BAN BITTERNESS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“I just can’t do it.”

“If you knew what they did you would know that is way too much for me to swallow.”

"‘'They’ don’t deserve my forgiveness.”

Ahhh…

Beautiful bitterness!

The old “wordsmiths” hit that little emotion right on the noggin’didn’t they? Paints the perfect picture huh?

BITTERNESS. That word can’t roll off the tongue without our eyes squinting and our face contorting can it? It is even tough to say with a smile on your face. Go ahead try it. Bet you can’t.

But we must beware of this little word and this little emotion, because if left unchecked it can do some real damage.

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

This verse is true. REALLY TRUE and sadly I see it it come to life a lot.

Folks who have been damaged by others who carry around this “root of bitterness” and it does "spring up and cause trouble".

It can lead to addiction. It can lead to anger. It can lead to revengeful thinking. It can do physical and mental damage.

That is why GOD encouraged us to live a life of grace of forgiveness; taking His lead.

Colossians 3:13

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

I would never discount or diminish anyone’s experiences or pain. I work with some folks whose pasts are horrific. Yet, I have also seen the amazing power of forgiveness and grace go to work in many of these lives. I have seen grace do the miraculous.

Grace soothes.

Grace comforts.

And grace most notably FREES.

So let's ban the bitterness today and administer a little forgiveness and grace.

Take GOD's lead.

Ephesians 4:31-32

31 Put out of your life all these things: bad feelings about other people, anger, temper, loud talk, bad talk which hurts other people, and bad feelings which hurt other people. 32 You must be kind to each other. Think of the other person. Forgive other people just as God forgave you because of Christ’s death on the cross.

Have a great day!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney