Thursday Devotional
Oct 29, 2015 09:25:25 #
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
If you have trouble forgiving, I will cite two incidence in my life that may help you.
To be able to forgive does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. It is a blessing, because it is not always easy. Forgiving yourself can sometimes be the most difficult. What I experienced may help you. It was always easy for me to forgive, believe me - that is a blessing! Forgiving myself was another story, until I was talking to the Lord about it. I clearly heard Him say, "If I can forgive you, WHO ARE YOU to not forgive yourself?" What a difference that made.
Another situation arose in my life that caused a particularly deep hurt. It was the type of hurt that left me feeling wounded, and that takes an effort to heal. This type of hurt usually comes from someone you respect, someone you feel close to - like a relative. That's when you need the help of a higher power. Call on the Lord, He can lead you to a solution.
In my case a close relative became sarcastic, and mean, and I had no idea why. Eventually, in confrontation, the reason was discussed and resolved. Knowing why and resolving it made it easier to understand, yet a wound remained. The Lord lead me to daily repeat the 23rd Psalm. When I came to verse 5, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." I would visualize sharing that cup with her. It took a while, but eventually that wound was healed.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
If you have trouble forgiving, I will cite two incidence in my life that may help you.
To be able to forgive does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. It is a blessing, because it is not always easy. Forgiving yourself can sometimes be the most difficult. What I experienced may help you. It was always easy for me to forgive, believe me - that is a blessing! Forgiving myself was another story, until I was talking to the Lord about it. I clearly heard Him say, "If I can forgive you, WHO ARE YOU to not forgive yourself?" What a difference that made.
Another situation arose in my life that caused a particularly deep hurt. It was the type of hurt that left me feeling wounded, and that takes an effort to heal. This type of hurt usually comes from someone you respect, someone you feel close to - like a relative. That's when you need the help of a higher power. Call on the Lord, He can lead you to a solution.
In my case a close relative became sarcastic, and mean, and I had no idea why. Eventually, in confrontation, the reason was discussed and resolved. Knowing why and resolving it made it easier to understand, yet a wound remained. The Lord lead me to daily repeat the 23rd Psalm. When I came to verse 5, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." I would visualize sharing that cup with her. It took a while, but eventually that wound was healed.
Oct 30, 2015 02:26:12 #
BearK wrote:
b Ephesians 4:32 /b br br Be kind to one anoth... (show quote)
Be totally honest with one another. Do not feel like being kind or gentle, say so. But learn how to say so. The "fruits" of the spirit are not rules of behavior. Making them so shuts out the spirit.
Oct 30, 2015 08:11:22 #
fiatlux wrote:
Be totally honest with one another. Do not feel like being kind or gentle, say so. But learn how to say so. The "fruits" of the spirit are not rules of behavior. Making them so shuts out the spirit.
Someone who feels deep pain of spirit needs a kind and gentle soul to console them. The harsh realities of life can break the weak, and you will not lift them up by giving your honest opinion, mainly because you DO NOT KNOW every single aspect of their pain.
No one gives you the right to be judge and jury and spout what you feel is HONEST. As a Christian friend, it is up to you to try lift them not judge them or their situation.
Nov 3, 2015 03:08:23 #
BearK wrote:
Someone who feels deep pain of spirit needs a kind and gentle soul to console them. The harsh realities of life can break the weak, and you will not lift them up by giving your honest opinion, mainly because you DO NOT KNOW every single aspect of their pain.
No one gives you the right to be judge and jury and spout what you feel is HONEST. As a Christian friend, it is up to you to try lift them not judge them or their situation.
No one gives you the right to be judge and jury and spout what you feel is HONEST. As a Christian friend, it is up to you to try lift them not judge them or their situation.
Sorry, I guess I misspoke. I never give my honest opinion of anyone because it is impossible to know them that well. And I should have mentioned how very much I appreciated what you said before leaving my comments. An excellent piece, thank you.
What I was attempting to say was the need for an honest expression of feelings among the fellowship, not about how we see, think, or feel about another but our own wrongs, failings, and defects that keep us from bearing all those fruits of the spirit. Too often, in my experience, Christians will act kind, gentile, and long-suffering rather than honor another with admitting their inability to cope with the situation; both can heal in that. It is not blame or complaint about the other; it is simply confessing we do not presently have the wherewithal to properly help.
Nov 3, 2015 09:10:08 #
fiatlux wrote:
Sorry, I guess I misspoke. I never give my honest ... (show quote)
Thank you so very much. If an experience I've had helps another, I feel I am doubly blessed. Thank you, again.
Too often we are asked our honest opinion on a subject, and it would be so easy to say, "That is absolutely stupid." Particularly, if that is what we think. More often than not, the inquiring party has more on their mind than what they are saying. None of us are mind readers, therefore, before blurting out our original thoughts, it may be wise to ask more probing questions, and attempt to develop a better feel of where they are coming from. After that process, if we still have the same inclination - we can think of ways to word our thoughts that may not be so harsh or condescending.
Nov 5, 2015 05:26:36 #
BearK wrote:
Thank you so very much. If an experience I've had... (show quote)
Well put, Beark, such thinking is desperately needed in the fellowship.
Nov 5, 2015 08:21:40 #
fiatlux wrote:
Well put, Beark, such thinking is desperately needed in the fellowship.
On OPP, we too often snap at someone we disagree with, but seldom apologize. Most of us really do not know that person well enough to understand where that individual is coming from, and we may be having a bad day. That's no real excuse, but it happens. I have snapped at you, and I may have been too quick on the draw. I am big enough to apologize, I'm sorry.
Nov 7, 2015 03:59:29 #
BearK wrote:
On OPP, we too often snap at someone we disagree with, but seldom apologize. Most of us really do not know that person well enough to understand where that individual is coming from, and we may be having a bad day. That's no real excuse, but it happens. I have snapped at you, and I may have been too quick on the draw. I am big enough to apologize, I'm sorry.
Um, thank you. No need really; I was not clear but I do appreciate it.
Nov 14, 2015 06:43:43 #
BearK wrote:
On OPP, we too often snap at someone we disagree with, but seldom apologize. Most of us really do not know that person well enough to understand where that individual is coming from, and we may be having a bad day. That's no real excuse, but it happens. I have snapped at you, and I may have been too quick on the draw. I am big enough to apologize, I'm sorry.
Devotional are to be directed towards God not man. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. God give us strength to keep our eyes on our inheritance.
Nov 14, 2015 09:00:45 #
iFrank wrote:
Devotional are to be directed towards God not man. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. God give us strength to keep our eyes on our inheritance.
The actions of men will show where their hearts are, and if our hearts are with Him, then we (indirectly, in our small way) are attempting to glorify Him.
Nov 14, 2015 09:07:45 #
BearK wrote:
The actions of men will show where their hearts are, and if our hearts are with Him, then we (indirectly, in our small way) are attempting to glorify Him.
The devotional prayers are to praise him, love Him, and seek Him, that my goal, don't mind me for posting on your topic.
Nov 14, 2015 12:23:32 #
iFrank wrote:
The devotional prayers are to praise him, love Him, and seek Him, that my goal, don't mind me for posting on your topic.
Your posts are appreciated, all suggestions on praising the Lord are worthwhile. Thank you.
Nov 14, 2015 12:33:48 #
BearK wrote:
Your posts are appreciated, all suggestions on praising the Lord are worthwhile. Thank you.
May the good Lord bless and keep you healthy and safe in these end time, because these days are full of evil. Sincerely, iFrank.
Nov 16, 2015 00:59:22 #
iFrank wrote:
Devotional are to be directed towards God not man. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. God give us strength to keep our eyes on our inheritance.
And LIKE UNTO IT, love your neighbor as yourself. Our "inheritance" is not heaven; it is selfless service to the least of these. Heaven is a selfish distraction.
Nov 16, 2015 03:58:17 #
fiatlux wrote:
And LIKE UNTO IT, love your neighbor as yourself. Our "inheritance" is not heaven; it is selfless service to the least of these. Heaven is a selfish distraction.
Heaven is where God is. Who is our neighbour, when Moses killed his "neighbour" for defending his brethren, the children of Israel, and Moses smite him. Acts 2:22-28.
Yes Matt 19:19 says to love thy neighbor as yourself, but who really is your neighbour in these end times. Decern who is your neighbor because many are wolves in sheep's clothing.
Our inheritance is God in heaven, if you make it to Heaven, then you made it to God.
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