The Altar

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!

“Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” - Matthew 5:24. 

Lord, relationships can be a LOT of work.  Differences of opinion, harsh, cutting words and ill feelings serve to divide us, not only from the other person, but also from You.  We don’t want anything that would serve as a barrier in our relationship with You!  We want nothing that would prevent us from hearing from You, or that might stay Your hand of blessing!  It is hard to humble ourselves to ask for forgiveness, and equally hard to approach someone who has offended us for the purpose of reconciliation, especially if they have not offered an apology.  

Holy Spirit, come!  Change our hearts.  Make us more passionate about being reconciled than about being right.  Help us to listen in order to understand, instead of merely hearing so we can prepare our response.  Help us to compromise where to do so would not dishonor You.  Where we cannot compromise, help us to be able to lovingly agree to disagree, find points of mutual agreement and celebrate those things.  

Father, I lift my friend.  Help them to follow Your example of self sacrifice for the purpose of reconciliation.  Help them to humbly make the first move, regardless of who is at fault.  Guard their heart from careless, hurtful words and actions.  Even if their actions are misunderstood or rejected, give them joy in their obedience.  May their foremost hope be that their side of the equation gains a clear conscience and clean slate. Then, may they come before You and receive healing, wisdom and answers.  May their arms, unburdened by record books full of offenses, be free to receive Your blessings.  

Thank You for loving us first, and for making the first move in reconciliation with us.  Help us to do the same with our brother.  In Jesus Name ❤️

If you have been encouraged or challenged, PLEASE pass it along!


Four minutes and 58 seconds of brilliance... https://www.northcoastchurch.com/messages/247-daily-dose/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more