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| All the days of my life may this be my song and my story. |
And trust me, I KNOOOOOWW from my own very real and present experience that this is easier said than done - but it is possible!! It is !! Definitely the harder and tougher way but also the much much better way!! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and then let Him guide you and follow His lead.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
May "Fred Hammond's - Breathe Into Me Oh Lord" minister to you like it has me!!
check it out here :).
So last month's blog titled "I tell you 490 times" was about us learning about forgiveness - and you can read that here to get the foundation of our lesson. Soon after, I came across these on my Desiring God daily devotions and I will share them to further cement our lesson, let's call this a follow up.
So we remember that no-matter what our emotions justify, we have been commanded to forgive.
God will help us, so let us all learn to let it all go....
How Christ Conquered Bitterness
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter2:23)
No one was more grievously sinned against than Jesus. Every ounce of animosity against him was fully undeserved.
No one has ever lived who was more worthy of honor than Jesus; and no one has been dishonored more.
If anyone had a right to get angry and be bitter and vengeful, it was Jesus. How did he control himself when scoundrels, whose very lives he sustained, spit in his face? 1 Peter 2:23 gives the answer.
What this verse means is that Jesus had faith in the future grace of God’s righteous judgment. He did not need to avenge himself for all the indignities he suffered, because he entrusted his cause to God. He left vengeance in God’s hands and prayed for his enemies’ repentance (Luke23:34).
Peter gives this glimpse into Jesus’ faith so that we would learn how to live this way ourselves. He said, “You have been called [to endure harsh treatment patiently] . . . because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
If Christ conquered bitterness and vengeance by faith in future grace, how much more should we, since we have far less right to murmur for being mistreated than he did?
Give God Your Revenge
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
Why is this such a crucial promise in overcoming our bent toward bitterness and revenge? The reason is that this promise answers to one of the most powerful impulses behind anger — an impulse that is not entirely wrong.
I can illustrate with an experience I had during my seminary days. I was in a small group for couples that began to relate at a fairly deep personal level. One evening we were discussing forgiveness and anger. One of the young wives said that she could not and would not forgive her mother for something she had done to her as a young girl.
We talked about some of the biblical commands and warnings concerning an unforgiving spirit.
- Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
- “If you do not forgive others . . . neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15)
But she would not budge. I warned her that her very soul was in danger if she kept on with such an attitude of unforgiving bitterness. But she was adamant that she would not forgive her mother.
The grace of God’s judgment is promised to us here in Romans 12 as a means of helping us overcome a spirit of revenge and bitterness.
Paul’s argument is that we should not take vengeance, because vengeance belongs to the Lord. And to motivate us to lay down our vengeful desires he gives us a promise — which we now know is a promise of future grace — “‘I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
The promise that frees us from an unforgiving, bitter, vengeful spirit is the promise that God will settle our accounts. He will do it more justly and more thoroughly than we ever could. Therefore we can back off and leave room for God to work.
One more thing, Guess what ??!!! I found out some super exciting news !!! Heather and Cornelius Lindsey of The Gathering Oasis church in Atlanta are coming down February 2017 !! Kenya are you READY!!! ( their trip includes Tanzania and Nigeria) They've both featured on here but more especially for me, their walk and obedience to Christ is one of the ministries God strongly used to point me to Him and lead me to salvation, so you can only imagine my joy !! - I'm having conversations with Jesus like you sure know how to surprise your girl! So I have no details about any of it - but the news is out and that's enough for me to get me praising!! Let's all keep praying about their plans and may God show up in such a mighty mighty strong way !!! Also check out his & her pages !! May they teach you, grow you, bless you and lead you to Jesus !!!Okay that's all for today, thanks for checking in, don't forget to look out for next months post!!! Aaaaahhhh **scream** - it's almost our Anniversary Jesus !!! Oh yea !!!!!!
Love, Ree.
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Ps: If you are ever in Nairobi and are looking for a church family to visit with, during your short or long stay. My church Eagle's Faith Christian Centre ( EFCC) would be privileged to host you! OR if you live in Nairobi and are looking for a church family or if you simply want to visit and send our love back to your home church family, get in touch with me for directions, or Get Directions Here !
