Uncategorized – Page 8 – Balm 4 the Soul

Love Completed by Tammy Nicole Glover

September 26, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

Lord, You knew me before I came into this world. You knew that I would sin and rebel against You. But in spite of the heartache You knew I would cause, You still gave me life. You loved me so much that You sent Your Son to take my place to suffer the punishment that was meant for me. He laid down His life just so that I could have a chance to spend eternity with You.

Over the years, You carefully watched over me and provided for me. You patiently waited for me to turn my heart towards You. When I decided to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, You, along with all the angels and saints in heaven rejoiced. You forgave me and welcomed me into Your family. Now, I can hold my head up high because I no longer have the weight of my sin holding me down. I’m no longer ashamed of my past, it has now become my testimony.

Thank You, Lord. May the works of Your love be completed inside of me.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NIV

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Walking or Limping in Love? By Tammy Nicole Glover

September 21, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

When I comfort a friend in pain, you might say that I’m walking in love. If my enemy is in pain and although, I don’t rejoice in their pain, I do nothing to stop it, am I still walking in love? What if I help a stranger in need but I just shake my head when I see my abuser in need, is that walking in love? How about if I see my brother or sister heading for an eternity in heal and I tell them about salvation through Christ, that’s walking in love, right? However, if a person who has stolen from me is headed towards an eternity in hell and I just say that I forgive them but I never pray for their soul or I refuse to tell them about Jesus Christ, would I still be walking in love?

Jesus is our example of love. He walked in love every single day. He didn’t refuse to help those who were considered outcasts. He died for those who loved Him and hated Him. If I am to follow His example I must truly walk in love even when it hurts or it seems unfair. Limping along just isn’t good enough because walking in love could mean someone’s soul.

“If I speak in the tongues of man and angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV

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When It Hurts By Tammy Nicole Glover

September 13, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 KJV

Even though it hurts right now, I will praise You, Lord. My eyes may be so full of tears that I can’t see but I will still give You the glory. I may be so scared and worried that I can speak but I will still lift my hands. I may be so weak from fighting that I can’t dance before You but I will bow down to honor You. My praise is not dependent on my circumstance. I praise You because I love You. I praise You because of who You are. You are the Creator of this world, yet Your eye is still on me, so much so that You know the exact number of hairs on my head. I praise You because You love me in the midst of my troubles. You are always by my side.

How can I not praise You, Lord? You are the source of my strength, my peace and my joy. You are God Almighty. There is no one greater than You.

“I live and breathe God, if things aren’t going will, hear this and be happy.” Psalm 34:2 MSG

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It Was Love by Tammy Nicole Glover

September 9, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

Love came down from glory and into this world. It carried the burdens of our sins to the cross. It allowed us to receive forgiveness and salvation. That same love heals my broken heart. It calms me down when I’m angry and prevents me from seeking vengeance. It allows me to see the other side of the story and leads me to pray, instead of responding with harsh words. Not only does this love give me the strength to forgive but it gives me the courage to open my heart again and let go of the past.

Only God’s love could do all of this. His love changes us into a new creation. Thank you, Lord, for loving me so completely. Your love allows me to love others as You love me.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:11-12 NIV

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Do You Know What They Did To Me? By Tammy Nicole Glover

August 29, 2016August 29, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

Do you know what they did to me? I was sent down to help them. I loved them and taught them. I only wanted them to have a chance to spend a lifetime with my Father.

I was not greeted with open arms or thanksgiving but with insults and abuse. While I hung on the cross, I never gave up hope. Before I took my last breath, I looked up towards heaven and asked my Father to forgive them. I knew they were a broken people but they were still worth saving.

I tasted death and willing went to hell in their place. On the third day, I triumphantly rose from the grave knowing that because of my sacrifice, generations to come would be saved.

My Father is faithful and willing to forgive anyone that comes in my name and repents. Sadly, there is still something holding them back. It is their refusal to forgive. There is no one who is without fault, yet they expect perfection from each other.

Dear beloved children, I would never ask you to do something that I wouldn’t do myself or that I haven’t given you the ability to do. Please, soften your hearts and forgive each other. Love one another as I love you. I only want you to receive the full blessings that I have sacrificed my life for you to have.

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them , for they do not know what they are doing.'” Luke 23:34 NIV

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Turn the Other Cheek, Say What?!? By Tammy Nicole Glover

August 22, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:39 NIV

Let me get this straight, even though I’ve been abused, lied on, called out of my name and cursed, I’m supposed to let it go and forgive? Not only am I supposed to forgive but I’m expected to pray for them? Do you have any idea how hard it is to find time to pray for myself? What if I pray for them and they never get what they deserve?

Are we sure this isn’t just for pastors to follow? Did Jesus really expect us all to live by this command? Can I just tell them off one good time first? This is too much!

Lord, I’m going to need some serious help. This is going against everything in my flesh but I want to do what you have commanded. I want to forgive and love others as Christ forgives and loves me. But Lord, I’m going to need your strength.

“Bless those who persecute you, bless and not curse.” Romans 12:14 NIV

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The Prison Break By Tammy Nicole Glover

August 11, 2016August 15, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

I’ve been in this prison for twenty-five years. I hate it here. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I used to be happy and friendly. I was never afraid to love. Now, I’m always depressed and suspicious. I can’t show an ounce of weakness. Forget about hope for the future, I’m just trying to survive. It’s all because I decided to hold on to my anger.

Well, today, I’m breaking out. I’m letting the anger go. Instead of cringing every time I see them, I’m going to see them as God sees them. Instead of cursing them, I’m going to bless them. Instead of talking badly about them, I’m going to pray for them.

Enough is enough. There’s no reason for me to remain in this prison of my own making. I’m ready to see the sun again. I want to be free.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 44-45 NIV

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I Own It By Tammy Nicole Glover

August 8, 2016August 8, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

I own my anger, it’s all mine. I wear my anger as a badge of honor, boldly displaying it wherever I go. Don’t be fooled. I’ll speak of good things for a while, but if you mention that thing that happened to me ten years ago, I will explode. I’ll let everyone who is willing to listen to me about how I was mistreated. I’ll be so wrapped up in reliving those memories that I won’t notice how people’s eyes glaze over when I ask, “do you know what they did to me.” I won’t even notice when people start to avoid me like the plague. Everyone needs to know what happened. I didn’t do anything wrong. They made me like this.

Wait a minute, let me back up for a minute. I just said that, “they made me like this.” Could it really be that I’ve given the people who hurt me control over my life? Have I allowed them to keep me miserable and miss out on divine relationships and opportunities? You know, I can’t remember the last time I clearly heard from God since I relinquished control. What in the world is wrong with me?

Lord, please, forgive me for the time I’ve wasted holding on to my anger. Help me to let it go. Please, heal my broken heart and help me to forgive those that have hurt me.

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV

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KICKING THE HABIT by Tammy Nicole Glover

July 27, 2016July 27, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

I am a worrier and I am exceptional at it. I can worry with the best of them. I didn’t think anything was wrong with worrying, until it started to take over my life. I couldn’t go a day without worrying. I even based my decisions on my worries.

What I didn’t realize was that by worrying I was telling God that I didn’t trust Him and I believed that I could handle things on my own. How could I not trust the One who has provided for me better than I could ever imagine? What on earth made me think that I could handle things better than the Creator of the universe? Worrying was a burden that I was never meant to bear.

It’s time to step out of the role of worrier and into the role God actually meant for me to be in, the role of a conqueror. When worries come it’s not my job to hold them inside. It’s my job to turn them over to God, the Lord Almighty. I can’t do this alone. I need the One, who through Him, all things are possible. It’s time to kick the habit of worrying.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV

*you can get a daily dose of encouragement everyday on Facebook @ Balm4theSoul

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Ever Present

June 13, 2016by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 NIV

Your Heavenly Father is with you. He sees your struggles. He knows your pain. Even when you hurt so bad that you try to hide from Him and the world, He is still there. Even when you’re angry with Him because you think that He is the source of your pain, He still loves you. He will never leave your side. He never goes back on His promises. There is no where that His arms can’t reach you. He is only a call away, even if it hurts too much to speak, He can hear your thoughts.

Stop leaning on your own understanding and trust Him. Have you forgotten about the last time He delivered you? Remember how He turned what was meant to harm you into something that prospered you. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has an endless supply of comfort and strength. There is no good thing that He will ever withhold from His children.

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:15 NIV