Tag: lie

The things that come out of some peoples’ mouths.

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

Summerland-Dental-dentures

My great uncle was an evangelist and would travel all over to preach and several times a year he would be in our town holding services so obviously we would go. He was very much the stereo-typical southern preacher. MAN, he would get to going and hands would be flying, pacing all over the elevated platform where the pulpit was located. This was back before churches had PA systems so preachers had to speak up and for him, that was ABSOLUTELY NOT an issue. I was pretty young and I will be honest, other than little bits and pieces of sermons I really couldn’t tell you what he actually preached about. For the kids that were dragged along, and honestly, not unwillingly as my great-aunt always had some kind of treats in her purse so we would “fight” over who sat next to her. Beyond that, there was a certain entertainment value as my great uncle had dentures, false teeth, and when he would get to going and was preaching hard, he would get to something that he really wanted to emphasize, but the dentures were not quite fitted properly and he hated using the adhesive,  so mid-sentence at times they would pop out.  No, pop out isn’t strong enough, they would SHOOT out of his mouth. Now, we had learned about him doing this and we waited and waited and no matter what we were doing, we all knew the sound of his voice when he was getting more fired up preaching, so we would start watching and then, POW, out of his mouth the teeth would come and then in a blink of an eye his hand would come out, he would point at the congregation than open his hand, grab his teeth and slap them in. Many times it happened and the kids that knew would be waiting, giggle and otherwise, most had no clue that anything had happened. Many of the adults didn’t know it was a frequent occurrence but if you watched closely you could see it happen. But, it was amazing how slick he was at not just catching his teeth and putting them back in, but that he could coordinate his gestures with that movement and rarely even miss a word. But, whether or not he caught the teeth (and I never saw them hit the floor) his mouth still got ahead of itself.

Unfortunately, not everything that comes out of one’s mouth is as easily put back. What is said makes a difference and can have significant impact. Words spoken in anger, frustration, or out of ignorance can’t be put back.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Matthew 15:16-20

I always had thought this meant words but words (mostly because I only read one verse) are not the only way we communicate with others; We also use tone of voice, body language, our eyes and  actions. Who hasn’t heard the saying “actions speak louder than words”?  So our actions and behavior can defile us as much as what is said.

I also was thinking on words that may be spoken in anger at times and those words can be pretty harsh and hurtful. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it’s the insincere but kind words and actions that are far more hurtful to others and as such defile us more than angry words.

At least for me, words spoken in the heat of the moment can be more easily forgiven than the deceptive words and actions from one telling you kind things or doing nice things for you only to learn the nice was only a way to try to get something for themselves. Essentially such words and deeds are lies and the way those who behaved as such treat someone cuts deeper and hurts more than harsh words, much like a sharp knife cuts deeper than a dull knife and while the dull knife wounds hurt more initially the wounds from a sharp knife take much longer to heal. And one who speaks and acts kindly with a hidden agenda that is their only true priority hurts more when the truth finally comes out and as such is much more defiled than one who speaks harshly.

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.  Psalms 101:7

The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Jeremiah 17:9

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.     Colossians 2:8

I suspect we have all been guilty of defiling ourselves with our words and actions and far more likely than not we have all one way or another been to one degree or another at least a little deceptive in our words and deeds. We have all been nice to someone to serve ourselves, said nice things or acted like we were their friends to waiters, maybe a car salesman trying to sell a car, and such. And I suppose society has taught us to do so. I don’t say one should treat someone badly because they don’t know them, we should treat all others kindly. But doing or saying things to give one false hopes and expectations only to cast them aside is wrong and far more wrong than a lot of other ways one can mistreat others.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

1 Peter 3:8-12

If course, none of that is how Christ wants from us. He wants us to be honorable, behave towards others as we want to be treated and to not say or do things that defile us, and for Christians, because we are representatives of Him, in a way those actions define Christ as well. Such words and actions from Christians reflect on us and Christ.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  John 13:34

That verse kinda says it all about what He expects of us. Most of the things we do to others would not be done or said if we remembered that verse.

 

Lord, I worship You for all that You are and praise Your name. I thank You for teaching how to be a better Christian, reminding me of things I learned, or should have learned, long ago. I ask in the name of Jesus that You continue to help me grow in Christ, that I remember that what comes out of me affects me, impacts others and most importantly reflects on Christ. Help me say, act, behave in the manner that brings positive attention to Jesus and the impact He has had in my life. Help us all learn to do the best we can to make right any wrong things we have said or done and to avoid doing such things to defile ourselves in the future.  Draw us all closer to You so we can spend eternity with Christ.

Amen

 

I hope all are well, a lot of places with some bad roads due to snow. Thank You for your visit. Hoping for blessings for all and that all do their best to be a blessing to at least one other person today.

 

 

Someone else took my job!!!

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

job_interview

It was a drill weekend and the guys I work with and I were talking about this and that, pretty much catching up on what was going on in each other’s lives. And one guy sort of complained about a promotion at his civilian job that he had been promised by the supervisor in that area. Not told he had a good chance but that he had the job. Well, he believed them and even though promised the job he still tries to make a good impression on the interview board and a few days later notified he did not get selected but no real explanation why he didn’t get the job he was promised and that caused him to feel bitter about it and bitter towards the person that promised him the job. We all talked about similar instances and how we had not gotten jobs that had been guaranteed by someone we trusted to be truthful and then we discussed the longer term impact as well as outcome in our lives because of that. I had similar things happen to me and I took my turn sharing the information.

I was working at a hospital in town in housekeeping that I had taken to try to get my foot in the door there as it was supposed to be much easier to get other jobs there if you were already an employee and after several months there was a job in the warehouse/supply room that paid a little better, but the hours were better with regular days and hours. I was pretty well acquainted with the supervisor for that area and spoke with him before applying. After talking with him and being told that he hoped that I would apply and that he looked forward to working with me and a few other things that made me believe that I had the job. I did the formal interview and everything he told me at that time left no doubt in my mind that I would be offered that position. Then, a week later when it came for time to be notified about the job I received a notice in the hospital mail system (this was before email) that I was not selected for the job. Oh, it was all said nicely, thanking me for my interest but that position had been filled. I was stunned given all I had been told. I soon learned that another employee in housekeeping was the one hired and he was a guy that I thought was a friend. But, I also found out that he knew I was applying for the same position (that I was unaware he had applied for also) and that he had gone out of his way to ingratiate himself to the department head over the warehouse and also next higher level manager over the supervisor who was supposed to be hiring for the position. In addition he had made more than a few derogatory statements about me to his “friend” and that friend he had made had told the supervisor who he was to hire. I felt like I had been stabbed in the back and lied to about the job and was disappointed. Money was tight back then and the small raise would have been helpful.

Very soon after he started the job, the guy that was hired started complaining to those he had worked with previously in house keeping that they didn’t leave him on days, it was only for training that he had been on day shift and he complained about a lot of other things that he found out were not as either of us had led to believe about the job. The friend that he had made that helped him get the job then started creating issues for him because the guy had lied on his application about his prior work experiences and was not a good employee. Others in the supply room soon found that he was not a good co-worker as he often left tasks uncompleted and was an unpleasant individual with whom to work. So, not only was the job no where near as great as I thought it would be, the one that was hired instead of me found out that the lies he put on his application and others he told about me to cause others to have a less favorable opinion of me to help himself seem a better applicant only got him a job he did not like. In the long run, not only did my prior coworker regret doing the things he did to get the job, the people in the department found out they had made a mistake in hiring him.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.  Proverbs 28:20

Then a couple months later a much better job was posted that while the hours were not as desirable the job would give me a lot of experience with reading EKG’s and an opportunity to learn a lot that would help me in the future plus it paid much better than the job in the supply room. I applied for that job and was hired for the position and in hindsight it became obvious that God was in control and was putting me in the job I needed to have to benefit me in the long term.

But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].     Romans 8:25

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.  Ecclesiastes 7:8

I shared about a couple other times that times I applied for jobs and was not hired, then learned in later that they were not as great as I thought they would be and so, despite my thoughts that a job would be a good thing, it was much better that I did not get any of those jobs and better opportunities came along. I just needed to be more patient and trust God to know better than I about such things. I also shared about times I pushed to get jobs that very quickly I regretted getting hired as they were not as great as I thought but I stuck with them until something else came along that was better.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalms 37:4

I found that when I let God have the control things worked out better for me and despite the disappointments of not being hired for some of the jobs, things worked out better when I trusted Him than when I trusted myself and my own judgement. God is so much smarter than me! I also see in hind sight that those times I did not get the job because of bad decisions or, well, backstabbing by someone else, not only did the people that hired someone else instead of me regret their decisions, but those who did me wrong to get the jobs also regretted getting those positions as they were no where near as great as we had thought and that at times, the supervisors for whom they ended up working were not very good people to work for and not the people they had thought. More than once jobs I applied for and did not get would have not been beneficial in the long run and God was in control, even though I didn’t realize it at the time, He was preparing me and preparing the way for me to get a much better job.

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.   Romans 8:28

The same thing applies to other aspects of my life as well, when I forced my will on a situation it did not go well, but when I let go and let God have control He rewarded  me and put me in much better circumstances. He is so much wiser than I and I should have been trusting Him more all along.

 

Lord, I worship You and thank You for all the blessings in my life and for the situations that did not seem to be a blessing at first, but only because I could not see the big picture and despite my limited sight, You took care of me and prepared the way before me. I than You for the sacrifice of Your son Christ and the salvation I have thank to His suffering and pain. I pray in the name of Jesus that I better allow You the control You should have and that I better trust You to know what is best for me and not trust my own limited judgement. I pray that You should my loved ones how to trust You and not be so quick to push for something that may not be the best for them and if they find themselves in such positions they turn things over to You. I pray You draw us all closer to You and help us all be better servants for You.

Amen

Thanks for your time. I hope all have a blessed day and that you take time to be a blessing to someone else.

 

 

 

The Thief!

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

burglar

While working at the parents house, today and in past, I have come across a lot of things that aren’t really valuable but have sentimental value or that trigger memories. I came across a strawberry shortcake thermos today that did not sell. It made me think about one night that the family was my parents when I got off work. I went there to get them and we ended up staying for dinner. Then, a Strawberry Shortcake Christmas show was coming on and our oldest, at the time only, daughter loved Strawberry Shortcake and wanted to stay and watch it, so we did that and another Christmas cartoon after that, then we finally headed home. But, when we got there we noticed the living room was a mess and realized that it was cold in there but could hear the furnace running. Then, we realized that someone had been in there, but the door had been locked. We looked, and found that someone had broken a window in the back of the house and come in that way. Apparently going out the same way or locking the door behind them when they let. We started looking and found that 2 rifles, my good 35mm camera and a shotgun had been stolen. None of the gifts had been taken. Now, we were not really financially stable at that time so any loss was significant. But the biggest loss of all was the shotgun, a bolt action .410 that had been my grandfather’s. It wasn’t a valuable shotgun by any means, other than the sentimental value made it irreplaceable. Thankfully we had good homeowner’s insurance and everything was replaced and because it was theft, there was no deductible. But, that still did not replace the actual shotgun, first, I could not find one like it, and second, a replacement would not have been Pop’s shotgun. Due to that, I was still pretty upset about it being stolen.

Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15

Well, 3 or 4 years later, one of my wife’s brothers admitted that he knew who had broken into our place and stolen my things, it was one of the other brothers. Even worse was I found out that he knew it the very next day but said nothing. I was betrayed by two family members. Now, the fact that one knew, but said nothing was shocking and hurtful, but what was truly hurtful was the one that had stolen the things. There are a lot of things that one can do to another that are wrong but stealing involves several things at the same time: stealing obviously, but also involves a lot of other sins against someone else: lying and deceit, greed, assault (mental,) jealousy, destruction of one’s property. And, even worse was that I also eventually learned that he traded everything for about $50 worth of drugs. There were multiple family functions over the time between when that happened and when I learned about it and both the brother that stole from me and the one that concealed the facts never acted like they had done me wrong. No sign whatsoever that they had done me so wrong. Both had been present that Christmas, probably 2 weeks after the robbery, and another brother asked if the sheriff had found out anything and asked a bit about things and I mentioned that the one thing that bothered me most was Pop’s shotgun. The two guilty brothers offered sympathy and said things like: “I can’t believe how some people are.” and the one that had stolen my things said, “That kind of person is the lowest of the low.” Looking back, I am stunned that one could do someone that wrong and act so innocent. Stealing from me something of a value that no one could replace and pretending to be concerned and that they were innocent of any wrong doing.

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.  Leviticus 19:11

As I said, it was bad enough just having it happen, but then later to discover that not one, but two, family members were in one manner or another involved. I had a hard time forgiving either of them, I have now, but it took me a very long time. I still struggle to understand how one person can intentionally wrong a family member, steal from them and then pretend to be innocent of any wrong doing. While not my siblings, I had been married to their sister for over 6 years at the time and considered them as close to me as my own brother and they pretended the same towards me. If they actually did have any consideration of family ties, it is obvious that they have no loyalty to family. To steal from, lie to, cheat, deceive and intentionally hurt a relative totally shocks me beyond words. Any person that would try to steal from family is far worse than a stranger stealing from a person in my mind.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.  Proverbs 10:2

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.  Mark 10:19

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.  John 10:10

 

I harbored hard feelings against all those that were aware and complicit in the theft of my things, much more so than had they had been strangers. I felt betrayed in addition to the personal affront of being stolen from since it was family that had done so. It took me a long time to forgive. Oh, I shan’t forget what they did and I do not think I will ever trust them again, but I do forgive them.

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.  Colossians 3:13

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20

 

Lord,  I thank You for teaching me to forgive, despite the wrong treatment by others. Showing me how Christ would have me respond. I thank You for the mercy and grace that You show me, despite my unworthiness. I thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made on the cross to redeem me. I pray for those who have done me, and others, wrong and that they be shown the error of their ways. Show them Your truths. Somehow Lord, lead them to You. Draw us all closer to You and show us that riches from sin are never going to be enjoyed. I pray that all loved ones learn to honor You and come to You asking for Your forgiveness. Help me see any manner in which I have sinned against others, help them be able to forgive me and help me to not sin against others or You again.

Amen

 

I appreciate those who find their way to my blog. I hope that you all have a blessed day, and that you are able to be a blessing to someone else as well.

The Salesman

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

car609

I remember going to shop for a car, the salesman was quick to greet, was extremely friendly, tried to chat me up to get me to like him. That’s his job, to get people to like him because it is easier for him to sell us a car if we like him. It’s harder to say no to someone you like. Now, with salesman, maybe they are friendly people by nature, but for most, it is a show, a game, a ploy. Because, they have an agenda, they want to make money by selling you a car. Well, DUH! But, did you ever think about some of the tactics they use? Like I mentioned, they like to make you think they are your friend. Try to find out things about you that they can use later to help them, ask about family and such for example. Then, of course, they start showing you cars and they seem to prefer showing the more expensive models, with all the extra features. They want you to want the extras, that means a bigger commission for them. Then, the test drive, they make sure to emphasize the good features, and minimize any bad. Then, afterwards, if they sense hesitation, sometimes they encourage you to take the car home for the night, drive it to the store and such. A couple reasons for that is that it can make you want it more, sort of talk yourself into it and also that it makes most people feel some obligation. They guilt you into being more likely to buy it.

THEN, the negotiations begin, they tell you all the stuff they recommend, try to get you to agree to a lot of options, talk about possible trade in, then, the list price. They always have different discounts to throw on there, then, ask about financing. Then, finally they show you a price, sort of, because a lot will actually say how much your payments will be, not the actual cost. They obscure information that you should have to make the right decision for yourself. Eventually, if you really want to buy, then make an offer, they will have to go talk with a manager, then, eventually come back with a minimal reduction. This goes on for a while and maybe a price is agreed on. Then, they want to add extended warranty, treating the interior, rustproofing, etc all to bump the price back up again. If you say no to something, they start getting a little condescending and will talk down to you. Personally, THAT is when the negotiations stop and I walk out, but that’s me.

If you start to seem like you are getting cold feet, then your “friendly car sales person” often becomes a bit hostile. Hmmm, what happened to the buddy, buddy stuff? Maybe instead of that they get even more chummy than they were previously. They all have a little different tactics they use, but all to get your money into their pockets.

So many ways they manipulate people, they are taught to do so. Try to find a weakness and exploit it. I think about people that I know and know of, that are that way too. They look for a vulnerability and exploit it. All the while acting like a friend to the person they are dealing with at the time. All the while, having their own agenda that they are concerned about, not the person they are supposedly helping. At times, they try hard to ingratiate themselves to the persons family or friends who then support the person’s agenda.

There are others in the world, believers (maybe I should say some that claim to be believers) and nonbelievers, that are selling things; false believes, pushing their own agenda for self gain or in other ways seeking to manipulate others for their own benefit. Sometimes through smooth talking, sometimes through giving gifts or donations. Unfortunately, there are people that are sometimes deceived by the “salesman” and end up suffering one way or another in the long run. Temporarily they may obtain, of feel they have obtained, some sort of benefit from the “purchase” they made. Perhaps they do benefit in one manner, but the benefit comes at a tremendous cost. If a false prophet, then they risk losing their souls. But there are many other ways these people lose when they fall prey to the person “selling” them whatever it is they are using to manipulate them.

I suspect all have been deceived in one manner or another by this type of person. I know I have been naïve and bought something I either didn’t need or had a true cost far more than I realized at the time. Does anyone remember the tape of the month clubs? You would get a bunch of cassette tapes for a penny, but the fine print says that after that you have to buy a certain amount of tapes at regular price in a year. If you didn’t return a card they sent by a certain date they would ship the next month’s tape and you were billed. Well, the notice usually came less than a day or two before the tape would ship and there was no way that one could mail the notice back in time if they didn’t want that particular tape. So, the tape arrives, something you don’t want and it was higher priced than you could have bought at a local record store.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

 

13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

 

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men’s] bones, and of all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27

 

There are many other verses that discuss deceivers, those who would manipulate and use for their own personal gain, with no regard for those they trick. There are churches that teach false doctrine (thankfully where I go this is not the case.) There are individuals that use others in different ways. We must be ever vigil to avoid falling into these peoples traps. I have fallen victim at times but have learned. I suspect I have other lessons to learn as well, but I will be more diligent in the future and hopefully avoid such situations.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

2 Peter 10-12

 

Lord, I thank You for the wise teachings You give me. I praise You for the guidance You give and how You give me tools to help me avoid falling into various traps in life. And, helping me avoid worse damage if I do fall victim. I pray in Jesus name that You continue to help me with these things and help me not succumb to those who would use me and cause me suffering. I pray that You help others see the truth about things so they make wise decisions as well. Lord, please draw us all to You and give us the heart and mind of Christ.

Amen.

 

I hope all have a great day. Thanks for the visit. And, of course, try to be a blessing to someone.

 

 

I am in the best of company when I am lied about and hated.

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

Christ,sanhedrin

28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

John 8:28-29

I had planned to post today about a letter that someone put in the mailbox sometime over the last week or so at my parents house that admitted to doing things to make people look bad. I decided not to make that post, maybe later, but to discuss various situations in which I have been accused and how Christ would respond, how I should have responded. I want to be more Christ like and am trying to learn from the scripture so I can behave as He would have me do and not how the flesh wishes. So, I will talk about my response (or the proper response) to the attitude behind the letter I received.

Sometimes, I have to deal with people that are making false statements about me and creating hard feelings and hatred in others towards me. There are some that I know why they do it, sometimes patients get angry if they don’t get the pain medications they want so they are going to do whatever they can to “get even” for my not giving them the narcotics they wanted. Other times, someone else did something, but for whatever reason I get blamed. But many times, I don’t really know why people feel the need to lie and try to create hostility towards other people, but it seems that they apparently only feel good about themselves if they create problems for others. Seeming to take great pleasure in causing people to hate someone. I will start to feel frustrated, maybe a little down on myself when I have to deal with the lies and hatred, then I realize Christ was lied about and hated too. That being said, I guess being persecuted in that way puts me in the very best of company. It is frustrating being lied about, persecuted and hated by some when I was not in the wrong in those instances I have to believe as a human, I am never 100% blameless. Yet, Christ was blameless,  without any sin whatsoever and He was lied about, persecuted, hated and crucified.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 1 John 3:5

 

In the past, when I was being persecuted unfairly and lied about I would protest, sometimes loudly and I would get angry at the person causing the issue and sometimes make negative comments about the person lying about me. But, since I came back to Christ, I simply state what did or did not happen and nothing more. I don’t get angry at those making the false statements. Instead, I feel bad for them and forgive them. I also realize that they most likely have some significant issues that causes them to behave as they do and pray that God help them with their issues. Sometimes, the person’s false accusations and lies have created hostility in others towards me and that I cannot control, for some reason, people that know me far better have allowed themselves to believe things that have been said about me and believe that I have done things I did not do and now have a lot of hostility toward me. All I can control is my reaction to that behavior of others. I have at times failed and acted out, the other day I confronted one who has repeatedly tried to antagonize me and asked once again, but not in a hostile manner, that the antagonism stop. But, they responded by trying to antagonize me further at that time, calling names and behaving in a manner of which Christ would not approve. I initially responded, but before I let things go too far I caught myself, held my tongue from further comments and rather than allow things to escalate further, I walked away. I was not wrong to ask them to stop, but it was in a public place and that is not how I should have done it. Yet, I should have just walked away to begin with and not even succumbed to the temptation to say anything. I should have turned the other cheek.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15

 

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Luke 17:3-4

Unfortunately, most that are doing one wrong do not have the desire to correct their behavior. So, taking time to try to address the wrong serves very little purpose.

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39

 

At work, when there are allegations or complaints made, I am required to respond, as I stated, I simply draft a statement with the facts and leave it at that. No inflammatory comments, no harsh wording, a simple statement and no more. But, when Christ was accused, He said nothing. The discipline to hold one’s tongue in a situation like that had to have been tremendous.

12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Matthew 27:12-14

In all the cases, rather than argue, become hostile, angry and lash out verbally as I would have in the past, I make what statements I need and trust in the Lord. I know that eventually, the truth will come out and hopefully, the damage done by others will not be permanent.

Sometimes, okay, very often, what He would have us do is so much different than the flesh wants to do in those situations. Knowing that not answering has consequences and gives the appearance that one has no defense is difficult for my human self to not simply defend myself against the attacks but to attack back which is not what He wants from us. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of innocence so I can’t prove anything by trying to defend myself. But, protesting too loudly, trying too hard to defend oneself makes one seem guilty, because if one were innocent, they would not need to defend oneself. It’s one of those between a rock and a hard place situations. Most, if not all, of the time there is no evidence of guilt either, but that has not stopped people from judging. That is what makes it tempting to feel the need to try to defend oneself but that is a temptation He showed not to do so. I want to be more like Him, so I try, and need to try harder, to resist that temptation.

As far as being hated, well, as I said, they hated Christ way before anyone hated me, so I am in the BEST of company.

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

John 15:18-20

 

The most aggressive and hostile attacks have come after my salvation, not physically aggressive, but verbally or in writing. Attacks against me, accusations that question my intent and character, twisting my words to try to use against me, saying I said or did things I did not say or do. My human self would prefer to simply have an open exchange with the accusers but, that is not what Christ wants. In order for me to improve my walk with Him, I must follow His examples and as hard as it is, not try to prove my innocence or fight back, but turn the other cheek. It aint easy for the flesh, but He is making me better able to do that. Praise God for His help.

I forgive those who have done me wrong and pray that they may recognize their sins and seek God in those matters. For those I have done wrong, I ask forgiveness.

 

Lord, I worship You and praise You for all You are and do. I pray in Jesus Name and ask that You help me hold my tongue, resist the temptation to respond to false allegations, to resist my fleshly desire to respond when I have been done wrong. Help me Remember how Christ would want me to respond and not let my human emotions interfere with being a witness for You. I have repeatedly forgiven those who have sinned against me over and over. But, I have also tried to rebuke those who have done so and I wish to not even do that in the future. Help me only answer to the extent required and no more than that. I ask You show the truth to those who have been told the lies and whose judgement is not accurate. I give to You and desire to be justified in the sight of people. I pray You help me be more like Christ and less like me. Please draw us all closer to You so we can all better serve You. I ask that You work in my life, in my heart and make me a better servant for You. I ask for forgiveness for my sins, forgiveness for not turning the other cheek. I pray You help me remember Your will and way in my life. Show my Your plan for my life that I may better serve You.

Amen

 

I do appreciate those who take the time to stop by my blog and give me a little time. We all face times like these in our lives to one extent or another. I hope something here helps others.

Please, try to be a blessing to one other today.

Trust?

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

The most expensive thing in the world is trust, it can take years to earn and just a matter of seconds to lose.

 

 

I saw a poster thing on social media earlier that really made me realize that trust is something that is valuable, but once someone loses trust in someone, it is very difficult to regain. I thought about ways I had lost others trust, sometimes, I did something or said something that disappointed them. But, the times it has been most bothersome to me is when someone loses trust in me because of actions or were lied to by others. People who said and did things to shatter others’ opinions of me because of their jealousy or other reasons. I have had to deal with some problem coworkers that for some reason want to create discontent and have made significant effort in many ways to put not just myself, but others in difficult circumstances. Interaction with department chiefs has been difficult at times, and they should have known better, but took the information as accurate. After they did look into things, they realized that it was not true but the trust was damaged and it I taking effort to get it back to the place it belongs.

Yet, one thing I realized is while I may have lost some peoples trust, those people have lost mine and have made me see them for much different than I had once thought about them. But, they who went to such extremes to cause the loss of trust lost any and all credibility and trust I once gave them as well. Oh, I have forgiven all and do not hate, but definitely have learned valuable lessons about people and future interactions will be only business like and that is all.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Jeremiah 17:9

 

I really wish that verse was not so true. But, the human heart is deceitful and wicked. So many people you think are being honest have ulterior motives. Contending with multiple people like that throughout my life has made it seem unwise to trust, but I still do and that applies to those who have betrayed my trust. Does that make me: Gullible? Naïve? Hopeful?  Perhaps, but I try hard to turn the other cheek, regardless of how much frustration or hurt they have caused me. I forgive, continue to have the love of Christ for them and pray for them to seek forgiveness from God for their actions.

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:27-38

It isn’t easy, and I would not able to follow Christ’s instruction if it were not for Him and the assistance He gives me to do things against human nature. I love my enemies, I bless and pray for those who use me, I turn the other cheek despite people telling lies, twisting words, other more extreme actions to try to impune my character I don’t fight when they try to fight, I don’t harass people though I have been harassed repeatedly for no reason other than hatred, I try to help others, I do my best to show mercy and kindness yet when I have done so, instead of appreciating what is done, people seem to blame me that I didn’t do more. I don’t judge, I observe others actions and may not agree but I don’t judge or condemn it is only for God to judge and condemn. I continue to turn the other cheek and pray that one day people will see the truth and realize I was the one being judged and judged extremely unfairly.  I give of myself and one day God will be sure to repay that many times over.

I wish I could say I was blameless, but even though I did not lie, I made harsh comments about others in the past, true, but harsh. I have sinned in many ways, but Praise the Lord, He forgave me and Christ redeemed me and even the harsh statements have stopped as well as other sins. Oh, I slip at times, I try not to do that, but I do, and I daily ask Him for forgiveness of my short comings.

Yes, it is difficult to keep the human self out of the way and let God work through me. But, He gives me the strength and determination to not do unto others as they have done to me and instead, to forgive them and pray for them. While people may violate the trust they were given, God does not, EVER, we can trust in Him and His word.

And, I had started this post a few days ago, but finished it today, when I went to kingjamesonline the verse of the day was an obvious message he wanted me to finish this and get it ready to publish.

 

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalms 5:11

 

Lord, I praise You and thank You for teaching me patience, helping my faith and showing me the way to react to others. While my actions may not change them, Your work in me has changed me so that I have the ability to respond in the ways Jesus teaches us and not how my human self would have responded in the past. I give You the praise and glory for that as it is not of me but Christ in me that it is possible. I pray for Your forgiveness and mercy for me for any sins I have committed and that You continue to show me the way Christ wishes for me to behave and think. I ask in Jesus Name that You work in my heart to better have the heart of Christ and the love of Jesus for all, especially those that did me wrong. Help me have the trust in You that I will continue to forgive and turn the other cheek. Strengthen my faith even more. I pray You show us all Your true will and way for our lives. Draw all closer to You.

Amen

 

Thanks for stopping by and taking time out to read. Some days, the trials of life are tough, but Christ makes it possible to not only get through them, but to triumph over ourselves.    Oh, and remember, try to be a blessing to someone today.

Okay  a confession  after I had written this I was shopping  paid and realized I forgot something and saw some people I did not wish to see as one had repeatedly antagonized me  I wasn’t going to do or say anything  but, once again antagonism by calling me a name. I should have ignored as I have repeatedly but i stopped and asked  he stop antagonizing.  More name calling, I said those aren’t true and started to leave  but yet again, more names. I turned back and asked what but did not reciprocate  passed a moment and then left despite his continued harassment. I will forgive and pray for that person. And, hopefully I will be forgiven for not just walking and not asking to not be bothered more. So, will pray about that.

 

Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness for my failure to keep walking. I believe I was not wrong to ask the person to stop, but also know I should have confronted privately. I thank You for Your mercy and ask You help me keep walking if similar circumstances occur again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can’t hide from you

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

Sad_Woman.jpg

 

I am up and the home town again for several days, finishing up the last I need to do to prepare for my parents’ estate sale and not surprisingly, I sometimes run into people I know and I am almost always amazed at peoples’ behavior. I know a lot about behavior since I deal with people a lot and it is part of my training. It is almost universal that if someone is guilty of something, ashamed of their actions, owes someone money for instance and has not paid them back, borrowed a tool and either broke it or never returned it, or in some other manner did you wrong they try to avoid you. There are people that either borrowed money from my dad, or got groceries on credit when he had his store and never paid him and they do that to me, they are still ashamed, and my dad has been gone for 4 years.

The other day I had to run some errands, I parked and as I walked towards the door at the store, I glanced over and saw someone that, well, to be kind to them and their behavior, was far less than kind in their treatment of me and that is putting it mildly. But, as I was walking I was just of sort of looking around and saw them. They saw me and almost immediately, looked down at the ground, turned away slightly before lifting their head back up, trying to look toward me but they were unable to make eye contact. I have had this before, but it always amazes me to see it happen. So many people, if ashamed of something they have done, will do almost anything to avoid eye contact. The behavioral aspect of that is that if the people make eye contact, there is a greater chance that the other will possibly try to initiate a conversation and the one that owes them money, or whatever they feel guilty about, want to avoid that because they have to face their own misbehavior, almost like if they and the one that was done wrong don’t talk, they aren’t really guilty. They essentially try to hide from you and when they can’t hide, they look away. I have had people that owed me money that I have almost bumped into at the grocery store going one direction in an aisle, coming towards me, and then they abruptly turn around and go the opposite direction, afraid to face their guilt. The avoidance doesn’t make the wrong go away, it doesn’t make either of them think that whatever is wrong did not happen, both are aware perhaps instead of owing one money,  they were talking about them, or perhaps stole something, broke something, whatever it may be, but both know and avoiding does not change things. Sometimes, the one done wrong is hurt by the actions and prefers to avoid the interaction as well, but for me, I have forgiven them. I don’t approve of their actions and to be honest, they know that they were wrong, but I cannot control others I can only control me and my response to the maltreatment. But, they know the wrong they did, to me or to others, and are ashamed to face that fact. Humans tend to feel that if they avoid the interaction then they don’t have to acknowledge what they did, and if they don’t acknowledge it, they don’t have to apologize or otherwise own up for their actions, avoiding facing the sin, the maltreatment, and by that action, will not apologize or ask forgiveness.

I have been on both sides of this type of interaction, when I was younger, maybe I had been drinking or doing something else I shouldn’t have done, I would try to avoid eye contact or other interaction with my parents. Sometimes they knew, sometimes they did not. Maybe I stayed out past curfew, got bad grades or something, but trying to avoid it did not change whatever wrong I had done, it actually added to it because one cannot move forward when they are carrying baggage for misdeeds or worse, continuing in their wrong actions. When I had a bad grade and got a progress report, one of my parents had to sign the report, eventually, if that was not turned in signed, the school would mail one to the house so it didn’t make the issue nonexistent, it was just a weak attempt on my part to avoid my responsibility and due to that, unable to try to make things right. In the past when I have been the one that was wronged, I would sometimes try to avoid interactions due to either anger or desire to spare the other person embarrassment. Yet, my avoidance did not change things either. As I wouldn’t go to church when I knew I was sinning, thinking by not going to church I did not have to admit to God I was sinning, but HE KNEW.

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

 

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Psalms 32:5

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

He knows our sins. We can’t hide or pretend they don’t exist regardless of how we try and failing to confess our sins simply serves to increase our shame and guilt.

 

Oh my precious God, I praise You for Your sacrifice of Your son to provide me my salvation and the forgiveness of my sins. I have confessed my sins to You and no longer am sinning. I know at times I will stumble, and I pray that You help me avoid the stumbling but also know that if I truly when I come to You and confess any sins in the future that You will forgive me again. I thank You that I no longer need to try to hide my sins because You have cleansed me of them and washed me in the precious Blood of Christ. Help others to know that forgiveness from You for their sins and turning away from sin will give them salvation as well. I ask You to use me to help reach others that they may follow You and let You have Your will in their lives. I ask that You use me to help bring my children to You that they may have salvation and deliverance from sin. I ask that You continue to help my faith grow and to help me have the heart and mind of Christ.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Thank you all for stopping by, please, if you see someone you did wrong, don’t run and hide, face them, confess and try to make amends, apologize and ask forgiveness. If someone has done you wrong, then forgive them, whether they apologize or not. Both things will bless you. And, after you are blessed, be a blessing to someone else.

God, is this a test?

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

small-group-of-people-taking-test-on-desk

Ever had to deal with various situations and wonder if God is testing you and your faith? Or, if it is possibly the work of the enemy trying to undermine you and your faith. Well, sometimes that is a difficult question to answer. Sometimes, God does test us, when we find situations that are hard to deal with as no matter what a person does, there really doesn’t seem to be a good option. Trying to decide how to proceed is difficult. IF, one thinks with the human mind its difficult, but as I find myself facing some of the challenges of life and try and figure out how to move forward I realize that it is so far beyond my capabilities that I need to continue to do as I have been doing and put it all in God’s hands. He knows what is right, He knows what I should do. I need to give it to Him, let God have control and follow His way. I will, unless I feel Him lead otherwise, continue to pray and let Christ be in control.

 

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:3-7

Unfortunately, I have had to deal with issues where one person starts making accusations, some directed at me, some at coworkers. Accusing people of things that no one should have had reason to believe but once the comments are made, someone has to do a formal review. To worsen things, I very recently was inadvertently told of things said but the one instigating all the commotion, which indicate a good possibility that the one that has been making the accusations is very likely the one to have done the things of which they accused others and apparently went to significant effort to try to incriminate others instead of themselves. I fail to comprehend the mind set behind such thinking. Then see that person do as they have in the past and try to create turmoil. Bragging about how gullible so many people are and that the same could easily do the same to anyone he decided to do that way. Seeming to derive great joy and satisfaction from the acts and what is left behind when they have finished with their game. While their victims have to deal with the mess that was created.

Knowing all that, it becomes more difficult to do as I should and forgive. It does not come easily to my human self to do so. I sought Christ and prayed, and He gave me the ability to forgive. Yet, I find this person continues to behave as they did and seems, not only fail to show remorse, but instead seems to revel in their actions. It becomes more, and more, difficult to forgive and to not lash back. However, through the grace of Christ I am able to do so.

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

Matthew 5:39-40

 

I have not resisted the evil done me, I have not tried to retaliate. I answered questions, review of records was completed and I have been exonerated but I do not know about the others that were drawn into the circumstances but I have no doubt they will be found innocent as well. Personally, I have forgiven, and turned the other cheek, forgiven again, and again turned the other cheek. I do this because of the grace that God gave me and I have ability to have the love of Christ towards others, even those that have done wrong, and that I have learned to forgive out of that love. I am not claiming spiritual greatness or piety. I am working hard in my struggles to follow Christ. Seeking His guidance in the Bible and in prayer. He gives me the guidance and the ability to restrain my human emotions and not be to others as they have been to me. It is not me, but Christ in me that makes it possible. Oh, I fight against it sometimes, it is a struggle no doubt and I begin to wonder if God is testing me or teaching me or both. Or, is this an attack by the enemy to try to undermine my faith and dedication. I claim victory against the attacks by the enemy if it is him and rebuke him in the name of Jesus. I HAVE VICTORY in JESUS!

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:43-44

 

14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

 

My Heavenly Father, I pray to You and ask that You continue to help me continue to learn the heart and mind of Christ, strengthen my faith, my Christian love for all, even those that so me hate. Please further improve my ability to forgive them. I thank You for the mercies You give me and my redemption through Christ. I ask You work in the hearts and minds of loved ones, and those that show me hate and draw them to You. Teach them Your true love and mercy. Lead them to You.

In the name of Jesus I ask for the ability to pass the test and stand up to the attacks by the enemy and not just remain strong, but grow stronger and more resolute.

AMEN

 

Thanks for bearing with me. Dealing with some tests in life, home, work, and other places as well. I don’t ask much of readers other than to bless others as able, and, in that veing, I ask you to Please, when you pray, remember me in your prayer for His guidance and strength.