A Breath of Inspiration Ministry

Every time I've read 1 Peter 4:8 "Love covers a multitude of sins", I've felt a tinge of frustration because it almost seems to imply that when we love someone we are suppose to cover up all their sins as if they didn't happen.

I've seen this happen in and out of church where someone does something that is out and out wrong, (a sin) and those that love them shove the sin under the rug.  Next time the person sins, the other one shoves it under the rug again and again and again. All the while smiling and "Loving" as if nothing wrong as gone on...

As I came across this scripture again today, instead of frustration, God opened my eyes to a better understanding of the verse.  

Love is the most powerful weapon we have.  When someone we know and care about goes astray, does wrong--sins, because we love them... WE MUST Deal with them and what they've done directly, swiftly and lovingly (no shoving the issue under a rug).     

At the same time, because we care for them we cover them, protect them and love them by not gossiping or telling others what wrong they've done, as this would only hurt them and then cause us to fall right into sin. (Interesting how that happens sometimes huh?)

Love confronts a multitude of sins and once dealt with, love covers and protects the heart of the sinner, just like Jesus does with each and everyone of us.

My primary focus the last two weeks have been on learning how God wants to develop Me as a wife.  I'm enjoying a great bible study that is helping me in this area.   Just because I've been married for 18 years (so far), doesn't mean I don't have room for improvement .  And as I focus on this area, I am seeing wonderful growth.

This process has reminded me that whatever we focus our attention on (good or bad)...That is where we will see the most results.

Throughout the Bible God is contanstaly reminding us to STAY FOCUSED on Him, His Word, HIs, His Way!!!

Sure, we are all pretty focused, but not always on the right things. 

I don't know about you, but too many times I find that my focus is on my to do list, my work, chores, JUNK.   And the result????    My wee lil brain eventually ends up clouded, confused and exhausted.... 

BUT when I purposely FOCUS my attention on God things like "how God wants to develop me as a wife.  How I can help others or take care of myself God's way...etc"  The results are AMAZING!!!! 

Thought 4 the day: STAY FOCUSED on the right stuff, "The good God Stuff" and you WILL see amazing results

I just read a devotion that CRACKED me up from the start.  Here is the first sentence that I could TOTALLY relate to.

"Many times it is the everyday, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary annoyances that cause you to want to "punch somebody's light out."

I just had to laugh when I read this because it's sooooo true.  Somedays all the little irritations build up so much that I just want to smack someone over the head and knock some sense into them.   BUT apparently God has another solution to irritations.

James 1:19-20

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

I'm not going to lie...Some days this is REALLY hard to apply...but strving for it and working on it day after day (with God's help), is what matters most.

I woke up around 2am last night, thinking about my niece Minako who lives in Japan.  I found myself worrying about her because we haven't heard from her in some time and Japan seems so very far away.  And now with all the disasters going on over there I spent the wee hours tossing, turning, praying for her then admittedly tossing some more.  

Eventually,  I opened my prayer journal and happened to read a scripture entry I wrote almost two years ago. 

Psalms 3:4 "Then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely for the Lord watches over me."

The Commentary notes added: "If I'm laying awake at night with worry (over unanswered prayer) that I cannot change, ask God to get involved THEN go to sleep"

I remember when I originally wrote that entry, It was so simple and I found comfort for myself, and now almost two years later, I find comfort again.

I'm reminded that this Psalms still applies to every and all situations I may worry about.  Whether it be my niece in Japan, my work, friends, unexepected bills, etc...Those things that are out of my control are completely in God's control, so there is no need for tossing and turning.

Next time worry wakes me up at night, or pesters me throughout the day, I'll be sure to ask God to get involved and trust that He will, so I can rest.

Thought 4 the Day:  Make a list of everything you worry about that is beyond your control...Once you have your list, don't waste one more minute, ASK God to get involved with each situation, then let it go and rest your mind, so He can work.

It's human nature to think we know it all (or almost all)  but look what Mathew 22:29 teaches:

"You are in error cause you do not know the scriptures or the power of God."

If we only depend on what others at church, in passing conversation, or even in blogs say about God's word, but never open the Bible and read it for ourselves ...we will never truly understand the power of God and we will very likely live much of our lives in error.

Psalms 73:16-17

"When I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . . Until I entered the sanctuary of God.  Then I saw the whole picture..."

On almost a daily basis I'm busy trying to figure things out and when I can't (which is quite often), it leaves me frustrated, confused and can literally give me a headache. To be honest, sometimes I just get on my own nerves trying to figure things out like  Why?,When?, Where?, Who?, WHAT is going on???

But then I come across scriptures like Psalms 73 which remind me, that when I enter God's presence, in other words, spend time with Him in prayer, think about Him, sing off-key to Him,= and reflect on how good He's been to me, then I'm able to remember that the "figuring out of things" belongs to Him and I'm just  waisting my time and energy trying to figure things out myself..... Once I remember that, my headach, frustration and confusion go away and I can relax.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. - Proverbs 29:11

I found myself just a wee ANGRY when reading this scripture.  At first I thought it meant, don't get mad, just blow off every offense.  Then I looked again. 

Honestly at times, I'm going to feel anger when I'm irritated, offended, or annoyed. However, if I give FULL VENT to my feelings of anger, then I'm nothing more than a fool. 

BUT, if I exercise self control and bring my anger to God in prayer instead of reacting or lashing out to people OR not lashing out but quietly building resentment, then I can learn to express my anger costructively and in a way that honors God.

"I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, and I'll keep carrying you when you're old.  I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back and saving you." - Isaiah 46:3-4 MSG

I turned to Psalms 46 this morning (or so I thought) to read a familiar scripture.   After reading a few lines, two things struck me. 

One -  It wasn't Psalms 46 I was actually reading, I had accidently turned to Isaiah 46.

Two -  To my suprise, Isaiah 46 was EXACTLY what I needed to read today. 

With another birthday just weeks away I've been subconsciously pouting about getting older. And then BAM! God brings me to Isaiah 46 (even though I was looking for something else).  Apparently God knew I needed to be reminded that He has been carrying me on His broad shoulders since the moment I was born and will continue to do so until I am reeeeeeaaaaalllly old and gray AND even beyond that.... (And even then, I'll still be a lil babe in God's arms)

It was the perfect remider that I can genuinely rejoice about getting older because as always, God is carrying me every step of the way.

WHAT A BLESSING!

Mathew 28:18 All authority has been give to Me in heaven and on earth.

I've always a person of Authority meant, "The One Who Calls All the Shots." 

But I just read something that has changed my understanding of the word.

Henry & Richard Blackaby write in one of their many devotions, "The New Testament term authority means "freedom of choice."

No wonder Jesus was given (and deserved) ALL authority as it says in Mathew 28:18. He didn't just call the shots, he was given the freedom to choose.  And he chose accordingly.  He chose to live right.  He chose to die right.  And He chose to raise up again so that each of us could have the authority we need to live right as well . 

Who else in all the world would use His authority in such away?

Luke 24:45 "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."

Sometimes we think we're not very knowledgable when it comes to God's word. But this scripture makes it clear. 

GOD is the one who opens our minds and gives us understanding when we read the Bible.  

So instead of doubting ourselves because we don't understand what scripture is telling us...We need to bring Luke 24:45 right back to God in prayer and ask Him to open our minds, so we can understand HIS word.