Tag: forgiveness

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I Know What I Did By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 NIV

I know what I did. I’ve hurt people and displeased my Heavenly Father. I’ve been mean. I’ve said hurtful things and I’ve judged people harshly. I have not only acted this way towards others but I am just as guilty as acting this way towards myself. In fact, I have probably hurt myself more than I have hurt others. I’ve tried to self medicate my pain instead of allowing God to heal me. I was wrong.

Although, God was not surprised by my actions and thoughts, He was still displeased. He taught me better than this. Instead of allowing my guilt to continue to disrupt my sleep and hold me back from receiving my blessings, I decided to confess my sins to the Lord. I decided to turn over all my past hurts and all of my weaknesses to Him. I decided to pray and bless others instead of saying something unkind.

Do you know what He did after that? He forgave me completely. He healed everything that was broken inside of me. He softened my heart to his instructions. What a blessing it is to be forgiven. I am free to become the person God has created me to be and I am free to do what He has called me to do, which is to love others and bless them. I can love without fear now because I know that If I do get hurt, God will heal me again.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteosness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV

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Thank You By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34 NIV

You sat in glory since the beginning of creation. You saw how we struggled. You saw us dig ourselves in a hole that was so deep that there was no way we could get out of it ourselves. We didn’t even realize that we were even in a hole. We just thought that we were evolving. We were so blinded by our mess that we couldn’t even see that the hole was leading us to eternal damnation.

You came down from heaven to live among us. We were so used to our mess that we couldn’t recognize your presence. We couldn’t believe that you would lower yourself for us, yet you still revealed yourself to us. We denied you, we allowed you to be tortured and murdered, yet you still forgave us with your last breath as you hung on a cross. You took our place in hell and conquered death because you knew that eventually we would see our mess.

You love us so completely. No one has ever done something so beautiful and amazing for us. You went back to heaven to prepare a place for us. As you prepare, you are still patiently waiting for the good news to be spread across the ends of the earth. You’re still giving us a chance to come to you before it’s too late.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for all that you endured on my behalf. It is because of you that I am able to call the Lord Almighty my father. It’s because of you that I am able to receive healing. It’s because of you that I have an army of angels protecting me and my family. It’s because of you that I am more than a conqueror. It is because of you that I am saved. No one else has done what you have done for me. There is nothing that I can do that will ever repay you for what you’ve done for me but you love me anyway. Thank you.

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 MSG

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WHO IS HE? By Tammy Glover

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“I am the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:41 NIV

He is my sun in the rain. He is the sanity in my crazy. He is the right in my wrong. He is the common sense in my stupidity. He is the wisdom in my confusion. He is the hand that catches me when I fall. He is the joy in my pain. He is the calm in my chaos. He is the healer in my sickness. He is the protector in my recklessness. He is the light in my darkness. He is the courage in my cowardice. He is the confidence in my awkwardness. He is the supernatural in my natural. He is the comforter in my loneliness. He is the balm that soothes. He is in the words I write. He is the air I breathe. He is the reason for living. He is my past, present and future. He is the gift to my soul. He is in me. His love surrounds me and his light shines through me. Who is he, you ask. He is Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

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WOULD YOU DO IT? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul3 Comments on WOULD YOU DO IT? By Tammy Glover

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV

Would you give a drink of water to someone who is thirsty? Would you give up your favorite coat to someone who is cold? Would you give your last piece of bread to someone who is hungry? Would you offer someone a place to lay their head? Would you offer comfort to someone in pain? Would you help someone up if they had fallen? Would you lay down your life to save someone else’s?

Most people would answer yes to these questions if it were a close family member or friend. However, the real question is, would those same people still answer yes if it were for a complete stranger. What if it was someone who humiliated you, lied to you, beat you, betrayed you or completely denied your existence? I’m guessing that the answer to these questions would change to absolutely not for a lot of people.

There is someone who did do those things for us despite what we did to him. His name is Jesus. He endured torture and humiliation for everyone, even those who mistreated him. He died so that we could receive salvation. He didn’t wait until we wised up and begged for his forgiveness. He didn’t wait until our attitudes changed. He asked for forgiveness on our behalf, knowing that we didn’t know any better, and he suffered the punishment that we should have received. He loves us in spite of ourselves. Aren’t you glad that he was willing to do that for us? Now, if God can forgive us after all we’ve done, why can’t we forgive each other?

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIV

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RESCUED BY TAMMY GLOVER

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7, NIV

I was walking along, enjoying the sunshine and picking up the beautiful flowers along the way. It seemed like the perfect day. It started to get cloudy but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying the day, I kept on going along my path. I knew something was coming but I refused to worry about it.

I started to see fewer flowers along the way, which was a disappointment. I had started to look forward to their bright colors and intricate designs. Despite the disappointment, I kept on going until I tripped over a fallen branch. I had a few scratches and a bruised ego but nothing major. I just got back up, dusted myself off and kept on walking.

I heard wolves and I became distracted and scared. I was alone in the woods with bloody wounds and I was sure the wolves would track my scent and devour me. I had to find a safe place to hide. I started running away from the sounds of the howling wolves but they seemed to be surrounding me. I could see their glowing eyes watching me through the trees and bushes. I stumbled once again and fell into a deep pit. I tried to grab on to anything I could to stop my fall but to no avail. I hit the hard, rocky bottom. I was so far down that I could only see a sliver of light peeking through the top. I tried to climb out but only accomplished making myself weary and my finger tips raw and bloodied. I called out for help and I heard a strong voice answer back, “I’m here and I’m going to get you out.”

I was thankful but it just didn’t seem like the voice above was working fast enough. Oftentimes, there were long periods of silence and I thought that he had left me. I panicked and called out to him until I was hoarse. The voice always came back and let me know that he was still there, working on my rescue. He promised to never leave me. I knew that I had to remain calm and be patient. I kept the promise of rescue in my mind and heart. Eventually, the light from above became brighter and brighter and I could see my rescuer’s hand reaching down. I knew that it was going to be ok.

Life is a lot like this. We start down a path that we know God has set us on. We enjoy his anointing over us and his blessings along the way. Small issues arise but we press forward. We stumble and fall but we get back up. People who don’t want to see you succeed show up and we become distracted. We allow fear to overtake us. Sometimes we fall in a dark pit and we feel like there is no way to escape. The Lord your God is always with you. There is no problem that he can’t solve. He is the rescuer. There may be times when you feel like he has left you during your troubles but He is still there working on your way out. He hears your cries. You just have to remain calm and be patient. Help isn’t on the way, it’s already here.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” John 14:1, NIV

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THROUGH A STRANGER’S EYES by Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul4 Comments on THROUGH A STRANGER’S EYES by Tammy Glover

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.” Psalm 41:1, NIV

What if you were granted the ability to see through another person’s eyes? What do you think you would see? Do you think that you would see that the well-to-do couple down the street is completely happy or would you see that they are stressed out because they are living above their means? Do you think you would see the little boy that has been causing trouble on the block is being told by his parents that they wish he was never born and that he will never amount to anything?

Do you think that you would see your boss gleefully finding ways to make your life difficult or instead would you see that his boss is threatening to fire him if he does not perform? Do you think that you would see that the coworker who couldn’t be bothered to say good morning to you, weeping in her car because she found out that the lump in her breast is cancer? Do you think you would see that the coworker in everyone’s business is so lonely that she is contemplating suicide?

Maybe you could see the lady that cut you off on the way home was running away from an abusive husband? Could you see that the cashier that was rude to you just buried her eleven year old son and she couldn’t afford to take time off work to properly grieve? Could you see your friend who refuses to return your calls was raped a week ago and she’s ashamed to tell you?

If you could see these things, would that change the way you felt about them? Would you still be angry and judgmental or would you pray for them? Would this be the only way you could feel compassion for them? Well, we don’t have the power to see everything that is going on in someone’s life, nor can we see what people are thinking. We all have emotional scars that we’ve caused each other and ourselves. God still expects us to have compassion for each other just as He has compassion for us. We all need to be shown love, even if we don’t show it.

As difficult as it is, before you become angry or start to complain about someone, try to take a step back and consider that maybe something deeper that you can’t see is going on with that person. Show compassion. Pray for those who hurt you because you never know what that person maybe going through.

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless; like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:35-36, NIV

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WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH? By Tammy Glover

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

Why does it hurt so much to worry? Why does my head throb and my stomach stay tied up in knots? Why does my back ache and my neck feel tight? It’s as if I have the weight of the world sitting on top of my shoulders.

Every possible negative outcome races through my mind. When someone attempts to give me a word of encouragement, I shoot them down. I have everything under control. I can manage worrying about my hectic life and worry about you too with my hands tied behind my back.

Denial can only last but so long. When I go home my worries follow me. They wake me up in the middle of the night and torture me. Why? In the darkness, a voice says, “worry is a burden that you were never meant to bear.”

God provides for all the needs of His children so that they don’t have to worry. Life presents challenges but He has promised to never leave us alone. When the worries of this world start to weigh you down, lay them before the Lord and watch Him perform miracles in your life.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

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The Mighty Fist By Tammy Nicole Glover

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“But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.” Jeremiah 5:23 NIV

Look at my mighty fist. It may look small but it can hold so much. It can hold anger and bitterness. It can hold fear, annoyance, frustration and every hurtful word that was spoken against me. It’s all held securely inside my mighty fist. I admit it’s a lot to hold in my grasp but I don’t want to let go. I want to keep my control over it. My mighty fist allows everyone to see how I was mistreated. They can understand why I can’t trust them. They can understand why I can’t completely open my heart to them.

The problem with this is that no one really sees any of that. They can never see the pain that I have balled up in my fist, because they are too consumed with whatever they are keeping inside of their own mighty fists. We are all desperately holding on to fistfuls of pain.

Now, we may feel safer with our mighty fists held high, but we forget that we can’t reach out and hold on to God’s hands with them. We can’t grab a hold of our brother or sister’s hands. We can’t give or receive a comforting embrace. We can’t receive our blessings.

I don’t want to miss out on my blessings, so I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I lift up my mighty fists to God and let go of the anger. I let go of my bitterness. I let go of my fears. I let go of the pain. I let go of all of it until my hands are free to receive God’s grace and mercy. I’m safely in my Heavenly Father’s arms.

It stings when I let go of my mighty fist. I cry but with every tear I shed, I release God’s healing and forgiveness. My heart opens wider. I am free to love as Jesus loves me.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8 NIV