September 5, 2007

 

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

 

--Psalm 119:35

 

Do you have any roots of bitterness in your life today? I want you to really think about this for a moment. Are you harboring any negative feelings, animosity, or even hatred towards another person?

 

Now, perhaps you have been hurt greatly. Perhaps you were sexually, physically, or verbally abused as a child. Maybe you’ve been devastated by rejection in a relationship. Perhaps you’ve been unsuccessful in school… or in your current career. I know that every one of us faces hurt and rejection in life.

 

But I also know that Satan laughs when there’s a conflict that’s caused by bitterness. Why does he laugh? Because he knows that a spirit of bitterness gives him a foothold in your life… which will make you unable to pray, unable to witness, and unable to serve God effectively.

 

You say, “Well, Pastor, you don't understand how much I've been hurt. You don't know how deeply I’ve been wounded. You don't know my story.” And you know what? You’re right. I don’t.

 

But I do know what happened to Jesus when He was taken into the hands of cruel and violent men… Roman soldiers who saw Him as nothing but a piece of flesh to be executed on a cruel Roman cross. They beat Him, mocked Him, pulled out His beard, spat in His face, and nailed Him to a cross.

 

And yet Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

 

That's what Christ has done for you! And as a believer, the Spirit of Christ lives within you, enabling you… by His power… to respond to others with forgiveness.

 

If you will ask God to take away your bitterness, He will do it. He will bring you to a place in your life where His grace and peace replaces the animosity, hurt, and anger that you feel today.

 

Ask god to take away the bitterness in your life so you can discover the power of forgiveness