This past week, C & I went out to Lifeway to look around. After a while of looking around, we both left with new cds!! We couldn't have been more excited for them. We get in the car & immediately put in one of the cds- Relient K "Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek". One of the first songs that we listened to was one of the songs that I swear used to get me through my darkest, worst days.
"Am I at the point of no improvement? What of the death I still dwell in? I try to excel, but I feel no movement. Can I be free of this unreleasable sin?" -When I was first starting out going to church, I wasn't perfect at all with being a Christian. I was so confused at how I could be so excited to go to church & then go back to my normal life style. I honestly felt like I was learning too late in my life to ever be able to make a change. I thought I was at the point of no improvement.
"I throw up my hands, "Oh, the impossibilities" Frustrated and tired, Where do I go from here? Now I'm searching for the confidence I've lost so willingly; Overcoming these obstacles is overcoming my fear" -So many times, I would feel that I was getting no where. I searched & searched, expecting for the outcome to be immediate. I would hear people talking about God & all the great things He could do, why the heck wasn't I feeling the same way? Was it because I lived without Him for 18 years or maybe because I wasn't good enough for him?
"Never underestimate my Jesus. You're telling me that there's no hope. I'm telling you you're wrong. Never underestimate my Jesus. When the world around you crumbles, He will be strong, He will be strong" This is the most important verse of the song. Even in those times I was discouraged, kicked to the ground & too weak to get up, I knew He was still going to be there for me. I knew that because He is so strong, I can be weak at times because He is always going to be there to pick me back up. When people tell me there is no hope, I know they are wrong. Nothing is impossible with God by your side!
Those days when you feel discouraged, turn this song on; it may make you feel 100 times better. I know it always makes me feel like a new person by the time the song is over. Whenever I have one of those days, I know I can "Gather my insufficiencies and place them in Your hands" because He will take care of me : )
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
"Make allowance for each other's faults"
Sitting around after watching "To Save a Life," my best friend & I decided it was a good time to do our devotionals for the evening. Mine read:
"When it comes to forgiving, you can't say it better than Time Stafford did: 'I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.' The Bible says, 'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.' You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. 'He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother' (1Jn 4:21 NIV) You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least. God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the part, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Take your hurt feelings to God and say, 'Point out anything... that offends you' (Ps 139:24 NLT). It takes courage, but that's the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God, His Spirit lives inside you. You're no longer a slave to sin (See Ro 6:14). God knows it's hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it. To 'make allowance' means to take a charitable view and consider extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don't insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break!"
After reading this, I start to think of all the people I have "forgiven". I say I forgave them but I know I only half forgave them. What would this world be without forgiveness? God gave His one & only son to die for our sins so that we could be FORGIVEN!! So who the heck are we to constantly point fingers at mistakes others have made. Every one I know has made a mistake in the life, but the good thing about it is that we have every chance to be forgiven. But before I just run out & claim to forgive every one that has ever hurt me, I really had to sit down & figure out exactly how I can whole-heartedly forgive & move on:
-Don't seek retaliation. Instead, "Overcome evil with good" (Ro 12:21). No good will come from getting back at a person who hurt you; you will just be stooping to their level. Instead, give it up to God & have the ability to forgive. God said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Ro 12:19).
-Don't rush to judgment. That's not always an easy thing to do when you are are injured party, but the ultimate Judge said, "With what judgment you judge, you will be judge" (Mt 7:2). Every body makes judgments in their live whether they mean to or not, but we have no right to judge until we are a perfect person... which will be Never. So until then, we all need to stop passing judgments.
-Make things right. Jesus said, "Be reconciled to your brother" (Mt 5:24). Don't wait for the other person to make the first move, you do it. If you are contemplating working things out, stop thinking about it so much, get out there & do it. The longer you hold a grudge, the more "cancer" you have in your body. You need to work things out so you can forgive, get your "laser" to remove your "cancer", get on with your life. Paul says, "Make every effort in live in peace with all men" (Heb 12:14).
-Pray for the offender. As much as it goes against your character, when you "pray for those who mistreat you" (Lk 6:28), God gives you the grace to forgive and see them through His eyes.
So what are you waiting for? Time is wasting- go out & forgive someone today! : )
"When it comes to forgiving, you can't say it better than Time Stafford did: 'I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.' The Bible says, 'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.' You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. 'He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother' (1Jn 4:21 NIV) You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least. God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the part, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Take your hurt feelings to God and say, 'Point out anything... that offends you' (Ps 139:24 NLT). It takes courage, but that's the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God, His Spirit lives inside you. You're no longer a slave to sin (See Ro 6:14). God knows it's hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it. To 'make allowance' means to take a charitable view and consider extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don't insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break!"
After reading this, I start to think of all the people I have "forgiven". I say I forgave them but I know I only half forgave them. What would this world be without forgiveness? God gave His one & only son to die for our sins so that we could be FORGIVEN!! So who the heck are we to constantly point fingers at mistakes others have made. Every one I know has made a mistake in the life, but the good thing about it is that we have every chance to be forgiven. But before I just run out & claim to forgive every one that has ever hurt me, I really had to sit down & figure out exactly how I can whole-heartedly forgive & move on:
-Don't seek retaliation. Instead, "Overcome evil with good" (Ro 12:21). No good will come from getting back at a person who hurt you; you will just be stooping to their level. Instead, give it up to God & have the ability to forgive. God said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Ro 12:19).
-Don't rush to judgment. That's not always an easy thing to do when you are are injured party, but the ultimate Judge said, "With what judgment you judge, you will be judge" (Mt 7:2). Every body makes judgments in their live whether they mean to or not, but we have no right to judge until we are a perfect person... which will be Never. So until then, we all need to stop passing judgments.
-Make things right. Jesus said, "Be reconciled to your brother" (Mt 5:24). Don't wait for the other person to make the first move, you do it. If you are contemplating working things out, stop thinking about it so much, get out there & do it. The longer you hold a grudge, the more "cancer" you have in your body. You need to work things out so you can forgive, get your "laser" to remove your "cancer", get on with your life. Paul says, "Make every effort in live in peace with all men" (Heb 12:14).
-Pray for the offender. As much as it goes against your character, when you "pray for those who mistreat you" (Lk 6:28), God gives you the grace to forgive and see them through His eyes.
So what are you waiting for? Time is wasting- go out & forgive someone today! : )
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
All we need is a little patience..
A week & a half ago, my good friend C & I went to church. The pastor said, "you need to PATIENTLY wait on the Lord; He will bring you strength!" For the rest of the time I was in town visiting with her, we tried to push ourselves & each other to remember to be patient with life. It wasn't until that week that I realized just how impatient I actually was. Whether it be waiting for an answer, waiting in traffic, waiting for results, or waiting for our loved ones. Patience truly is a virtue!!
Some people expect to get an answer as soon as they pray about something. Most people expect to get an answer as soon as they ask a question or make a suggestion. Even though technology is high speed, it doesn't mean everything in life is going to be also. We have to remember to be patient while God answers our prays. He isn't going to give you a sign or an answer as soon as you ask Him for something; same goes for people. Some times people need a chance to think about the question before answering it. It is not the end of the world, we need to patiently wait for it.
Living in Hampton Roads basically means sitting in traffic on a daily basis & having to deal with drivers from all over the country. Being impatient isn't going to make anyone else a better driver; it won't get you there any faster and it definitely won't leave you in a good mood. Instead of honking, yelling, cussing & complaining, try enjoying the extra time you have either with a friend, husband, family member or by yourself. It gives you a chance to talk a little longer or enjoy your choice of music. It is also one of the best times to spend time with God; i mean what distractions do you really have? It's just you & Him- enjoy it!!
When it comes to working out, almost everyone expects to see results immediately & I know I feel the same way at times. This is probably one of the hardest situations for me to be patient with. It takes more than a day of eating right & working out to see results. It may take months to see the exact results you want. Working out & eating right isn't just about getting skinny; it's about getting healthy & in shape too. So even if it takes a while to get your results, it's making you healthier with every day that passes!
The Navy wife life is a tough life & definitely takes a lot of patience. Your husband is gone just as much (if not more) than he is home. The Navy has rule over his life- even if you are the most important thing in his life, he still has to answer to the Navy first. While he is away on deployment, he is defending his country & fulfilling his duty. I don't blame any one for missing their husband & every one has the right to complain every once in a while. But it's important to be patient for his return; spending every minute complaining will not bring him home any quicker. Instead of being impatient & in a bad mood, think of his time away as an overly extended girls day! It gives you plenty of time to work on yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually & also in school, work, at home! There is a way to turn the negative of him being gone into a positive!!
Auguste Rodin says "Patience is also a form of action" & I couldn't agree more. So next time you find yourself in traffic or working out, make sure you remember to be patient- it honestly does get your further in life : )
Some people expect to get an answer as soon as they pray about something. Most people expect to get an answer as soon as they ask a question or make a suggestion. Even though technology is high speed, it doesn't mean everything in life is going to be also. We have to remember to be patient while God answers our prays. He isn't going to give you a sign or an answer as soon as you ask Him for something; same goes for people. Some times people need a chance to think about the question before answering it. It is not the end of the world, we need to patiently wait for it.
Living in Hampton Roads basically means sitting in traffic on a daily basis & having to deal with drivers from all over the country. Being impatient isn't going to make anyone else a better driver; it won't get you there any faster and it definitely won't leave you in a good mood. Instead of honking, yelling, cussing & complaining, try enjoying the extra time you have either with a friend, husband, family member or by yourself. It gives you a chance to talk a little longer or enjoy your choice of music. It is also one of the best times to spend time with God; i mean what distractions do you really have? It's just you & Him- enjoy it!!
When it comes to working out, almost everyone expects to see results immediately & I know I feel the same way at times. This is probably one of the hardest situations for me to be patient with. It takes more than a day of eating right & working out to see results. It may take months to see the exact results you want. Working out & eating right isn't just about getting skinny; it's about getting healthy & in shape too. So even if it takes a while to get your results, it's making you healthier with every day that passes!
The Navy wife life is a tough life & definitely takes a lot of patience. Your husband is gone just as much (if not more) than he is home. The Navy has rule over his life- even if you are the most important thing in his life, he still has to answer to the Navy first. While he is away on deployment, he is defending his country & fulfilling his duty. I don't blame any one for missing their husband & every one has the right to complain every once in a while. But it's important to be patient for his return; spending every minute complaining will not bring him home any quicker. Instead of being impatient & in a bad mood, think of his time away as an overly extended girls day! It gives you plenty of time to work on yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually & also in school, work, at home! There is a way to turn the negative of him being gone into a positive!!
Auguste Rodin says "Patience is also a form of action" & I couldn't agree more. So next time you find yourself in traffic or working out, make sure you remember to be patient- it honestly does get your further in life : )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
