Forgiving Those Who Have Wronged You

livingbygraceml1 Comment

Forgiveness…it can be difficult. I struggle with forgiving others and even myself.

Over the past few years I have grown bitter with a specific individual. The lies, manipulation, isolation, and hostility from this person has me consumed with anger and an unwillingness to extend forgiveness. I feel the need to prove to others the truth and the real and complete story. The reality is that people will believe what they want to believe, even if that means not hearing the other side.

I’m so tired from this bitterness that has rooted itself into my heart, and forgiving this individual is the only way to eliminate this stronghold. Proverbs 19:11 says,

Sensible people control their tempers, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

I now need to be the bigger person. Being angry doesn’t make me feel any better, and choosing to overlook the wrongs doesn’t mean what they did is ok. Instead, it helps me to heal and move on.

If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

Our Heavenly Father shows great mercy in forgiving our sins. In order to be more like Christ, I must show the same mercy and forgive.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9

It is time for me to also fully embrace the forgiveness God has given me. I will let go of the guilt and shame and refuse to live under the labels spoken over me. I have confessed my sins and he has trampled them under his feet and thrown them out. (Micah 7:19)

My healing starts today. I am choosing to forgive this person and all their wrong doings. I will forgive over and over. I will extend the mercy and grace that my Father has given me. I also vow to forgive myself. To throw out the bitterness and live out the life God has in store for me.

Living By Grace

Misty

Making Disciples In Today’s World

livingbygracemlLeave a comment

Talking about Jesus to others face to face isn’t easy for me. There are 2 reasons for this: 1. Others may not be receptive and shut me down immediately and 2. I will make a fool out of myself and stumble over my words.

It seems that we are living in a world where talking about Jesus makes people uncomfortable, annoyed, or angry. My job involves being around teenagers. I am surprised by the number of teenagers that don’t know Jesus or identify as Atheist. I have been asked several time if I am a Christian and they then open up and tell me their beliefs. In my line of work, I am not allowed to talk about Jesus. It saddens me because in this stage of life, teens need Jesus!

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Proverbs 22:6

We can’t assume that parents are sharing Jesus with their children, in my opinion, most aren’t. So that leaves us Christian’s to share the Good News and help make disciples in this world.

How do we do this? We start with our own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, etc. We live our own lives according to God’s will so others can see His light within us. We see in John that this is how Jesus gained his disciples: John 1:43, 45-46

  • “Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’
  • “The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Come, follow me.’ “
  • “Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus.’ “

It’s a game of telephone, except at the end, more people know and maybe even decide to follow Christ. Don’t be afraid to share who He is and what He has done in your own life. Be the change in today’s youth, and help direct them in the way they should go.

Living By Grace,

Misty

Choosing Passion

livingbygracemlLeave a comment

O dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Passion. I asked myself recently, What am I passionate about? I know I’m passionate about writing, being a mom/stepmom, helping others in their walk of faith, and bringing others to Christ. All good things, but rather useless if I never pursue them. Which brings me to the next question I have asked myself, What is keeping me from pursuing my passions?

I have narrowed down four “passion slayers” that are preventing me from pursuing my passions:

  1. Relational strife
  2. Fear
  3. Failure
  4. Opposition

Relationship strife. This is in my own home and those outside my home. What if they don’t like what I say, think I share too much, or in all honesty, think I’m being a hypocrite who doesn’t even do what she is preaching about?

Fear. I am scared that others will turn against me or question me based on my beliefs and my actions that haven’t been Christ like. I am afraid of not having all the answers when asked about scripture and God. What if I will stammer and not say the right thing?

Failure. I have the fear of failing as a mother, but more so as a step mother. It has been so difficult finding the right type of relationship to have with the children. Sometimes I think they like me and other times I feel like they think I am the worst person in the entire world.

Opposition. Am I equipped to handle those who have opposing beliefs? What about facing opposition from my children, biological and bonus?

How can I block these passion slayers from keeping me from moving forward? By opening my heart to receiving God’s love and teachings.

When love invades our hearts, we suddenly become unstoppable in pursuit of what we are so passionate about..Passion enables us to do what we would never do if we didn’t have it.

Christine Caine

What are five ways to keep passion alive?

  1. Pursue your passions with joy rather than obligation
  2. Tell God I love him daily
  3. Read God’s word daily
  4. Give thanks to the Lord and praise Him daily
  5. Bring healing to others

Remember that through this journey that nothing can ever separate you from the love of our Father. He will be with you to guide you, give you strength, and equip you in pursuing your passions. So during this time, behave like His children, love the Lord, and let nothing separate God from your love too.

Lastly, passion is a choice, not a feeling. Feelings can come and go, but decisions and actions fuel your passion. (Christine Caine)

May God bless you through this race that you are on, and may your passions leave the kingdom better than it was before.

Living By Grace,

Misty