Category: forgiveness

Anger

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“In your anger do not sin.”: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, …”. Ephesians 4:26

Everyone gets angry. It’s a natural response to a hurt. Oftentimes the other person does not even realize they said or did anything that hurt you. Careless words get spoken when you cannot control a situation or a reaction by another. I live in a nursing home so some people have pain and challenges they are dealing with and have no control over their reactions. Mental illness can be so cruel because the person may not even know how they are behaving or acting. Or they get angry and bitter because they are suffering with pain and discomfort. Good people work at the home where I live and they have to deal with so much . But they realize that person cannot really help their reactions. In the real world, pressures and deadlines can set people off and they blow up. A haggard mother can loose control when their child acts out. We don’t really know what sets people off because we don’t know exactly what they are dealing with. Maybe they just lost a job or a loved one died. That doesn’t justify anger but it would explain it. Some people have mental problems where they just can’t control themselves. Some people have been treated badly all their lives and so they act the same way out of habit. But if you just take a minute to think that this is one of God’s precious children and he deserves great respect and so do his children. Maybe your response will be different. This world would be a whole lot better place if we could just take a moment to think before we say or do something we will regret later. It never hurts to take a deep breath or count to ten first, whatever works because once it’s out of your mouth you can’t take it back. Have you ever had to go to someone and ask for forgiveness? It’s much easier to hold it in. You never want to hold it in your heart because it will destroy you just like a disease. The sooner you can forgive and let it go the better you will feel. So quack like a duck and let it roll off your back. God knows it will do more damage to us than to the other person so that is why he told us to forgive before you go to bed. And it will help you sleep better also.

Forgiveness

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“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13

Everyone is different and some have done terrible things but whether you are rich or poor, black or white, or young or 99 you matter to God. One sin isn’t blacker than another but sin is sin. He has no favorites but loves everyone the same. He loves you before you are even born and right up till you die. When he said Everyone it was capitalized for a reason. Someone may have murdered and had stolen and committed adultery many times but he didn’t say if you’re good enough you might be saved. He said Everyone Will be saved. The second you call on the Lord, in the blink of your eyes, it is done. He forgives everything and doesn’t even remember it anymore so don’t keep dragging it up. He said, “as far as the east is from the west.” You can go west and never stop. It goes forever. Jesus bled and died and his blood is enough. He wasn’t murdered, but it was an intricate played out plan so that one day when we breathe our last breath we will instantly be in the presence of the Lord, forever. You do not have to be perfect, Jesus did that for you. You will still sin, because nobody’s perfect. Sin hurts you more than it hurts God because it gives a foothold for satan to bring terrible things in your life and it blinds you to Gods goodness. But you will want to walk differently because of all your life could be, and because if you love your savior you’ll want to show it. But it does take faith, believe that you truly are saved and you will please God, knowing that Jesus is enough and you believe it is done. His grace and mercy are extended to you every day and they are more than enough. The more you believe the more exciting life gets here on earth. So let’s bring as much heaven down to earth as we can.

True Peace

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“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

At this time of year Christ was born and he wants everyone to know that he came to bring peace to all people. One thing we can all use is peace. The peace that Jesus brings is not like any peace this world can offer because it is perfect and it is free. Most people just don’t know what they are missing out on because unless you have experienced it you will never understand it. People don’t trust God because they don’t know him. They believe what they hear and what they have been taught by their family or in school or college more specifically. And because schools stopped teaching about God they are being taught a distorted belief. People may have been raised in a church but because people are not perfect and often make mistakes we have learned to distrust them. They may have also lost someone they love and blame God and don’t want anything to do with someone who took the one they love. This is so sad because they don’t know what they could actually have for free just for the asking. Most people say they don’t believe the Bible but they have never actually read one. They believe just what they have heard from others who have actually never read one either. This is so sad because they are walking around with a deadly disease that will eventually kill them and living an unhappy life for no reason. People can be unhappy, depressed, confused and insecure because they don’t know the unconditional and very satisfying love of the one who made them just to be in a relationship with him. He knew that what we needed more than anything else in this world was deliverance from sin and death. With that forgiveness comes acceptance and a relationship like we have never had before. And one that will give us that peace that we have never felt before. Because once he has forgiven you his blessings and favor rest upon you forever.

What Is A Savior

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“Come quickly to help me, my Lord and Savior.” Psalms 38:22

Anyone who saves is a savior. But there has to be reasons why you need to be saved first. My dictionary actually says “A Title of God, especially Christ,” only he knows how much we definitely need a savior. He knows every thought in your head. He knows every evil thing. He is a Father to everyone. And parents know their children aren’t perfect, even though they don’t always catch them in the act, but God does. The punishment for doing wrong is death, but he totally agrees to forgive charges so that we can have our lives back. That sounds very fair to me. You just need to acknowledge the Savior himself, that’s Christ Jesus. That’s accepting the gift that he bled and died for. So most people choose to keep their sin and evil. They like their life just the way it is and choose to be in charge. That’s good and well but you still have to die one day, we all do. But we don’t know when that day will be but only God knows that. Whether you will be young or old. You have chosen your position. You didn’t want a savior so your life will be void of saving, forevermore. Most of us can’t fathom infinity but it’s a really long time. The absence of God means only evil, no good. So that means no good ever again. Never a good day, ever. So now do you realize why you needed a Savior, especially Christ?

In The Pig Pen

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“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

I was praying one morning and I was asking God how people have gotten so deceived and out of control? And he said that just like pigs in a pen love rolling around in the mud and eating slop. It’s just what they know. Doesn’t sound very pretty does it. That is all they know and they think that’s all they need or want. Nobody likes change and it’s uncomfortable, at least at first. They are used to it and don’t have any idea what they don’t have. Imagine that same pig is a precious pet. Whose owner would do anything for them. Clean them up and maybe put a cute outfit on them. Put them on a soft, silk, pillow and give them treats to eat. Do you think that pig would complain? They only knew what they knew. If you only knew hate and evil you would be much like that pig and learn to accept it and live with it. We are all created by a loving God who wants so much for us. The problem is that he will not force that on anyone. That pig can’t choose for itself. But God loves us and respects us enough to let us do it our way. Even if that way might bring us so much pain and regret. If you only knew what you were missing. Most people think they know what will make them happy. A secret I have learned over the last few years is that only God, the one who created you and knows all about you, everything you have ever done, said or thought, he does know what is very best for each of us. He has even given us a manual to teach us everything we will ever need to know to have an awesome life. I have tried it his way. He has never ceased to amaze me. Everything he says really works and nothing fails. A lot of it might not even make sense to my simple mind but it does work. There is a whole other world out there that I didn’t know existed. I am now sitting on that fluffy pillow enjoying treats all day long. Satan still tries to bring evil into my little world but I have put up a wall around myself and it’s getting harder and harder for him to get through. Because Jesus paid for every one of my sins with his life.

God is Good

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“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the darkness.” Nahum 1:7-8 NIV

God is good. He cares for his children and always listens when we cry out to him. Especially at the hands of wicked and evil people. That’s how he is. He always brings punishment on those who are evil, sinners. Eventually punishment will come. Nineveh was a very corrupt and worldly city. Their reputation preceded them. That is why God asked Jonah to prophecy the destruction he had for them. But Jonah said, no way, and ran the other way. God sent a big storm to follow him. God always knows what we are up to. You can not hide from God. When the people found out he was running from God, they had no choice but to get him out of the ship. They still cried out to God to forgive them for throwing him overboard. But the minute he was out of the ship the seas grew calm. God is powerful. They were stunned. Well we all know what happened next. After three days in the belly of a fish yelling at God he agreed to go to Nineveh. He had not wanted to go because he knew God to be merciful and loving. He new if he warned them they would cry out to God and he would stop from sending judgement. They were so wicked that he thought they should pay. Well the minute he agreed to go, poof, he was back on dry land. He headed to Nineveh and poured his heart out to them and all that God had told him. Well you know what happened? They cried out to God for forgiveness and turned from their wickedness. And he forgave them. Jonah knew it. He was so upset he went outside the city to sit and pout. “Just kill me, I knew you would do that, i’de be better off dead.” Well God let him sit there and fume for a little while, but God allowed a small plant to grow up beside him to shield his head from the scorching sun. The next morning a worm came munching on that plant and it died. Well now Jonah was real mad. But God asked him why he was so angry? You didn’t make that plant. It was just a plant so why should you care. You see that city is full of thousands of people that I made and loved. Some were good and some were bad. That is why I had to warn them. Even when we are evil sinners, God still cares about us. If you come to him and ask him to forgive you for the bad things you have done, even if they are really bad. If you are sorry for those sins he will forgive you.

Do you want to be on God’s side?

If My People (amplified)

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“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

I have quoted this verse many times. But I never really understood the words till I heard someone preach on it. It meant so much more after I heard what each word was saying to me and I just had to share it. I hope it can bring some light to you too. Lately I have been praying earnestly for an awakening. Many people call themselves Christians, but are they Christ like? People who are not Christians are watching us. Unless they see us as different and special, why would they want to be one? If we live an ineffective life and are unsatisfied ourselves, what kind of example are we? God has shown me that so much more is involved than just praying for our country to be changed. So I decided that just as there are many Bible translations, that I need to update this previous writing. I have chosen to Amplify it. So I will elaborate. “If my people,” this at one time meant the Jewish nation. They were known as God’s people. He had special things for them, his special people. The promised land was a good and rich land where they would be free to worship God the way he wanted. Because they were his people they should want to spend time with him. Especially after all that they saw him doing for them. And in such mighty and awesome ways. We in America have been greatly blessed. We are free to serve our God however we want. Our founding fathers knew how important that would be. That is why the pilgrims come here. But we have not cared for this gift. “who are called by my name,” these were not just any people. These people had a calling on their lives. God doesn’t just call everyone. There are some who will never accept God. No matter who he is or what he does there is evil in this world that will always be there. He is not going to spend too much time on those who will never change. He has too many out there that he can reach, and who he will reach. They are a priority. He doesn’t expect others who aren’t Christians to pray. They are too proud and they don’t need or want any help. Many have made it clear that they don’t need, nor want God telling them what to do. They are their own God and serve themselves. But they also want us to be just like them. They do things that are sinful but since everyone’s doing it, it’s ok. We have gone with the crowd for so long. We can be filthy and not even see it. We have become complacent and lukewarm. We have gotten used to our sins and grown lazy. “will humble themselves and pray,” Get our minds off of ourselves and back on the God of the universe. The one who made us and knows us. The one who can help us. He knows what we need and he always wants the best for us. If we will just turn back to him, if we will see ourselves as God sees us. Totally ungrateful sinners. We are seeking our own pleasures not God. He has done so much for us and given us everything, even his beloved son. Just so we could be free from sin. One day he will ask us why we rejected him when he loved us so very much, but it will be too late. “and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,” we are an imperfect people. On our own we can do no good things. But we are called by him. He wants to help us. He wants us to seek him and want his ways. To help others and to see that their needs are met. We really need to want him in our lives. Because without him, all of him, we will never be satisfied and our world will keep falling. It’s already so bad that I want to hide in my room and never come out. It will only get worse. We need to turn away from sin for it to get better. “then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin.” To make an effort to sin no more. To obey his laws. If we make that effort he will forgive all our sins. See us as righteous before him. The people he died for and greatly loves. We need to change first if we want anything from him. “and I will heal their land.” This nation was at one time founded on the principles of God. We were a very blessed country. He did so much for us, but the sin of his people has brought us down. We are no longer that great and Godly country. Pride has taken over and we have rejected our first love. Younger generations have rejected the God of their parents. Serving themselves above all. They no longer need God. But our country is in deep trouble. So much violence and hatred. We need to wake up. Right now we need a cleaned up world and it needs to start with Christians. We can’t except non-Christians who don’t know him to help. This virus has been a wake up call and we better listen.

Do you want to see our land great again?

Communion

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“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 NIV

Communion is a very serious matter. Not to be taken lightly. Back when Moses helped to free the Israelites from the oppression in Egypt he went through so much to see God’s power. Ten times they we’re almost freed but Pharaoh hardened his heart and God showed his power. Finally he struck down the first born throughout Egypt. The Israelites were to put blood on their door posts so that the angel of the Lord would pass over their homes while destroying the first born in all homes. Passover was celebrated regularly afterwards and what they had come through was remembered. Jesus is the ultimate Passover lamb. A pure and spotless lamb who went to his death so we could be free. When we were dying in our sins and not very lovely he loved us and died in our place. Every time we take communion we need to remember what one innocent man did just so we could be saved from sin and death. Are we doing all we can to say thank you for this selfless gift? Are we doing all we can to let others know of this gift? To be a Christian is such an amazing gift, we are saying I want to be like Christ. Each day we should look in the mirror and see that we are becoming more like Jesus. So many think that they just need to say the sinners prayer, and their insurance policy is set in place. They no longer need to do anything. That may get you thru the gates but abundance of life will not be theirs. You will always struggle to get by, and to be blessed coming and going takes a sacrifice of our own. Doing what he has asked and living life his way will open so many more doors to abundance and fulfillment. His ways are good because he is good. He only wants what is best for us, but he won’t make us do anything. It doesn’t matter how good it is. We have to want it bad enough to do what God asks of us.

Is communion just a snack to you?

Anger

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“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV

It does not say to not get angry. We all naturally feel anger when someone is cruel, thoughtless or selfish. It says, when you are angry, do not sin. So being angry is not the sin. But what we do with that anger can be. Holding on to anger is like tying an anchor around you neck. It will only get heavier , dragging you down as long as you refuse to let it go. It really seems stupid if you think about it. I watched another movie the other night. I am sure you can see by now that I love to watch uplifting movies before I fall asleep at night. And I have had some really good nights of sleep lately. The people had some bad things happen to them that should have caused great bitterness , but instead they tried to find love and acceptance for the one who hurt them. Oh, it was not easy. One woman was shot by an attacker who became a very close friend. It turned his life around. Then when he was killed in an accident by someone who was mad at him his father had to learn how to forgive the man who killed his son. But in doing that he built a friendship with this man and his young daughter that was so special. Each person had to come to a place where they could see this anger was only hurting them and that it was giving the devil control. They had to make a decision to forgive. To forgive does not mean you forget, but gives you the peace to move forward. To think of someone with anger is the same thing to God as murder. It harms everyone involved. Anger and hate are wrong and they damage everyone. The devil loves it when we are angry because then he is in control. Whatever you do as long as it depends on you, be peaceable with all people. This is something Jesus said while he was alive and it is very good advice. The world we live in has enough hate and anger and we don’t need to add to it, we need to make this ugly world better and love, love freely. The attitude you hold onto does make a difference in yours and others happiness. Be a difference maker.

Do you need to forgive someone ?

The Gift

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“The reason why my father loves me is because I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and take it up again. This command I received from my father.” John 10:17&18 NIV

From the beginning they were there together. They knew all and had a plan to save all people and bring them back to themselves to live for eternity. What impresses me so much about this verse was that God put his son in control. Of course Jesus knew his father’s will but he also had final authority to make that decision himself. At any point he could have called for a hundred angels to come save him. So that they could not harm him. But he willingly laid down his life. He looked ahead to eternity and said, “they are worth it.” He kept that and the joy of his father in mind during everything. As he was being beaten and as he hung on the cross in great anguish we were on his mind. Family is so very important. I know as a parent my children came first, there wasn’t anything i wouldn’t do for them or their father. Well he looked at us that very same way and he knew that a perfect lamb had to be sacrificed for our sins for God to be able to be with us, his family forever. He was the only one who could do it. Not only did he go to his death willingly but he put up no objections or arguments. He forgave each and everyone who would do anything to bring about his death. As he hung there dying he saw the remorse and pain in the eyes of the criminal that hung next to him. He had done things worthy of death but he could also see his heart . He knew that he was sorry. He forgave him on the spot and promised him paradise. Even when he could have been thinking of himself he wasn’t. He was thinking of others. He knew they were all a part of God’s great plan. It was a perfect plan and each person’s actions were important to that plan. He saw the big picture. What it would mean to eternity. We see the small view. How could he do this? Why would his father want this? So much pain, hurting and suffering. But it was enough, it was brief compared to forever. I am so glad he made a way for me. A gift so precious that I will never take it for granted. I have so much respect and love for my savior. I get to know him more every day and I love him more and more.

Aren’t you glad for this gift, too?