Forgive me!

Forgiveness in the Bible is one of the greatest blessings that God has given us, and one of the greatest gifts we can give to others. If we all lived by “an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth,” we would all be blind and toothless! Instead, we must forgive others who wrong us, just as our Father has forgiven us. 

Not too long ago I got offended via a group text. Sure I was tired and grumpy and just really wasn't in my right mind...which is why I should NOT have replied! I was not pleased with my response later when I really read it back and I wished at that point that IPhones had a "retract" button because everyone saw my attitude. Yikes!

I texted the person and apologized and when I saw her at church days later I personally asked for forgiveness. I felt a big weight lift off of my shoulders! She was so gracious to forgive me and we just let it all go immediately.

Forgiveness is a gift and it doesn't matter what side you are on...it is just as valuable. There are times you might not feel responsible but you give forgiveness anyway. You do it for YOU. We as Christians should be in a mindset of forgiveness...our goal is to live at a level that we are not so easily offended and let things go without much thought.

Many people seem to think that it is a sign of weakness to ask for forgiveness.  On the contrary, it is a sign of strength. It is vital to relationships, particularly when there is no shared responsibility or blame.  All of us have done harmful things to others; sometimes without even realizing it. Usually, these are the occasions when it is hardest to summon up the tenacity to ask for forgiveness. To be weak is to ignore the situation altogether and on the flip-side; to be a strong is to be pro-active and do something about it. 

Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

The most difficult seven words to say can be the most healing and life-giving to a relationship, "I was wrong.  Will you forgive me?" 

Adjust your crown!

Jonna

Fear is the enemy of Faith

FEAR ANTICIPATES THE WORST AND NOT THE BEST

As we fear, the things we don't want to happen are brought into focus and are given credence in our life. We start believing these things instead of believing what the Word says. We are opposing and fighting against faith when we let fear rule our lives! 

Isn't it amazing how something so small can grow in our minds to be a scary giant!? Our minds are so creative and every scenario known to man can happen before we even face the challenge. 

My son Trey has a phobia to bugs and spiders and at 23 years old it is hilarious to watch him scream and his eyes widen as this small microscopic creature frightens him to death. Instead of seeing himself as larger and scarier; he minimizes his position and authority and hands it over to the one who is probably paralyzed in fear himself! 

We do that so easily in life when we should be proclaiming who we are and have faith in our abilities through Christ. We have all authority and power to overcome any obstacle using our shields of faith!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) 

"The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)

Where there is faith, fear cannot abide:

•Feed your faith, and your fears will starve to death

•Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.

•Fear and faith cannot keep house together; when one enters, the other departs." -- Vern McLellan, The Complete Book of Practical Proverbs and Wacky Wit (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996)

So instead of running and hiding like my son when he sees a spider; we need to utilize the tools given to us to conquer those things getting the best of us. Get that broom and fight the enemy! 

A quote from my son Trey,

"Satan's greatest accomplishment was fooling people to believe that he came in the form of a snake."  #SatanISthespider

Ha. 

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna