Forgiveness

Greetings!!!

Have you ever cleared an area for a new garden? As I was expanding my garden recently, it seemed like I was hitting more rocks than soil. I had to get a pick in order to get under the rocks and pry them up out of the dirt. It was a lot of work that have not yet completed. As I was digging I remembered an object lesson on unforgiveness from my "Journey to Joy" Bible study. The class had to think of past hurts and pick rocks for each hurt, and wrap them in a cloth. Afterwards, we had to carry our rocks with us all the time until we were able to forgive the people who caused the hurts.

The Scripture has much to say about the importance of forgiveness. One that you will probably recognize is found in Matthew 6:9-16. Jesus said,

"Pray, then, in this way:

'Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen].'

"For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, them your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

Wow! Holding onto unforgiveness is a costly thing! As I dug in my garden thinking about not forgiving past hurts, these thought came to mind:

Unforgiveness is a heavy load, greater than you were meant to bear.

When unforgiveness is held onto, hardness will develop in your heart.

That hardness effects not only your relationship with people, but also your relationship with God.

Sometimes it is a lot of work to make the choice to forgive.

Unlike the rocks in my garden, the rocks of unforgiveness will grow harder and larger with time if left alone.

Just like the rocks in my garden, some of which were very large, there seldom is just one. When you hold onto unforgiveness as if it were your right, there is usually more than one person you need to forgive and more than one person affected by your unforgiveness.

The most astonishing thought that came was that unforgiveness puts a barrier between you and God.

What hurts are locked up in your heart? Who do you need to forgive? Do not wait. Make the choice to forgive today.

The LORD bless you with choosing to forgive.

Love,

Ruth

Run the Race (part 2)

Greetings!!!

Are you a runner? As I observe more and more races as an official, I see more and more lessons to learn and apply to the marathon of life as a child of God.

Runners have to be prepared. In the same way that a person does not just show up at the starting line to run a race and expect to do well, you must prepare for this journey. Some necessities are reading the Bible, taking time to pray for yourself and others, spending time in worshipping the Lord and thank Him for what He has done, and joining in fellowship with other believers.

Runners must know the rules. When runners break the rules, they are disqualified from the race. Although you will not be disqualified when you break the rules (sin), you do need to know when you sin and confess and repent of that sin so you can have a clean slate with God. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness."

Runners have to stay in their lanes. When a runner gains the advantage by stepping out of the assigned lane, he or she is disqualified. Our heavenly Father graciously speaks to His children who desire to follow His plan in Isaiah 30:21, "And your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left."

You cannot run well if you keep looking back. Just as a runner is more likely not to run well if he keeps looking backward, your focus needs to be forward. Paul puts it this way in Philippians 3:13-14: "forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Runners must be considerate of those competing with them. In the same way that runners in a race must be considerate of those running alongside them, you must not only consider others, but also go a step further in your consideration of those who are in life's journey with you. Philippians 2:3 puts it this way: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of other."

Always remember that this journey is not a sprint but a marathon. Train well and you will make it to the very end. The completion of this journey does not offer a prize to only the strongest runners. No, in this journey, it is God's desire that you help as many people as you can to finish with you. I pray that you will not only join me in this journey, but also that you will cross the finish line with me into eternity.

The LORD bless you with joy and strength on your journey, and with bringing many along with you on the way.

I love you,

Ruth

Run the Race

Greetings!!!

Do you enjoy athletic competitions? Perhaps you prefer to watch instead of compete. As a track and field official, much of my time this year has been spent being an umpire on the turns at the track. Part of my job is to make sure the runners run their races fairly and safely. It has been fun to watch the strength and speed of the faster runners, as well as the determination to finish by those who are not as fast.

Did you know that Paul compares your journey through this life to an athlete who must compete well for the King? In 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:6 Paul says, "Do you not know that those in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved."

Have you chosen to live your life for the King and enter the race to glorify Him? I will be honest with you. It will not be easy. This journey will be hard work. There may be times when you may feel like it is too hard. At those times, you need to ask someone to come along side you and help you to keep going. If you do not enter the race and stay the course, you will never fulfill God's plans and purposes for your life. Enter the race! Whether you fly like the wind or plod along at a slow steady speed, I encourage you join me in this race. Run and be there with me at the finish line.

The LORD bless you with choosing to enter this race for the King and with having the endurance to run into eternity to be with Him.

I love you,

Ruth

Rainbows

Greetings!!!

Do you watch for rainbows? I cannot tell you why, but for as long as I can remember since I became a child of God, rainbows hold a special place in my heart. Maybe it has something to do with the very first rainbow found in Genesis 9:12-16: And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God was remembering us last week when He placed this rainbow in the clouds about our house after a very intense storm.

What storms are raging in your life? Are the clouds so black and the rain pounding so hard that you can hardly hear yourself think, let alone hear the whispers of God. Is the lightning so bright and the thunder so close and so loud that it takes your breath away? Here are some thoughts to remember in the middle of your storms. Jesus said there would be storms. John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The storms are not meant for your destruction. Isaiah 43:1-3, "But now, thus says the LORD, your creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"

You will not be abandoned in any of the storms of life. Romans 8:35-39, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What storms are raging in your life? Start watching for the rainbow, for a rainbow can only be seen during a storm. Take hold of God's abundant grace. He will see you through whatever the storms bring.

The LORD bless you with resting in His grace and peace in the middle of your storms.

I love you,

Ruth

Dry, Dusty Days

Greetings!!!

Has your weather been dry? Our weather has been so dry that when I cut my grass yesterday I resembled Charles M. Schulz's character "Pig Pen" from the Peanuts comic strip. You know "Pig Pen"!! He is the one who is known for the cloud of dust and dirt that goes wherever he does. I was covered in dirt and had dirt in places dirt ought not to be. I am still getting dirt out of my eyes and nose this morning, but after the work of thatching, cutting and bagging grass and putting it on my garden, my lawn looks lush and green. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.

Has the weather of your soul been dry, so dry that a dust cloud shrouds your life making it feel like you will suffocate? "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, In order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. "I, even I, am the LORD; And there is no savior besides Me. It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And I am God. Even from eternity I am He; And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"

Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me; The jackals and the ostriches; Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. "The people whom I formed for Myself, Will declare My praise." Isaiah 43:10-14,18-20

Dark, dry days of the soul can be long and hard to endure, but remember, dear child of God, He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned you. You are precious to Him. He has you in His hands and you are safe, safe all the way to the end. Your desert days will not last forever, and the work in your soul that is done there, although it is hard, will be worth it.

The LORD bless you with His grace as you walk through your desert.

I love you,

Ruth

In the Fog

Greetings!!!

Have you ever traveled a routine route in the fog? It can be difficult to navigate when familiar landmarks become confusing, ghostly images that appear unlike the ones seen when it is bright and clear. It becomes even more mystifying when circumstances call for a detour onto unfamiliar roads. As I traveled through the fog last week experiencing the disorientation that fog can cause, several verses from the Psalms came to mind.

Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path."

When I think of using a flashlight in the dark, even the brightest one does not pierce very far into the darkness. If the light is directed too far up the path, it is easy to miss what can cause a fall right at your feet. Also, if the light is not used at all, disaster is looming at every step. God's word is like that with life. It is important to keep it close and keep it in use. You have to read it and apply it today.

Psalm 43:3 "Send out Thy light and Thy truth, and let them lead me; Let them bring me to Thy holy hill, And to Thy dwelling places."

When traveling in unfamiliar territory or even in familiar territory in the darkness or dense fog, it is much easier if there is a guiding light to focus on that can guide you on your way. When you open the Bible, It will provide wisdom and insight for any and every situation.

Psalm 48:14 "For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death."

It is nice to have a light on your path, and a light up ahead to keep you going in the right direction. But, oh how wonderful it is to have a Guide who know every divot that can turn your ankle, every protruding rock or root that can catch your toe, and every branch that can slap you in the face. How reassuring it is when that Guide reaches out to take your hand to keep you steady when the path narrows or becomes too steep. And how blessed it is when that same Guide gives you words of encouragement to keep you going when if feels like you cannot go one step further.

Are you feeling like life has you in a fog or even in the dark? God's word, the Bible, will bring light to your path, give you a focal point to show you the way, and provide a Guide for every day for all of your days. Are you feeling confused and directionless? What are you waiting for? Open the Bible so you can be safely on your way.

The LORD bless you with wisdom and guidance to keep you on His path.

I love you,

Ruth

Shelter In the Storm

Greetings!!!

Are you enjoying a reprieve from the rain? I had to drive through a really intense storm this past Sunday to get to a meeting. As usual when I am driving alone, I was talking to my heavenly Father. Then I noticed my rear window. The rain was blasting the car so hard I could hardly hear anything else, but there was no rain hitting the rear window. I changed speeds and kept checking the rearview mirror to see if the rain really was not hitting the rear window. Sure enough, something was protecting it from the rain! As I talked to my Father about this, He brought Psalm 91 to mind.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow if the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust!"

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper,

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

Or of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not approach you.

For you have made the LORD my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands,

Lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra,

The young lion and serpent you will trample down.

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him, and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him,

And let him behold My salvation."

What are you facing today? What are the lions and cobras, the young lions and serpents in front of you? What wells up in you when you come face to face with a lion or serpent? Fear. Terror. Dread. It does not matter what you are feeling. You have power! You have strength! Although the lion may be roaring and prowling about for someone to devour, and the serpent may be trying to bring fear and dread, God has given you the power and authority to trample them under your feet!! Yes, you might me afraid, but you are not alone. You are not resisting the enemy in your own strength. Now is the time to put on the full armor of God and stand. Stand face to face with full confidence in the One who stands with you. Stand firm and witness your deliverance.

The LORD bless you with confidence in the One who shoulder to shoulder with you as you face the lions and cobras in your life.

I love you,

Ruth