Its Only Werds...

As I sat listening to the words, I prayed silently for others who heard them, that they would take them to heart and erase bitterness from their lives. I thought of all the hurting people I knew who were bitter and asked God to bless them with this knowledge as well. I thought of all the "grumpy" people I know who would rather tear you apart than work through a conflict. Anger at work, within familes and even within the congregation at times seemed to spring from someone who was at odds with the world. The words kept coming and I prayed silently for those who are surely hurting inside and that hurt has turned to bitterness; that bitterness has manifested itself with a dark countenance, an unpleasant attitude; a seeming anticipation of the next opportunity to lash out at someone and hurt them. My heart was aching and breaking.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Bitterness has a dangerous root.

Bitterness produces a poisonous fruit.

miaino (me-ah'-ee-no); stain, pollute or contaminate (ceremonially or morally)

Bitter people: justify their bitterness; become overly critical; secretly celebrate misfortunes; write off entier groups of peoples; struggle to see bitterness in the mirror.

With whom or at what are you bitter? __________________________________

How do you kill the roots of bitternes?

WITH KINDNESSES, COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS: Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Personal Prayer: "God, I admit that I've allowed a root of bitterness to grow against _________. Please forgive me of this sin. by your power, give me a heart of compassion and forgiveness toward this person. I pray you would restore my wounded relationship(s). In Jesus' Name, Amen.

(words in purple are the sermon notes, written by paster C.W.W.)

And then I realized those words were for me alsotoo. My brother-in-law is tormenting my sister. I cannot bear it, even though I do not see it, I hear her sobs over the phone, the desperation in her voice and I cry out to The One Who Is Able to help her...and if I could see my brother-in-law face to face, I'd punch him. No, I'd roundhouse him with both fists locked together. So, God, heal that in me. Make me see him with Your eyes. And please....give her rest and peace? You know as well as I do that she has not had ONE moment in this life of peace and rest. GOD PLEASE. . . ?

~i sob~