SHARING MARY'S TEARS

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matt. 6:14 (NIV)

I awake—heart pounding. My sleep is disturbed by worry. I seek the Lord’s comfort and peace.

Through the darkness my mother's heart cries out, recognizing that still, after years, I harbor anger and resentment for the one who nearly took my son's life. Anger burned as I recalled the event that hurt his heart and sent his life into years of a self-destructive tailspin.

Without speaking, I cry to God, "He almost killed my son!" Life crushing pain squeezed across my chest as I pleaded my case.

God quietly, tenderly responds.

"They DID kill my son . . .

And it was for you."

That broke me, drove me from my bed to my knees at this most holy moment. I sobbed out my sorrow for what my sins had done and my thankfulness that even now, God could love me so deeply as to speak love into my pain, ever so gently caressing away the ugly ache of anger that screamed for justice.

He reminds me I have been forgiven once and for all, but in return, I must forgive.

Tears continued streaming from the deep well of pain in my heart. I felt kinship with Mary as she cried for her son.

I felt her tears stinging from under my eyelids—tears that I was in part responsible for.

Oh God, forgive me for my unforgiveness. Help me to release what I am holding on to. Change my heart. Help me to trust you unreservedly with all I hold dear. 

Praise You, Father, for showing me the error of my way, what is inhibiting healing and fullness of joy. Amen.

© 2018 Bonnie Mae Evans

Spiritual Blemishes

These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14b (NWT)

Distressed to see grease spots still on the front of it, I ironed my blouse. I had sprayed the spots with pre-wash before putting it in the washer, but the spots were still there. As I ironed, it occurred to me that the spots were like my soul, marked by human imperfection and sinfulness. The next time I do laundry, I will try another pre-wash and let the blouse sit for a while.

I used to wear bib-aprons when I cooked. I think it would be wise for me to go back to that practice of protecting the front of my clothing. Like that apron, God protects me from the world of sin around me. Jesus represents the cleansing power that, through His blood, washes the dirt and grease of sin from my soul. With help, my spiritual laundry is guaranteed to be whiter than snow.

Thinking on these things, I am reminded of Ephesians 6:11 which says to put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil. The best way I can do that is to read my Bible daily so I can prepare for whatever soil I have to wash out of my day. And I'll thank God for His Son, who has cleansed me of all unrighteousness.

Dear Father, we children sometimes err and get our spiritual clothing spotted. Open our eyes to our mistakes so we may ask Your forgiveness through the cleansing blood of Jesus, our Savior. Amen

(c) 2011 E. Bonnie Ryan

Spots

And stretching out His hand, He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:3 NAS

My daughter was telling me she had run into an acquaintance from her past and that he had changed for the better. Remembering her bitter experience and how she had been disappointed, I quickly said, “A leopard doesn’t change his spots.” I was cynical that he would ever change.

Immediately, the Holy Spirit nudged my heart with the words, “No, but it was I who cleansed the leper’s spots.” I recalled the stories in the Bible where Jesus healed the lepers. They were unable to heal themselves, but their lives were completely changed by His touch, just as my life had been transformed when He touched my heart and forgave my sins.

Who was I to judge this young man so severely? At his age I was still unsaved, unable to change on my own. Jesus died to do what we cannot. He can change our hearts, erase our blemishes and bring us spotless before Him.

Convinced, I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive my sinful attitude and to help me see with Christ-like eyes. I began to pray often for his salvation. I don’t know how he’s doing today or where he stands with the Lord, but I do know that the Lord loves him and died for him, so I will continue to pray.

Thank You Jesus, that Your love for us is so great that You willingly died and rose again so that we could be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness. Thank You for washing our spots away with Your precious blood. Amen.

© 2011 Bonnie M. Evans

Thinking with God

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10 KJV)

Have you ever been accused of something unjustly—even just a little something? I have. It is so frustrating. But what if I were at fault? What if I were guilty?

Satan lays blame on us every day of our lives. He accuses us before God and before others; however, I believe he does his finest work when he accuses us to ourselves. He throws accusations like, “you did this...you’re a hypocrite,” or “God could never use you because of that.”

How many times I have believed His lies! Yes, I am guilty. Yes, I do have an old sin nature, and my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. But do you know what? God knows my frame. He created me and knows every single thing in my heart—and His judgment is “no condemnation.” I am a new creature in Christ. The old things are passed away, and all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Satan tries to make us think naturally about ourselves rather than thinking with God. He succeeds repeatedly because we are natural creatures. But we have been seated above, in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and have supernatural resources from our loving Father to overcome the old way of thinking. Let’s remember what He thinks about us!

Oh, Father, how I long for the day when the accuser of the brethren is cast down; but until then, help me to derive my strength, my hope, and my thoughts from You alone.

© 2010 Katherine A. Fuller

Forgiveness

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8 (NIV)

I volunteered at the Medical Center at lunch time, helping residents open containers, feeding others, and being nimble fingers for some. I was blessed to get to know a lot of the residents.

As I approached Mr. Jim, I said “Good Morning.” Mr. Jim gave me a hateful sideward glance and commented to the lady beside him.

“This is my nephew, Will, who has come to say he’s sorry.”

He spoke each word with emphasis, laced with disgust while he glared at me. I stopped abruptly because I happen to be female, shoulder length hair - definitely not the nephew type. I wondered, should I correct him? Then I said very slowly,

“Yes, I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”

“I knew you’d come sooner or later.” he said.

Just then the food trays made their clanky entrance. Mr. Jim maneuvered the snack table closer to his wheel chair, checked over the food, then busied himself with eating. As he ate, I peeled off foil tops from puddings, put straws in drinks and wondered what to say next. Then he spoke softly,

“Yes, I’ll forgive you.”

Later as I walked down the hall, I wondered what offense the nephew had done. Regardless, he was forgiven with no effort on his part. Then it dawned on me. That’s what Jesus did for me.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for taking our place on the cross. Thank you for forgiving us our sins as we forgive others. Help us to see that the person we free when we forgive is ourselves. Amen

© Copyright 2008 Lois Gosley