Hi, Mitch…..I was just reading our little conversation and now how things look since we touched. Things became so bitter with my two precious off-spring, that I have had to let them go, and let God deal with them. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. We can all carry victimization and bitterness forever as baggage in our hearts. ONLY GOD can give us the grace to let go, forgive and begin the healing process. I am reading a little book that someone told me about called, “Finding God in the Ruins” by Matt Bays, it is raw and exposes pretty well the heart of us all, and man’s broken mess that we inherited from Adam. As Christians we tend to forget that there was a SECOND Adam who came to heal it all and restore, but the pain that we go through in not only SEEING the truth of our mess but confessing and DEALING with it is a hard thing which we try to avoid. Pride in us doesn’t like people to see that we are different inside to the picture WE paint of ourselves, and the possibility of them rejecting us as badly damaged goods. We have this thing inside of us that we want people to love and see us as great achievers. Jesus NEVER rejected us, but invited us to come to Him and BE HEALED. The woman who washed his feet with her tears KNEW, and was healed….her love and gratitude beyond words. God never rejects a broken and contrite heart!

There was something I saw not so long ago about the father of the Prodigal. He watched his son go off to live a life full of debauchery and sin. He KNEW what his son was heading into, but he NEVER chased after him and cried, “Don’t go! Don’t GO!!!! I love you, you have a home here, and all you need! PLEASE don’t go!” He was not going to enable him in any way, even when he was in the pig-sty eating the husks that the pigs even rejected! He KNEW that if he sent help, food, money, whatever….HE WAS DELAYING THE LAD’S RETURN HOME! It took that boy to get to the absolute END of SELF before he was willing to see what he had left was what he SHOULD have kept. God’s grace and mercy are amazing! That father watched day and night for his return, never leaving his place of watching that distant spot in the road where he would see the eventual return of his beloved son. NO condemnation, NO judgment, NO anger, NO punishment meted out………just overwhelming, loving acceptance of His precious son now home again. Wow! I pray for my kids, and the ALL the sons and daughters who have rebelled and left behind parents who love and care for them. I pray for all GOD’S sons and daughters who have done likewise in backsliding and shaking their fist at their heavenly Father who created and loved them before the foundation of the world! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen.

Talking of the donkey……who was it who sent someone to LOOSE the donkey from its captivity and bring it to Him? And who was it who sat on the donkey and guided it to Zion? The donkey didn’t know that if JESUS LOOSES us to carry the burden, and willingly we are guided by Him, we will receive the blessing. Thank You, Jesus! Hosannah in the highest! Glory! Thank You, Jesus!

Clare

That is a very difficult situation to say the least. I can only say that I will keep this in my prayers. Keep this in mind, just as the prodigal’s father was patiently waiting for his son to return and when he did he received him with open arms. Could it just possibly be that God is working with them in some other manner other than what we think is the right way.
Just remember God used a donkey to change a prophets direction, so there is always hope.

Bless you, Mitch!….and thank you for your share.

This one is JUST as hard – both my son and daughter railing against me as I speak truth into their lives, and pray for God’s Holy Spirit to minister that truth to them. The hard thing is to watch them harden their hearts and REFUSE to allow God to be their all in all, and determine to live THEIR way, and want God on THEIR terms – which of course just doesn’t happen. The heat is fierce and painful, and the temptation to apologize is powerful to win their acceptance and love. We can’t apologize for God’s truth, and we must let the chips fall where they may…..like Ezekiel. If we don’t speak truth for fear of hurting someone, the consequences (which may be far worse) will be on OUR head, and we don’t know when God may bring to their remembrance our words and it be life-changing. We must never change who we are before God to placate others, for their own selfish reasons. IN the final wash-up we are accountable to God on That Day – not man, no matter who it is. I have been facing this one for many years, and it never seems to be resolved. God knows, and I thank Him for His grace and mercy that gives me the courage to go on.

Clare how correct you are in your post about what it may cost us in some of our relationships with those around us. I really believe that this may be partly what the scripture speaks of in Philp. 2:12 about working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

I will share just a bit of personal testimony. My father whom I greatly loved and respected, made the following statement to me. “Boy don’t let your religion make a fool out of you”! I never held that against him because it wasn’t religion that I had, but a living relationship with Jesus. God graciously showed me that there was no way that I could explain to him what had happened to me. My father was active in a denominational church until his death over 36 years ago. I do dearly miss my father and would love to have an opportunity to just have a good chat with him.

Yes it can hit very close to home sometimes, but we must continue the race that is set before us. Keep up the good race of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Timothy B.

Are you ever right on. When we stop learning we will stop living.

Keep up the good fight of faith.

In His Presence

A brother in Jesus

Mitch

The moment that I came to the revelation that God was not some distance figure drifting around out in space, but a real personal being with a desire for me to get to know Him, my whole outlook on life changed for eternity. This freedom to worship and commune with Him anywhere, anytime, in any kind of circumstances is impossible to explain to those who have not experienced it. People that are “addicted” to religious routine cannot begin to comprehend this. That is why much of mainline religion tends to look at people that have found this freedom and label us as rebels, outcasts, and weird. Whatever they want to call us we should never relinquish this wonderful freedom for the sake of playing the religious game.

Does this mean that I never have any problems, far from it. But having that peace that passes all human understanding is awesome to say the least. Rom.5: 1-6 clearly tells us that the tribulations of life are to teach us how to be consistent in all situations and conditions. The whole creation is crying out for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God to show forth the way to HIM.
It is not all about getting the doctrines right, but about as vibrant and fruitful relationship with God and our fellow man.

Sherry, Thank you for your kind response. And “Thank You” Chip! I had told myself; that I wouldn’t post my comments to “override” the Truth as revealed by Christ Jesus through Chip’s writings. I write, as also inspired to enlighten, teach, and show others the Truth that I am learning in Jesus. This posted comment of mine, made me weep once again, in deepest sorrow and repentance, over how easily our restless Sinful Nature (flesh) can trip us up. Repentance is a daily thing for any Christian (for me at least) to REALLY LIVE IN CHRIST. But forgiveness is a constant established fact, seen and accepted. Our freedom “from things” is in the Person of Jesus Christ. Not EVER in our own strength or abilities. May I accept your freedom, Lord Jesus, as You have given it to me. Thank You, for Your patience with me, when my eyes are on me. Set them upon You once again, and restore to me a steadfast heart that longs only for You. I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You Alone. Keep me ever true to You. In You Alone I Stand, Victorious over everything, or anyone, that opposes You. I am YOURS! In Your Love I pray. Amen.