Category Archives: love

Messages on the love of God

The Act of Forgiveness

Posted on by yolandaberry
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words of anger

“Let all bitterness, indignation, wrath, resentment, quarreling and slander be banished from you. Esphesians 4:31

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do when someone has hurt or mistreated you. Many people spend years being angry, resentful or even revengeful. Depending on how deep the pain or experience, it may take years to recover and release emotional, mental or psychological abuse.

Just because you forgive someone, does not mean you have to keep them close to you. I remember watching the Oprah Winfrey show years ago and she stated, “Once someone shows you their true colors the first time, believe them.” I thought that was a very powerful statement which I carry with me through life.

True character will eventually be exposed. People may try to mask their negative behaviors or attitudes, but it will eventually be revealed. If you don’t like the way someone treats you, you have a choice to remove yourself. You should also be cautious about who you choose to be in your circle. Negative attitudes and behaviors are contagious. Just like the saying goes, “Birds of a feather, flock together.” However, sometimes it is unavoidable to escape a negative person or environment. But, just because someone has done you wrong, does not justify treating them or others the same way. You are bigger than that situation or person.

Forgiveness is a process of letting go. It is by no means easy. It may even take years to overcome. Forgiveness may start in the mind, but it has to end in the heart. You can tell yourself that you forgive someone, but when you see them again or have to deal with them, negative emotions flair up. You truly know you have forgiven them when you can have peace in your heart, spirit and mind even if you never see them again.

When you live with unforgiveness, you are bound like a prisoner. Your emotions are locked up which can eventually lead to health problems and even terminal illnesses. Conditions of the heart is a real and serious thing. It can eventually destroy an individual, a marriage, family, a friendship, a work relationship or a community.

Jesus was the ultimate example of forgiveness. After being mocked and beaten, He hung on the cross and he said, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Jesus’s whole ministry is about love and forgiveness. Most people in the world feels that forgiveness is a sign of weakness. However, it is a true sign of strength. It takes more maturity, courage, wisdom, strength and power to forgive.

If Jesus can forgive us for all the things we continue to do on a continuous basis and we “as His children” are heirs to the kingdom, we have the ability and the power to forgive others. “He (Jesus) who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4

When you forgive, you are set free. And, “Who the Son sets free, is free indeed.” John 8:36

“Judge not and you shall not be judged, condemn not and you shall not be condemned, forgive and you shall be forgiven”  Luke 6:37

Resurrection Power

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“And behold, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door where Jesus laid. His countenance was like lightening and His raiment was as white as snow. And for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee, there shall ye see Him.” Matt 28:1-7

The death, burial and resurrection is the most important declaration of faith we can pronounce in our hearts and in the world. Jesus is alive and lives within us. As another Easter passes away, we should keep the remembrance of Jesus’s sacrifice with us daily.

We should walk with the authority that Jesus has given us. We have the same resurrection power that Jesus has because He lives within each believer. Time passes, weather shifts, people change, yet there is one man who walked the earth over 2000 years ago who was crowned with thorns, falsely accused and sentenced to death. At one moment, the crowd was raving over him and the next minute, they yelled, “Crucify Him!” He was mocked and beaten while He stumbled carrying a wooden cross. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we our healed.” Isaiah 52:5

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 52:7

He is a man who does not change. His love remains the same. No matter what we’ve done we can ask for forgiveness. It’s a special, unconditional love that the human mind cannot comprehend. It is a deep-rooted love that allowed Christ to take the penalty for our sins. He did not come to condemn the world, but to redeem the world. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever shall believe in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

So, as we go about our week, let’s carry Easter in our hearts and minds daily and share Jesus’s story with a lost and desperate world.

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I’m with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen Matt 28:19-20

A Call To Action

Posted on by yolandaberry
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It has been five years since the nightmare on Wall Street, the downturn in the housing market, economic homicide, stock market suicide and job market genocide. We have experienced a constant series of rollercoaster events to last a lifetime: Natural disasters, global, social and political turmoil.  Now, we’re facing another panic attack in Congress over extreme budget cuts in our nation. Have you had enough?

A Heart of Prayer

When life seems to be spiraling out of control, it is only through prayer that makes a difference. Man is not in control as much as the world system believes. We serve an unlimited, omniscient, all-knowing God. “God who works all things out for our highest good”. Romans 8:28

Perhaps, God is calling us to acknowledge Him. Desire Him. Understand Him. Love Him. We simply can’t keep living less than His expectations and intentions that He created us to be. Phil 2:13

A Heart of Repentance

We can’t continue to sleep walk through life while others walk dead. “Awake thou that sleeps and arise from the dead and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Esph 5:14-17 We need a touch from God: A spiritual awakening. A revival. Only the power of God can change the direction the world is going. Repentance must be at the heart of every man.  “Every knee shall bow and confess that He is Lord.”Phil 2:10-11

A Heart of Service

We are in a new season. The year is still young. Let’s add caring to our resolution list for mankind in 2013. We need a call to action. We must also serve our neighborhoods, our communities , our world. We have all been hit with some type of devastation in our lives: A death of a loved one, an illness, a tragic accident, foreclosure, divorce, abusive relationships, addictions, job loss, bankruptcy and other horrific things. We can’t escape life, but we can heal our wounds. It takes each of us. When we give back to others, we enrich our own lives and uplift others. We cannot afford to wait for someone else to make a difference. There is power in one, but there is also power in the masses. “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

The corruption, greed, and hatred is a manifestation of the enemy magnified on the earth whose mission is to kill, steal and destroy. The Lord’s intention is to give us life more abundantly. John 10:10

A Heart to Build Future Generations

There may not be much we can personally do about the decisions made in Washington, but you can decide what you can do to make a difference in your community. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” When Christ lives within us, “We can do all things in Christ which strengthens us.”Phil 4:13

We can begin to rebuild a new future for the next generation which starts with one prayer at a time and one brick at a time.