" BITTERNESS "

Good Morning, You know it's really good to see you, thanks so much for stopping by. This week we will be tackling another very important subject " BITTERNESS, " so sit down and strap in. Jesus said that whoever hates another person is a murderer at heart. Bitterness against someone who has wronged you is an evil cancer within you and will eventually destroy you. Don't let a " Root Of Bitterness " grow in you or your church. you know one of the greatest barriers to Salvation for those who put wealth before the Lord Jesus is pride. For those less fortunate, bitterness can often bar the way to acceptance of Salvation. Forgiveness changes bitterness to joy. Don't let anything keep you from forgiving others. If you are refusing to forgive people, you are missing a wonderful opportunity to experience joy and share it with others. Make your joy grow: Forgive somebody who has hurt you. The Word Of God says " LET ALL BITTERNESS AND WRATH AND ANGER AND CLAMOR AND SLANDER BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU, ALONG WITH ALL MALICE." Like a small root that grows into a great tree,bitterness springs up in our hearts and overshadows even our deepest Christian Relationships. A " ROOT OF BITTERNESS " comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. When the Holy Spirit fills us, however, he can heal the hurt that causes bitterness. I'm sure that we are all aware that life can bring us some bad situations. We can feel cheated, but we don't have to remain bitter. We can remove bitterness from our lives by honestly expressing our feelings to God, forgiving those who have wronged us, and being content with what we have. Hatred and bitterness are like weeds with long roots that grow in the heart and corrupt all of life. I'm reminded of Hebrews 12:15 which warns us to watch out " THAT NO ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP CAUSES TROUBLE, AND BY IT MANY BE DEFILED." Don't let hatred and its resulting bitterness build in your heart. As others before you, you will find it backfiring against you. Now if the mere mention of someone's name provokes you to anger, confess your bitterness as sin. Ignoring bitterness, hiding it from others, or making superficial changes in behavior is not enough. If bitterness is not completely removed, it will grow back, making matters worse. We may feel bitter about a situation, but we must never despair. Today is always a new opportunity for experiencing God's Care. Until Next Time... Jim,