The Abundance of The Heart



THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART

By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

Have you every been surprised by a attack that came out of nowhere?  This happened to me recently.  It is several days later and I am still rubbing my wounds.

When attacked, it’s natural to want to defend ourselves.  And if our hearts are unguarded, we may also be tempted to seek revenge.  The enemy offered to me that temptation, but hallelujah, I did not take the bait.  The Lord, in His mercy, quickened my heart with His Word:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12 NIV

“...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Matthew 12:34 RSV

"It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19 NIV

It has already been such a difficult season, that when we add being unjustly attacked, we need Spirit of God rise up and help us.  Beloved, are you struggling with wanting to punish an offender?  Pray with me.

Father, we bring our weakness and pain.  Empower us to control our tongues.  Open our eyes to recognize the true enemy, and to keep our armor tightly cinched.  Help us to die to our flesh that desires to retaliate.  You have forgiven us of so much.  Help us to follow your lead and choose to forgive and be free of the shackles of bitterness.  As we do, heal our hearts, so we can release and forget the pain.  

Lord, we wash our hands of revenge, trusting You to repay.  Make us wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16).  Now, open our eyes to see the brokenness of our offender, so with the compassion of Jesus, we will respond to curses with blessings (Rom 12:14).  

Father, it can be so hard to love those who hurt us.  So, pour out Your love for them through us.  Through it all, may our hands remain clean, our hearts pure and our burdens light.  Bless us, Your servants, Lord. And lead us in paths of righteousness, as we take up our crosses and follow You. In Jesus’ Name ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

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