Tag Archives: forgiveness

Nov27

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

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

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

Hebrews 8. “‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’ By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (Verses 12-13). Have you ever done something so wrong, so silly you wanted everyone to forget it happened? That what Christ offers us. He remembers our sins NO MORE. That saying forgive and forget, I can do forgive, but forget. Not so much. Yet in Christ it’s like it never happened. That’s the covering God offers in His Son. That’s the grace we receive when we say yes. I do silly things: All. The. Time. I am a pro at it, but God (see why they’re my favorite two words…) when He looks at me sees what Jesus has done. I am forgiven 100%. Today let’s live like we believe that.

Oct24

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

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

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

Colossians 1. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant” (Verses 21-23). Christ has given us access to the God of the universe. The Creator of ALL. We can come confidently knowing that our unrighteousness has been covered and we stand before God clean through Christ’s love. God desires to to know us, He sent His Son to make that happen, don’t fear…COME.

Oct17

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

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

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

Ephesians 4. “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Verses 25-320. As I sat reading this portion of scripture, it dawned on me how opposite this is to what society and our human nature would have us do. We must stopping stealing, and lying. We must build up and edify (others), we must forgive and love. The world would look a whole lot different if we did these things. Today let us forgive, love, and not let the sun go down on our anger. Change the way our world looks.

Oct6

DAY 279

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“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” (Picture by Lisa R.)

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Almost forgot to post got caught up in a show (one that I don’t normally watch, but it came on after a show I do watch). The show is called Revenge, the name clearly describes the premise. I have been watching for about fifteen minutes now and I have discovered two things: 1. Revenges takes no prisoners, it does not differentiate between innocent or guilty. 2. Revenge has no end, it is never satisfied, it always wants more. Case in point on the show a character says to our revenge seeker, “When will getting revenge be less important than saving the innocent?” My answer, it never will. Why? Because revenge blinds us and actually leads us to believe that out bad behavior is not only warranted, but right. The main character of the show has become as bad as the people she is seeking to destroy. This may be just a show, but the principles are true. The thirst of revenge can never be quenched, it will harm the guilty as well as the innocent, and the one who seeks it will turn into the very thing they despise. Here’s the flip side: Forgiveness quenches the need for revenge, it protects the innocent and allows the guilty an opportunity for change, and the one who forgives find peace and joy. The choice is ours to make.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. ‘BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK'” (Romans 12:18-20).

So what am I thankful for today? The option of FORGIVENESS.

Sep17

DAY 260

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Sunsets remains us that everything has an ending. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Sunsets remains us that everything has an ending.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have a question today. What do you do when one of the people you love and respect the most does something that has disappointed you, almost to the point of anger and tears? I have experienced these feelings before. At that time I gave into the feelings and have to say I did not handle the situation as I really would have liked. It took some time for me to get over my anger and hurt. Today as I sit here feeling similar feelings, I am asking myself, “If it turns out that I have to walk this road again, how will I handle it the second time around?” We never know what another person is really thinking, we may get small glimpses here and there (but many times we ignore what we see). Today I am asking God to prepare my heart, my mind, and my spirit for whatever is to come. I am trusting in His wisdom to guide me, because my wisdom is limited. It is interesting that while my feelings and emotions are disappointed I can honestly say that my spirit is calm. There is a part of me that know this is a trial and that it will pass, that there will be an end. I also have the assurance that God will not waste any of it, it will all lead to my growth and make me stronger. Today I may be disappointed, but tomorrow (after I view it through the lens of God) I will see the reason and growth behind it. Until that day I press on.

Aug6

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

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

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

Acts 15. “After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.'” (Verses 7-11). We are saved by GRACE! We couldn’t earn it if we tried. We couldn’t get ourselves clean enough on our own to warrant God’s love. So God sent us grace, then used HIM to SAVE us. Jesus = GRACE.

 

Jul29

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

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

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

Acts 7. “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep” (Verses 54-60). Could you do it? Forgive your killers? Ask God not to hold their sins against them? Stephen followed Jesus’ example, he forgave. It is not an easy road, but shouldn’t we strive to do the same…follow Jesus’ example.

Jul21

DAY 202

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Light shines brightest in the dark. Pray for light. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Light shines brightest in the dark. Pray for light.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I am having a hard time today. I am feeling jittery because I have spent the whole weekend thinking about someone that I am worried about. I have spent the majority of my time praying out loud, in my heart, and with others for the well-being of a person, who even at this moment I am not sure is alive or dead. This is one of the draw backs of the medical field. This is the biggest downside of working with people that have a terminal illness. Friday is the best day in the world when you leave work and there is no bad news. It is the worst day when you get news you knew would eventual come, but it still shocks you and makes you feel human and helpless. I feel the limitations of my humanity in times like this, times when I have no power to do anything in my own strength. It is in these times I am grateful and thankful that I believe and trust in an ALL powerful God. I can wish a person well from now till the cows come home, but unless I develop some sort of super power, my well wishes are just empty words (with good intentions). BUT God (see why these are my two favorite words)…but not so with God. I know that whether this person lives or dies God has a plan that is beyond what I can see. My desire is that she is healed 100%. My desire is that she sees her daughter graduate from college, get married, and give her grandchildren, but even if she was granted this, the reality is that someday (even if it is not by illness), she will die. So my prayer for her would be that God becomes her best friend, the captain of her ship. I pray for healing spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I pray for a COMPLETE healing. I pray God’s will be done.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NLT).

So what am I thankful for today? That God is bigger than me.

Jun18

DAY 169

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Dear Mr. Christian...realize that it is GRACE that got you here.

Dear Mr. Christian…realize that it is GRACE that got you here.

“Dear Mr. Christian I know you’re on a MISSION. I know you say the answer to my problem is RELIGION. I know I’m supposed to change the way I live and stop SINNING. But I’d appreciate if you take some time to LISTEN” (Dear Mr. Christian by Derek Minor). This song travels a road that many christian songs shy away from, it reflects real issues that many people call life. But my post is not about the song, as much as it is about its message. How do we use our Christianity? Do we use it to sit in judgement of those we feel are more sinful than ourselves? Do we use it as a means of gossip? “Oh did you hear about….we should pray for her.” Or do we use as a means of healing? Do we listen or do we judge? Have you noticed in the Bible that Jesus never got angry at the sinner? His anger was always towards the religious leaders. Those who represented God, but yet did the opposite of what He called them to do. Sin is sin…For God ALL sin is the same. We’re the ones that added the classification. So the next time you think someone is beyond Christ’s reach, remember your sin was no better and He still reached you.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23).

So what am I thankful for today? That I am learning not to judge.