Original, daily devotionals, inspiration and more from a fresh, "Hey! I never thought about it like that before" perspective.
Most of the good you do will go…
Unnoticed…
Unappreciated…
Unreciprocated…
Undeserved…
And, MISUNDERSTOOD!
Remember, you’ve got to be cool with that.
John 1:11 (NKJV)
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
1 Corinthians 10:34 (NKJV)
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
BE BLESSTIFIED!
I was honored to present to FirstBank associates from across the organization in TN, KY, GA, and AL! The virtual lunch and learn discussion was, “Why JUNETEENTH is important to everyone!” They are to be commended as a company to take Juneteenth serious enough to give their organization more information about this important event in American history.
Unfortunately, many people look at Juneteenth as a holiday that is ‘just for Black people’. Too many people feel it’s only Black history.
Too many people think it’s foolishness.
History that’s not taught isn’t considered important. And, just because it hasn’t been taught doesn’t mean it’s not important.
One of the reasons that the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus was because He challenged their narrative. They accused Him of threatening their generations-old traditions. They accused Him of ‘canceling’ the Law of Moses.
But, the fact is that Jesus came to fulfill the law as the narrative of God’s relationship with man continued to evolve.
Galatians 3.13
Christ hath redeemed usfrom the curse of the law, being madea curse for us: for it is written, Cursedis every one that hangeth on a tree:
So anyone who’s against the narrative of history evolving is welcome to go back to sacrificing animals.
THIS IS WHY JUNETEENTH IS IMPORTANT!
There should be fireworks, bar-b-ques, family gatherings and celebrations to celebrate when ALL AMERICANS were finally free.
BE BLESSTIFIED!
Okay, you were hurt. BAD!
Not only that, but you were hurt by someone who loves you. Someone who is close to you. Someone who instead of having your back, instead of scratching your back…stabbed you in it…talked about you behind it…didn’t watch it.
But, you know what the word of God says…
Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Plus, the relationship you have with them is important to you. It’s bigger than the betrayal. It’s bigger than the denial. It’s bigger than the pain they caused you, so you make up your mind to forgive them. And, the fact is that you know that as much as people say that you can forgive and not be in relationship anymore, the truth is that no matter how bad we hurt God, He is always willing to forgive us and remain in relationship with us.
Yep, you’re not just saying you forgive them to be SC (Spiritually Correct instead of Politically Correct). You’re aren’t just saying it because it’s the right thing to say. You aren’t even saying it to manipulate God into forgiving you for your sins because you know His forgiving you is based on you forgiving others.
You really forgive them….so why do you still feel ‘some type of way’ about them?
And, the truth is that the pain is not as bad as it once was, but it’s till there. You have to admit to yourself that…
Is it because looking at them, places, people, songs, smells…things periodically, when you’re mind is not even on what they did brings it all back? Or, is it because you find yourself trying to think about it sometimes?
You really forgive them. You want to. You are consciously trying to. Forgiveness is in your heart. You want to move on as if it never happened…why does it still bother you sometimes?
The fact is that the decision to forgive and proclaiming forgiveness is the easiest, first step. The act of true forgiveness is a process that takes time. Just as much as God is working in you to get over it, the enemy is trying to find ways to make you hold on.
One of the most powerful revelations to obtaining forgiveness and remaining in relationship is when you realize, accept and rejoice in the fact that…
THIS IS POWERFUL…
One of the reasons people remain bitter is when they keep comparing their present relationship to what it was before. Make up your mind that “All things have become new! (sound familiar?)” When you set your mind on building a better relationship on what you have…learned lessons and all, it can actually be better.
When you think about it, this is what God does with us when we accept Yeshua, Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. He knows that the relationship He had with us before will never be the same, but all things are new and it will be better because His Spirit now works in us to convict us of our sins…
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Come on now, you know how hard it is to say “I’m sorry” sometimes!
So, if you are in the process of getting over something. If you are hurt, but not as hurt. If you are thinking about it less and less… Keep praying, fasting if necessary, and keep nurturing the relationship just as God does you when you ask Him for forgiveness.
And, if you are seeking forgiveness, but it seems they aren’t quite over it. If it’s not quite as bad as it used to be, but they still have their moments… be thankful that it’s getting better. Pray for God to continue to heal their heart, and respect the pain you caused them. Don’t become bitter over their bitterness.
Bitter but better is still progress. Celebrate the progress, you can go from BITTER TO BETTER, TO BETTER THAN EVER.
Or, do you really mean it when you say…
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
13 I can do ALL things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
BE BLESSTIFIED!
BE BLESSTIFIED! 