Monthly Archives: July 2015
Package of 3
I like the number 3; but I never thought of the number as applying to psychological, mental and spiritual principles. Yet, look at this . . .
- Forgiveness: I must learn how to forgive if I want to walk free and be. (I’m studying more on this from doctors. I’m amazed at some of the info I’m reading that illustrates how forgiveness affects our bodies. I will share more about this later.)
- Thanksgiving: Another step that releases me from the pain in my past
- Blessing others: This blew my mind.
The midnight darkness 0f a tropical night drops around where I am packing and closing up the house I had called home. Relentlessly, bit by bit, I sell some things, pack more boxes, and give other items away. The pain of moving slows down my body and mind. I do not want to do this, so each step I take is a battle.
One evening, as I work, the word “blessing” enters my mind. This shocks me. Once again, I say “God, You have to be kidding me! Bless the people who betray me???
I begin thinking. Jesus tells us to bless our enemies. Although I thought my “husband” was a friend, he has treated me as an enemy. People do not do this kind of thing to those they love.
Luke 6:27-29
27 But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,
28 Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].
AMP
I blanch as I read this. How am I supposed to do this???
I re-read the verses several times.
Vs 27 – love my enemies? This is not the friendship love. Rather, it is agape love, wanting the have love for them? If I work through it, step by step, yes I can. I do not wish them evil in their lives.
Vs 28 – this is more difficult! Invoke blessings upon them? Pray for their happiness? Implore God’s blessings and pray for the happiness of those who curse or revile me?
God, How do I pray for their happiness when I hurt and am in anguish because of what they have done to me?
- What is the thing that is the most important for their happiness? What is the greatest blessing God can bestow up them? Wouldn’t it be that they come to walk with Him , recognize and own the hurt they’ve caused others, dealing with God for forgiveness, and spend eternity with God?
But, Father, I do not want to bless them!
Again, I am face-to-face with a choice: obey what God says to do if I want His blessings. The need for God’s blessings to survive motivates me to search for further understanding.
A thought comes into my mind: the realization that, for anyone to receive God’s blessings, he has to deal directly with God, and recognize the seriousness of his actions.
Therefore, the road people walk who betray anyone won’t be easy; but it will be necessary if they want to receive God’s blessings. And . . . I can trust God and leave the details with Him.
Several hours pass before I make my final decision.
I begin praying for those who destroyed my family; that they might know the blessing of walking in obedience to God.
and I discover that the value of the third part of this package is greater than I’d dreamed. . .
For blessing others lightens my own anguish and pain, and begins to bring me a new perspective. . . – V0ni P
Why do you think blessing others would make a difference? Could it be of value in your own life?
Lord, Are You Sure?
I am having a running conversation with God.
17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. [Prov 23:20.]
20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
AMP
18 Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.
20 Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
For my “husband” has totally abandoned us. We are no longer an important part of his life.
16 Come and hear, all you who reverently and worshipfully fear God, and I will declare what He has done for me!
17 I cried aloud to Him; He was extolled and high praise was under my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; [Prov 15:29; 28:9; Isa 1:15; John 9:31; James 4:3.] (So I must forgive, to keep my heart clean.)
19 But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
AMP
I come to the conclusion that high praise is when I weep while I thank God . . I wonder how long it will be before I can thank Him without tears?
AMP
Isa 41:12-13
12 You will look in vain
for those who tried to conquer you.
Those who attack you
will come to nothing.
13 For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996,
2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
. . . .
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
. . .
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
NIV
The result? BLESSING!