Tag: Bible

Tetelestai Recovery

How to Let Go of Resentment and Gain Personal Power

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To remain in a position of power, we had to drop the resentments. While we sometimes felt as if our resentments were keeping us safe and preventing us from being hurt again, we eventually faced the fact that they were stealing our power and placing us in a perpetual state of victimhood. Resentment was the result of self-pity. If we carried our resentment, we were forced to experience the painful events over and over. But, on the other hand, we feared that if we released our resentments, it would give those offenders a free pass.

Neither position seemed to be working, so we searched for a new solution. We needed to release our resentments, but at the same time, we needed to know that justice had been served. We needed to know that those who had mistreated us didn’t get away with it. We wanted to settle the score, but we also wanted to exist in the higher spiritual plane, that Jesus referred to as the Kingdom of God. We knew that revenge-seeking would drag us down and pull us into chaos.

Sacred Text showed us the way. Since the same words appeared in both old and new testaments, we knew it was significant.

It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. Deuteronomy 32:35
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

Surprisingly, based on these passages, we learned that revenge was not necessarily a bad thing. It only became a bad thing when we humans took it into our own hands, rather than leaving it for God to manage.

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Tetelestai Recovery

How to Let Go of Resentment and Gain Personal Power

lastwordrecovery

To remain in a position of power, we had to drop the resentments. While we sometimes felt as if our resentments were keeping us safe and preventing us from being hurt again, we eventually faced the fact that they were stealing our power and placing us in a perpetual state of victimhood. Resentment was the result of self-pity. If we carried our resentment, we were forced to experience the painful events over and over. But, on the other hand, we feared that if we released our resentments, it would give those offenders a free pass.

Neither position seemed to be working, so we searched for a new solution. We needed to release our resentments, but at the same time, we needed to know that justice had been served. We needed to know that those who had mistreated us didn’t get away with it. We wanted to settle the score, but we also wanted to exist in the higher spiritual plane, that Jesus referred to as the Kingdom of God. We knew that revenge-seeking would drag us down and pull us into chaos.

Sacred Text showed us the way. Since the same words appeared in both old and new testaments, we knew it was significant.

It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. Deuteronomy 32:35
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

Surprisingly, based on these passages, we learned that revenge was not necessarily a bad thing. It only became a bad thing when we humans took it into our own hands, rather than leaving it for God to manage.

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A Date With Destiny

The Power of Discernment in Building Trust

lastwordrecovery 
  John 2:24  
 But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew what was in their hearts.

You do not trust others easily or quickly.  You believe that trust must be earned, and it can only happen over time.  It took you a long time to trust Christ, and you often struggle to believe.

Fortunately, He understands trust issues better than you do. Therefore, He patiently continues, time after time, to alleviate your doubts and prove Himself to be true.

Your gift of discernment and your trust-hesitancy serve you well as a protective force- field in your faith based service.

You are able to reach out and serve those who are untrustworthy, in ministries where a more trusting person might fall victim to their dishonest schemes.

You do not reject those who can’t be trusted, but rather, you accept and love them anyway. 

Jesus ministered to the outcasts and the undesirables, yet He did not trust them all. He was still able to minister to them, because He had the spiritual gift of discernment. You too have this gift. You may have thought it was a flaw in your personality. But, based on your birthday verse, this attribute is actually a Christ-like trait which may be a valuable clue in discovering your destiny.

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A Date With Destiny

Hidden in Darkness

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Daniel 2:22  
  He makes known the secrets that are deep and hidden. 
He knows what is hidden in darkness and light lives within him.

Many of the good things you do are done in secret. You are not boastful or arrogant about your charitable contributions or personal sacrifices.

You help others in ways they may never realize. You attend to the needs of your family and community without recognition or fanfare.

Sometimes you feel as if your efforts are unappreciated or even unwanted.  There are times you believe you may be wasting your time and energy because you can’t see the fruits of your labor.

Thankfully, you have the Word of God and His wonderful creation to remind you that a seed hidden in the darkness is a harvest waiting to happen.

Seeds planted in soil remain unseen during the germination phase. In the dark, a seed breaks open and new life is formed. There is a waiting time before the shoot appears. There is another waiting time before the harvest comes.

In the same way, your good works and loving efforts may be often hidden in the dark for a time, but this doesn’t mean they remain unfruitful.

When the time is right, God brings your results into the light, much like the tiny plant which emerges from the dark soil. Your random acts of kindness and quiet loving gestures are no longer hidden in the darkness. The results become visible and each tiny sprout holds the promise of a bountiful harvest.

You may not always receive human recognition or praise for the contributions you make. Sometimes your good intentions may even be misunderstood. But God knows what is in your heart and He promises that someday you will enjoy a harvest which far exceeds your expectations.

READ MORE ABOUT FEBRUARY 22

Tetelestai Recovery

Understanding Tests: Cultivating Patience

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My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2-4

When caught up in a moment of testing, we must resist letting our feelings and circumstances serve as a litmus test for our faith. It is not healthy, nor is it accurate.

Tests are for the express purpose of developing patience. Whether the tests come from internal or external forces, they have a purpose. Some of the tests we face are due to our own weaknesses and might easily become our demise, but even then, God always has a better plan. Any test that activates patience is beneficial. Guilt and blame serve no purpose.

Patience tells us that tests are only temporary. Patience tells us that God is doing a good work in us, and He will complete it. Patience tells us not to judge our walk by one random stumble. Patience keeps us steady as we wait for the storm to pass.

It is patience that we lack when we throw up our hands and give up. It is patience that we lack when we question our progress. It is patience that will get us to the finish line. It is patience that will help us be gentle with ourselves.

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A Date With Destiny

Harmony with Earth: A Gardener’s Journey

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Then the Lord God planted a garden in the East, in a place called Eden. He put the man He had formed into that garden. Genesis 2:8

You enjoy a close bond with nature and find peace in the Great Creation. You have discovered the elusive tranquility that many others seek, by walking in harmony with the earth and its inhabitants.

You enjoy tending gardens and working with plants. You also find a deep sense of satisfaction from sharing your harvest to nourish others.  You delight in feeding birds, animals, and fellow human beings. 

Growing plants from seed and watching them mature into life-sustaining trophies of God’s goodness, is an assignment you willingly accept.

To you, the privilege of sharing the abundance of your harvest is one of life’s most enjoyable experiences.

You function in harmony with the earth, finding both spiritual and physical nourishment from this connection to the Creator.

More about February 8

A Date With Destiny

Unveiling the Harmony of Science and Faith

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  1 Corinthians 2:7   
  I speak God’s secret wisdom, which He has kept hidden. God planned this wisdom for our glory before the world began.

The secret wisdom of God’s Kingdom is revealed in nature. Many may find it difficult to comprehend the magnitude of what they are witnessing, when viewing a starry night or a blazing sunrise. However, you are fully aware that each element of nature contains vital information about your Creator.

You have a persistent drive to push past surface layer facts to discover the deeper secrets hidden behind them. You have a curious mind which seeks to comprehend the secrets of God concealed in the world around you.

You remain keenly aware that all understanding comes from the Creator, and you derive great pleasure discovering the intimate secrets of His character revealed in the beauty of nature.

You deeply and fully appreciate a belief in intelligent design. Profound revelations that you encounter, while observing the world around you, unlocks a supernatural enlightenment which reaches far beyond human understanding.

You are enamored by the evidence of God sprinkled throughout the universe. You possess great wisdom and understanding when sifting through the clues to uncover hidden mysteries.

As each layer is peeled back, through scientific research and discovery, the wonder of the universe reveals the magnitude of its Creator.

 You easily make the connection between Creator and Creation. You have been given a gift of divine understanding which enables you to live life in both the natural and supernatural, simultaneously.

A life of dual loyalties to both the scientific and religious communities is rarely an easy path to walk. These two entities are often perceived to be in opposition to each other.

However, you have the gift of divine wisdom, so you perceive it much differently. You find insurmountable evidence to the contrary.

You see a spectacular harmony between both the spiritual and the scientific realms.  You can quickly detect synchronized cooperation between these two dimensions and are equally comfortable in both worlds.

This is an exciting lifestyle that few can understand. You comprehend it well because it has been your reality for as long as you can remember.

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A Date With Destiny

Living Testimony: How Your Story Can Inspire Change

lastwordrecovery 
  
    1 John 2:6  
   Whoever says that God lives in him must live as Jesus lived.

The story of what God has done in your life is a profound message of hope which will change lives. It cannot be kept quiet. It is not meant to remain private.

The exhibition of Jesus’ healing, deliverance, and renewal in your life will be shared as a lasting legacy long after your days in the human realm of space and time have ended.

Not only are you a living display of grace, through your kindness and compassion, you are carrying the teachings of Christ within your own being.

Your message from God is one of forgiveness, love, and empathy for those who struggle.

God has revealed this to you in such a personal way; it seems as if it is simply part of your personality.

Your ability to follow the unique level of Christ’s teaching is a special gift that not many possess. Despite numerous wrongs done to you, forgiveness and the refusal to carry a grudge, is the deliberate response you choose.

The teaching and actions of Jesus concerning forgiveness are part of the mysterious message of truth that God has called you to communicate to his hurting children.  His message of mercy is one that most people find difficult to receive until they see it in action.

You are given amazing opportunities to share this mysterious message of the healing power of forgiveness with those who seek what you have found.

Your living example of Jesus’ teachings speak volumes to those who interact with you during your allotted time on this planet.

Additionally, your written words will influence those you never meet. As a lasting legacy, your writings will offer God-given insights to those who enter the human realm long after you have lived out your days.

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Discovering the Power of ‘It is Finished’ in Your Life

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Whether your it is a little problem or a big one, the proclamation of Jesus, “It is finished!” gives you the power you need to move out of this prison and into the open space of grace.

Like a blank check, Jesus gave us, “It is finished!” His words have the power to put an end to anything that is an obstacle to your best self. 

When He said, “It is finished!” He knew it would be specific and unique to every person on the planet. To identify your own, it that may be causing issues, try asking yourself these questions:

  • What consumes your thoughts and energy?
  • What worry keeps you up at night?
  • What behavior makes you feel powerless?
  • What thought paralyzes you with fear?
  • What things about yourself make you cringe?
  • What secret struggle do you keep hidden?
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Sometimes Anger is Appropriate

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We felt certain that we could justify anger when it came to certain evils in the world. When we checked the Sacred Text, we found proof that anger can sometimes be appropriate; perhaps even righteous.

Jesus went into the Temple. He threw out all the people who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables that belonged to the men who were exchanging different kinds of money. And he upset the benches of those who were selling doves.
Jesus said to all the people there, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My Temple will be a house where people will pray.’ But you are changing God’s house into a ‘den of thieves.’  
Matthew 21:12-17

So, after reviewing some of Jesus’ moments of fury, we concluded that there may, in fact, be times when anger would be an entirely appropriate reaction.

His reaction was more than simply a display of righteous indignation. It was a display of self-restraint. The Son of God, with an army of angels at His disposal, simply flipped over a few tables and ran people out of the temple. He could have whistled for an asteroid to hit the coordinates where they stood. He could have summoned a flesh-eating bacterium to consume them or an earthquake that would bury them beneath tons of rubble. He could have destroyed them in a million different ways, but he chose rather to use words, with a controlled show of force for emphasis.

We came to understand that when Jesus was angry, His methods were measured and restrained.

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