“I want you to know me  more than I want burnt offerings. But like Adam, you broke my covenant         and betrayed my trust.” Hosea 6:6-7

The heart of God is for us to know him. How can we, his creation, deny him this? Really?

This is the season of giving. So give something to somebody. If you don’t have money then that’s OK. Clean out a closet, clean out the garage, clean out something and give something away. God loves a cheerful giver! Instead of having a yard sale maybe you wanna give some of that stuff that you don’t want  to somebody that will treasure it. Think about it and be a blessing.

What must the father have been thinking with the expectation of the birth of his only begotten son? After the holy conception he must have been even more aware with more anticipation than even Mary who was soon to become the mother of Christ. He depended upon two earthly people to bring his precious son into the world, to raise him, to teach him, to love him and be what he could not be to Him…earthly human parents. What must the father have been thinking?

Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. And that no man comes to the Father except through Him. There are no other ways, no other salvation, no other peace and relationship with the Father except through our Lord Jesus Christ. People, even famous people, as well as other religions claim that there are “Many” ways to God. Well, there are many ways…to God’s judgment! It’s a horrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. But it’s love beyond compare to fall into the arms of the loving God made possible by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness is a One Way Street

Have you ever been wronged by someone? I mean really hurt to the core? It’s probably happened to all of us a time or two in our lives. The pain is worsened when someone close to us does it, such as family, friends or fellow Christians.

Natural human reactions can be revenge, anger, bitterness, or even disillusionment. We often protect ourselves by drawing away from the offender. This may lead to isolation from everyone into a self-imposed exile of loneliness.

Waiting for the offender to make things right is usually futile. The offender either doesn’t realize the damage they’ve done through their words or actions, or they just don’t care. Your suffering means nothing to the offender. They couldn’t care less! The injured one carries the hurt.

The Lord Jesus showed us a higher way. He taught us by example to forgive. He said, as He hung on the cross dying,

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34NLT)

I’ve had to forgive on occasion. When I was a young minister living on faith, my prescription glasses were stolen from the dashboard of my vehicle. I believed it was done by some neighborhood teens though I couldn’t be sure. The loss hurt me badly. I asked myself, “Why’d they steal my prescription glasses? They’re no good to anybody but me, and I need them to drive.”

The more I thought about it the angrier I got. I couldn’t replace them at the time so it began to eat at me on the inside. Finally, I took it to the Lord. He told me in my Spirit that I must forgive them.

“Forgive them? I asked. They haven’t asked my forgiveness.” On that day I learned how forgiveness is a one-way street. When Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, they had not asked for forgiveness. Jesus would have never forgiven them if their asking were the prerequisite. No. Not only did He forgive them, He also did not hold it to their account.

So, I had to forgive those boys. I prayed from my heart for Father to forgive them, and then I took the extra step as led by the Spirit. I prayed, “Father, I give my glasses to those boys. The glasses now belong to them. They can’t steal their own glasses, so Father don’t hold it to their account.”

As I released the glasses to them, forgiveness was released, and a remarkable thing happened. The hurt, anger, and bitterness, from which I suffered, were released as well. I was freed from the hurt that was eating me up. Though they never asked my forgiveness and never knew I had forgiven them, in God’s eyes it was official. They were forgiven and I was free! I released the grudge I was carrying.

So if you should find yourself walking down Bitterness Road, or Betrayal Lane, having been wronged, stop and turn right on Forgiveness Way. It will lead you away from the Angry Acres gated community, to the land of peace.

Remember, there is no going back because Forgiveness is a one-way street!

Pray for the tornado victims and their families.

 “Cleanse yourselves, purity your thoughts and deeds for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Quicker than the lightning strikes from the east to the west. To those who are watching and waiting for His coming is a joyful event. To those who aren’t, His coming will be like a terrible swift sword. – gene

Do you see the worst in people or the best in people. Most of us see the worst in people, and it’s easy because it sometimes jumps out at us. But most people have a good side as well. Aside that the public doesn’t often see. When Jesus looks at us of course he knows all he knows our faults. But if you were to sit down and speak with him and let him appraise you I dare say he would never mention one of your faults nor one of your feelings. He will find the good things and you and even give you examples of when you displayed those good things. So don’t be afraid to come before him or one day will all go before his judgment seat because as a child of God and is a born-again Christian the good for outweighs the bad and he will help us to overcome the bed if we ask him.See yourself like he sees you, a precious child of God.

After God miraculously saved Daniel in the lions den, King Darius made the following decree: 

“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” ( Daniel 6:26-27)

So if you are in, or about to be in, a lions den of this world…look up to God. He is your source, your protector, your Savior.

To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus

That’s all I ask, To be like him.

All through life’s journey, from earth to glory.

That’s all I ask, to be like him.