EVERYTHING

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:1, 2

King James Version

Pastor Elisha A. Hoffman wrote a hymn that should make every one of us search our heart “Is Your All on the Altar?”  “You have longed for sweet peace, And for faith to increase, And have earnestly, fervently prayed; But you cannot have rest, Or be perfectly blest, Until all on the altar is laid.”

God used this hymn to make me realize that I had not forgiven everyone who had hurt me.  I had forgiven the man who raped me and the kids at school who called me fat, ugly and stupid and told me I didn’t have a right to live but I hadn’t forgiven everyone.

One day when I was praying and asking God to forgive me for anything I had done that had hurt Him.   He spoke to my heart and said “You haven’t forgiven everyone.”  I thought about it and I really believed that I had forgiven everyone but He said “You haven’t forgiven yourself”.

That’s when I realized how much He loves me.  What about you?  Have you forgiven yourself for things you did in the past?  God loves all of us equally.  He doesn’t play favorites like some parents do.  If your heart is breaking and you feel like giving up, remember God loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for you so you can be saved and live in Heaven for eternity.

We have a tender loving and compassionate Heavenly Father Who will never yell at us, curse us, hit us or kick us out.  We will never have to run and hide from Him like some children have to run and hide from their dad.  If you are reading this devotion, thank God for His unconditional love for you.

Joanne Lowe

April 30, 2019