I really love to read and hear stories of believers who walk with the Lord, have a true personal encounter with Him and live out their faith. The question I ask myself is how do these believers handle setbacks or sin? For me, I start everyday living from a clean slate. I get up, I state out loud Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercy never comes to an end. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!” I really believe that I am a righteous son bought by the blood of Jesus as mentioned in Romans 8:1 there is now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus.
Lies...
So yesterday I lied to my wife, Jennifer! Yep, I knew I was telling her a bold contrived lie! It was 4am we have rats in the back of the house and I had bought a live rat trap. I had caught a rat and was on my way to get rid of the rat, but the back door of the house was locked so I put the rat and cage down into a plastic trash can and was carrying it through the house to take it outside. Just as I was going through the kitchen somehow the BIG rat got loose, jumped out of the trash can and ran into the living room under the tv stand. I threw the can down (which made a loud noise) ran and opened up the front door, and began to move all the living room furniture out of the way so that the rat could go outside. Great plan! Just then my son Gaius and my wife Jen were standing at the top of the stairs at 4am asking “why are you moving all the furniture?” I LIED…”Umm, I am rearranging the living room! Jen said “OH really? At 4am?” I said, “Uhh yes.” ☹ I was caught! I said, “I caught a rat and it got out and is now hiding under the TV stand. Ahhh I said do not worry I will get it out. Gaius and I were able to chase the rat out of the house. I only lied because I did not want Jen to freak out. But a lie is a lie. I told her I was sorry, Jen said by the look on my face and the time of the morning, she knew I was lying. We never plan on doing wrong it seems we just stumble into these situations. The word tells me that if I walk in the light with Jesus as He is in the light, I have relationship with Him and His blood cleanses me from all my falling short of being perfect. This does not mean it is ok it means I am a child who is growing.
Unforgiveness and mercy…
Last week Jen and I were in the mall to pay our water bill, we were in a small office with about 12 people. We had to take a number stub, ours was 351, they were calling 342. As we waited on the two cashiers, one of them decided to take a break and left. Hmmm…then 4 or 5 senior citizens came in (who get top priority) and they go to the front of the line. After about 20 or 30 minutes, the lady cashier on break came back and called number 351 (which is me). Just then a man stood up cut me off and went up to pay his bill. I said to the lady behind the desk, “Mam, I am 351” showed her my stub she looked at it and continued to take the rude man's money. I turned around and said to the room, “Wow! I thought only the Americans were rude in the Philippines!” The rude man paid his bill and turned around to look me in the face, I just stared back and watched him walk out. It was all very awkward. I paid our bill and walked out into the mall. Just then the Holy Spirit said one word to me “MERCY”. I knew what He was saying, and I replied “Yes Lord, I do love mercy. No Lord, I did not give that man mercy or forgiveness. I am sorry. Thank for the love test. I got a C- next time Holy I hope to get a B+ and that is how I handle times when I do not live out what I say I believe. I had another experience the same where I was helping an elderly lady across a busy highway and an elderly man almost hit us with his car because he was in a hurry to get to the stopped traffic in front of him. He did stop but rolled down his window and began to yell at me in Tagalog. I wish I could tell you I was kind and merciful but I told him what I thought of his attitude and driving. Again, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the great mercy and forgiveness I have been given. I told Him I really want to walk in the fullness of this love and light. I thanked the Lord for His kindness toward me and asked for help in showing grace and mercy to people at the moment. Once I have done this I do not dwell on my mistakes or failures I walk in the truth of His word. I do not practice sin or failure. I practice love mercy forgiveness of myself and others. I never justify my poor choices, and if possible, I will go to that person and try to make it right. Every victory or set back in my believer's walk is a learning opportunity. As I live like this I feel and believe I am a young child of ABBA learning how to grow in Him.
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