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"Overcoming Bitterness"
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Tuesday, November 15, 2005
"Overcoming Bitterness"
"See to it that …no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15).
I had an early morning inter-denominational prayer breakfast today in Lititz Pennsylvania, which is about 12 miles from Mount Joy where we live. This community had a serious tragedy this last weekend with a double murder of a Mom and Dad. Our local newspaper and television news indicates that the couple who were murdered were Christians and they were seeking to raise their children to serve the Lord as well. This morning I witnessed the stunning impact this event has had on the community. Both the father who was slain and the father of the presumed 18 year old killer had attended this monthly men's prayer breakfast.
As Brooksyne and I watched the news last night we heard that the murdered couple was originally from Missouri (my home state) and had moved to our area about eight years ago. Surely those left behind will deal with many questions and will struggle to get through it. On the way over this morning I prayed for these families, the community and the churches. Surely an event like this will have a long-term impact, especially upon the immediate families. Bitterness that results from unforgiveness will be lurking at the door of their hearts.
So many people deal with bitterness, even Christians. In fact the daily Scripture portion is addressed to believers. Bitterness indeed "causes trouble and defiles many", primarily to the one harboring it. Chuck Swindoll writes, "Self-pity…. cuddle and nurse it as an infant and you'll have on your hands in a brief period of time a beast, a monster, a raging, coarse brute that will spread the poison of bitterness and paranoia throughout your system."
I am so thankful for the redeeming, reconciling and regenerative work of Christ! Today I urge any of you dealing with bitterness to nip it at its root. Certainly, you've been hurt, some of you in horrendously painful ways. Like the families in Lititz it is incomprehensible how things like this happen. But Christ continues to redeem, reconcile and regenerate! Today please turn to Him.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer – Jesus, help me to realize that bitterness results from my accommodation to deep seated anger for unfortunate circumstances beyond my control. When I choose to harbor anger and an unforgiving spirit I do the greatest harm to myself rather than my offender. The pain and grief related to my heartache grows into a poisonous vine that begins to entwine itself around my heart. Instead of seeing the abundant blessings that You shower upon me daily I experience the raging storms that leave destruction and debris along its path. Jesus, You want me to turn away from my bitter rage and choose to safely abide under Your wings of protection where You shelter me in the midst of life's storms. Help me to find refuge in You instead of cultivating my pain. Only You can bring healing and restoration for my soul. Help me to release my bitterness and embrace Your balm of healing.
* I have not mentioned witness cards for awhile but I continue to use them and have passed out thousands in my personal ministry. Here's a webpage about them and how you can make and use them. This page also has links to various ready to print (or personalize) templates.
I had an early morning inter-denominational prayer breakfast today in Lititz Pennsylvania, which is about 12 miles from Mount Joy where we live. This community had a serious tragedy this last weekend with a double murder of a Mom and Dad. Our local newspaper and television news indicates that the couple who were murdered were Christians and they were seeking to raise their children to serve the Lord as well. This morning I witnessed the stunning impact this event has had on the community. Both the father who was slain and the father of the presumed 18 year old killer had attended this monthly men's prayer breakfast.
As Brooksyne and I watched the news last night we heard that the murdered couple was originally from Missouri (my home state) and had moved to our area about eight years ago. Surely those left behind will deal with many questions and will struggle to get through it. On the way over this morning I prayed for these families, the community and the churches. Surely an event like this will have a long-term impact, especially upon the immediate families. Bitterness that results from unforgiveness will be lurking at the door of their hearts.
So many people deal with bitterness, even Christians. In fact the daily Scripture portion is addressed to believers. Bitterness indeed "causes trouble and defiles many", primarily to the one harboring it. Chuck Swindoll writes, "Self-pity…. cuddle and nurse it as an infant and you'll have on your hands in a brief period of time a beast, a monster, a raging, coarse brute that will spread the poison of bitterness and paranoia throughout your system."
I am so thankful for the redeeming, reconciling and regenerative work of Christ! Today I urge any of you dealing with bitterness to nip it at its root. Certainly, you've been hurt, some of you in horrendously painful ways. Like the families in Lititz it is incomprehensible how things like this happen. But Christ continues to redeem, reconcile and regenerate! Today please turn to Him.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer – Jesus, help me to realize that bitterness results from my accommodation to deep seated anger for unfortunate circumstances beyond my control. When I choose to harbor anger and an unforgiving spirit I do the greatest harm to myself rather than my offender. The pain and grief related to my heartache grows into a poisonous vine that begins to entwine itself around my heart. Instead of seeing the abundant blessings that You shower upon me daily I experience the raging storms that leave destruction and debris along its path. Jesus, You want me to turn away from my bitter rage and choose to safely abide under Your wings of protection where You shelter me in the midst of life's storms. Help me to find refuge in You instead of cultivating my pain. Only You can bring healing and restoration for my soul. Help me to release my bitterness and embrace Your balm of healing.
* I have not mentioned witness cards for awhile but I continue to use them and have passed out thousands in my personal ministry. Here's a webpage about them and how you can make and use them. This page also has links to various ready to print (or personalize) templates.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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