Oooweee life has a way of depressing, stressing and distressing even the most faithful and grounded children of God. Life and circumstances has a way in which we find ourselves going from the highest high, down to the lowest lows. Don’t believe me? Let us look at the psalmist. He went from declaring that the Lord’s testimonies were his delight and counselors, to saying his soul clings to the dust. In a blink of an eye, he went from being delighted in the Lord, to clingy; being downright attached to the dust in heaviness. Sound familiar? Like the psalmist things occur in our lives that have us up one minute and downright depressed the next. As down as the psalmist seems, he does give us insight as to how we can be restored from this current negative state.
25 My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to your word.
When we are down in the dumps, we must learn to cry out onto the Lord and ask Him to revive us with His Word. When we begin to pray & speak the word of God over ourselves, and situations; it begins to move us from our state of despondency to one of uplifting and encouragement.
The Word of God is the very tool that all believers need and should utilize in overcoming every & anything. Well you might say I don’t really know how to say what I’m feeling or needing, so how can I tell God.
Well no need to worry for the Holy Spirit residing within you knows how to make intercession on your behalf. Romans 8:26 says likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered.
26 I have declared my ways, and you answered me; teach me your statutes.
After crying out, we must be willing, determined and receptive to learn and adjust our lives to the will and ways of God. When we learn to make God’s way’s and statues our standards, we will be able to stand against the lies and attacks of enemy, and the misconceptions of the world and what it teaches.
Finally after crying out to The Lord, adjusting our lives to the will and ways of God we must then learn to meditate on the very things God reveals to us in His Word. 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts; so shall I meditate on your wonderful works. 28 My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to your word. The key to being revived is to not meditate on the negativity surrounding you, but meditate on the wonderful ways and works of God. For the works of the Lord are immeasurable and His grace is sufficient to sustain us in any situation. God doesn’t desire you to cling to the dust in desperation, But He does desire you to cling to HIM in Love, Trust and Obedience.
Be Blessed
Min. T. Jones
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood and misused principles of everyday living. Society has taught us to use forgiveness as a tool of retaliation and hostage taking, instead of being used as a tool of healing and restoration.
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is the willing act of excusing a mistake or offense. That means although the other party may be guilty of committing something harmful or hurtful towards you, you make a conscious effort to free them of the guilt and “penalty” of that offense. Often times we are unable to excuse others, because of the pain attached to the offense. But true forgiveness calls for us to “pardon” the offender. Not that the offense is excusable, as all issues must be dealt with in a godly manner, but you don’t hold ill feelings towards the person that committed the act.
Holding on to unforgiveness creates more problems, issues and hurt than we realize. First it keeps the offended person hostage emotionally. People carrying unforgiveness, become weighted down with the pain, distrust and separation that unforgiveness comes with. Secondly, if we are not careful it begins to seep into other areas of our lives, and we begin to mistreat those, who have done no wrong. It also holds the offender hostage, because we tend to try and make the wrongdoer “earn our forgiveness” with a checklist of; if you do this or that, then maybe I will forgive you. Thirdly, it creates a hindrance in our personal relationship with God, and our ability to worship him freely. Unforgiveness is a tool used by the enemy to keep us in disharmony with one another and with God.
There are 2 important factors to remember about forgiveness:
First, it is not based on your emotional ability to let go, but your ability to follow what God has given you the ability to do. You are commanded and able to forgive, completely release the pain, frustration and wrongdoer form the negativity associated with the offense and live in harmony with them. *SR Matthew 18:20-22.
Secondly, remember that just as someone is in need of forgiveness for hurting you, you too at one point have been and will be in need of forgiveness from someone else. We all, whether intentionally or mistakenly have caused pain to another, and must go to them desiring forgiveness and reconciliation with them.
My brothers and sisters, the next time you are hurt and it seems like you are unable to forgive or pardon your offender, ask the Lord to help you to live out his commandment to forgive, despite your emotional rationale, and give thanks to HIM for the times he has and will forgive you!
Be Blessed
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is the willing act of excusing a mistake or offense. That means although the other party may be guilty of committing something harmful or hurtful towards you, you make a conscious effort to free them of the guilt and “penalty” of that offense. Often times we are unable to excuse others, because of the pain attached to the offense. But true forgiveness calls for us to “pardon” the offender. Not that the offense is excusable, as all issues must be dealt with in a godly manner, but you don’t hold ill feelings towards the person that committed the act.
Holding on to unforgiveness creates more problems, issues and hurt than we realize. First it keeps the offended person hostage emotionally. People carrying unforgiveness, become weighted down with the pain, distrust and separation that unforgiveness comes with. Secondly, if we are not careful it begins to seep into other areas of our lives, and we begin to mistreat those, who have done no wrong. It also holds the offender hostage, because we tend to try and make the wrongdoer “earn our forgiveness” with a checklist of; if you do this or that, then maybe I will forgive you. Thirdly, it creates a hindrance in our personal relationship with God, and our ability to worship him freely. Unforgiveness is a tool used by the enemy to keep us in disharmony with one another and with God.
There are 2 important factors to remember about forgiveness:
First, it is not based on your emotional ability to let go, but your ability to follow what God has given you the ability to do. You are commanded and able to forgive, completely release the pain, frustration and wrongdoer form the negativity associated with the offense and live in harmony with them. *SR Matthew 18:20-22.
Secondly, remember that just as someone is in need of forgiveness for hurting you, you too at one point have been and will be in need of forgiveness from someone else. We all, whether intentionally or mistakenly have caused pain to another, and must go to them desiring forgiveness and reconciliation with them.
My brothers and sisters, the next time you are hurt and it seems like you are unable to forgive or pardon your offender, ask the Lord to help you to live out his commandment to forgive, despite your emotional rationale, and give thanks to HIM for the times he has and will forgive you!
Be Blessed
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