Forgiveness

Forgiveness has been on my heart lately.  It is a key concept in my walk with Jesus. His forgiveness is the base of salvation.  I have been brought to tears many times this week thinking of all the offenses I have committed against Him and all the times His blood has counted me forgiven! Wow! Not just forgiven but righteous! His word says justified (Romans 5:9) Justified = just as if I hadn’t sinned! Forgiveness is everything. It is the core of the Gospel.

                You see I know who I was before Jesus. I was a drunk, home wrecker, druggie, lost, blind, decaying soul. I was totally in the darkness.  I was going full speed headed straight into the pit of hell. Then Jesus, aw precious Jesus, heard my cries.  He came down and picked me up. He held me in His mighty arms and breathed life back into my nostrils. He took my heart of stone and put in His heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26) He forgave me.  I know how much I desperately needed His forgiveness. I saw how Holy and Righteous He is and I saw how much I needed Him. He saved my life! I can never forget where I came from. If I forget where I was, then it makes it easy to judge others who are there.   How could I ever judge someone who is in chains to drugs when that was once me? I must always remember that it’s by Gods grace and mercy I am free from those chains that once entangled me.  Not only am I now free but I am called to help free others! “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18)   What an amazing task that God is calling me to do. Everyone knows what the Bible says about judging others, even none Christians know that verse, but unless I know where I came from, who saved me, and why I am saved, than I can’t be free from criticizing others.

                The Bible says forgive others as Christ has forgiven me. (Matt 6:14) it isn’t until I understand how Jesus has forgiven me am I able to forgive others.  So again, the answer is found at the cross! The precious cross.  When I struggle with forgiving someone I need to go before the cross.  I need to remember who I was, who He is, and what my purpose is!

Jesus~

Dear Lord, Thank you!! I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for your forgiveness Father. I know I deserve death by sinning against you and your commandments but your blood paid the price I could never pay.  Thank you Jesus for your obedience unto death! Lord, help me when I struggle to forgive others.  Father, I know you want me to show them your love and I mess that up when I hold onto bitterness. Forgive me. Please help me to always keep my purpose in front of my sights. Help me to always see the cross before everything. Thank you Lord for allowing me to go and share this great news with others. Help me to not mess it up. I love you Father!

In Jesus Name

Amen.

Tis the Season!

It snowed on us again; A lot of snow too.  I know it is still winter however; I am ready for summer.  I would be happy if we skipped spring all together and went straight to 80 degrees.  Living in North Idaho I get to experience all four seasons.  This is one thing that draws many people to this area; they love it. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I hate winter. Spring and fall are tolerable. Don’t get me wrong they are beautiful. Each season has wonderful qualities but to me, I would rather it to just always be summer. I love summer! I love the heat, swimming, camping, bbqs, the long days and warm nights. Summer is my comfort zone. It is where I feel I belong the most, in the sun, but it isn’t always summer. Actually, summer is only three of the twelve months. The majority of the year I am not comfortable. I find this ironically similar to my walk with God lately. I am definitely in a season that I am not fond of.

The season is of change. It’s of uncertainty and the unknown. It’s a season of being uncomfortable and fearful. Unlike the weather seasons, I don’t know what to expect. For example, I hate winter but in the fall I prepare for it. I buy snow tires and warm clothes and make sure everything I have control over is taken care of.  The seasons in our life sadly, are not always like that. The other day I read in Ecclesiastes 3

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace

Now, I have read this before but it takes on a new meaning when I’m going through one of those seasons. Not the summer ones but the winter. Certain areas of my life seem to be dying. This is painful and sad; however there are also areas of new exhilarating life growing. I have been truly blessed watching the new unfold. Seeing how God is using me, and calling me into His ministry is thrilling. This new life is refreshing and stimulating, but I still get sad when I see the other aspects of my life that are disappearing.  I know God is growing me and it’s uncomfortable right now.  I know there are areas in my life that need to die.  It doesn’t make it hurt any less. The truth is I don’t care for the season I am in right now. It is hard therefore; I will keep clinging to my Father.  Praise God, He is ALWAYS the same! A strong tower, a shelter (Psalm 61:3) I need a strong tower in this season. I need His shelter. I need His strength and His peace. I praise God that I can run into the safety of His arms through this rainy period. I tell Him I don’t like season and He tells me that it is ok; I don’t have to like it, I just have to trust Him. Honestly I do trust Him, so I rejoice knowing that He is in charge. His word tells me He goes before me and I have no reason to fear (Deut 31:8) I might not like the seasons but I love the one in charge of them! I love the one who even the winds listen to him! (Mark 4:41) And, I know that soon it will be summer again, even if it doesn't last long J