Today Reminder (Broken) – 28 September 2018

A reminder for today

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:9-10)

When you start talking to people about your problems and your mistakes you soon realise that there is a lot more broken vessels out there than you and that you are not so special after all. I think my biggest problem was that I assumed that I am the only one and that my sin is the worst ever, until you start to speak to other people. The one thing I pick up very quickly is that these other broken vessels are just as dependant on God as I am now. The one thing we all understand is the gift that we have received in His grace and salvation and how precious forgiveness is.

I am a convicted sinner and I have received forgiveness from a God that loves me so much that He will look past my mistakes and pick me up and carry me through the fires that burn around me. The one thing I find annoying is that those who judge, you know those who deem to be sin free or only do small sins that does not really count, they are the ones that does not understand if you break one law it is as good as breaking them all. The punishment is the same. 

When you realise that God has forgiven you and you are a new person all together, your whole perspective changes, because you know how precious this gift is. You know what had to happen for you to receive this gift and your values suddenly take a whole new direction.

Now this is one thing many miss. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). In Romans 3:10 we read that no one is righteous, no not even one. Yet so many think they are and so many of us judge and do not forgive when Jesus said it so clearly in Matthew 6: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The fact remains that there are many broken vessels out there, but you are not alone, and our Lord God will forgive you just as He has forgiven me, and He will renew you and restore you and He will fill your heart with joy. There is not greater gift than forgiveness and receiving forgiveness. Jesus Christ is the only way and the only way to a new you. It is by far the best makeover you can ever experience. 

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. 

Cheers

Today Reminder (Why me) – 27 September 2018

A reminder for today

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. (Psalm 59:16)

Why me Lord, what have I ever done to deserve even one of the blessings I've known. I love this song and every time I hear it I think about my Grandma (my Mom’s mother) in her last days fighting with cancer. She used to listen to this song all the time even when she was in terrible pain. She was a rock in her faith and a true example of how we should have faith. Both she and my Grandfather played a huge role in my life as a child, but unfortunately, I lost my grandfather when I was still very young. 

Today I am there. What have I ever done to deserve the grace and mercy that God has shown me? I have lived a life that I am not proud of and it took a number of huge bumps to get me where I am now. The amazing thing is that God has been with me through it all. Even when I pushed Him away and fell victim to desire, He still stayed with me and He still guided me. His love and grace overwhelm me, and I am in awe today of the amazing mercies I have been given.

Now this is amazing grace and unfailing love that He took my place on that cross. I have been in a pit of despair the last few weeks knowing that things at home is in chaos. My whole being has been affected and I could feel the enemy laughing, because I have finally lost. I felt like the biggest loser in the world and believe me the enemy made sure that I was reminded of my mistakes over and over again. 

But this week the Lord came, and He just pulled me out of it. He made me realise that I am stronger because He is with me and He is bigger than this. He made me calm and gave me peace as He confirmed again that it is in His hands and He will not let the enemy have his way. No matter what happens I will be fine, and I will not be broken by this. In me lives and awesome and amazing God and if He was able to do what He did with me, imagine what He will do in the days to come. 

So, I am not afraid anymore and I expect the worst to happen soon, but I know now that I am in His hands and so is my children. We will be safe, and we will overcome this. So, I will sing of His power and I will sing of His mercy for He is my refuge and my defence in days like these. 

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. 

Cheers

Today Reminder (To my wife) – 25 September 2018

A reminder for today

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1)

I never meant to cause you any sorrow nor did I intent to cause you more pain. All I want is to see you laugh again. I know it is difficult for you to see past my mistakes and the pain I caused you. I know that I do not deserve your friendship, nor do I deserve a chance to give you the one thing I so long to see in you, and that is happiness. Even though it has been a few years I understand that you cannot let go of the pain and hurt. The one thing I know is that without love we are empty and the fact that your love is gone breaks my heart and it hurts so much. But now I see the pain I caused and the hurt I so stupidly brought into your life. It is unbearable at times and it feels as if my Father left me. 

Without love we become empty vessels drifting in an ocean of hurt. This is not the life I have dreamed about for you in past few years. The life I had in my mind is a life where you are safe and happy and loved. Even though I love you more and more each day, does not mean I can change your heart and that is not in my hands. I keep telling you to look ahead and to see the light that I tried so hard to show you. But it is of no worth it, if your heart is empty and your love is gone. 

I have pleaded, and I have prayed but in the end the choice remains with you and yes, I know I am not a good bet given my track record, but the last few years should count for something. Even if it is just a drop. I know God has never abandoned me, it was me who abandoned Him. I know this, and I can see the results of my choices. But He has forgiven my mistakes and He has lifted me out of the pit I once was in, yet you do not want to forgive, and you do not see my progress. This is the one thing that makes me feel so powerless and I do not know how too handle it.  

So, I decided to leave you with a reminder. Today’s reminder is just for you. 

The greatest gift you can ever receive or give is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not an act of pity but an act of release, releasing you and the person you forgive from the burden of their mistake. Forgiveness does not just free us from pain, but it creates life and growth, because we can let go of the hurt and accept the love that comes with it. Forgiveness replaces pain with love and that love is Godly love and can never be removed. I love you and you are my friend. I am not looking back, I am looking ahead, and I see a future where you can laugh and smile again. I have abused this gift, but I can see the value of what I rejected and the gift that I have in you. You are an amazing person and I would love to bring out the qualities in you that I have not seen and the companionship that you so desire. I am so sorry for who I was and what I did, but I am not that person any more. I am a new person made new by a loving God. I am far removed from my historical self and lifted high by an Almighty God to be who I am now. I am a husband, a father, a friend, a pillar and person that God uses to uplift the lives of other, but I cannot do this without you. You are beautiful, full of life and fun to be with. Yes, we both have our faults, but love will teach us to look past that. You are wonderfully and powerfully made in the image of a living God. Do not seek strength and guidance without Him, because you are not alone, and you do not stand alone. With Him you are more and with Him you can do anything. It all starts with Him and it all will end with Him. He is the only way and the only way we can make it through this. You are my rose, my morning air and my heart. 

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. 

Cheers