Facing your pain from the past - Day 2

Not a Victim Anymore

At one point or another, most of us have been a victim of something. Whether is abuse, discrimination, wrongdoing, or a false accusation, being a victim can be painful, frustrating, and even devastating.

In John 5 it invites us into the story of a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. Upon encountering him, Jesus asked him a profound question...

Wilt thou be made whole?

In the story the man responded with a list of obstacles that were standing in the way of his healing. He pointed fingers at his circumstances and the actions of others. In other words, he responded with a victim mindset. But Jesus gave him a directive, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." Upon doing so, he was healed of his condition. I believe that Jesus is asking you and I the same question, "Do you want to get well?"

We have options we can either continue to focus on the obstacles and find excuses that will keep us stuck in the conditions and mindsets that perpetuate our sense of victimhood, or we can stand up, take responsibility for what is ours, and walk towards freedom and healing. The choice is ours, We can continue to find reasons and excuses that justify why we are the way we are, or we can decide to get well. The beautiful thing about choosing to get well is that with God's strength, we have the capacity to not only survive victimization we once experienced, but to overcome it completely. Romans 8:37 " Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

The Hard Work of Forgiveness

Forgiveness isn't endorsement and it certainly isn't accompanied by warm, fuzzy feelings. Forgiveness is a choice we make. The directive to forgive those who have wronged us comes from God. He asks this of us, not because it is easy, but because it is good. In fact, He knows, better than anyone, the cost of forgiveness. God himself models what He asks of us. He asks us to forgive others, just as He generously extends His forgiveness to us. (Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32, Mark 11:25)

Jesus paid with his very life. He knows the cost. But, He also know the freedom it brings. As I have committed to the hard work to forgiveness, I have discovered that it is a vertical transaction between God, and you, more than it is a horizontal one between you, and another human. Forgiveness is setting someone free, and realizing the prisoner was you. You can be filled with hatred and rage towards the person but you will feel horrible sense of guilt for wishing things on a person. Many cases the people that have hurt us go on living their lives, often unaware or apathetic to the depth of our pain, while we are left with anger, hurt, and bitterness.

Unforgiveness holds everyone prisoners. The way to get free is to set others free. With rage and bitterness absent from your heart, there is room for more precious things like joy, hope and gratitude. Going before God and releasing the people who have done wrong to us by forgiving them isn't always easy, but it is good.

Everyone Story Matters

Having to share your story no matter what it is, we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. In Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death." Be encourage that God could use your story to set other people free. If they have a problem with your story, that is between them and God, we are not to judge. Your story belongs to God Sharing a story is powerful. It shows people what is possible, and we all have a story to tell.

There are people who need to hear your story. In John 4 we have the story of the samaria woman in the well, she return to town and shared her story about Jesus. There are people on the other end of your perseverance. They are counting on you to overcome the obstacles you are facing and to be brave enough to share. When we share our story, we give the gift of "me too", "been there done that". We help people to tangibly understand that they are not alone.

Let your story be heard, seen, and spoken by others so they can also feel the presence of the lord, walking by faith and filled with the Holy Spirit and share your story. Your story of salvation, what brought to be saved.

GB,
Essie

seven day devotional summerized in 2 at bible.com

Facing your pain from the past - Day 1

The Book of Ephesians

Ephesians 5:18-21

I. SPEAKING Godly Music (vs 19)

Ephesians 5:19 & Colossians 3:16

II. SINGING a Godly Melody (vs 19)

Ephesians 5:19, Psalms 7:17, & Psalms 18:49

III. SUPPLYING a Godly Grateful Message (vs 20)

Ephesians 5:20, I Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:4, & Hebrew 13:15

(Complaining we all do it even when life is good. Replace your addiction with something else, be positive.)

IV. SUBMITTING to a God-given model (vs 20)

Ephesians 5:21, Hebrew 13:17 (Parenting), & James 4:7

A. To our MASTER

B. In our MARRIAGE (vs 22)

MELODY - Soul

HARMONY - Spirit

RHYTHM - Body (Flesh)

• Heavy in Rhythm is not a good Christian music.
• No double standards in music.
• Praise the Lord not the flesh (Psalms 7:17)

THINK

Check out @nickygumbel's Tweet: https://twitter.com/nickygumbel/status/772892022319509504?s=09

Before you speak: THINK T : Is it true? H : Is it helpful? I : Is it inspiring? N : Is it necessary? K : Is it kind?

GB,
Essie

Why Read your Bible Final lesson

We must let go of the good to grab hold of the better. To live a better life, strive for wisdom. Don't let yourself be fooled by the so-called "wisdom" of the world, but instead focus on true wisdom that comes only from God. Proverbs 16:16 says, "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!"

Read Proverbs 16

Gb
Essie

Why Read your Bible #15

In Proverbs 15 and Psalm 37, we find more thoughts about making the better choice of living with one handful, such as Proverbs 15:16, which says, "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith." In other words, it's far better to have little with God than have much without Him.

Read Psalms 37

GB
Essie

Why Read your Bible #14

The Book of Proverbs offers some great thoughts on the value of living with one handful such as in Proverbs 13:7, which tells us that a plain and simple life is a full life.

Read Proverbs 13

GB
Essie

Why Read your Bible #13

Jesus said that our one handful should be focused on heavenly treasures instead of earthly ones. There is no need to store up earthly treasures. The better choice is to not worry because God will always meet our needs as long as we seek Him.

Read Matthew 6:19-34