Tonight I heard a sermon by Pastor Mike Cronin on forgiveness and I felt convicted at some un-forgiveness in my own heart, so being guilty myself I thought you might need to hear about it too, so here is my humble offering, thanks Pastor Mike!
Forgiveness and faithfulness are two words that have gotten lost in the world of unfaithful friends and lovers. There are those of us who are willing to give our love and devotion and then find that we have put our trust in the wrong place.
Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. Maybe you don’t trust God because you don’t knowthat you can lean on the Lord for help, or know that the only way we can truly forgive is to learn from the One Who forgave US! Un-forgiveness and hatred in your heart and mind, is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick, or die. Chances are they don’t know how you feel, and if they do, they simply don’t care! So why burden yourself with hating or not forgiving them, it means they are actually controlling your life! There is only One who completely, continually, forgives, and that is God Almighty.
It seems like things such as loyalty to vows and people, whether romantic connections or just friends, don’t count anymore. GOD is faithful, you can’t get so old that he is looking for someone YOUNGER to convert, or too ugly or fat or better yet, He doesn’t get bored with you! He joined Himself to us. In the wedding ceremony, the minister says “What do you give as a token of your love and fidelity“, the normal answer is “A ring“, which symbolizes the never-ending circle of love. God did not give a ring, He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ as the covenant offering, His promise of love and fidelity toward His Bride. I used to say that when you get married you have to “quit dating other people“, looks to me like too many Christians give their heart to the Lord and then flirt with the devil on a daily basis. They put their feet under Satan’s table and dine with him and then expect God to “understand”.We shouldn’t do it in the flesh and we can’t do it in the Spirit.
Lamentations 3:22 God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).He’s all I’ve got left. These beautiful words from the Bible remind me of one of my favorite hymns: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
We are taking this journey together, so come on, get on board and let’s see where the road takes us as we forgive and remain faithful to the Lord and each to other, He is faithful to you!
Harolene.com 