter 4:8 AMP “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].”

Holding on...

Tricia