A Cry, A Prayer, A Repentance, A Forgiveness

 Here's a song on ten strings in the form of those four words and thoughts today: A cry, a prayer, a repentance, a forgiveness. There's a flow in these words and today the understanding of them came within the circle of an experience with another human being. 

Have you ever had to encounter a person within the context of handling "business", and the dialogue suddenly became unnecessarily contentious and stressful? Whereas a simple question to try and clarify a situation became a point of argumentative disagreement? Oh gee, I'm sure so many of us out there have "been there and done that." Perhaps more times than we care to admit! Nevertheless, there's a place of awareness and conviction in our walks with the LORD, in our relationship to Him as Father and Savior and Friend where we know if an encounter like that occurs-in your spirit, in your heart, you know it cannot remain as such. 

The Word of GOD states in 2Corinthians 5:18-21 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Look at how these verses are translated in the Amplified Bible: 2Co 5:18-21 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ's representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Your soul matters to God the Father, His Son Yeshua and the Holy Spirit, and not only yours but every soul around you. We are surely living in perilous times and whether it be at the workplace or in the supermarket while you're shopping or dining out, visiting relatives or friends... literally anywhere out in the world, spirits within human souls will rise up. The Scripture tells us our adversary, the devil is always roaming around seeking whom he may devour! Sometimes without even realizing it, your soul can become subject to the influence of spirits that just want to harm, do damage, even destroy. But if you've given your life to be under the Guardianship and influence of Jesus, those spirits will definitely hit a wall in their encounters with you as the child and servant of God.  Now, that does not mean it's going to be a delightful thing! We are flesh and that carnal mind always wants to have the upper hand! Yet it should always be first and foremost in your own heart and mind: O LORD, what would You say in this situation? What would You do? O Jesus, how can we fix this?!!

It became my cry when an encounter just as I described occurred on the phone. The gentleman became irate, agitated, stressed out and his call had to be transferred to a superior to handle because obviously I wasn't getting through to him. The guy was going through something! God knows we can understand that! Something in your personal life erupts and then you have to deal with staff from your employer. Probably the last thing he wanted to deal with. We get it! However, when one's upset becomes insulting, accusatory words aimed at you, you're going to feel that. It's going to hurt your soul and create an upset in your own head. It sure did for me! It became a cry to the LORD and then it became a prayer. I had to pray for my co-worker, I had to pray for myself, and even after a good night's sleep, it was STILL on the mind. Especially because I was anticipating seeing him the next day. 

Morning came and I took it to the LORD some more, and Father God reminded me of something so vital to our lives. He said, "There has to be a repentant heart." Of course. We know repentance is the Key and it has to be real. I had to tell my Lord, "Forgive me, Father, You know I don't want to deal with him again; I don't want to deal with any strange confrontations, it's been stressful enough. I know he's having issues, it doesn't have anything to do with me... cover us O LORD and have mercy O Jesus!" That was all on the way into the office. How many of you know that Father will not let you off the hook? I walked in and there he was, waiting. He saw me and said my name, and then the extraordinary things of GOD happened. The guy began to apologize profusely. He was so contrite and sorry. I told him "Hey, it's okay, I understand. We deal with folks all the time who are going through stuff, but you know we still have to follow our protocols and procedures." He said he understood and just continued to say he was sorry, that he never should have spoken to me the way he did. 

And then I felt it so strongly... the unction of the LORD... the pressing in one's spirit, to take action. The simplest of things in GOD, really. I walked up to him, placed my hand on his chest and said, "Brother, I forgive you." You should have seen his eyes! It was really very beautiful in its simplicity and truth. I knew the LORD wanted the words decreed to this man, and I was so thankful to have the boldness to just do it. Just do it! Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit! Let your prayers and your supplications be made known to GOD! Let your forgiveness be REAL! This brother not only received the forgiveness given to him, he also received a further word when I pointed at him and said "And whatever it is that you're dealing with, GOD's got that too, be blessed." You should've seen his eyes then! And he ever so slightly bowed his head. 

We shared a bit more and then he had to leave and the workday in the office had to start, but I couldn't do another thing until I gave my thanksgiving to the LORD! 'Cause I KNOW that I KNOW that it was all our Blessed Father and our Savior Jesus Who RECONCILED us today. Not only did He reconcile the situation, but He reconciled our souls. O Hallelujah to the Lamb of GOD!! 

Heavenly Father we thank and praise You forever. You are the Glory of our souls. You are the Almighty Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. I thank You for how You stir our hearts to live righteously before You... how You love and care for us and cause us to consider our ways and cause us even to have conviction in our hearts when things have to be made right before You. We thank You for Your Redeeming Love! You are Blessed and Wonderful beyond Measure! The LORD our Creator, the One Who has formed us before we were ever in our mother's womb, and You've called us out of darkness and into Your marvelous Light, into Your Everlasting Kingdom. Thanks be to You O LORD our God, LORD of ALL. 

I pray, Dear Jesus that this bit of testimony to Your Goodness and Mercy touch the hearts of all who take the time to read and partake of it. Let it be a rejoicing to our souls that You are True and Ever Present and so Willing for us all to be saved, redeemed, reconciled and brought to PEACE. We love You forevermore. In Your Holy Name. Amen and Amen!