BBD 08.19.02 Let Go of the Pain
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
country's flag on the map and leave a message. You can find it on the front
page at http://www.theburningbush.org
If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family
member who would like to start receiving it. Subscribing is easy. Send a
blank email to burningbushdevo-subscribe@welovegod.org or to subscribe to
the html version send a blank email to
burningbushhtml-subscribe@welovegod.org
The Burning Bush Devotional
08.19.02
Let Go of the Pain
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things
above, not on things on the earth.. Therefore put to death your members
which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry.. But now you yourselves are to put off all
these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with his deeds
and have put on the new man.." - Colossians 3:1-2, 5, 7-10a.
Edward McBride burglarized a Tulsa home and then attempted to lose the
police by jumping into the Arkansas River. But swimming the Arkansas River
was made difficult for McBride because he was hanging onto a duffel bag
containing the 50 pounds of stolen items including cameras and CDs. Tulsa
police spokesperson Lucky Lamons said, "He got about 40 yards out and yelled
for help. The officers took off their shirts, shoes and belts and jumped
into the river. By the time they reached him, he had gone under." McBride
wore himself out trying to swim with the 50-pound duffel bag and then was
unable to swim to safety.
There are so many who are doing the same thing spiritually. We are wearing
ourselves out under the heavy load of the world. The apostle Paul tells us
there are some things that we need to let go of and it is quite a list:
"fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy language" and he adds "do not lie to one another."
All of these things just make it harder for us to live and makes each step
along the path of life harder to take. These things keep dragging us
further and further down. We need to let go of them before it is too late.
Not only do we need to let go of some things we also need to take hold of
some other things. Paul says, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a
complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called
in one body; and be thankful (Colossians 3:12-15)."
If we let go of those things that are dragging us down and then take hold of
those things Paul says to take hold of then we will have the peace of God
ruling in our hearts. How wonderful to be free of the anger, lies, lust,
and all those things which help to bring about depression and pain in our
lives and the lives of others around us. Let go of the pain and take hold
of the peace of God!
Copyright © 2002. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.
If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Prayer Group. Send and receive prayer
requests to over 500 members. Send a blank email
to: theburningbush-subscribe@welovegod.org
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Inspirational Group. Send and receive
inspirational material to over 100 members. Send a blank email
to: bbinspire-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Restoration and Recovery Group for those with
addictions or recovering from addictions. Receive devotionals and
inspirational material directed toward those with addictions. Send and
receive prayer requests. Over 200 members. Send a blank email
to: tbbrr-subcribe@yahoogroups.com