BE RESTORED

Those that make God their Joy may rejoice in hope for he is faithful that has promised. -Henry

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:12

Have you been missing the joy of your salvation? Let me share with you one great truth, The Joy Giver hasn’t went anywhere. If you are missing the joy of your salvation it’s because sin is in your life. It needs to be dealt with. It needs to be confessed and forsaken. You need to repent of those sins that are keeping God’s joy from flooding your soul!

What sin is keeping you from rejoicing in the joy of your salvation? What sin will keep you from enjoying God’s wonderful salvation? Is it the sin of worry? Is it the sin of unbelief? Is it the sin of jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, or hatred? Don’t let something rob you of the joy you have in salvation! Be restored unto the joy of thy salvation by repenting of the sin you are holding on to!

BE FORGIVING

They, who forgive most, shall be most forgiven. –Bailey

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22

With seven being the number of completion, one would think forgiving someone seven times would be quite generous. However, Jesus said, “Nope!” In fact, His example of seventy times seven was just that, an example of a limitless forgiveness. Just like that of our Saviour!

Husbands and Wives, Moms and Dads, Sons and Daughters, Church Members and Pastors, etc, be reminded of how much Jesus forgave us when He saved us. But also be reminded we did not quit sinning when we got saved, we still do. And Jesus will continue to forgive you, if you ask! As He does, we should to! We should forgive those that defraud, defame, or destroy our trust! Don’t do it for them! Don’t do it for yourself! Forgive them for the Lord!

BITTERNESS KILLS

            Bitterness ends relationships that would otherwise benefit everyone and would bring honor to the Lord.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15

            There is a cure all for bitterness and that cure all is forgiveness. When we don’t forgive we are not displaying God’s grace in our life. When we don’t forgive it grieves the Spirit in us. When we don’t forgive, it will end friendships. When we don’t forgive, it will rob us of God’s favor in our life. When we don’t forgive, it has the potential of killing us!

            If you want to live a fruitful, productive, and Christ honoring life, you better learn to forgive. Forgive quick, often, and as much as Jesus has forgiven you!

GOD WILL EXPOSE BITTERNESS

Life events will either make you bitter or better, your reactions to them is what makes the difference.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:14-16

            I recently had a text from a man whom I once looked up to. When I received the text I was like, “Thank you”, and I went on with my day. But what transpired over the next 12 hours was the most convicting thing that I have had happen in quite some time. My response went from “Thank you” to “Why did he text me?” “Why is he bothering me?” Wow! I didn’t understand what God was doing in my life because in all honesty, I had not given much thought to the whole situation in a long time. What I didn’t know was there was a root of bitterness toward this man.

            I prayed, I stayed awake that night, and I got up way early for me. Something was going on and I didn’t understand it. What is one to do but to call trusted a friend to get them to pray for you? As always, God will use true friends to help you look through all of the foggy mess Satan would love to get you caught up in. They will direct you to scripture. Yes, the Word of God speaks very much on this matter. It will direct you to what you need to do—Matthew 5:23-24. That is what I had to do—I had to call the man and ask for his forgiveness and to tell him I have forgiven him.

            Child of God, everyone is impacted by life events. How we respond is what makes the difference in our life and the lives of others. Will you remain with bitterness in your heart, tearing down friendships you never intended to tear down or will you become better by forgiving, setting yourself free? And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31

I CHOOSE TO FORGIVE

It is a man's peculiar duty to love even those who wrong him. –Antoninus

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

By choosing to forgive those who have wronged you shows the love of God to that person and those familiar with the situation. It’s totally against the eye for an eye and tooth for tooth mentality. It’s sharing the Gospel in the most practical way and that is the greatest duty we have o n this Earth!— Come and see, Go and tell!

JUST LOVE YOUR SPOUSE!

Sometimes it’s hard to love your spouse—love them anyway!        

            Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Colossians 3:18-19

            Compared to sticking it out, it is easy to throw the towel in, give up, and get a divorce. What’s hard is sticking with the low down dirty dog of a husband. What’s hard is loving your wife as Christ loved the church. What’s hard is forgiving one another and growing in God’s grace together. I often wonder when I hear of a couple going through tough times if they’ve considered what if Jesus would’ve given up on them as quick as they give up on their spouse.

Hey Hubby, love her through it. Hey Wifey, love Him through it! When you do you will be showing one another a side of the Lord Jesus you have never experienced before!