Power of Prayer, love, and forgiveness

     I have been in a battle with one of my neighbors.  They are new and have not been performing up to my standards of neatness and order.  It had come to the point that I felt totally exasperated.  Finally, on Sunday, after a confrontation with the man of the house, I told our Father I couldn't take this any longer.  I needed his guidance and wisdom.  I told Him I was not acting in a Christ-like manner and needed his strength to do the right thing.  Something very real came over me within minutes.  I walked next door where the neighbor was working in his yard.  As I walked toward him, I saw a look of deep concern as to what was about to take place.  As I came close to him, I extended my hand and said, if we are going to be neighbors, we are going to be friends and apologized for my actions.  A look of relief and astonishment came over his face.  He reciprocated the kindness and we buried the hatchet or hate.  What power the love and wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ has to heal and soften hearts.  The Holy Spirit melted through my anger and hate.  I merely asked, and, within minutes, I felt such relief and peace.  It had the same effect on my wife when I told her.  What power our Father's love hath. Truly, I could not see the plank in my eye.

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.   Matthew 7:3

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   
Matthew 6:14

It is not I but our Lord

     These words I write to you come not from me.  It is not I but our Lord who gives me the words I write.  Some have faith in computers, in governments, in people, in things, but have none for our Creator, our Father, our Lord.  His person may be unseen, but his works surround and envelope us.  His spirit is in all things.  His love created and sustains us.  Yet, too many have no faith, time, nor place for him.  Give him time, give him a place in your life, give him love for he loves us always, has a place for us always, and will be here for us always.  You just need to have faith.  Begin to believe and you will begin to experience our Lord.  He will give you riches beyond anything man has to offer.  Begin to feel His presence in your everyday life.  Begin to really live.  If you want excitement and adventure, serve Him.  If you think the world is broken, serve Him, and begin to fix it.  In being a servant to our Father through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you become as a king.  Have faith in our Father, and, when the sun rises in the morning, you can say to those around you, my Father created that.  When you fly above the earth in an airplane with everyone looking down at the scene in awe, you can say, my Father made that.

"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.   
     ACTS 3:16

Do you feel unloved?

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?   James 2:5

No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:39

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," he told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."   Mark 10:21

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.   John 13:34

The Father loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.   John 16:27

     When you are loved by God, our Father, you are truly loved forever, and His love is so mighty that it burns  away all hate. God's love is the gift that increases by giving it away.  Is that not truly the supreme treasure...not gold, nor jewels, nor money?  Turn your faith from the worldly and give it to God...the one who truly has loved you always.   

War!

     War, the act of politicians to save their personal glory.  War, the act that forces another people to defend itself and become tainted by the blood of their brothers.  War, the act that forces the innocent to kill the innocent.  Truly this earth is too small to kill one another in the name of nations, religion, nor whatever deviated purpose.  The hardship it brings to families with the loss of sons and daughters, the blackening of hearts with hatred prodded by misguided leaders ravages mankind with division when we need to be as one to improve the plight of all mankind.  War should always be the last option in any situation.  We, as Christians, have no excuse.  Peace should always be our primary option.  Love your enemies.  Find alternative solutions to killing.  Did not our Lord Jesus conquer the world with love?  But...I suppose there exists a time for war to defend oneself or a friendly country being trampled by an aggressor.  But...let that be the last option when no other is available and pray for the innocents on both sides.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace. 

Ecclesiastes 3

Humbled

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Hebrews 12:2

Many times...

I take credit for that which belongs to You

I feel strong due to myself

I leap for joy for me

I stand tall and proud when I should bow

I walk away when I should stand firm

I grovel when I should cement my feet 

Forgive me my Lord...

My good acts come from You

My strength comes from You

Give me humility in the face of vanity

Give me the wisdom, strength, courage to stand firm for You

Lord, make Your ways mine 

Let Your love shine through me

Let the weak stand on my shoulders

Let the poor in spirit find joy and life in the love You have given to me

Let me be a beacon in the darkness to You, my Lord

Help me stand firm against the waves that tower over 

For what am I if not for You

Let me carry the flag into the battle against darkness

Let it be about You and for You

As You spoke, if not for You, we are against You

Let Your will be done
And, above all, teach us humility
As You were Lord, we are here to serve others
In those acts, we will serve You and your will
And become humble

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,   Peter 5:6


For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.   Matthew 23:12