Word for the day “Transformed from bitter to better”
Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
WE ALL MUST LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE BITTERNESS IN OUR LIVES.
I read the story of two shopkeepers that owned stores directly across the street from each other. Each spent his days tracking the others’ business and gloating triumphantly each time a customer chose his own store. Over time, they became bitter rivals. Beware and recognize for all of us, if we are left to fester, righteous anger eventually becomes the divisive hurt that is bitterness. Are you bitter towards someone in your life?
One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers and said, ‘I’ll give you anything you request, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive double. Would you be rich? You can be very rich indeed, but he’ll be twice as wealthy. Do you desire a long and healthy life? Request it, but his life will be longer and healthier. What’s your desire? “The man thought for a moment, and with a sly grin, stated, ‘Strike me blind in one eye”.
THE PERIL OF BITTERNESS IS EXHAUSTIVE AND DAMAGING TO OUR PERSONAL LIFE.
Bitterness is relentless and dangerous when allowed to take root in our hearts. It destroys decision-making abilities and compromises otherwise focused and productive lives. Its only remedy is forgiveness freely by the Lord God Almighty. And if you believe the Bible, we are to give of ourselves generously to others. This is a very poignant lesson for our lives and the lives for those who are connected to us. Such is the inevitable result of becoming obsessed with blaming someone (or something) else for our life’s challenges, rather than refusing to permit external hindrances or setbacks from blocking us from pursuing our goals.
But clearly, it’s all too easy to hamper ourselves by falling into the trap of righteously obsessing about our injuries or outrage. Yet the perils of succumbing to the place of acrimonious victimhood and ascribing to the rigid position of bitterness in your life invariably carry a high price tag. In fact, the price tag of bitterness will destroy any chance of you having a productive and powerful life of your own.
POINT TO PONDER
Take a step out of bitterness into forgiveness today. Forgive the unforgivable. You can do it! The reason you are reading this message is that it’s time to free yourself from bitterness and forgive the unforgivable! I don’t know about you family of God, but I just want to be free. Have a great day!
Quote: James Baker, Jr. “Whatever it is in your life that has you bitter, let it go and allow God to make you better”
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of September 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Judith Battle, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Crystal Grant, Ms. Shawna Chester, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Ms. Judy Hendrix, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, Mr. William Wilson, Mr. William Buchanan, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,