Good or Evil?

Romans 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Everyone has the feeling they are always fighting the good angel and the evil demon on their shoulders. When I hear the evil demon telling me what to do, I know it is my own wicked flesh talking. When I hear the good angel telling me what to do, I know it is the Holy Spirit living within me.When I give in to my flesh it always gets me into trouble. When I listen to the Holy Spirit it leads me to a path of peace.

We don't always know the right thing to do but the Holy Spirit living inside of us does so we need to  listen and obey. Pray for God to make all things clear and it will be made clear. Listen for God's voice in your heart and life to direct to what is right. It will never be contrary to God's Word. Listen carefully and completely. 

How do we hear? 

 Through prayer, God's Word and obeying His Word!

 This picture was taken when I was traveling on 
the coast of Mississippi in 2009.

Refuse Bitterness

Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. Job 21:25

Many times in life some have hurt us, let us down or betrayed us. We are all human and capable of doing great harm to each other. I remember watching some of my own children when they were young treat each other with such hate and anger that it scared me to imagine what they must be feeling. The emotions of the hated and rejected child and the emotions of the angry and vengeful child. Adults are no different and can cause each other a great deal of hurt and bitterness.

All of us have been disappointed in some way by others and all of us have disappointed others. There are plenty of people to blame for the pain and hurt we feel and we are to blame for the pain and hurt caused to others.

Some people have no happiness at all because of all the hurt and pain that others have caused them so they live and die with bitter hearts. We have to make that decision in life whether we will be happy or bitter because we can't be both. Until we kick bitterness out we won't be happy. Are we going to be bitter or better? It's a choice.

This picture was taken when I visited Texas, in January 2010.

Recovering Resentment

 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! Genesis 45:4

Life is full of resentment and wounds when people hurt us instead of being a blessing to us. How we heal is more up to us than the ones who have wounded us. We have to learn how to recover from our resentment with God's help. 

Resentment is like cancer where it starts out small and needs to be released and removed immediately. If not, it will eat away at us and eventually destroy us.

Resentment focuses on the past. It replays the past over and over. It won't change the past but if not dealt with it can certainly have long-lasting negative effects on our future. A happy, healthy life cannot be lived holding on to the past and certainly not holding on to our resentment.

Joseph had every right to be resentful of his brothers when they sold him into slavery but he recognized God's presence in his life even when things went so terribly wrong. Despite all that was happening to him for so many years he trusted that God loved him and would be there for him. After many years, God blessed him and reconciled him to his family. It is impossible to have love and forgiveness where there is resentment. 

 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler of all Egypt. Genesis 45:8

 This picture was taken from my hotel window in Atlanta 

at night on January 2014.