To Err Is Human, to Forgive Is Divine

Adele's Inspiration Cafe Blog:

 To Err Is Human, to Forgive Is Divine

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."   Ephesians 4:31-32

Forgiveness. I don't know about you, but I find forgiveness really hard. Both asking for it and providing it to those who I feel have hurt me. Really hard. Yet, every now and then, it is brought to my attention that I have hurt or offended someone. At times, though never intended, we all hurt people we care very much about and must ask forgiveness. Sometimes we are the one who asks for forgiveness, other times we are the one on the forgiving end of things. In a way, it is all part of the seesaw of life relationships. In the past, I have noticed that sometimes it is harder than others to ask for forgiveness, especially where feelings are concerned. That is where discernment comes in from today's Holy Scripture, to rescue us from our own awkwardness with forgiving.

When we forgive others, we are fulfilling our own circle of faith in Jesus Christ. For un-forgiveness is a plague that, left unchecked, can cause more heartache, emotional upheaval, physical illness, and most of all, spiritual unrest in a hurting soul. Do we really need to forgive others? The Bible says categorically, we are called to forgive 70 times 7, that is, over and over again. But how is that possible in light of our humanness??? 

Today's Scripture specifically tells us we must put aside our anger and press on in faith to love one another as God loves us. Do we expect to be forgiven when we ask for it? Surely that hope prevails! Yet when we understand that we are forgiven to the degree that we forgive others, forgiveness suddenly seems necessary and possible through Jesus Christ. 

Personally, I often call upon and defer to Jesus to intercede when I am called to forgive and it is difficult. Alone I can do precious little, with Him, all things are possible!

Adele M. Gill  |  Copyright 2015

God's Promises For You!

God’s Promises For You!

"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

I have a book called "God's Promises." and refer to it often, lest I forget God's plan for my life. God's promises are true and enduring through good times and bad; His mercy endures forever.

God's promises are taken from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, giving timeless wisdom to all who seek it in the name of Jesus. This Holy Scripture passage above is especially valuable because it is contains four promises in just a single sentence.

I will instruct you: God promises to give us instruction for our journey, discernment we can lean on and embrace along the way. For me, He accomplishes this through scripture passages, prayer, circumstances, and through other people, Yes, Jesus has many ways that He communicates with us, but we have to be open to His promptings through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Show you the way you should walk: Jesus is with us through the power of the Holy Spirit gently guiding our words and actions. We have free will, and the capacity to get off course, and wander or walk away from God as we try to depend on our own devices. We must dedicate each day to His Divine Will lest we get lost in the peril we consciously or subconsciously choose for ourselves. The Holy Spirit is most present and powerful when we follow God's way rather than our own.

Give you counsel: When we lay our life in God's hands and ask for Him to lead us, things just seem to go better. The fog and cobwebs are cleared away, and the path is made straight.  We are able to put one foot in front of the other and breathe in the rich blessings He has for each of us. Resist his counsel, and you stand alone in the rain of your making

Watch over you: God watches over, comforts, and protects all who seek Him in earnest, providing a "Passive security system" for all who seek His face in prayer. Follow Him with all your being, and see the splendor of His presence in your life!

For Jesus is the Great Healer, the Awe-Inspiring Comforter, the Mighty Protector. Savior of the world, He stands in wait for you to but call His holy name to bless you profoundly with all that is good!

Adele M. Gill  |  Copyright 2015  |   www.theinspirationcafeblog.blogspot.com