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| Roots and Stoney Ground |
"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."
Hebrews 12:15
Just wanted to share something that the Holy Spirit just pointed out to me. It's short, it's quick, but it's TO THE POINT: and sometimes these types of lessons get "right down to the quick" (so to speak.)
The following quote was taken from "The Golden Treasury of Bible Wisdom~Words of Encouragement, Hope, and Wisdom" by Herschel B. Dean. It's a wonderful compilation of scripture verses, with a quote by Herschel for each verse...something extra to "chew on." And boy, oh boy, have they been such a blessing to me??!! You bet!
For the above written scripture in Hebrews, here is what Mr. Dean said:"We must fight negative thought patterns and poutings or else they will neutralize our lives, leaving us ineffective and miserable. Cheer up! God loves you and has plans for you beyond your greatest dreams."
Look at the scripture again, and the phrase "Root of Bitterness." Do you see the initials R.O.B. ?????????? What does a Root of Bitterness do? Scripture tells us it ROBS not only US, but MANY others around us, of an effective, enjoyable, PRODUCTIVE, Spiritually-Successful, God-Driven, Christ-Centered, Spirit-filled, peaceful life!
Is it possible to have a root of bitterness without having been offended by someone? I used to associate a root of bitterness with what happens after a grudge is held for a long time against someone who has offended me. But the Holy Spirit just showed me: A negative spirit; a discouraged, seeing-the-glass-half-filled, gloomy outlook-on-life~~all of those things ARE a Root of Bitterness. . . and THEY ROB not only ME, but also EVERYONE AROUND ME ("thereby defiling MANY.") O u C h !!
Guess what happened, though?
I just felt the Holy Vine dresser, my Lord, take His special gardening tool and chop away at all the negativity...that nasty little Root Of Bitterness that had it's grip on my heart! And to think, I NEVER DREAMT that there even was one to start with!
I just felt the Holy Vine dresser, my Lord, take His special gardening tool and chop away at all the negativity...that nasty little Root Of Bitterness that had it's grip on my heart! And to think, I NEVER DREAMT that there even was one to start with!
Do you have a Root of Bitterness? Maybe someone has really "ticked you off"--offending you in the worst way possible. . . hurting you without any reason...or maybe you both have "exchanged words" like the recent holiday gifts. ??? ~OR~ maybe you're like I was~feeling like "something had a grip on my heart, yet going over and over in my heart's memory of 'things from the past' that maybe, just maybe, I had not TRULY forgiven." Nope...the ROOT of BITTERNESS is just a negative, fearful, wavering spirit. Ironic how a wavering person is depicted in James 1 as waves driven, and tossed, unanchored, and yet a deeply root-bound plant depicts "being imprisoned, wrapped tightly, suffocating any possible growth"~~isn't it ironic? That's it---a heart that IS *(bitterly) "root bound" but yet wavering in its faith in God, is whipped violently, driven by the wind, yet does NOT grow! Sadly, this heart stunts the growth of others closely related to it as well.
Goodness gracious! I'm so happy! Feeling as if I've been freed! The Lord says He "looseth the prisoner." And when He does it, He BREAKS the bonds, tearing them completely asunder, so that there's NO MORE CHANCE of being imprisoned again! Praise His Name!
My prayer is for you too, to experience freedom. FREEDOM from a root of bitterness that you may not even realize has it's grips on your heart! Ask the Dear Holy Spirit to inspect your heart for any, and to unloosen the grips of this sneaky ROB-ber, and release you into the FREEDOM that Christ DIED TO GIVE YOU! :)
Much love and many hugs from me to YOU!
Much love and many hugs from me to YOU!
Dear Father, I thank you SOOO much for this lesson! I see Your hand in so many areas of my life--in even how this little "Wisdom" book was given to me in 2003. You knew it would be read many times, but that it would be a SUPER blessing to my heart tonight, because Your Holy Spirit breathed life into the pages through Your Scripture and opened my eyes, therefore allowing ME to "look diligently" into my heart and see that there WAS a Root of Bitterness. Please forgive me of allowing this ROB-ber to take over my heart and also ROB others around me. Please make a difference---cause YOUR SON's life to SPRING FORTH from my heart, from this day forth, In Jesus' Name, Amen
This was a really powerful lesson from the
ReplyDeleteHoly Spirit, Tammi, and one I can certainly
use. I am so thankful for fellow bloggers
who share what He is teaching so we can
all be encouraged and grow stronger in
Him. Thanks so much.
Praying you do well again when classes
start up.
Love & Prayers,
Sandy
A great reminder! Yes, we really need to watch for that and I am thankful for the Holy Spirit that convicts me when I am off...
ReplyDeleteTimely word for the new year. How quickly the theif can take hold when we are not allowing the Lord to tend us. Blessings! Linda J.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this excellent post, Tammi. It's so easy to go through life unaware of the snares that are robbing our hearts of joy and contentment. Thank you for reminding me to be diligent.
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing with your early rising? I know today I didn't make it, and that's okay. I am grateful for the days I do wake early. And, like you, I tend to be a night owl.
Rachel
Hey, I just came across your blog by doing a bit of blog-surfing and I'm glad I did! I've added myself as your newest follower, and I hope you'll check out my Christian devotional site as well: www.nocondemnation81.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
In Christ,
Dakota
What a JOY in His Spirit it is to visit with you here Sis...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post as you're sooooo anoited in the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ.. You're prayer at the end of the posy so fits my heart for Him also...Thanks for ALWAYS sharing about Our God ,, the Only One who Leads and asks us to follow Him with our whole heart mind and soul...
May you continue to feel the best blessing of His presence Sis~~~Love and HUgs Dena
Hi Tammi,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote "FREEDOM", and that is exactly what I feel, and what I felt,
the moment the Holy Spirit helped me to let go of my very deep rooted anger that was suffocating me, and everyone in my path.
This freedom I never take for granted, and praise the Lord for having mercy on me.
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6
Tammi, thank you for a Powerful Post,
God bless you
i certainly hope not, as i would hate to be
ReplyDeleterobbing those i love of His love and goodness.
thank you for a powerful post!
Very creative! A root of bitterness can become a r-o-b-ber of joy, peace and even life, exactly as it is described in the scriptures. Great post.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good reminder! Lots to thing about! Thanks for this great post!
ReplyDeleteAmen Tammi!
ReplyDeleteSo often many of us live ROBBED when there is true FREEDOM in CHRIST!!!!
Powerful message!
Praying for you and your family! Much love!
If I'm not careful, it would be easy to allow a root of bitterness to form in my heart. Going through difficult trials has a way of doing that. But God does not want that root to form. So, I pray about that. I tattle to God about all the hurts and pain and give it over to Him. Then no root of bitterness will grow. After all, my Heavenly Father knows all about it and He will take care of me. No worries!
ReplyDelete