Friday, August 24, 2012

Forgiveness...(Compiled)


" Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and handcuffs of hate. It is the power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness” (Corrie Ten Boon)
" Forgiveness does not change the past,
but it does enlarge the future."
" Only the truly forgiven are truly forgiving." (C.S. Lewis)
" Forgiveness offers tremendous personal blessing."
“ Forgiveness is not an emotion, it's a decision.”
" If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
(Matthew 6:14-15)
" Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)

" HOW TO FIND FORGIVENESS THROUGH GOD'S GRACE, MERCY, AND LOVE "
(A Devotional)
Forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply will probably be one of the hardest things you will ever do. The freedom you will experience when you do finally forgive will be worth all the pain and effort it requires! Ultimately, offering true forgiveness cannot be accomplished without outside help... and that help has to come from God, who is the prime example of Forgiveness!

* Acknowledge that you are as imperfect a person as the one who has hurt you. You too are in need of being forgiven by people you might have hurt in some way. You too need forgiveness from a perfect God. That puts you on the same level with the perpetrator / other person.

* Try to understand the other person; ask yourself what kind of suffering has occurred in his/her life; what kind of struggles has this person gone through that has made her hurt you so badly. Perhaps this person was abused at some point in his or her life.

* Recognize that as long as you stay angry at this person, he or she will have power over you. Your perpetrator might long have forgotten the injury inflicted on you, while you are allowing anger to seep the life out of you.

* Ask God to help you in this process. Think of the forgiveness He offers you through His son, Jesus... a totally free gift, which neither you nor I deserve! He asks us to pass this forgiveness on to our fellow human beings; not an easy task, yet He asks it of us and He knows that if we do that, we will find incredible peace and freedom!

* Let go any desire for revenge. It is God's domain. Only He knows what this person actually deserves. Inflicting revenge will only make you feel better for a fleeting moment. Ultimately, it will make you feel much worse. 
Realize that you might have to forgive your perpetrator more than once! Sometimes you need to make a conscious decision to forgive on a daily basis. Realize too, that you forgive with your will and not with your emotions. You will not necessarily be relieved of the pain you are experiencing, but you will have a great deal of peace and even self-respect when you are able to let go and release the perpetrator.Your past hurts may still linger but your heart will soon be free.Pray and believe that God will mend your heart in His perfect timing.

If you are still feeling hate towards the perpetrator and indulging in fantasies of revenge, the process of forgiveness might not be as far along as you thought. The freedom you find when you are able to forgive will be worth it!
Don't give up!!

(THE BIBLE SAYS...)
Jesus was asked
"How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me?
Is seven times enough?"
Jesus answered:"Not just seven times but seventy times seven!"
(Matthew 18:21-22)


" Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)

" Forgiven.... Forever ! "
(A touching story for the Heart...)
"For as high as the heavens are above the, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalms 103:11-12
I was staring at the computer screen when I heard my favorite little voice say, "Mommy?" I turned to look at my sweet daughter and she said, "I sorry I lock you out of the bathroom last night." She was referring to an incident a few days earlier in which she had gotten angry with me and locked me out of the bedroom. After the appropriate discipline and discussion, we had hugged and made up. So, why was she asking for forgiveness again?

I looked at her and told her, "Honey, it is okay. You know not to lock Mommy out of the room now. You don't have to keep saying you are sorry." And then it struck me.... how like my daughter am I? How many times do I go before the Lord and ask forgiveness for the same things? Why do I feel like I have to ask, ask and ask again for God's forgiveness for past sins?

It was humbling to know that my daughter needed assurance of my forgiveness and of my love for her. Is that what we are seeking when we ask God to forgive our sins again?
In Matthew 7:9-12, Jesus tells us, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven good gifts, to those who ask him!"

Jesus wastes no words in telling us that even we, with all our failings and sinful nature, love our children and give them good things. God, who is perfect and holy, loves us and gives us the same things. I know that I love my daughter more than life itself. I also know that this love is only the very tiniest tip of the iceberg of the love God has for you and me. It is hard to fathom, but it is true. And, I know that even though she may make me angry at her behavior, that I forgive her - always.

God's word tells us that he forgives our sins, if we ask him. Always...period. His word assures us of that. In Luke 11:9-10 Jesus tells us, "So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Ask, and it will be given...not half given...or half-forgiven until we ask some more.

Just as I forgave my daughter, and will do so again when she asks, God forgives me when I ask.... forever !
(THE UNFORGIVEN SERVANT)
Jesus told this Story...
The Kingdom of God is like a king who decided to collect the money his servants owed him.
when the King began to collect his money. a servant who owed him several thousand pounds was brought to him.

But the servant did not have enough money to pay his master, the King.
So the master ordered that everything the servant owned should be sold,
even the servants wife and children
then the money would be used to pay the King what the servant owed.
But the servant fell to his knees and begged,"Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything I owe".
The master felt sorry for his servant and told him he did not have to pay it back,
Then he let him Go free.
Later that same servant found another servant who owed him a few pounds.
The servant grabbed him around the neck and said,"Pay me the money you owe me!.

The other servant fell on his knees and begged him.
"Be patient with me and I will pay you everything I owe".

But the first servant refused to be patient. He threw the other servant into prison
until he could pay everything he owed. 

When the other servants saw what had happened they were very sorry.
So they told went and told their master all that had happened
Then the master called his servant in and Said.
"you evil servant! Because you begged me to forget what you owed, I told you that you did not have to pay anything
You should have shown mercy to that other servant, just as I showed mercy to you."

The master was very Angry and put the servant in prison to be punished until he could pay everything he owed.

This King did what my heavenly Father will do to you if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart." (Matthew 18:23-35) 
3 Reasons to forgive:::
#1) Because Jesus has forgiven us or our sins.
#2) Because resentment controls me.
#3) Because I will need more forgiveness.

4 simple steps on how to forgive:::
* By Relinquishing my right to get even.
* By Responding to evil with good.
* By Repeating these steps as long as necessary.
* By Rescuing others with the good news of God's forgiveness.


" FORGIVENESS "
(Something to think about...)

I was driving down the road the other day when I saw a sign in front of a church. It said, "Forgive your enemies. It messes with their minds." As I read this sign I felt a smile come to my lips, a feeling of delight come to my heart, and a long, deep laugh come from my belly. When I finally stopped laughing at the joyous humor on this sign I realized something. What it said couldn't be more true.

A person whose mind is full of anger, after all, gives anger to the world and expects anger in return. In the same way a person whose heart is full of hate, shares that hate with the world and expects hate in return. Likewise a person whose soul is full of hurting passes that hurt on to the world and expects to be hurt again in return. It is a horrible and vicious cycle that eventually destroys the person’s life and harms everyone he touches.

It is forgiveness that breaks this cycle, however. It is forgiveness that messes up the mind full of anger and shows it that there is another way to live. When you forgive another you keep your own mind full of peace, your own heart full of love, and your own soul full of joy. When you forgive another you pass these precious gifts along to them as well. When you forgive another you live the way that God meant for you to live and you show everyone around you how a Child of God can make this world a better and more loving place.

Most of us don't spend too much time thinking about forgiveness; we worry, instead, about the injustices we have suffered and the people who inflicted them. God has a better plan: He wants us to live in the present, not the past, and He knows that in order to do so, we must forgive those who have harmed us.We must ask ourselves have we made forgiveness and letting go of our hurts a high priority in our hearts...If we ask God to help us with forgiveness, He will give us the wisdom and the strength to do so.

Keep on forgiving others then. Keep on loving them.Show them love from your heart. Keep on living the life that God meant for you to live. If you have to do it seventy times seven times then do so happily. God never stops forgiving us. Why should we ever stop forgiving others...
(Compliled) 

It's better to give than receive...


Hi family and friends,
Praise the Lord!!
It is always better to give than to receive.

When we give people the best we have we bless them.
Let's today choose to give our time, love, talents and all that we can give to people around us.
Let's spend time with the lonely, share our blessings with those in need of it.
Let's love others with the love of Christ.
Let's love even people who treat us rude.
Christ.s love will help the lost to find Christ and change the hearts of the rebellious.
Let's 'give', 'give' and give'!!!
Have a blessed weekend,
YSIC,
Julia

"BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE"
(Something to think about...)
A young man, a student in one of our universities, was one day taking a walk with a professor, who was commonly called the student's friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.
As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day's work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them."

"My young friend," answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him."
The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around, and looked at it again and again.
He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. "Now," said the professor, are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?"

The youth replied, "You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before: "It's more blessed to give than to receive."
" LIFE IS A MIRACLE "

Life is a miracle
Don't let it slip away,
Open your heart to others
Give of yourself each day.

See the beauty in everyone
Regardless of where they've been,
Some have a difficult journey
And really need a friend.

Share your gifts and talents
Listen with your heart.
Do the things you dream about
But don't have time to start.

Pick a bouquet of flowers
Show someone that you care,
Be gracious and forgiving
Life is never fair.

Hold on to your courage
You may need it down the road,
We all have a cross to bear
It could be a heavy load.

If you practice all these things
No matter where you roam,
You may find both sun and rain
But you'll never feel alone !
(Poet Unknown)

Move me out of the way Lord...~Norris K. Oler~


Hi family and friends,
Good Morning from India.
May this day be blessed.
Let's trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, with all our hearts.
Let His presence go ahead of us.
Trusting in God..
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
may not always remove the hurdles we face or make mountains smaller.
But it sure make our walking, running & climbing easier.
We may be walking a desert pathway or on a narrow road,
but when our trust is on Our Saviour & Lord JESUS CHRIST,
we know it finally leads to the beautiful place (Heaven).
Sure...I know I couldn't have made it this far without JESUS, HE SURE make it easier for me...because His presence makes the problem and pain easier to handle.
The HOLY SPIRIT has been an ever present helper.
Satan does come to steal, kill & destroy...but Our LORD gives life abundantly!!!!
When I'm weak HE'S MY STRENGTH,
When I falter, He steadies me...
When I fall..& cry out to HIM, He picks me up!!!!!
Yes through the trials we are perfected.....
So because of JESUS (Yeshua) I can smile through my pain!!!!!
There were times in the past I have tried to do things my way.
But it was when I let God take over I found true peace,
I will trust in My Lord JESUS Christ at all times.
Here below is a poem that blessed me.
Be Blessed,
Julia
Move me out of the way Lord.
   
I run to the front
To take the control
But in the end
It's harm to my soul.

I must be in charge
I think I know best
"It's my life," I say.
I'm leading the quest.


Who knows me better
Than I know me
Though you look
You do not see.

There's only one
Who truly sees me
He knows who I am
And who I could be

   
The author and finisher
Of my holy faith
The love of my life
He receives all my praise

He truly sees me
The intent of my heart
He understands all
He sees not in part
The depth of His love
For this wretched mean
It boggles my mind
So I don't understand

Why I insist
On running my life
When in the end
It cuts like a knife



When I look upon
The wreckage I've wrought
It all came to ruin
It all came to naught
It's come to the point
Where All I can say
Is move me, dear Lord
Move ME out of the way

  
Make me decrease
Make me small
Make me, in the end
The least of all

Subdue my ego
O' Lord bind my pride
Have your way, Father
Just move me aside

To you be the glory
Creator of life
The author of peace
Moderator of strife
    
Flesh cries to be seen
Pride desires to be known
But I know the glory
Is yours alone.

So, Lord hear my plea and answer me true.
Keep me from running ahead of you.
Move me to the rear, drive me to my knees.
Lead me to the light, move me Father, please.
~Norris K. Oler~

Gossip-Free Zone


This is what the Bible tell us about GOSSIP!
Proverbs 11:13A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Proverbs 16:28A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 20:19A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 
Here below is an e-mail I received that blessed me.
Stay Blessed..
Julia

 Gossip-Free Zone
 A man who bears falswitness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. —Proverbs 25:18
In some offices, you can get fired for gossiping. According to a 2002 survey, the average employee gossips 65 hours a year. One Chicago firm decided to become a "gossip-free zone." They require that employees never talk badly about co-workers behind their backs. If you're caught, you lose your job.
A ministry for people in the entertainment industry takes a refreshing alternative to gossip. They combat it with prayer. Instead of putting down famous people who get in trouble with bad choices, they encourage people to pray for them.
Among God's commands to His people is "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Ex. 20:16). While this may be talking primarily about lying at judicial proceedings, gossip could also be included in the command because it violates the law of love toward our neighbor. Proverbs uses strong language to describe this use of our words. It's like "a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow" against others (25:18).
Gossip feeds into our natural desires to feel superior to others and to belong or fit in, so combating it in our personal lives can be a challenge. But if we choose to love through prayer, our lives can be a gossip-free zone.  
— Anne Cetas
Lord, forgive us for speaking carelessly
about others to make ourselves look better.
Help us to think before we speak. Teach us
to be loving with our words. Amen.
You can never justify gossip.
God Bless you and have a wonderful day!

Relationships....

Hi..
Let's... 

Concentrate on relationships that motivates us to look ahead at our Glorious future, encourage us in the Lord..
 Focus on relationships that builds us up and inspires us to be a better person ..
 Treasure relationships that forgives, prays, helps, understands and loves .... 
 Hold on to those who give us a hand when we stumble, correct us when we make mistakes... don't rejoice when we fall...and help steady us and walk with us in this narrow path..... 
And Courageously move on...and look out for those who need a touch of God's love and share with them what we have!
Be Blessed..
Julia
Grant Lehman: writes" There is a scriptural tool for an offense, An offense is a divine tool to disconnect you from someone unqualified for your future. We must not give life to that which the Lord is trying to root out. When God wants to protect you, He removes someone from your life. When God wants to bless you, He brings someone into your life."
Any so called friend of yours that can influence others to act negatively towards you, either by a lie or truth twisted or real truth out of order. You can thank your so called friend that has flushed out the 'others' who would never be there for you anyway. Spend your time with those who celebrate you, not just tolerate you. You have never lost a true friend, only an impostor.