Sometimes that person you call friend, that tells you something that another person said about you or about a situation that makes you angry or hurt….sometimes that person may think they are telling the truth, but their vision is skewed. Unless they were right there in the midst of it – and even then many times it’s lies and deception and they, themselves are deceived. Before you go and write folk off or take up an ought or build up a wall against a person, a friend, even a church, a school, teacher, etc. – why not go to the source? And always – ALWAYS – go to God. I have had words taken out of context before – we all have. When words taken out of context are used against us – it is nothing more than LIES. And those who do this are liars and many do it in the name of religion :(

What if, when a negative situation happened to us or just happened – what if instead of telling people – EVEN in the guise of a prayer request – WHAT IF we prayed about it first – talked to the Lord and then and only then asked for prayer if He directed us to do so and to whom????

There are many people walking around offended, hurt and the offense isn’t even real – it is a skewed version of an innocent truth or just an unfortunate incident. Life is so short and offenses STEAL FROM US.

My challenge today: search your heart – if there is a person you won’t talk to, forgive them and do something nice for them, or at the very least pray, bless them and SPEAK to them the next time you see them. If we don’t reconcile the ought(s) in our hearts on our own, they can and will be held against us. The enemy of our souls does not fight fair. And if you are struggling to move forward in your life, your relationships, your ministry, or job – check your heart. Release all the captives and set them free. Make a choice to bless and love. That is exactly what Jesus did. He looked at us in our sin and said – yes, I will die for them, even though they don’t love me, respect me and many hate me. I will die for the ones who will never love me. I will die for my fellow man.

Who is in your heart that you need to let go? Jesus laid down HIS right to be right – may we all do the same. Let mercy triumph over judgment.