Sunday, June 30, 2013

How CAN I Forgive?



Jean Oathout shares some thoughts about forgiving those who've hurt us so deeply.

First of all, WE can't forgive to the point that we let some offense go completely.

This is something that only our Creator, Who is the Author of Forgiveness, can help us with, when we turn to Him for help.

As He made us, He knows and understands where we are in our individual relationships.

As a human, Jesus found that there are many times He could be  offended daily.


One wonders how He managed to remain such a model of God's Love and grace. 




It's not until we examine the Scriptures and see that He spent many times in prayer to gain His Father's perspective and find out how His Father wanted him to deal with folks.

[see Mark 6:46]

We can see how He managed to keep His determination to obey the Father's will for Him, by drawing away for prayer.


Things happened when He did. John 11:41-43; Matt. 14:19, 20

It's important that we see He needed the Father's help on a daily basis, sometimes "awhile before daybreak".

Why, do you ask, did He get alone to pray? [see Matt. 14:23] After meeting the needs of many people, He wanted to get alone with His Father to gain strength to keep ministering.


When He, or we, are alone in prayer, there is an openness with God, that doesn't seem to be present when we are with others.


Have you noticed that our thoughts are divided when we are in a group? I'm sure this is the main reason Jesus longed to get away alone to talk with the Father. 


It is times like this we also will be able to concentrate on what the need is at the moment, and be more open for God's answers.




As we come to Him as a little child, (like-mannered), we begin to see how big God is, and how much we need His help.

Dr. Charles Stanley tells us, "Our cry of humility conveys total helplessness and dependence upon almighty God." {In Touch July 2013 Magazine pg. 48 "The Pathway of Peace"}


God will be willing and ready to forgive us when we ask for forgiveness for our resentments and hurts.


It's then that we will be able to forgive those who've deeply hurt us in a situation.


If we will not be willing to ask Him for forgiveness, then He has no obligation to forgive us for our feelings and thoughts we have against someone, thus making it impossible for us to forgive. [see Mark 11:26]


May we remember how important prayer was for Jesus, and realize that we also need to spend quality time praying.




As we draw closer to the Lord, He will draw closer to us, revealing His will for us, so we can then pray effectively and fervently for His will to be done.


When we understand His directives, and act upon them, we will begin to see Him affect our feelings, thoughts, and actions.

Change comes within us as we learn to forgive others, as well as ourselves, for our part in the problem. We will find God's Holy Spirit will work in us as He meets us in our private times. 



Let’s pray: Increase my awareness of old patters of behavior I need to loose. Increase my awareness that I can trust you with everything I let you get close to. Help me to recognize every high thing I've allowed my soul to put up between me and you, and I WILL PULL THEM ALL DOWN" Prayer excerpt from Breaking the Power [Bridge-Logos Publishing 1997]

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."


Our quote for today: Kristy of Flying on Grace - “God forgives me long before I forgive myself. He sees what is wonderful about me, and loves me more than any human possibly could. I must give everything to him including the shame.”



Our thought today: Unforgiveness clogs up our ability to forgive others.

Another thought today: When troubling thoughts come, get busy taking care of God’s business and He’ll take care of yours.

Today's Church Chuckle: "Emily was having a little difficulty with the Lord's prayer: 'Our father, who does art in heaven...' " [By Ellen P. Blooming/Paul Seaburn]


Tomorrow’s post: Say It! Don't Just Think It! Jill Savage

A popular post: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS The Forgiveness of Christ



http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Saturday, June 29, 2013

A Star Shepherd


 
David Roper shares with us, "In the spring, shepherds in Idaho move their flocks from the low-lands into the mountains.

Thousands of sheep move up the passes into the high country to summer pasture.

My wife and I came across a flock on Shaw Mountain last week. It was bedded down in a meadow by a quiet stream - a picturesque scene that evoked memories of Psalm 23.

 

But where was the shepherd? The sheep appeared to be alone - until a few broke away from the flock and began to wander toward a distant gully.

Then we heard a shrill whistle from above.


Looking up, we saw the shepherd sitting high on a hill above the sheep, keeping watch over his flock.

A mountain dog and two Border collies stood at his side. 

The dogs, responding to the shepherd's signal, bounded down the hill and herded the drifting sheep back to the flock where they belonged.

In the same way, the Good Shepherd is watching over you. Even though you cannot see Him, He can see you!

He knows you by name and knows all about you.

 
You are the sheep of His pasture Ezek. 34:31. God promises that He will "seek out" His sheep, "feed them in good pasture," and "bind up the broken" vv.12,14, 16.


You can trust in God's watchful care."

        "I trust in God, I know He cares for me
       On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
         Though billows roll, He keeps my soul,
    My heavenly Father watches over me." -Martin

                The Lamb who died to save us
       is the Shepherd who lives to care for us."
                         Our Daily Bread 5/23/13

Let’s pray: Father, thank You for Your Faithfulness to watch over each of us. It is our desire to live pleasing lives before You. Make us aware of Your Presence throughout the day, so we'll be thankful for Your protection and care. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 
Today’s Bible verse:  1 Samuel 16:7b "For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

Today’s quote:
Bill Crowder – “Although we can’t avoid the dangers of life in a fallen world, we can have peace through a relationship with Jesus. He has secured our ultimate victory.”


Another quote: Mary Southerland - "For years, i lived by the principle that busy people are productive people. It was only after I crashed and burden that I learned the eternal value of rest and stillness. This pivotal life lesson is stated in the simple words of a shepherd: Psalm 23:2 "He leads me beside quiet waters." The psalmist writes this soothing promise from the perspective of a shepherd tending his flock of sheep."


Our thought today: Jesus turns things upside down. Your problem is you need God!

Tomorrow’s post:  How CAN I Forgive?  Jean Oathout

 
A popular post:  
Does the Holy Spirit Have You?