Drop it, and Let it go...

Happy Sunday!

I had a wonderful time spending the weekend with my family!  We celebrated the Moore Family Reunion in Memphis, TN.  We topped it off with a short worship service this morning.  It was easy to do since we have been blessed with many of our own ministers and pastors in the family.  Pastor Joseph Stallings from Mississippi, and Pastor Nathaniel Malone, from Missouri spoke and encouraged us to love and forgive.  For 30 years our family has held our reunions every two years.  We reminisced about our loved ones that have gone on, and are looking forward to the new generations of family members and the vast possibilities that lie ahead.

Relationships take work.  Some times the people you love the most are the ones the devil uses to hurt you.  The Psalmist said, "Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted (relied on and was confident), who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."(Psalm 41:9, Amplified).  I'm always reminded that Jesus said, "You can’t stop temptations to do wrong from coming. But how tragic it will be for the person who becomes the source of the temptation!"(Luke 17:1, Voice).  The King James Version of this scripture says, "It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"(Luke 17:1, KJV).  As long as the devil can find a human being to do his dirty work, there will be the option of being offended.

But when we have the Agape Love that comes from God through the Holy Spirit, we can see the attacks for what they really are. These attacks are meant to get your eyes off God and His promises. They are an attempt to steal your hope, and replace it with doubt.  But Romans 5:5 says, "And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  God has given us His Love by the Holy Spirit!  With this perfect love we have been given we can love others just like the Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians 13.  It says, "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,  never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him."(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Living Bible).

Love and forgiveness go hand in hand.  When we love like God instructs us we will have to forgive regularly.  We all want to be blessed, but were you aware your blessing can be hindered by unforgiveness?  Mark 11:24-25 says, "For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. AND whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop."(Amplified).

Release forgiveness, drop the hurt, and let it go!

Love and prayers, Cynthia