Monday, December 5, 2016

Yes, God Forgives And Forgets

©Not Mine



I was reading a devotional about what forgiveness was not. One thing the book stated was forgiveness was not forgetting. I quickly agreed but I felt that it wasn't quite right.

I thought about my other posts and felt, though I mentioned Him a lot, I left out God's perspective. Yes, when we forgives others, God will forgive us our sins when we confess them. Yes, in order for us to ask, we must forgive others. Yes, God will forgive us if we confess despite whatever we have done. But I realized that I didn't mention all that God has said on the subject.

We are to be more like Christ. And by not forgiving others or forgiving but still holding it against the person is not being merciful. Yep, it's hard. Very hard. And the person who you hold in contempt continues to misbehave just makes it even harder. They even have the unmitigated gall to not care or be smug about it.

The best way to truly forgive is mimic God. He forgives and forgets. For us because we are not God, it's going to be a process. I'm on this process, too. Sometimes it will be incredibly easy, and other times, it will be incredibly hard. And it may take the rest of your life to do it. But don't give up. Keep at it. You can forgive others and forget just like God.

Here are some scriptures to know God's stance on Forgiveness.

 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43: 25 NKJV

For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. Jeremiah 31:34 NKJV and Hebrews 10:17

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.   Psalm 103:12 NKJV


Be Blessed And Stay Encouraged!

Friday, December 2, 2016

Neckbones


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Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
James 1:19-20 NLT


It was not a good day. I mean, I know there are a lot of people without jobs. And I, as a Christian, should be very thankful I have a decent paying job. I know. But it was not a good day. 

And what makes this really bad is I live with someone who had a worse day. And I will share how I know that. 

Though it was not a good day and I did not want to be working, I soldiered on and worked. I had followed the guidelines to a tee. I had answered the questions. And wrapped everything up like I was supposed to do. But it was not good enough. The guidelines showed the steps, but did not give the procedure. So, the asst. supervisor was frantically trying to get my attention. And she got it after I had wrapped everything up. Then she wanted to have the conversation while I was on lunch. This was the 15th straw that broke the camel’s back. Eleven minutes in, I said enough. And I went to break after saying I was on break.

I’m hungry, and wondering what is up with this chick since I had followed the guidelines. I’m grumbling. I head to get some food, and problem number two reared its ugly head. I didn’t see food prepared and I needed to eat fast, so my mind was on frozen chicken tenders and a bowl of cereal. I’m grumbling and I am asked what was wrong. I explained what I could and I am told to let it go. Which I would have if left alone. Then it was “there’s Neckbones.” 

Okay. I don’t like neckbones. And even worse, I don’t like neckbones covered in barbeque sauce. I am not a fan of picking my meat out of bones like a scavenger bird. I had not had neckbones in decades. Apparently, neckbones is a favorite meal where I am staying. Like pizza at my previous place of residence (so not complaining about that), and meatloaf at the place before that.

I am told the meat falls off the bones. I am chided (because berated may be what I felt but I know it was not the intention).  I have removed chicken tenders from my menu because I needed to get out of the kitchen fast.

My first thought and second and third is “leave me alone about neckbones.” My fourth thought was ”Seriously, drop this neckbones tandem.” The next thought is “Lord, what’s up, because seriously, neckbones?”

Then I hear the words that people just straight up should not say to me: “I know you are not hearing me because of the tone in your voice.” Seriously? For real, for real, no conversation about neckbones is going to be a good conversation. But are you kidding me? You started it. I get my bowl of cereal and jet like a 747.

I went back to work. As I calmed down, (and really it was let go of some of the pride because when it came to my job, I did not know anything and honestly, this new curveball being thrown was expected), I remembered what happened earlier that day. That this person had received terrible news about their health.

Now while I wanted to say a bunch of things to both my roommate and this asst. supervisor, I said nothing. For work, I knew that it would work itself out. When I got a further explanation of what I did wrong, which was technically nothing, I struggled but I was able to give God some praise. 

As for my roommate, I also realized I had been down this path before with yet another relative so I was not going to be coerced into eating something I did not like, and this also will pass. 

I recognized I needed to bring down the pride in both situations. For work, pride showed in “but I followed the guidelines!” and for home, “Are you kidding me after all that I do?!”

But I knew this situation. And I knew, no, I know things are going to change. Romans 8:28. A God’s Property song kept coming in my mind. 

Don’t get me wrong. I was hot, and there were times the next day I struggled with recognizing who the real problem is, but I would turn back to simply saying, “Thank You Lord!” or “Hallelujah!” (or at worse, “Have mercy, Jesus!”) I made sure to send up prayers for everyone involved.

Be ye angry, but sin not. I failed, but at least it wasn’t an epic fail, and I was able to get back up, and recognize who was the real problem, and realize that if the situation was not going to change in the next minute, then all I could do was give thanks and praise God because I really am blessed.

Despite recognizing that I was in a bad mood, you want to make it worse?! I used to think most people could recognize this type of situation. I am going to change most to some. And this happens a lot among family. We seriously take each other for granted. Yes, we love one another, but common courtesy flies right out the window. Sadly, if you have a bad day at work, you take it out on those closest to you. Because your family will forgive you. I could go on and on, but even your family gets tired of you constantly jumping on them because you had a bad day. 

There are times where yes, those in your vicinity need to read the situation and skedaddle, but there are times where you need to check yourself before you wreck yourself. 

Realize who the real enemy is. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, etc., etc. And I know this may shock you but those closest to you do allow themselves to be the tools. They may have had a bad day. Or they may even be standing on you will forgive them once they apologize. 

When this happens, you need to use that armor. You need to calmly express your need for silence or space. And if it is not honored you need to step away. Will you be angry? Probably, but you do not want to act rashly.

Have you had a bad day and tangled with someone who had a worse day? Or were you the one who had a worse day? If you fell and stumbled and acted like you were never a child of God, just repent, confess, and ask for forgiveness.

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged!