Lisa Buffaloe's Blog, page 6

The freedom of forgiveness

Jesus said, If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don���t forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

Picture a courtroom. The jury is in place, the lawyers are ready, and the judge sits on the bench. The person who wronged you is brought into the room.��You scream, jump to your feet, and hit the person over and over again. The bailiff and lawyers try to restrain you, but you can���t be contained because that person does not deserve forgiveness.

The judge bangs his gavel and pronounces his verdict ��� ���as you have spoken, so it will be done to you. If that person doesn���t deserve forgiveness, neither do you.���

Our choices are limited. We can forgive others and be forgiven. Or, we can keep a tally of their sins. The problem is, our sins also continue to be tallied.

Which sins would you want remaining on your record?

The person most hurt by not forgiving ��� is you.

When God tells us to forgive, He is not questioning the reality of your wounds, or the level of your pain, or that you have been sinned against.��Forgiveness is not what you do for them; it is a gift to yourself. And with that gift comes, freedom, peace of mind, and right fellowship and relationship with God.

Forgiveness does not release their debt. Forgiveness of others releases our debt.

If you don���t forgive, you remain chained to your offender, continually offended by that offense, and that experience. When you refuse to forgive, when you continue to wallow in the wrongs committed against you, you are refusing the blood of the lamb���the blood that is deep enough, red enough, cleansing enough, to heal and erase the hurt, the anger, and the frustrations.

I know a person who is still angry at someone who has been dead for decades. Anger has done nothing but stagnate growth���causing bitterness, illness, and a lack of connection with those around them. I���ve seen people turn into a version of the very person they hated, because that is what consumed them — that is who they thought about, and that is what they became. An unforgiving spirit fouls up everything���including attitudes, and relationships with others and with God. The garbage of unforgiveness is heavy, depressing, smelly, stinky, and rots from the inside out.

Through Christ, we find the power to forgive, and through Him we receive our healing. Release your burden to Him. Not part, not just a little, but all. You can be chained to your heartache and your unforgiving spirit or you can be released today.

Let���s replay the courtroom scenario. The date arrives and the person who wronged you appears before the judge. You forgive���not because the person deserves forgiveness���you forgive because Christ has forgiven you. The judge listens quietly and pronounces his verdict. The person who wronged you is convicted. With a righteous Judge, the punishment always fits the crime. Forgiveness unlocks the chains that chained you.

Jesus reaches out with compassion, mercy, and grace. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Justice is served and you walk free.

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Put it on the big screen

Several years ago, I had a difficult time letting go of a past hurt. To be honest, it wasn���t one of my most painful moments. The issue wasn���t even so much what was done, but who did it. Someone from church, who I considered a friend, hurt my feelings.

I would take the offense to God and release it in prayer. But then the reminders would replay, and I would again wallow in self-pity and anger. I wanted everyone else to see what this person did, to put their failures on a big movie screen.

I wanted the preacher to announce in church, and to the entire world, what this person was really like.��Ah, the satisfaction as everyone would be shocked at that person���s failure and moved to compassion for me ��� the poor, injured party.

However, as I was running this scenario through my mind and taking it to its grand conclusion, I realized there was a major problem.

Would I want to be judged in the same way?

Oh, my goodness ��� no! Yet, I was asking God for punishment beyond what I would ever want for myself.

If I actively seek grace from my Savior, should I not actively give grace to others?

Jesus said, ���If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.��� (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT).

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to freely forgive others as You have forgiven me.

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The joy and refreshing of spiritual cleansing

A few years ago, a commercial ran on TV about a clothing spot-cleaning product. A young man applying for a job sat across from a business executive. However, the young man had a large stain on his shirt, which drew the executive���s attention because it was loudly speaking, so the only thing the executive could focus on was the stain.

In the same way, sin blocks our communication and separates us from our holy God. Isaiah 59: 2 says, your wrongdoings have caused a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Psalm 66:18 also reminds, The Lord will not hear me if I hold on to sin in my heart.

J. C. Ryle wrote, ���every part of the world bears testimony to the fact that sin is the universal disease of mankind.���

We all need spiritual cleaning. Every one of us has sinned. Sometimes we are well aware of the sinful things in our life, other times we might have ignored or convinced ourselves it wasn���t that bad. Ask God to unearth any hidden sin in your life, anything that doesn���t please Him. Then repent (turn away from the sin and toward God) and ask for forgiveness. Don���t give the devil more time to accuse you, beat you down, and keep you from a right relationship with God.

In the Bible, we read that Peter had promised Jesus he would be there for Him and even fight for Him, yet Peter ran when Jesus was arrested, and then denied Jesus three times.

After Christ was resurrected, Peter knew he had been forgiven and shared with others (many of whom had demanded Jesus be crucified). Peter told them to repent and return to God so ���that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]��� (Acts 3:19, AMP).

I really love these verses because Peter understood and knew there is nothing more refreshing than being given grace by our loving, forgiving Savior. That refreshing, God���s amazing grace is also available for you.

Jesus Christ went to the cross and in our place took all our sins on His innocent shoulders. God loves us; Christ loves us so much that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God is good, ready to forgive, abundant in lovingkindness, and rich in mercy. His mercy is new every morning. He takes our sin and throws it as far as the east is from the west, remembering it no more, and cleansing us white as snow.

Don���t ever be afraid to come to God���s throne of grace. For forgiveness, mercy, grace, cleansing, restoration, refreshing, joy, and celebration, please turn to our tender, compassionate, forgiving God.

���Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness��� (Isaiah 55:7, MSG).

���The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness��� (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV).

���Come now, and let us reason together,��� Says the Lord, ���Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool��� (Isaiah 1:18, NASB).

���I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free��� (Isaiah 44:22, NLT).

���For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him��� (Psalm 103:11-13, NLT).

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Beauty of the Broken

Have you been wounded? Are you broken? May I share #hope and #encouragement with you? –>

Watch on YouTube�� https://youtu.be/cYTxEvEmUjM

The blessings of loving and obeying God

(I was blessed to be one of the speakers at our church’s women’s retreat last weekend. At the request of several people, I will be sharing online the things I discussed with our women. This is the first offering.)

I think most of us have either loved someone or been loved by someone (we can even include pets). If we love someone, we want to spend time with them.

Jesus said we���re to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Many people say they love God; however, just saying the words isn’t enough. If we truly love God, we will obey Him. Love calls for action, and obedience is the sign of love.

���The Gospels call us to obedience, not as an optional extra, but as a basic requirement for all who would follow Christ.��� ~ Missionary, Helen Roseveare

Jesus said, ���If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.��� ���The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me, and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]��� (John 14:21, AMPC)

���Obedience prepares the mind for revelation, takes from that revelation the light that dazzles the spirit���s vision and prepares the heart to receive wider demonstrations of the grace of God.��� ~ Joseph Parker

Loving God and obeying Him gives the beautiful opportunity to be divinely loved and given further insight and revelation.

Oswald Chambers wrote, if my relationship to God is that of love, ���I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. ��� When God���s redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.���

Every step we take forward in obedience to God leads to the blessings of God, opening more of our understanding, opening more doors, and giving the excitement of seeing more of what God is doing and how He is working.

Remember, God loves you. He loves with an unfailing, everlasting, steadfast, merciful, grace-filled love and in God���s presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and ���Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary��� (1 Chronicles 16:27). So, when we love God, spend time with Him, and obey Him, we find His joy. And the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

If you have trouble obeying God, ask Him to make you willing to be willing to do His will, and please don���t miss the beautiful blessings of obeying God.

���He is our Lord, and therefore He is to be served; He is our gracious Lord, and therefore to be served with joy.��� ~ Charles Spurgeon

���If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments” (John 14:15, AMP).
“If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions],
you will abide in My love and live on in it,
just as I have obeyed My Father���s commandments and live on in His love” (John 15:10, AMPC).

Roseveare, Helen, Living Holiness: Willing to be the Legs of a Galloping Horse
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 2

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Tender boundaries

Many times, I���ve felt caged by circumstances. Like a racehorse trapped at the starting gate, I have, cried, kicked and bashed against the confining boundaries. If only I could run free, I would be happy and satisfied.

My visual is not a pretty picture. Being antsy and frustrated at not being able to do what I want to do, or go where I want to go, have left my little racehorse-self battered and bruised.

Jesus says come to Me and I will give you rest. I picture the Lord sitting and watching from the stands at the race track. I���m having a fit at not being able to run, but then I realize God placed the boundaries around me.

When I was younger and horrible things happened and no one was there to help, my Father God held me close and loved me back to life. During times of illness and surgeries, when I couldn���t do anything, I couldn���t move physically, but my spirit soared in the freedom of His presence. When I felt confined in a new location without friends and family, I discovered more of the friendship and relationship with God.

God���s boundaries have kept me from making bad mistakes and from pursuing things I thought I wanted. His boundaries have kept me from things I thought I was ready to handle, but looking back I see how disastrous that would have been.

I still see myself as a little racehorse enclosed at the starting gate, but now the visual is an enclosure padded with His love. I���m standing, waiting, held tenderly tight in the freedom and unfailing love of God.

Feeling confined? Remember, God���s boundaries are always tender with His love.

���Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.��� ~ Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)

���The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.��� ~ Psalm 16:6 (NIV)

���You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.��� ~ Psalm 139:5-6 (NASB)

From We Were Meant for Paradise by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/3ITTAOn

Breathless

���The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon���s reputation and came to Jerusalem to put his reputation to the test, asking all the tough questions. She made a showy entrance���an impressive retinue of attendants and camels loaded with perfume and much gold and precious stones. She emptied her heart to Solomon, talking over everything she cared about. And Solomon answered everything she put to him���nothing stumped him.

When the queen of Sheba experienced for herself Solomon���s wisdom and saw with her own eyes the palace he had built, the meals that were served, the impressive array of court officials, the sharply dressed waiters, the cupbearers, and then the elaborate worship extravagant with Whole-Burnt-Offerings at The Temple of God, it all took her breath away.��� (2 Chronicles 9:2-4 MSG)

I read this passage and wondered���

When others see God is in us, and see what God has done in our lives, will they come seeking God, and leave breathless in wonder?

Heavenly Father, help me to live in such a way, speak in such a way, stay so close to You, that others are drawn to You and left breathless in Your loving wonder!

 

From Living Joyfully Free, Volume 2 by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/3EEOFj4

 

Come to Jesus

Come to Jesus.

Are you thirsty and hungry for meaning, for hope, for peace, for rest, and a new life?

Come to Jesus — He is the Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Prince of Peace born to bring us peace. He brings rest, and He is The Life who brings eternal, abundant life. (John 6:35,��John 7:38,��Isaiah 9:6,��Matthew 11:28,��John 10:10)

Are you lost in darkness, longing for truth, needing forgiveness, and have you lost your way?

Come to Jesus — He is Light of the world to light your path and illumine your heart and mind. He is the Truth bringing truth. He is The Way to heaven. He is the Savior, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who will come and believe. (John 8:12, John 12:46, John 14:6, Colossians 1:13-14, John 3:16-17).

Come to Jesus. The offer is for all of your needs. Come to Jesus.

 

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Making room

The new kid in town, once again boarded a bus to a new school. Uncool and scrawny, glasses that weren���t fashionable, clothes that weren���t stylish, she looked for a place to sit. The bus wasn���t crowded, and even though the seats were made for two children, each seat had been claimed. Every child already on the bus sat near the aisle, not leaving room, not giving an inch or opportunity for this skinny new kid.

She tried to be brave, asked several if she could sit, but they just looked ahead and ignored her pleas. No one, not one, offered her a place to sit; not one person made room for her.

The bus driver finally stood to his feet and demanded one girl move over to make room for the new kid. Trembling, the new kid sat and tried to calm her heart, tried not to let a tear fall, not show how much it hurt to not be accepted or wanted. I know how she feels. I know, because I was that scrawny new kid.

Life is hard when no one will make room for you — room on the seat next to them, room for one more person, room to add a new friend in their lives. Unfortunately, it wouldn���t be the last time I felt an outcast or the last time I would be a new kid in town.

As painful as that experience, and other experiences were, God used each moment of pain. He���s used the pain to help me be sensitive to others and used it to draw me closer to Him.

God knows how much it hurts when rejected. Jesus knows. He came to the earth He created, and the people He created didn���t make room for Him. Born in a stable because there wasn���t room in the Inn. Rejected by men, Jesus didn���t let the rejection and pain stop Him. Jesus sacrificed Himself in our place, died on a cross, rose again, and offers eternal life for all who will come, all who will make room for Him.

Jesus has made room for you and invites you in. Will you make room for Him? Jesus holds out His loving nail-scarred hands. Will you open your heart and allow Him into Your heart?

Jesus scoots over, pats the seat next to Him, and invites you to sit with Him, live with Him, where He makes eternal room for you in His heart and in Heaven.

Jesus, thank You that Your arms are always open and Your heart is always open. Thank You for Your amazing, generous invitation to welcome all who will come to You.

God���s Timeless Truth

���Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.��� ~��Revelation 3:20-21 (NLT)

���All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]��� (John 6:37, AMPC).

���If you declare with your mouth, ���Jesus is Lord,��� and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. As the Scripture says, ���Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.������ ~��Romans 10:9-11 (NCV)

���Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ���Look, God���s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.��� ~ Revelation 21:1-3 (NLT)

From Time with The Timeless One by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/3HDW42N

 

 

 

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For the one in need

Do you have needs? Our Heavenly Father is waiting….

Father, I come to You with my needs��� ��

Help me to remember in my weakness, Your grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In my troubles, help me remember Jesus You have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Help me to remember in my trials, that You will stand with me and never leave or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6-8).

Help me to remember in the fire, in the floods, You will be with me and will not allow me to be overwhelmed (Isaiah 43:2).

God, help me to remember in my need for provision, You own the cattle on the thousand hills, and You provide in amazing ways (Psalm 50:10).

Help me to remember when the burden for my needs are so very heavy, Jesus Your yoke is soul light and never oppressive (Matthew 11:29-30).

When I need a friend, help me to remember Jesus has called me friend (John 15:15).

When I am alone, (even in a marriage), single, divorced, or widowed, help me to remember God is an unfailing husband (Isaiah 54:5), an unfailing Father to the fatherless, and an unfailing defender of widows and orphans (Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 10:18).

When I need someone to talk to and need advice, help me to remember You are always available (Jeremiah 33:3).

When I need someone to rescue me, help me to remember God that Your arm is never too short to save (Isaiah 59:1).

For all my needs, help me to rest my needs at Your feet, Jesus. Help me to remember every answer is found in Your love and every need I have will be met by Your loving hand.

���And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.��� (Philippians 4:19, AMP)

���The Lord Jesus is perfectly confident that He can meet our needs and He would have us confident too; for He is the One who for thousands of years has met the needs of those who put their trust in Him.��� ~ L. B. Cowman

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