"..They Done Me Wrong.."

I'm not sure why the Lord has me posting this sort of blog at this time of year, but I have to obey..


1Cor 13 verse 5 has got to be one of the hardest scriptures in the bible;

"..It (love) takes no account of the evil done to it, and pays no attention to a suffered wrong.."
 (Amplified Version).


When something heinous is done toward us..and seemingly 'out of the blue,' particularly, when it's someone you've previously had a good relationship with, it's hurtful, and there can be feelings of outrage..

First thing to say is, Father God understands our initial reaction, but will be waiting to see what we're going to do about it..

Plus, our adversary (the devil) who most likely instigated the thing in the first place, is now going to remind us every 5 minutes about the evil deed because he wants to make our spiritual lives ineffectual and weak, and this is exactly the way to do it..

Jesus told us in Matthew 18 v 35; That, if we refuse to forgive our brothers and sisters from our hearts, neither will He forgive us..'

"..But you don't know what they did!"

It doesn't really matter what they did, if God told us to forgive, then it is within our ability to do it..because He is going to help us if we will just lay aside our emotions and simply 'choose' to obey..

A good few years ago, the Lord spoke something into my heart and I can remember exactly where I was when He said it..

He told me;
"..Some people are walking round with such grievous wounds in their emotions that if they were to suddenly become visible, everyone would start calling for an ambulance.."

But He understands, and not only wants to heal and restore us, but will also take care of the situation on our behalf if we will purposely commit it into His hands..


I hope the following testimony will help..

Years ago, when I was involved with horses, I was good friends with another livery on the yard called Maggie (not her real name). Then one day, quite out of the blue, she did something totally unexpected..

Led of the Lord, I had recently given up the Conamarra pony we were currently loaning, and had sold him to a woman on the same yard who was a hotel owner and already had two horses of her own.

It was upsetting to let Connor go but was blessed when the women told me I could still ride him whenever I wanted..

Meanwhile, this friend Maggie was suddenly becoming extremely pushy and unbeknownst to me, had begun finagling around in an effort to take over the pony for her own ambitions..

The first I heard of it was when she approached me one day telling me I could no longer ride Connor (as he was called) because she and her daughter would now be training him to compete in the local shows..

It was hurtful because, not only had the new owners said nothing to me regarding this, Connor, who was used to being brought in from the field along with our other horses, was now to be left to her, and if she was late (which was mostly the case) he was left out on his own..

It got to the point, I dreaded coming to the yard..

I remember walking round the village where I lived one day, and hearing that 'still small voice' saying; 'You're going to have to forgive her..'
I said; 'Lord, I just can't..'
However, through His 'gentle wooing,' by the time I got back home I'd made the decision to forgive..

Well, after that initial confession, the memory kept coming back of everything she'd done (along with the hurt) but every time I just kept saying; 'No...I refuse that thought, I have chosen to forgive!'

It took 3 weeks. But at the end of that time, there was no longer any hurt associated with the memory because the Lord had healed it..

Eventually, the woman who had bought Conner, left the yard taking him with her. Afterwards, Maggie continued to badger other liveries in an effort to take over their horses until one day she was ordered to leave the yard..

Another encouragement is that once you've been hurt at the very deepest place and have come through it with a contrite heart, nothing after that will ever be as bad and you will get over it much faster..

A few years ago I was romantically involved with someone to whom, in my heart, I had given my all, holding nothing back. It wasn't enough, and, sad to say, for some people it never will be!

Yes, it took a long time to work through...years even, ...but whenever I thought about it, I kept on choosing to forgive, and so The Divine Physician was able to thoroughly heal and restore my heart, which He will always do if we will just cooperate with the process..

Peace returned...which is what Jesus came to give us..and so I have been able to 'move on' with my life. But we cannot move on with offense in our heart..it will just fester, infecting all of our relationships, and most likely, further down the line, our health..

Separating the person from the thing they did, does make it easier to forgive..

Yes, the thing they did may have been unforgivable..but we can choose to forgive 'them'.

The trick is, not to consult with your emotions which will only say; 'No way!'
You have to just use your will to do it...just because the Lord said so!

If you don't, or if you've stuffed it away, undealt with, somewhere in the deep recesses of your soul, you will be tormented by the memory, and remain anchored to it the rest of your life because, sad to say, you will now be in the hands of the devil who will be cock-a-hoop he's managed to bring you under his control..

It's vital we treat offence like an ugly stain on our clothing that needs to be gotten rid of at all costs...because that's what it is!

That's not to say, just because you've forgiven the person that the relationship will resume the same as it was before, because it very well may not.

Particularly, if it was some sort of willful abuse, or a breach of trust, then that should be a matter to prayerfully sort out between you and the Lord, and maybe a trusted church minister..

No one is exempt from offence because we live in a wicked world that's getting darker every day, so we may as well decide up front that we are not going to accept it, in any way, shape or form and, more importantly, recognise where it's really coming from (which is the pit of hell!)

I mean, where would we be now if the long-suffering Gromit had not chosen to forgive Wallace? (Many times!!)

It's unthinkable.. (Hahaha)

"Merry~Christmas!"

'..Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men..'
Luke 2 v 14

'..For the thief (the devil) comes only to steal, kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full..'
John 10 v 10

'..Great peace have they which love Your law; and nothing shall offend them..'
Psalm 119 v 165

'..Consider Him (Jesus) Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart..'
Hebrews 12 v 3

"GRINCH ALERT!"

As Christmas approaches, it's so easy to despair at all the 'excesses' we see around us, on the TV, in our workplaces, and along the High Street. Not to mention the 'side-lining' of our precious Lord and Saviour, without Whom there wouldn't even be a Christmas!

Yes, it's tempting to lose heart whilst our adversary, the devil (or grinch) is busy at work doing all he can to take our focus away from being a blessing and 'showing off' our Saviour during this special season..

The bible says the enemy comes only to 'steal, kill and destroy' (John 10 v 10) - in this case, 'our Christmas' so we must be vigilant to guard against cynicism and any bad attitude at all costs which will rob our focus away from Jesus, and if we're not careful, we may start entertaining thoughts like;
'..Well, Christmas Day isn't really that day...and Christmas trees are just pagan..and it's all about money, anyway..'

If that's you...catch yourself, then start thinking instead how you can help someone, reaching out with the love of Jesus...whether that's a generous tip at the restaurant...a smile, or a hug..prayer for healing...food for the homeless...even an unexpected gift for someone..whatever!

If our thoughts are taken up in this way, there'll be no room in our mind for anything else!

I remember once, moving home a few days before Christmas, and was just expecting to be on my own on the day..
However, the Lord had other plans!
Through a seemingly random set of circumstances (in a completely new area where I knew no one) I found myself on Christmas Day along with other Christians, serving and having dinner with some elderly folks in the town. It was completely unexpected, but such a blessing!

If you are about to face Christmas without a loved one this year..that is not easy.
Lean yourself heavily on the Lord, allowing Him to carry you through, as only He can do, obeying His Voice in however He leads..

Be encouraged! Whatever our situation, the Good News is, God has a good Christmas in store for each one of us! All we have to do is to trust Him! Does it look like it's going to be lonely? Well, 'cast the care' (according to 1Peter 5 v 7) believing He already has something planned, because He does! Meanwhile, 'stay in the rest of God.' (Hebrews chap 4)

Are you going into overload? Be easy on yourself and lean on His Grace..
"..My grace is sufficient for you..for My strength is made perfect in your weakness.."
2Cor 12 v9

Whatever the problem there's a good path all the way through. Praying in tongues not only keeps us strong on the inside, but also allows the Lord to prepare a good path ahead of time so we can walk through with ease..
So just pray and obey...expect and believe!

Then do whatever He says..

One final word the Lord prompted me to add;
We need to be aware that Christmas is always a time of heightened of warfare, being a great opportunity for evangelism, and so the enemy is working overtime to keep Jesus under wraps every way he can..

Yes, there is much to do in the way of preparation for the day, but 'first things first'. We must make sure we're spending quality time 'refuelling' in the word of God and prayer to keep up our levels of faith and ensure we go through the season with a good attitude!


"..Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.."
Carry the light-giving Message into the night.."
Phil 2 v 14 (Message)

"..Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to the household of faith.."
Gal 6 v 10

"..For unto us a Child is born..
To us a Son is given..
And the government shall be upon His shoulders..
And He will be called;
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..
And of the increase of His government and peace,
There shall be no end.."
Isaiah 9 v 6 - 7