Turning battles into blessings…

In the 1st letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he was very upset

at many things the people were doing. They were filled with anger

and bitterness, taking each other to court…and Paul wanted

to correct them quickly, before they ruined their power to witness

to unbelievers…and destroyed each other.

He reminded them of the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:44-48…

Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to

those who despitefully use you and persecute you…for

you will then be called the children of God.

Just as in Paul’s time…God’s people today are fighting

and quarreling with one another. Threats of war, divorce,

and lawsuits are an every day occurrence…and it is a set up

from Satan to keep God’s people from walking in

peace and power.

In Matthew 6 Jesus taught his disciples to pray. In the Lord’s

prayer…we ask God to forgive us our sins, as we forgive others.

Jesus said, For if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will

your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.

In reading these scriptures, we see that forgiveness is not an option

up for debate with God.

If Christians spend all their time suing one another and judging one another,

they don’t have time to love each other and spread the gospel.

The war between husbands and wives has caused thousands of children

to live in 1 parent homes or in homes where people choose to live

with various partners, rather than to go through the pain of another

divorce.

Many teenagers and young adults are having children without

being married, because they never want to go through the pain

they experienced in their childhood.

God hates divorces and the effects it has on his children.

He says, if we go to the altar and remember that we have a fight

with another person, we are to leave our gift at the altar and first

be reconciled with our brother, spouse, or children.

Many are sick and hurting today because they refuse to forgive.

They live in a constant cycle of hate and anger. Children are

feeling torn between 2 parents like a rag doll and eventually

may begin to act out their rage and anger on themselves or one another…

in the form or suicide, rape, homosexual behavior, drugs, or murder.

This violence and abuse fills the entire family and our world…

with this bitter cancer called hate.

Husbands and wives are to love and respect each other.

Children are to love and honor their parents.

If we treat others as we wish to be treated, we model the pattern

our LORD taught us… to serve one another in love.

In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul wrote; the wife is not to leave her husband

and the husband not his wife…even if one party is an unbeliever.

For God says…

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the

unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your

children unclean; but now are they holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14

If the unbelieving husband or wife leaves, the other party is no longer

under the obligation…but one never knows if God’s plan is for

the believing spouse to save the husband, by acting in a godly behavior.

God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes persecution in the home, is

simply a test, to allow God to show his love through You!

I have a friend whose children were fighting violently

in a custody battle over a child, from a previous relationship.

The man had an affair with a woman, which resulted in the

birth of a child, but they never married.

The anger and rage filled both sides of the family tremendously.

In court, the little boy’s grandmother was so filled with hate, she

threatened to kill the man and his new wife…if they won

custody of her grandson.

The court ruled in my friend’s, daughter and son-in-law’s

favor and they were filled with joy at the outcome of the trial.

The young couple was also excited about the birth of a new baby, and

hoped to raise the boys in a home of peace and harmony.

Not long afterwards, the grandmother in her 70′s, took a loaded

gun and shot my friend’s daughter and son-in-law. Her daughter

was killed, and the son-in-law went through many painful weeks

in the hospital. Both boys now will never know the love of their

mother’s or grandmother…plus the grandmother will spend

the rest of her life in prison.

How many lives are shattered because of unforgiveness and

unresolved conflicts. It is easy to see why God gave us his

holy word to teach and guide our steps…

Man left to himself, will eventually self destruct. We make

every effort to live in peace with all of God’s children.

Jesus said…

By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another!!!

In Matthew 18, Jesus told a story of the unforgiving servant. He was

forgiven all his debt by his master, but refused to forgive his brother.

Jesus instructed us to forgive from the heart, or one day, we may be

delivered to the tormentors, until we can pay all our debt.

These scriptures enlightened me to realize how much God hates unforgiveness.

When we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, we allow tormenting spirits

to poison our lives and hinder our prayers from being answered.

Like Jesus, the Apostle Paul was no stranger to abuse and pain,

yet he continually strove to model the behavior of Jesus…

to be loving and forgiving!

Paul left us some beautiful words to remember…

Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace;

and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Merciful Father…

Thank you for your word to teach us the error of our ways. All around us

we see the tears of the children, the broken homes, the anger and hate…

which is eating a hole in the hearts of your people. Teach us to forgive

and give us the strength and ability to be loving examples of your light

and compassion. Forgive us of our sins and Mend the broken hearts

and homes. Teach us to peacemakers.

Thank you Father for listening to our prayers and abundantly

providing for all our needs.

We unite our hearts together and offer to you the sacrifice of

our worship and praise.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called

the children of God. Matthew 5:9

These 2 poems were ones God placed in my heart, as I reflected

about the death of my friend’s daughter…Perhaps they will speak

to someone today as well…

LORD TEACH MY PARENTS

Dear Lord, the parents that gave me life

Now hate each other and live and strife.

They act as if I was not there.

They scream and yell and do not care…

That by them breaking our family apart.

It makes me cry and breaks my heart.

Lord; tell them not to make me choose,

Who to love and who to loose.

I pray that you will make them see,

that parents are supposed to be.

Teachers of how we are to act.

Not showing anger, violence, or getting others back.

Remind them that seeds of kindness and love.

Grow children with strong roots, blessed from above.

Jesus, I ask you on bended knee…

Teach them love and forgiveness, like you have taught me.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do

good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use

you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father

which is in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45 KJV

Divorce Is An Ugly Disease

Divorce is such an ugly disease.

For years the hate and lies will breed.

We’re trapped in a prison of self-pity and pride.

And in the past…we continually hide.

Our children are suffering and dying inside.

They’re searching for love, that they cannot find.

For we are too busy… to notice their pain.

So they find their comfort from drugs, sex, and gangs.

The example’s we’ve set have now led them astray.

We have to go back to the Lord’s plan today.

God’s word will provide the direction you need.

To give them the values and love that they seek.

You will not be sorry you sought out God’s will.

Your life will be blessed and your heart will be filled.

With joy that in seeing your children now grown…

Are strong through the Lord, and are never alone.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Luke 23:34 KJV

Valerie Rousseau