Have you ever been so hurt by someone that it was difficult to forgive the person? But, as an obedient child of God, you forgave because it is the loving way to behave. However, every once and again the memory of the offense surfaces causing you to emotionally deal with the pain all over again.
Some people are painfully dealing with offenses that have occurred days, months, years or even decades ago. Even though they have forgiven the offense, if that person offends them again, they can quickly recall all of the past offences, causing the pain of the most recent offense to be even more intense. It's as if they were keeping a tally of all the wrongs against them. They can recall the time, place and very specific details of exactly why the offense(s) caused them such pain. So, despite a sincere effort to forgive, they carry a horrible bondage deep within that continues to torment them. And sadly, while the offender can never take back what they have done; the person
offended is left to deal with the repercussions that hinder them
from completely moving on.
If this situation describes you, then there is something very important that you must do; forgive and forget. You may be thinking how can I possibly forget? With Jesus all things are possible! Therefore, a more important question is, have you ever asked the LORD to completely heal you from the pain? The LORD commands us not to keep record of offenses against us. However, the enemy will try to cause us to hold onto pains from our past which can keep one from obediently loving their offenders as they love themselves.
So, when negative memories attack your mind, seek the LORD with all that is within you to not only forgive the offender but to also protect you from your painful past. And when you seek the LORD with a faithful heart, your love towards the offender will truly magnify the love the LORD purposed in you.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Mark 12:30-31
I Corinthians 13:5
Philippians 4:13
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Do you believe that Satan is real?
If not, he has you right where he wants you; in a state of deception. Throughout the Bible we are warned to be on guard against the adversary yet way too many people take the LORD's warning lightly. Consequently, when tribulations and temptations come their way they struggle with a heart of despair to understand the reason behind the strain. In their private moments they might even sorrowfully pray, "What have I done to deserve such pain?" But, because they don't acknowledge that Satan is real; they aren't aware that his goal is to kill, steal and destroy. His attacks appear in many forms; unexplainable negative thoughts, unexplainable negative circumstances and even unexplainable negative people, etc. His ploy is to create a stronghold in an attempt to cause us to go astray and disobey the righteous commands the LORD has made.
Therefore, if you know with all that is within you that you are living right before the LORD and find yourself dealing with unexplainable mess don't discount the possibility that Satan is on attack. When one's walk is in line with the LORD's will; the more threatening one becomes against the ploys of the enemy. Consider the story of Jesus how Satan desperately tried to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus stayed devoted to his Father and refused to give in. The Lord always provides us a way to escape temptation but we must take heed to the warnings He has blessed us with to succeed against the enemy. Therefore, the next time you find yourself feeling attacked by the enemy, submit yourself to God and resist Satan and he will flee.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 4
John 10:10
John 16:33
John 17:15-16
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Ephesians 4:26-27
Ephesians 6
James 4:7
1 Peter 5:8-9
www.dietolive.org
Therefore, if you know with all that is within you that you are living right before the LORD and find yourself dealing with unexplainable mess don't discount the possibility that Satan is on attack. When one's walk is in line with the LORD's will; the more threatening one becomes against the ploys of the enemy. Consider the story of Jesus how Satan desperately tried to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus stayed devoted to his Father and refused to give in. The Lord always provides us a way to escape temptation but we must take heed to the warnings He has blessed us with to succeed against the enemy. Therefore, the next time you find yourself feeling attacked by the enemy, submit yourself to God and resist Satan and he will flee.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 4
John 10:10
John 16:33
John 17:15-16
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Ephesians 4:26-27
Ephesians 6
James 4:7
1 Peter 5:8-9
www.dietolive.org
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Be anxious for nothing!
In this world it is often expressed that being anxious is normal and even said to be beneficial in some situations because it is an expression of humbleness. However, that is not what the LORD's word states. The LORD commands us not to be anxious about anything but to trust in Him for everything.
He is mindful of us and knows exactly what we need, how much we need and when we need it. However, instead of people taking heed to His words they tragically become bound by anxiousness. Sadly, people worry about money, health, relationships, jobs, people, decisions etc. and as the bondage intensifies it becomes a tragic testament of their faith. If we faithfully trust that the LORD is in complete control of "everything" when situations arise that attempt to cause us stress we must not
forget the LORD's promises.
As Christians we have to remain obediently faithful regardless of how daunting situations seem and trust that in the end the LORD will always have the victory. That doesn't mean that every situation will always turn out the way we expect but we must remain confident that the LORD knows best. Remember, His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts so don't be anxious about the details just trust that He has power over all. And when we faithfully put our trust fully in Him there leaves absolutely no room for anxiousness but instead we are blessed with a wonderful peace that surpasses understanding.
So the next time, you experience the onset of anxiousness take the feeling captive unto Christ remembering that we have victory through his loving sacrifice.
Be anxious for nothing...trust in the LORD for everything!
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalm 27:7-8
Psalm 28:1-2
Psalm 30:2
Psalm 73:28
Psalm 83:18
Psalm 118:5-8
Psalm 119:32
Psalm 142
Psalm 146:3-10
James 4:8-10
He is mindful of us and knows exactly what we need, how much we need and when we need it. However, instead of people taking heed to His words they tragically become bound by anxiousness. Sadly, people worry about money, health, relationships, jobs, people, decisions etc. and as the bondage intensifies it becomes a tragic testament of their faith. If we faithfully trust that the LORD is in complete control of "everything" when situations arise that attempt to cause us stress we must not
forget the LORD's promises.
As Christians we have to remain obediently faithful regardless of how daunting situations seem and trust that in the end the LORD will always have the victory. That doesn't mean that every situation will always turn out the way we expect but we must remain confident that the LORD knows best. Remember, His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts so don't be anxious about the details just trust that He has power over all. And when we faithfully put our trust fully in Him there leaves absolutely no room for anxiousness but instead we are blessed with a wonderful peace that surpasses understanding.
So the next time, you experience the onset of anxiousness take the feeling captive unto Christ remembering that we have victory through his loving sacrifice.
Be anxious for nothing...trust in the LORD for everything!
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalm 27:7-8
Psalm 28:1-2
Psalm 30:2
Psalm 73:28
Psalm 83:18
Psalm 118:5-8
Psalm 119:32
Psalm 142
Psalm 146:3-10
James 4:8-10
Monday, March 7, 2011
Surrender the Struggle
Are you struggling with something or someone that is causing havoc against your faith? It may be an issue that you have struggled with for days, months or even years. However, no matter what you do to overcome the struggle your efforts seem in vain. As if time has stood still, the bondage you feel remains causing an indescribable sense of frustration and pain. With each passing day the struggle becomes so intense, that you become discouraged and eventually give in allowing the struggle to win.
Sadly, struggles become a form of bondage that many seem to face; but the wonderful blessing is: that doesn't have to be the case. The battle has already been won through the sacrifice the LORD made through His son. Therefore, instead of surrendering to the struggle; surrender the struggle to the LORD. However, beware that once the struggle has been surrendered that you don't find yourself tragically once again entangled in it. Instead, allow your faith in the LORD to be your final fight against the bondage you may have doubted that you would ever live without.
With the LORD there is absolutely no struggle that can't be conquered but you must faithfully seek Him with all your heart.
Don't underestimate what the LORD can do!
Don't give up on Him because He won't give up on you.
Surrender the Struggle!
Scripture to meditate on:
Psalm 18:25-32
Psalm 31:23-24
Psalm 37:28
Psalm 145:13
Proverbs 2:7-8
Acts 8:37-39
Ephesians 6:10-18
I Timothy 6:12-15
Hebrews 11:1
Sadly, struggles become a form of bondage that many seem to face; but the wonderful blessing is: that doesn't have to be the case. The battle has already been won through the sacrifice the LORD made through His son. Therefore, instead of surrendering to the struggle; surrender the struggle to the LORD. However, beware that once the struggle has been surrendered that you don't find yourself tragically once again entangled in it. Instead, allow your faith in the LORD to be your final fight against the bondage you may have doubted that you would ever live without.
With the LORD there is absolutely no struggle that can't be conquered but you must faithfully seek Him with all your heart.
Don't underestimate what the LORD can do!
Don't give up on Him because He won't give up on you.
Surrender the Struggle!
Scripture to meditate on:
Psalm 18:25-32
Psalm 31:23-24
Psalm 37:28
Psalm 145:13
Proverbs 2:7-8
Acts 8:37-39
Ephesians 6:10-18
I Timothy 6:12-15
Hebrews 11:1
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Set Free
A bird lost its way and flew into my house today. Flapping its wings it struggled to escape only to find that what seemed to be a safe place was a mistake. The outside which appeared so close was actually blocked by the window.
Why can't I escape, it must have been thinking but its lack of knowledge kept it from comprehending. As I tried to help it find its way, it was as if my help was in vain. I opened the window as wide as I could but it was so distraught that it didn't even see that I had prepared an opening that would set it free.
Stuck between the window and the blind, it was becoming increasingly challenging to convince the bird that I was on its side. Finally I tried to offer it a morsel of food to lead it in the right way but it walked right pass the open window back into harms way. Apparently exhausted from trying to help itself; it sat on the floor to take a rest. But, within seconds the dog began barking ferociously causing the bird to frantically flee. Little did it know I was still right there to lead it in the right way but no matter how hard I tried it just turned away. Nevertheless, I protectively pulled the dog away until the bird was free to escape.
There's a lesson to be learned in every situation and I just hope that as you reflect on the bird's tribulation that when tribulations come your way that you won't forget that the LORD is lovingly there to guide your way. Many times people get so stressed that they naively try to help themselves and fail to call on the LORD for help. We are commanded to surrender all unto Him.
So may you always seek the LORD in your time of need because He is the only one that can set you "free".
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalm 27:7-8
Psalm 28:1-2
Psalm 30:2
Psalm 73:28
Psalm 83:18
Psalm 118:5-8
Psalm 119:32
Psalm 142
Psalm 146:3-10
Matthew 6:30-34
Romans 12:1
James 4:8-10
Why can't I escape, it must have been thinking but its lack of knowledge kept it from comprehending. As I tried to help it find its way, it was as if my help was in vain. I opened the window as wide as I could but it was so distraught that it didn't even see that I had prepared an opening that would set it free.
Stuck between the window and the blind, it was becoming increasingly challenging to convince the bird that I was on its side. Finally I tried to offer it a morsel of food to lead it in the right way but it walked right pass the open window back into harms way. Apparently exhausted from trying to help itself; it sat on the floor to take a rest. But, within seconds the dog began barking ferociously causing the bird to frantically flee. Little did it know I was still right there to lead it in the right way but no matter how hard I tried it just turned away. Nevertheless, I protectively pulled the dog away until the bird was free to escape.
There's a lesson to be learned in every situation and I just hope that as you reflect on the bird's tribulation that when tribulations come your way that you won't forget that the LORD is lovingly there to guide your way. Many times people get so stressed that they naively try to help themselves and fail to call on the LORD for help. We are commanded to surrender all unto Him.
So may you always seek the LORD in your time of need because He is the only one that can set you "free".
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalm 27:7-8
Psalm 28:1-2
Psalm 30:2
Psalm 73:28
Psalm 83:18
Psalm 118:5-8
Psalm 119:32
Psalm 142
Psalm 146:3-10
Matthew 6:30-34
Romans 12:1
James 4:8-10
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