( I apologize ahead of time for the inconsistent use of capital letters and lower. I'm on my note 3 and this is something that frustrates me...so for sake of time let my phone have its way today! Sorry)
COLOSSIANS 3:13
MANY PEOPLE TODAY HAVE INTERNAL BATTLES WITH LEARNING TO LOVE THOSE WHO HAVE HURT OR OFFENDED THEM IN THE PAST AND EVEN NOW.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN HURT YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
JESUS IS TELLING US IN THE VERSE ABOVE TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES!
YET MANY OF US HAVE THIS LITTLE VOICE IN OUR MINDS SAYING "YOU CANNOT LOVE THAT PERSON BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE"
THE SITUATION IS TOO HORRIFIC
SEXUAL ABUSE
ADULTERY
PHYSICAL ABUSE
MURDER
INSECURITIES FROM OUR PAST
REJECTION FROM PARENTS
ADOPTION(can be a huge struggle for many when they become adults)
THIS LIST CAN GO ON. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ITEM ON THIS LIST AND I KNOW MANY THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM SOMETHING ON THIS LIST AS WELL.
SOME PEOPLE TODAY ARE STILL RIDDLED WITH SELF HATRED AND SO VERY HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR AFFIRMATION.
OK NOW LET'S PUSH PAUSE ON THE FEELINGS THAT MAY BE COMING UP INSIDE YOU REGARDING YOUR PARTICULAR HURT.
WE NEED TO TAKE NOTE ON A FEW THINGS.
REMEMBER WE CANNOT FIX ANYONE BUT WE CAN LEARN TO FORGIVE AND THAT IS WHERE THE FREEDOM WILL BE FOUND. WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH OUR PAST SO WE CAN EXPERIENCE FREEDOM.
At the end of today's teaching devotional an activity will await you!
Write and reflect on the truth. I encourage you to grab some paper and a pen. Better yet a journal if you have one!
God wants us to learn to LOVE from afar and learn to release their offense to the cross.
We are in the season of lent and many are fasting or possibly giving up meat on Friday's.
During your fast ask God to reveal and help you with your past.
YOUR FAST WILL CREATE SPIRITUAL RESULTS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR PAST TO THE CROSS.
We need to trust in the power of the cross and for God to reveal their wrong to them.
PUT prayers behind that fast.
FACT:
Many people today go through the rituals of fasting or giving up yet they never gave up their hurt to the one that can Heal and restore.
God will teach us how to forgive and move on.
The power of the Easter season is truly miraculous.
I have seen one of my closest family members burned by another person's sin. When a person is wounded they HURT. I have seen this person learn to love and GIVE despite the wrong that they suffered.
MATTHEW 5:44 STATES
" I TELL YOU: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU"
I PROMISE THAT IF YOU TURN THIS LENT SEASON INTO A TIME FOR FASTING AND PURSUING THE HEALING IN ORDER TO EXTEND LOVE BACK YOU WILL EXPERIENCE YOUR PERSONAL RESURRECTION.
THE FACT THAT YOUR MARRIAGE DIED DOES NOT MEAN GOD CANNOT AND WILL NOT RESURRECT YOUR LIFE.
THE FACT THAT YOU NEVER MET YOUR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS DOES NOT MEAN THAT GOD WILL NOT RESURRECT AND BLESS YOUR CURRENT LIFE.
THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND TORMENTED DOES NOT MEAN THAT GOD WILL NOT RESTORE AND RESURRECT THAT BLEEDING HEART.
THE FACT THAT YOUR HUSBAND CHEATED ON YOU DOES NOT MEAN THAT GOD WILL NOT RESURRECT YOUR MARRIAGE.
CHRIST WENT TO THE CROSS FOR YOU AND YOU SHALL EXPERIENCE A NEW POSITION AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE THAT WILL PERMANENTLY CHANGE AND IMPROVE HOW YOU VIEW LIFE.
READ ABOVE TWO MORE TIMES PLEASE
A RESURRECTED OUTLOOK BEGINS IN YOUR MIND AND WE NEED TO GET OUR MIND INTO THE TRUTH, THE POWER IS IN THE PROMISES.
TAKE THE 4 STEPS BELOW AND LEARN TO LOVE PAST THE HURT
OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO COLOSSIANS 3:1-14
A PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR WOUND
1. REMEMBER YOUR IDENTITY
THIS EASTER SEASON: WHAT IS YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST. IT ALL STARTS HERE.
GO WRITE OUT COLOSSIANS 3:1
2. RENEW YOUR THOUGHT LIFE
WE MUST FOCUS OUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, WE MUST RISE ABOVE THE HURT AND GET ON THE NEXT CLOUD ABOVE IT. (YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING DOWN AT THAT HURT WITH A HIGHER PERSPECTIVE) KINDA LIKE CHRIST DID WHILE HANGING ON THE CROSS SHAKING HIS HEAD SAYING" FORGIVE THEM, THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING"
3. RECOGNIZE YOUR PAST AS DEAD
COLOSSIANS 3:3-7 WRITE OUT, CHANGE DOES NOT HAPPEN IF YOU MAINTAIN OLD THOUGHT PATTERNS.
4. RELEASE PAST HABITS DUE TO THE HURT
WRITE OUT COLOSSIANS 3: 8-11
TAKE OFF THE OLD, JUST LIKE GETTING RID OF OLD UNDIES, OR WHITE DINGY T-SHIRTS OR SOCKS WITH HOLES IN THEM. THROW THE PAST AWAY.
5 REPLACE WITH NEW HABITS
COLOSSIANS 3: 12-14
PLEASE WRITE OUT
GET RID OF THE OLD ONLY TO SUBSTITUTE WITH NEW.
during the season of lent and "giving up" ask the Lord what you need to give up and replace with a new habit!
The freedom and victory will come through the power of Christ!
Jesus ensures us victory by providing the resources we need by removing the hindrance and stripping the enemy of his own devices.
Remember religion and traditions are dead but the power of Christ through a relationship is real!
HOW ARE YOU EXPERIENCING CHRIST THIS EASTER SEASON?
WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION AND YOUR PAST WITH THE ONE WHO CAME FOR YOU HE LOVES YOU AND IS WAITING FOR YOU TO RUN TO HIM,
HE WILL QUENCH YOUR THIRST AND EVERY PAST INSECURITY.
Dear lord,thank you for not giving up on me. HELP ME TO LOVE THOSE WHO HAVE HURT ME AND TEACH ME TO LEARN HOW TO SEEK TOOLS TO RESTORE. I WANT TO HONOR YOU AND THOSE AROUND ME.
PS. DAD, if your reading today's blog, I know it's not easy to visit Florida again. But I am thankful that you have learned and continue to learn to put your past behind you. God loves you and may this be a great vacation with NEW memories! I love you xo
Today's blogging spot:
I love fresh basil candles and the quiet of the morning!
