Tag Archives: forgiveness

Sep12

DAY 255 (2015)

Posted on September 12, 2015 by lsgrlr

Fill in the blank…

Mmmm, been a while, huh? Sorry about that. Life has gotten busy, but that is not an excuse. But if there is one thing I have learned it is that when it comes to being thankful it is better late than never. So, here goes.

Since we last interacted many things have changed. For one I have relocated both state and job. The change has been good in many ways. My mom is happy, we are closer to my brother. Life on a whole has improved. My job is fun and offers a lot of opportunity for growth.

However, there still are struggles. Such as once again I still bear most of the financial burden, and the worst one, I work on Sundays (no church). Wait, no that’s not the worst the worst is that due to lack of time, and an inability to not interact with people of like minds and hearts. I have for the better part of this entire year found myself in a spiritual funk to say the least.

Not backslidden per say, but not moving forward either. I feel that for a Christian, this is the most horrible state to be. It is the place where God has said, “I will spew you from my mouth.” Let’s be honest no one ever has aspired to be spewed from anything much less God’s mouth. But that is where I found myself in the land of the lukewarm, not hot, not cold, and not just right.

Two days ago I took a hit, a bad one. My first reaction whine and complain and inevitably ask the, “Why’s it always me,” question. But then I realized the hit wasn’t meant to hurt me, it was meant to wake me up.

Yesterday was the first in a long time that I took time in my devotion. Not just skimming the words so I could say I spent time, but reading and taking to heart what was being said. Reading to see what God was teaching. I prayed that morning for a better financial situation and to not have to work on Sundays.

Almost at the end of my work day I receive an email from my supervisor it read, “you qualify for this you should apply.” I finished up what I was doing and on my break read the email. It was a job posting in the company one that would give me my Sundays back and raise my pay exponentially. What floored me is that I hadn’t mentioned this to anyone, not the need for more money nor the desire to not work on Sundays.

God heard. God answered.

What’s my point? God hears. No matter how far you stray, no matter how hard you fall– God hears. ALWAYS.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).

The lesson: With God you can always go back home, it’s never too late, and our Father is waiting at the gate with open arms.

So what am I thankful for today, repentance and a God, who hears, always.

Oct3

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on October 3, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 20. “Then Israel set men in ambush all around Gibeah. And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in battle array against Gibeah as at the other times. So the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city. They began to strike down and kill some of the people, as at the other times, in the highways (one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah) and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. And the children of Benjamin said, ‘They are defeated before us, as at first’… But the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them. The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel. And the children of Israel destroyed that day twenty-five thousand one hundred Benjamites; all these drew the sword” (verses 29-32, 34-35). I encourage you to read this Chapter. Heck I encourage (if you haven’t been doing so), to pick up your Bible and read God’s words for yourselves. After receiving the message from the Levite man who’s wife had been murdered. The Israelites gathered together to discuss where they were before the Lord, and what they needed to do to rectify what had happened (it took body parts in the mail, to get you to open your eyes? Really!?). Israel tells the Benjamites that they need to turn over the men who committed the crime, so that God’s anger would subside. However, the Benjamites refused. They go to war. Israel seeks God about who should go out first. He says, “Judah”. However, Israel is defeated. They come before God again, and He says. “Go.” But yet again Israel is defeated. They fast, pray, and weep and ask, “God should we try one more time?” This time the answer is, “Go, for I will deliver them into your hand.” The Benjamites are defeated. Don’t miss the lesson. The Benjamites didn’t want to repent, and for a while it seemed as though they’d be victorious in their sin. Sin is fun, it feels like a victory. No one would sin otherwise. But it ALWAYS leads to death, ALWAYS. There is no escaping the consequences, for sin only has one ending. Note, the first two victories had the Benjamites so confident they could not even fathom that they might lose. God was not even a thought in their minds. However, the two defeats brought Israel to a place where God could use them, they humbled themselves, humbled their hearts, and came out victorious. Sometimes it seems as though the world is winning. But sin only has one ending. Instead of looking at the world, we need to look inward and find out where our heats are before God. Victory comes to the humble of heart.

Jun3

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on June 3, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Numbers 5. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged. But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the Lord and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for the wrongdoer. All the sacred contributions the Israelites bring to a priest will belong to him. Sacred things belong to their owners, but what they give to the priest will belong to the priest'” (Verses 5-10). Doing wrong makes us unfaithful to the Lord. Why? Because the Lord is holy, pure, and righteous. If we do wrong we are to right them. We are not to continue in our sin, ask for forgiveness then reimburse and make restoration to the one wronged. In doing so we right our wrong before man and God.

May12

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on May 12, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Leviticus 13. “These are the regulations concerning defiling molds in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean” (Verse 59). Today my advice would be to read this chapter. It will show you just how unattainable the law was, how meticulous and to the point it was. How it had no room for gray. Life is not black and white, God did not make it so. The moment He gave mankind the right to say yes or no, to choose; gray entered the picture. The law is to the letter it held no room for grace. All wrong whether purposeful or accidental separated the person from God. From the One that could make their gray areas clear. Be thankful for grace today, be thankful that Christ took our place. Because had He not, we’d be responsible for everything. Be thankful that in Christ we have been made clean. He bears it all in our place.

Apr19

DAY 109 (2014)

Posted on April 19, 2014 by lsgrlr

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It’s a new day. Yesterday has been redeemed by the rising of the [Son].
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Yesterday was Good Friday. This morning when I woke up I was actually thinking about the fact that yesterday many years ago, a man who was both fully human and fully deity chose to give it all up for the sin of a people who would (even after so great a sacrifice) reject Him. I though about the crowds yelling, “Crucify, crucify”. I wondered if I had lived during that time, would I too be yelling? Would I too have the crowd mentality? Honest answer? I am sure I would. Why? I would not have the luxury of hindsight. I would not be able to match up biblical prophesy with modern day events and realize accuracy. I wouldn’t understand the difference between religion and relationship. In essence I wouldn’t be viewing it from the standpoint of now. After sufficient humility at the thought that God (the creator of it ALL) wanted a relationship with me, with us. I was brought to the realization of something else. Something amazing. Something I felt I needed to share. We celebrate Friday because He died. We celebrate Sunday because He rose, but what about Saturday? Was He napping? Nope, not Jesus. Today needs to be celebrated too. Yesterday, He died. Tomorrow, He’ll Rise. But Today, today He CONQUERS IT ALL. Happy HE CONQUERS ALL DAY!!!!

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Today instead of a plan I am thankful that Christ conquered it ALL.

Apr7

DAY 97 (2014)

Posted on April 7, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Pray. He will answer. Every. Single. Time.

Yesterday I posted that my church received very devastating new. News that left me feeling saddened for a family, and worried about how the world at large would view God. This morning I woke up to my Pastor’s face all over the news. Which saddens me. Because while my Pastor may have been the person who made the wrong choice, it will be the reputation of God that takes the fall. My heart has been heavy all day because I want people to understand that Bob is just a man, but God is God. One does not reflect the other. My Monday post for work reflects my heart. So I decided to once again share my Monday email for coworkers as my post for today. Please keep my Pastor and my church in prayer.

I have had a rough weekend. I received some devastating news about someone I loved, trusted, and learned a lot from. The news left me thinking “who can be trusted?” Some weeks prior to this weekend I had a conversation with a trusted mentor. We were talking about life, about relationships, and about forgiveness. In the midst of conversation she said this, “Forgiveness is given, it is NOT earned. It’s a choice on the part of the giver that no matter what you will continue to forgive.” Wondering how all of this relates to a work day/week? On any given day, at any given moment someone will disappoint you. Will hurt you. Forgiveness at that moment becomes your (our) choice. We can either extend it, or withhold it. Extending it gives us the opportunity to heal, to move forward and repair what was broken. Withholding leaves us holding on to an open wound that will never be healed because we refuse to apply the medicine. So, today to those around you extend a little grace, don’t hold a grudge. Forgive and move on. As always your perspective determines your day, your week. Make it AMAZING! Happy Monday!!!

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

So what’s my plan of attack? Forgive and heal.

Apr6

DAY 96 (2014)

Posted on April 6, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Forgiveness is like the sun reflecting on the water. It makes everything it touches sparkle.
(Picture by Lisa R. Everglades National Park)

I am going to take you on a journey of my day. It will seem at times as though I don’t have a point and the moments don’t go together. However, I would like you to continue with me to the end, I promise there is a reason, a lesson, a moment where God brings it all together. I have, as recent posts would suggest been going through a time of trial. A time in the desert if you will. The walk is harder because the reflection I have been seeing in the mirror of my desert time, has left me feeling as though I have been taking God and His love for me for granted. This morning I woke up determined to hear from God, determined not to let my failures and short comings be the guide of my day, but to let God be the light on my path. On the drive to church a BMW cut me off my reply was, “Thank you for your obedience Mr. BMW, God just used you to teach me patience.” My mom laughed and then said this, “He certainly did. He used a BMW to remind you to Be My Witness.” Mmmm…lesson one. At church Pastor Chet’s message was on the Power of Love, but not the I love ice cream kind of love. Rather his message was on the I will lay down my life kind of love. He talked about how important it is to know our position in Christ. He pointed out that Jesus willingly laid down His life, knowing His Father would be able to raise Him up again. He understood His position with God. Then he said this, “When you know your position with God nothing moves you”. Nothing. Moves. You. Lesson two. Later in the day we had a church meeting, where we got some pretty devastating news (I won’t be sharing as it is not the point of what God taught me). Here’s what I discovered. God is God. PERIOD. When I have bad days, when I go through rough trials, and even when I make stupid, illogical, and sinful decisions. God is still God. Period. His godhood is not dictated by me or my actions, my desire in life is to be a good witness of who He is. But even if I fail miserably…He. Is. Still. GOD. PERIOD. Lesson Three.

“I am the LORD, and I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

So what’s my plan of attack? Be His Witness. Know my position. Remember He does not change.

Feb25

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on February 25, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Genesis 32. “Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome” (Verses 28). I use to think that this meant Jacob somehow beat God in a wrestling match. But after reading the story lately I realized it wasn’t because he was strong that God said Jacob overcame, but because he wouldn’t let God go. The story says Jacob held on and wouldn’t let go till he was blessed. It was his moment of surrender. We all need to come to that place in our walk with God where the struggling isn’t us trying to let go of God, but it is us fighting with all our might to hold on. Right there, that moment where His blessing is ALL we want, that moment is TRUE surrender.

Jan20

DAY 20 (2014)

Posted on January 20, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Forgiveness is like the sun reflecting on the water. It makes everything it touches sparkle.
(Picture by Lisa R. Everglades National Park)

The lyrics go something like this: “Cause we all make mistakes sometimes and we all step across that line, but nothing’s sweeter than the day we find FORGIVENESS.”

This is one of my favorite songs by Tobymac (Forgiveness ft. Lecrae). It was one of the best discoveries I have made. Why? Well…I am learning the importance of forgiveness, and not the act of receiving it, as much as the giving of it. We all want to be forgiven but many times are ridiculously stingy about handing it out. Which is ironic since the real release and growth comes from the” giving of”, rather than the “getting of”. This means letting go of the offenses that others commit against us. Forgive and and as much as depend on you…FORGET (yes, I know it is easier said than done). Equally as important is letting go of our own offenses. Have you ever been forgiven, but you still feel unforgiven? Want to know why? We are our biggest critics, we are harder on ourselves than anyone could ever be. But that’s the dividend of forgiving others, as we learn to forgive others we learn to forgive ourselves as well.

Someone once said to me: “If I forgive you, but you don’t forgive you. What’s the use?” He who has been forgiving much must himself forgive much…just don’t forget to include yourself.

(This was my post exactly one year ago today, ironically circumstances reminded me of this very lesson one year later).

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25).

What’s my plan of attack? To continue giving and receiving forgiveness.

Dec3

DAY 337

Posted on December 3, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Life is like the sun…it rises and sets.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

So right now someone in my world is upset. This person (who shall remain nameless). Made a plan, a decision to do something, that involved another person. However, the person involved did not know about the plan. Thus plans are being stalled, and planner is getting testy. We (human beings) do this all the time, we assume that because we have decided something arbitrarily, it’s okay. We do it with friends, family, strangers, and even with God. We believe (illogically so), that if we make a decision it must be the right choice. Here’s the truth, when we look at situation that we feel is wrong, or make a plan that involves another, we are really only seeing or planning from our own very limited perspective. The planner needed to involve the individual in the planning process. The looker needs to find out if what they see is really what is happening. Our perspective changes what we see. The ending of the scenario: both the looker and the planner end up angry. On this journey we have to give and take, we have to (the planner, and the looker) see things from the others person’s point of view. Also we need to remember to forgive, and let it go.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).

So what am I thankful for today? Learning to be a better looker, and planner.