Revenge: Letting Go

When I was in secondary school, in one morning assembly a man came in to do a demonstration using a glass vase (jar) and an orange.

A man put an orange into a glass jar. He then explained that there was no possible way for him to reach in and take it back out again. The man was able to place his hand inside the jar alright. He was able to hold onto the orange just fine, but taking his hand out whilst holding the orange was a different story. He was not able to withdraw his hand from the glass jar until he released (let go of) the orange inside the jar. He used this analogy to represent what revenge, anger and unforgiveness does to a person (Christian)

 (Jesus said a new commandment I get unto you that you love one another as I have loved you) They cannot move on in life, they can’t go anywhere. They are trapped by their own unforgiveness. And until they let go they will never be free to go on to become the person which GOD created them to be.

The Bible says in order for GOD to forgive us our sins we must also forgive others. Jesus said- when Simon Peter asked how many times he should forgive someone- to forgive 77 times. Jesus did not mean that the actual number of times to forgive a person is 77 times, but He meant that as long as GOD is still forgiving us out of the abundance of His mercy, then we should also forgive others showing that same abundance of mercy.  GOD will never stop forgiving us, so we should never stop forgiving others who sin against us. Have a heart of GOD for others, the mind of Christ when thinking of people.

In order to be free you have to forgive and let go of all bitterness and resentment towards those who may have offended you. In the process of “letting go” you are setting yourself free but whilst holding onto it, just like your hand, you are stuck.

Out of the abundance of His mercy He forgives us willingly and cleanses us continually. (that doesn’t mean however that we should continue to sin presumptuously.- GOD keep your servant from presumptuous sin.)

Is there someone whom you need to ask forgiveness from? Is there someone that you need to forgive? Remember the way in which GOD has dealt with you and forgiven you each time you sin. Remember GOD's mercy and His love towards you. Not only you but towards mankind. Jesus spent time with "tax collectors and sinners"

Seeing

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:(King James Version)

Very few of us are able to see when we are wrong. It is far easier to point out the wrongs in others before we begin to even address the flaws in our own personalities. I admit that I have a bit of a temper. But GOD is teaching me through His Word to "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" James 1:19. When held up to the light of GOD's Word you can evaluate your life through a fresh set of eyes, the right set of eyes. GOD's eyes. He sees what we cannot see.- 
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
-And He works in our hearts trying to transform it by the power of His Holy Spirit so that we might be conformed to the image of His glorious Son, our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Romans 12:2

A person who is blind cannot see where they are going. In the same way a person who is spiritually blind cannot see what is right from wrong. Their whole way of thinking is depraved. They walk (live) according to the flesh. They are enemies of GOD and they do not know it. John 3:36
But GOD offers the perfect Gift. A free gift. The gift of grace, the gift of salvation, of forgiveness of sins. GOD extends His offer to all men (people) through Jesus Christ. His only begotten Son, sent to die for sinful man.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

Praise ye the LORD

"Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."     

                                                            Psalm 150:6

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life we forget GOD. It sounds bad doesn't it? After every activity we do in life and every effort to succeed, after every accomplish, before every morsel of food enters our mouth, do we thank GOD. GOD doesn't get nearly enough credit for all that He does. Majority of the things He does for us we are completely unaware of it. For example, the fact that we are able to breath is due to His constant provision and enablement. He alone keeps the Earth in orbit, our feet on the ground and life in our body. Everything we have, belongs to Him because He gave it to us and everything we've ever accomplished is down to Him because He enabled us. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness and great is His love towards us. We are covered by the Everlasting Arms.

With a Word GOD created this vast universe that we see. No one in the whole universe can speak things into existence. That is how magnficent and powerful our awesome GOD is. There is none like Him. The Psalmist of Psalm 150 had it right when he wrote "Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD." GOD is responsible for us. He takes care of us and nurtures us like a mother nurtures her new born baby. Her pride and joy. We are the apple of His eye. However, this should be mutual in our relationship with Him. He should also be the apple of our eye. GOD is the only One who can supply all of our needs and we owe Him all of our praise and adoration. He alone is worthy of our praise. All that we have to offer is because He first gave it to us. So all praise is due to our holy GOD in all instances of life.

GOD (the LORD) is Spirit. He is our Creator, the Creator of the entire universe. He doesn't need help from any of us. He does need us at all. He was GOD from before creation and will forever be GOD. He is the only One uncreated. Noone created Him and He created all things. Yet He has time for us, insignificant human beings and wants to have a relationship with us.(Psalm 8:4) He loves us and He wants us for Himself. He wants us near, consecrated and set apart.

One of the many reasons we should praise GOD is because He loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ to be sin for us. Christ died on the cross for our sins so that we wouldn't have to face the punishment that results from sin. Romans 6:23-"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ defeated death in the grave. Now in Him we have been granted Grace, and have received forgiveness of sins. We now have access to the Father. "The veil was torn" and now there is nothing in existence that can separate us from Him or from His love (Romans 8:35-39). Christ paid the penalty of sin and bought my ransom, even though He was the completely sinless Son of GOD. He humbled Himself and became nothing for our sakes. Have you thanked Him today?

Oh, set me apart, Lord. Set me apart.

I want to be close to Thine heart.

Melt me and mould be and make me anew

Lord I want to be just like You.

Humility (Part 2)

Greatness is Serving

Forgiveness

We have a merciful Heavenly Father .

Put your trust in JESUS

For the 20 years I have known Jesus He has never let me down. He is a faithful Friend, my most closest companion. He is so dear to me. He loves me unconditionally. He stills love me after all the times I've failed Him. He is a merciful and just GOD. He loves the sinner and cleanses the sin. He makes all things new. He died for me and for you. He gives me purpose. Without Him my life is meaningless. He shows me how to truly love because He is love. He is truly great. My times is in His Hand. He follows me wherever I go so I am always safe. I have nothing to fear. I am learning to rest secure in His arms of compassion and love. Jesus is the truest Friend I've ever known. All else in the world will let you down, friends and family fail you, even those closest to you may forsake you, but GOD.. He keeps you in the palm of His mighty Hands. He loves you and cradles you with His love. Through your darkest times He is there. Through your highs and lows He is there, rich or poor He is there. Sick or well He is there. Through every circumstance in life, from the cradle to the grave GOD IS THERE! Put your trust in Him. I love Him so much for all that He has done for me. Sometimes I forget how good He's been to me. How He's lifted me up when I was down, helped me to pass all my exams, helps me to draw each breath, wakes me up each morning, places joy in my heart and a new song in my mouth. He has blessed me with every good thing in life, makes sure I'm fed and well looked after. He surrounds me with His tender love and care, forgives all my iniquities and cleanses me from all sin. He removes my sins from me "as far as the east is from the west" and He remembers "them no more". As many times as I've failed Him He still forgives me and abundantly and graciously pours out His blessings and His love upon me. He makes me feel special and supplies all my needs. He truly is the love of my life, my Hero and my glorious King!

Storms

Today's Reading: - Matthew 8:23-27

Jesus Calms the Storm

 ²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
    ²⁴ Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
    ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, Lord, save us! We're going to drown!
    ²⁶ He replied, You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
    ²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!

Verse 23 says that He (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed Him. The next verse says that "Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping." This is a common situation in the Christian walk of faith. When we choose to follow Jesus we will inevitably face different trials and tribulations, but we must not fear or be dismayed because Jesus is with us. Sometimes we're going along life happily and enjoying GOD's love and all of a sudden trouble will strike, a furious storm will come to test and try us, BUT we must not break because our GOD is mighty to save. Sometimes when we pray it may seem like GOD is sleeping, but He is fully aware of your situation and He wants you to know that He's got it all under control. Jesus was not afraid of the "winds and rain" because they "OBEY HIM". GOD is in control of all circumstances and He bids that you put your undoubting trust in Him. He will be your stay, no matter what the journey. He will keep you safe. He will be your food, your SHELTER, your Teacher, your Compass in a wasteland, your Oxygen in the deep, your Oasis in the desert...should I say more. He's your Comforter, your King, your Saviour, your Rescuer, your Hero, He is prepared to be your EVERYTHING. He is all you need, just put your trust in Him.

So when trouble comes, when the rent it due, when the bills aren't paid, Who do you call?

JESUS

LOOK up in the sky, it's a bird? it's a plane? No! IT'S JESUS. Coming to save you. So take heart my friends and have Faith. Jesus is coming to the rescue.