Forgiveness Sets Us Free

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In my devotions today, I read Genesis 27:39-40 (NLT) which says “His father, Isaac, said to him, ‘You will live off the land and what it yields, [40] and you will live by your sword. You will serve your brother for a time, but then you will shake loose from him and be free.’”

I was struck by the end of this verse where it says “you will serve your brother for a time, and then you will shake loose from him and be free” Esau was, I am sure, angry first of all at himself for selling his birthright for a bowl of soup. (Are you really that hungry from being out hunting that you sell something that important? Thankfully I have never been that hungry before.) He was also angry because his brother, Jacob had tricked his father, Isaac into giving Jacob his blessing instead of Esau. I think he did have reason to be angry. I am sure forgiveness wasn’t foremost on this mind.

Shortly after Esau realized that he no longer could have the first born blessing, he begged Isaac to bless him anyways. This is where this scripture comes in. When Isaac went to bless him he essentially was saying there will come a time that you will grow tired of being angry and chose to forgive your brother Jacob and when you do that you will be free.

Unforgiveness can become our master; we can become a slave to it. It rules our thoughts and actions in a negative way. When we let go by forgiving someone we can be free of that bondage that comes with it. Much later in the story we see that forgiveness has happened for Esau when Jacob returns he is afraid that Esau will want to kill him but instead sees that Esau has “let go” and embraces and welcomes him home.

Are you struggling with anger or unforgiveness? Are you tired of hanging on so tightly that you don’t have joy or freedom? “Shake it loose”!! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you let go. Let’s not be a slave to unforgiveness because when we are we can’t be free.

God Worshipers?

Psalm 25:12-14 (MSG)
My question: What are God-worshipers like?
Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye.
They settle down in a promising place; their kids inherit a prosperous farm.
God friendship is for God-worshipers; they are the ones he confides in.

I am often wrestling with this question as I strive to be a God-worshiper. Then in my reading this morning I see that the answer is right in Psalm 25:12. "God-worshipers are arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye". So how does this apply to us? We have to ask ourselves if we are aimed at the right target. Each day I live and breath; where is my focus? How am I living and loving? Christ is the perfect example. When we are uncertain how we should live (aimed at the bull's-eye) we need to spend some time reading the gospels finding out how Christ lived.

If we look ahead to the next verse, in this Scripture, we see that because we are God-worshipers our kids will inherit a prosperous farm. Now we all know that they make their own choices but we pray for them to make the right choices and we live our lives so that they can benefit from how we have lived and loved God.

The last piece to this question is "God friendship is for God-worshipers". How can I be a friend with God? By being a God worshiper. I need to spend time and learn more about who He is. I want to truly be able to say that I am a friend of God; that I know what He is thinking; that I hear and recognize His voice; that I am able to respond to the divine God moments throughout the day. This can only happen by spending time in His word and in prayer each an everyday. Making the sacrifice to be aimed that the right target.

Prayer: God please help me to be aimed directly at You. Show me what that means and how it can be done. Help me be disciplined enough to take the necessary steps.

"Watcha Doin?"

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

There are times that I am engaged in an activity that may or may not be good for my mind. It is important for me to evaluate if what I am doing meets the standards stated in Philippians 4:8. Is the TV show I am watching; the conversation I am having; the website I am on; the place I am; the book I am reading; the people I am with; the amount of food I am eating; meeting the standard? We can apply this Scripture to all these different areas. I need to be the habit of asking myself is this activity “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy?” In the 90’s the “WWJD?” phrase was coined. It was overused but it is a really great question. Our goal for everyday and every minute to be like Christ and to ask the question “what would Jesus do?”. When we ask this question it can help us decipher whether our activity meets the criteria of Philippians 4:8.

The challenge for us today is to evaluate whether our activities will move us closer to becoming holy or further away. The Holy Spirit can guide us to make could choices and make us aware of our actions.

Prayer: “Holy Spirit guide my activities today. Help them bring honor to You. Make me aware of how they fit with Philippians 4:8. Thank you for your Holy word to guide us and helping us become holy.”

Stop Running Late

I am reading a book by Mark Batterson called “Wild Goose Chase” and I would recommend it to everyone. I have been challenged so far and I am only in chapter two. What struck me today, in my reading, was about being in such a hurry that we miss divine appointments.

Batterson writes how several psychologists from Princeton University did an experiment based the Good Samaritan parable in the Bible. They wanted to create a modern day version to see if the responses would be the same. They gave seminary students the job of preparing and preaching to a group of other seminarians. Half of the group was assigned to preach on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the other half could preach on whatever they wanted. On the assigned day they were to go to a particular building to preach. As they were leaving half were told they were already a few minutes late and the other half was told they were early but should start to make their way over to the building. They placed an actor that had been “beaten” in the student’s path. The results were interesting based on the students’ responses.

They found that it didn’t matter whether or not they were preaching a sermon on the Good Samaritan but whether or not they were late. Out of those who were told they were late, 10 percent stopped, several even walked right over the actor to get to their destination. Compared to those who were told they were early, 63 percent stopped. The conclusion was that it didn’t matter whether they wanted to help or were preaching a sermon on the Good Samaritan but whether or not they are in a hurry. Wow!

How many times am I in a hurry? A lot. Running to get somewhere, to meet someone and I miss an opportunity to help because I am running late. I believe that God puts people in my path to help but many times I am too busy to notice or to stop and help. I know a few weeks ago in the grocery store I saw someone that I thought I should talk to but I was running late so I chose not to stop and talk. As I look back now I missed a divine opportunity to make a difference for Christ that day. I have been challenged to leave earlier and not push things to the last minute so that I can be available the next time the Holy Spirit prompts me to speak with someone or to help someone.

Do you ever feel like certain times of the year are harder than others? I know this time of year I have a tendency to struggle with my attitudes and feelings. I am not sure why but it consistently seems like it's when fall turns to winter. Maybe because I don’t enjoy being cold or wearing my long underwear all the time.

As I look inward and evaluate my spiritual life I feel like, it is during this time, I can’t hear God’s voice. Even though I am spending time in His word and in quiet prayer each day, I can’t hear His voice. I have been reading Ross Parsley’s book “Do You See What I See?” and he talks about seeing God in the ordinary things of life. As I have reflected on that idea I have been challenged to look at my life and see God’s blessings in the ordinary.

For example, I was able to spend Friday night with my 3 sister in laws and niece; I don’t get to spend a lot of time with them since we live about an hour or so away. And on Sunday night, my sister, who recently moved to Florida was home and spent the evening with us. So both of these were special occasions. As we enjoyed hanging out, playing cards, eating, going to Comedy Sportz, getting massages, taking pictures, getting one sister added to Facebook, eating more food and just sharing together I was reminded how fortunate I am to have them as my family. We each bring something to the table that encourages or challenges another. God has given me women who I can grow old with and will forever be tied too regardless of where we end up.

As I struggle to hear God’s voice I need to look at each day and listen as He speaks to me. Those conversations can be seen spending time with my sisters; when my kids come home with good report cards; when they get compliments from their teachers and parents as they grow and develop into their own people; and when others recognize them for their spiritual leadership and servant hood. God is speaking to me when I look at my marriage and where it was 10 years ago compared to now; from utter disrepair to health and wholeness. To an amazing ministry opportunity in Foley.

So during this time, let’s look at the little things God speaking to you and me. Zephaniah 3:17 says “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." In each scenario God is quietly showing his love to each one of us. Are we willing to look and listen to the conversation He is having with us?

Taking Our Thoughts Captive

I was reminded again over the last few days of the importance of "taking our thoughts captive".

2 Corinthians 10:5 says:
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

When my thoughts control my behaviors and attitudes towards my hubby, my kids, my job, my health, my sleep etc., I need to take them captive and surrender them to Christ. When I am consumed by my thoughts I am not living in the freedom that Christ offers to me.

How can I take my thoughts captive? By asking Christ to help me and filling my mind with Scripture. Replacing those negative thoughts with His Word. My prayer may sound like this "God, please take these thoughts from me, Your Word says to take my thoughts captive and to be anxious in nothing but by prayer and petition make them known to You, I am doing that now and ask you to help me."

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious in ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I wish I would have learned this principle years ago. When Jim and I were going through a separation and the very dark years of our marriage, I would dwell on what he was doing and where he was. I WASTED hours of time, wondering, watching and waiting for him. The reality was that I had absolutely NO control over him or his behaviors but I did have control over myself and my thoughts. I could have been much more productive, during that time, had I taken my thoughts captive.

Taking thoughts captive is something you may need to do over and over. You may need to say that prayer every few minutes. Making sure to replace those thoughts with God's word and positive things. When we are consumed by our thoughts we allow Satan the opportunity to discourage us. He wants nothing more than for you and I to dwell on what is negative. As you work to surrender your thoughts you will dwell less and less on the negative thoughts.

Christ was crucified for us to live in FREEDOM. He also gave us the Holy Spirit to help us live a holy life with surrendered thoughts. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you take your thoughts captive and live a surrendered life.

Great Scripture

Rev. 21:3-7 (NCV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Now God's presence is with people, and he will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone." [5] The One who was sitting on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted." [6] The One on the throne said to me, "It is finished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give free water from the spring of the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. [7] Those who win the victory will receive this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

He will make all things new!