I am sorry_ 1 Peter 4:7-11

If you really want to manifest God's love and grace in your life, you must learn to forgive, and to ask for forgiveness.

It is one of the shortest sentences, yet it's one of the hardest to say -- "I am sorry". Why? I guess it's because of the fear of rejection, the anticipation of the loss of face, of having to take on a submissive stance rather than having the "upperhand" which is encouraged in this day and age.

I recently said, "I am sorry" to someone I offended.  A few months ago, I was adamant that he should say sorry to me, because I was the offended one. But the anticipation of having to come face-to-face with that person in a few weeks was bearing down my heart.  Then, sentences began forming in my mind, like how they should be written in a letter.  I swatted them away like they were pesky flies every time they came buzzing in my mind. As they became more persistent, I knew that God was directing me to write. Finally, I had to surrender to God's insistence.  I began to write with the mindset to also tell that person how he had offended me, but God directed me to simply ask for forgiveness.

When we ask for forgiveness we cannot shoot back at the person and say, "I'm sorry but you were the reason I did it in the first place." When that person reacts in the way you didn't expect, you get even more offended. Humility, complete and utter humility, is what God desires for us. The response of that other person to your "I'm sorry" is inconsequential. What is most important is your obedience.

Lord God, thank you for showing me through Your son, Jesus, how to be humble and obedient.  It's really very hard, because pride always gets in the way.  Please help me weaken my pride and strengthen my meekness.

He Waits for Me

Then the music starts. I struggle through the darkness, through briers with claws that wound me. I walk out to a clearing and there on a hill He waits for me. Light envelopes me in His embrace. I slowly sit, rest my head on his lap, and cry: Jesus Lord, I am so tired! Jesus Lord, I am bothered, I am dismayed; I am anxious. I am in pain. I have doubts and I have sinned Please forgive me. I don’t know what to do. Then, I feel His hand on my forehead He strokes my hair, and says: I have taken all that, and its okay; Your sin? I have taken it away; I died for you because I love you. Do not be afraid. In the early morning hour I find my way into His glorious presence -- My King, my Saviour, my Friend; He waits for me as the music starts. "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3 Written 100218// Posted on momofmultitudes.blogspot.com October 2, 2018

Hate vs Love

Hate is "in". Love is "out". Meanness and vindictiveness are trending. Unknowingly, or knowingly, even Christians have been deceived that it's okay to hate because "it is right". Jesus followers, however, are called to love. Remember ,"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." -1 John 4:20-21 This is one sign of the end of the age found in Matthew 24:10-13. "At that time ,many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Let's not let love grow cold. Let's love even those who are unlovable, that one person who is like sandpaper, that person who is malicious, that person who has crossed the line too many times, that person who has committed a sin even you cannot forgive. Why? Because, hey! That person was created by God and Jesus died for her too. 
Photo credit: www.paulhorton.wordpress.com