Day Three of the 12 Days of Christmas

Ok, I had good intentions. Really I did. But Linda and I were having so much fun that the day got away from us, and by the time I got home from her house, which is only a few minutes away, It was almost 1 AM and I just fell into bed. You see, Linda's husband bought her a new toy for Christmas. One of those fancy sergers (sewing machine) with some amazing stitches and we were busy all day making pajamas for the kids and baby blankets for the crisis pregnancy center. And we didn't do too badly, either. 12 blankets finished, 15 pajama bottoms cut out, 1 finished completely and 5 sewn partially. Plus we cooked dinner for both families and put dinner in the crock pot to be cooked today. It is amazing what can be accomplished when you work together! I guess that is why God expects us to work together as his body. But that subject is for another blog!!

Anyway, when I had my time with God in the garden, he took me again to Colossians. I love that letter. It was so appropriate for the subject of the day: The three french hens represent Faith, Hope and Love. And that is exactly what the verses I read today focused on.

Colossians 1:3-6 says:
We (Paul was speaking) always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Wow! If that doesn't fit in with the day, I don't know what does! We have been given the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. He revealed himself to us, and that gives us hope. Hope for now, and a hope for the future. This isn't all there is, folks. I tell my kids that all the time. I want them to be focused on the things to come, not on the here and now. And the hope within us bears forth love- love for our families, friends and kindred spirits. But also love for those 'irregular people'. Those that are not easy to love, but that God loves just the same.

Who is that in your life? I know who it is in mine. Actually, there are several. One of them, I have to spend time with this weekend. And it is someone who is a believer, and has hurt me deeply, in ways unfathomable. But how can I overcome my feelings and love him anyway?

First, remember that God loves them too. And then that we are "forgiven as we forgive those who trespass against us". I don't understand how they could have done what they did, but I have said careless words and heartless comments. And I sure want to be forgiven. So I better forgive!

Second, let it go. Even though you don't feel like it, choose to forgive. When you pray, tell Jesus, "I am so hurt by ----- and I don't want to forgive them. But I choose to forgive. Would you give me a willing heart to forgive and help my feelings to follow?" I also remember that unforgiveness is one of the leading causes of colon cancer. It will literally eat you alive. It causes bitterness and damage that affects you physically and all other relationships. So give it to God and he will help you let go of the past.

Third, pray for the person. Realize that they are lost. If not lost, they are still mortal and living in a fallen world, so therefore capable of sin. They probably didn't even realize how much you were hurt, and if they did, they need to seek forgiveness. But even if they never do, you need to, for your sake and for the sake of Christ, forgive them. If they know what they did, and are unrepentant, you might need to go to them and tell them you forgive them anyway. Ask God, and he will tell you what to do. Don't flaunt it in their face, like I am better than you because you did not ask and still I forgive. But humbly tell them you forgive them and you are not going to let a root of bitterness take root in your heart. If they are blissfully unaware, perhaps you should just leave it that way. If God wants you to bring it up, he will tell you. But if it is someone you have to face daily, and they are a fellow believer, you may need to tell them. You know the situation best, and if you truly desire restoration, God will lead you.

One word of caution: Don't be a doormat. If there is a broken relationship, and it is a continual thing, seek help. Seek wise council and God's word for the answer. But know that continually being abused is not healthy. For you or for the other person. Loving someone doesn't mean they get to abuse you. You want restoration and reconcilliation, but that cannot happen in a hostile environment. Hostility is no way to treat another human being.

We are so thankful that God has shown us himself in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. We have faith in him, and hope springs up from our faith, which then allows us to love beyond what is humanly possible. Aren't you so thankful?

Our journey is 1/4 of the way over. But you can still join in. Go to www.12daysbook.com and order your copy of The 12 Days of Christmas in an ebook so you can download now. You'll be glad you did!!

December Sixteenth

Forgiveness is a difficult thing. It is so much easier to feel hurt, whine, blame and nurse that which someone has done to us. We think that by holding on to it, we are hurting them. But really, we are hurting ourselves and everyone around us.
How can we forgive someone who had deeply wounded us? Is it really expected of us? Why do we have to forgive? And what about if we have hurt someone else, even if it is unintentional? What if they are holding a grudge when we don’t deserve it? What can we do?
Well, as far as forgiving someone else, we not only need to forgive them, we are commanded to do so. The Bible tells us that if we do not forgive, God cannot hear us. And that he will forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. Remember the story of the man who was forgiven the huge debt, then he went out and was unwilling to forgive the man who owed him a few dollars? So we have a responsibility to forgive. Holding a grudge also makes us, well, grudgy. We try to find anything and everything to justify our feelings. And we try to win others to our side by gossiping and complaining about it. We become embittered by their wrongdoing, and build up walls around our hearts so we become untouchable, or too sensitive. We must forgive. Our lives depend upon it.
Did you know that the leading cause of cancer is unforgiveness? Wow! That alone should cause us to want to let go! But how do we do it?
Forgiveness is a choice. You do not have to feel it. You just have to make the choice. Then ask God to let the feelings follow. Every time the hurt comes up in your mind, pray for that person. And you may need to either write or go to that person and tell them you forgive them. It depends on the situation, and why you are doing it. You have to do it with humility, not to dig the knife into the other person to hurt them like they hurt you.
If you have done the hurting, and need to be forgiven, go to the person and ask. Do it now, and do it sincerely and plainly. Not sure if you need to do this, ask God. He wants you to do it, and will make it clear to you. And ask for his help. He will go with you and give you the words to say. I learned this about 20 years ago, and it has given me such freedom and peace. But it is still not easy. Here’s what I say: “I know I hurt you when I did -------. I want you to know that I am sorry, and I wish I had never done it. Would you please forgive me?” When you ask forgiveness, you put the ball in their court, and they then have to make the choice. In this way, you make it right before God. If you need to make restitution, then you should do so when you ask forgiveness.
Colossians 3:13 says: Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
That says it all.
So, let others off the hook.
Help your children let each other off the hook.
Let yourself off the hook.
And then, let God off the hook.
But more about that tomorrow.

Take a minute to visit www.12daysbook.com You'll be glad you did!
And Happy Birthday to my big sister Annette today!!

December Ninth

As the days pass, we get closer to the day we celebrate as our Lord's Birthday. Is that the real day? Who knows. I have heard arguments for both sides, and it just wouldn't surprise me if it was. That is something only God would do. One of the best cases for the December birthday is a DVD called "The Star of Bethlehem". It is a documentary that a gentleman did on his research based on the astronomy of the sky when Christ was born. It is amazing! Look it up and see for youself at www.bethlehemstar.net You will be amazed.

The arguments are valid on both sides. But if we let those arguments cause us discord, then we have a problem. We are called to unity and compassion, not selfish ambition or earthly gain.

Todays verse is Colossians 3: 22-23
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

If we could just think about that as we are bickering over trivial matters while the world is watching, and so is Jesus, what a different place our homes, churches and lives would be. Maybe we could be the effective body he has called us to be!

Today, seek to make peace with someone. It might take a humbling of your pride to make it work, but you can do it. Ask God to go before you and soften the heart of the person you have had the disagreement with. And ask God to hold your tongue and give you the right spirit. Go with no expectations...after all, they do not have to forgive you. But do it right. Go to them and state what you did wrong. Then, humbly ask them to forgive you. Use those words. Say, "Will you forgive me?" If you as this, you throw the ball into their court, and make it their decision, leaving them responsible before God. It lets you have the freedom you need, even if they don't forgive. But you must be sincere! They will know if you are not. And more importantly, God will know.

Also, seek to be a peacemaker. Live peaceably with everyone. I can't say for sure, but I imagine that if we began to seek peace in our relationships, it will make Jesus sing over you. And isn't that a lovely thought, to have him sing over you? Not really sure why I thought of that, but it is something that I want in my life. I want his heart to sing whenever he thinks of me. I want to make my Father proud.

Don't forget to check out our book: The 12 Days of Christmas at www.12daysbook.com
And leave a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!!