"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." ---Hebrews 12:11
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My last post, the one about unforgiveness? Not my favorite kind to write (nor yours to read, according to the stats.) Too much like a 'spinach teaching' (as Joyce Meyer and I call it).
But oh, how necessary to share those.
I mean, I could only write posts about--
Becoming a happy homemaker
Gardening with joy
Decorating beautiful rooms
Prepping the fun way
Finding kindred spirits online
Listening to soothing music
Cleaning your house as unto God
Becoming your best creative self
Coffee shop bliss
Locating incredible books and movies
Discovering joy in everyday rituals, etc.
Yet anyone reading those with unforgivness in their hearts would come away with only a temporary happiness buzz. T-e-m-p-o-r-a-r-y. And via this blog I aim for much higher (and lasting) results. Words and lessons which will outlive me--that's what interests eternity.
And well, unforgiveness spoils everything.
When we obey God we can 'love life and see good days'. Experience 24/7 peace, joy, and a sweet assurance that all will be well. (No really, it's possible.)
But only if we release our unforgiveness, let it melt into compassionate prayers, instead, for those who know not what they do.
Consistent grace and peace arrive--and remain--no other way.
Always remember: we're not meant to wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual forces of evil--
--and satan schemes against us, majorly distracts, so we'll fail to grow in God the way He created us to.
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A healthy, guarded heart is one where unforgiveness gets pushed out, trashed, as soon as it's recognized.
Oh! This documentary looks awesome: The Booksellers.
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"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." ---Matthew 5:23-26
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
Hearing things that are a mite uncomfortable will always cause some to turn away because their hearts are hardened to the truth. But...a tiny grain of that truth could have wedged itself into that heart so don't give up. We can't just have the milk of the truth all of the time. We need the meat too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
When I was younger, I looked at discipline as a big pain in the rear! Now that I'm an older girl, I know that it has helped to produce valuable, lasting benefits. Keep on following the Spirit's leading, Debra. Your posts have certainly impacted my life for good.
ReplyDeleteBetsy--that's so true! It's coming out so plainly lately that many churches haven't been sharing hard truth--and now people are paying for it by falling into deception. How much better to get into the deeper truths of the Bible and accept them even when they're uncomfortable, right?
ReplyDeletePam--Me, too! About the discipline when I was younger. But when I began asking God for it 26 years ago, everything changed and continues to make me stronger till this day. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Thank-you, Ladies, for commenting so faithfully. You don't know how much your words encourage me to keep writing! Blessings, Debra
For a month or so, that seems to have been my theme (forgiveness, that is!)
ReplyDeleteThere are so many who just WON'T let go of it no matter what and every time I hear someone saying that they will never or "can't" forgive, I tell them that they HAVE TO because if they don't forgive others, God will not forgive them. And, they still always seem to have a "yeah, but ..."
I'm thankful for ALL of your posts and the hard truth IS essential, you're right - it seems like a lot of churches would rather give you the fluffy type of sermons so as not to make the congregation uncomfortable.
Keep on posting things you feel you should, Debra because you never know who might somehow end up reading something you wrote here and God could have meant it just for that person! One never knows. Preach on, Sister! (Hugs)
I clicked onto the Booksellers and also saw the movie The Book Shop mentioned. I don't remember if you sid you saw that one too. sounded very good to me. Thank you for two new to me treasures. Sarah
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