Yesterday we encountered Jesus saving a woman by asking the crowd to look at their own sin first. That story reminded me of how easy it is to slip into bitterness and blame others for what happens to us. Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” I am reminded that bitterness can ‘spring up’. 
Those thoughts against others, of wrongs done to you, lost opportunities, soured relationships and in general the hard things of life that can make us bitter. It would seem that author of Hebrews is saying it is a choice and is encouraging us to live with an awareness of what bitterness can do to us and to those around us if we allow it to fester and grow. It can deprive us of the grace of God as well as others. It can pollute the atmosphere around us and cause others to be bitter. So today I will consciously choose to be tenderhearted as described in Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility , meekness and patience.” I will choose to leave bitterness behind today. Join me in leaving bitterness behind and walk with forgiveness in your heart through the Grace of God trusting Him to erase the hurt and fill it with love.
Prayer: Father, show me where bitterness is springing up in my life and help me to confront it with forgiveness and put it behind me. Ease the hurt and the claim bitterness has had on me and help me to walk in your Grace. Your favor is all I need to overcome bitterness as You promise that your grace is sufficient for all my needs and that You can use me even with my weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Desiring to live for Jesus without the baggage of bitterness and to be -,
Linda
Are you willing to look within yourself and examine your motives and feelings? Jesus asked those who gathered to stone the woman caught in adultery, to think about their own sins and if they found they were without sin to cast the first stone. After reflection they all turned away and Jesus was left with alone with the woman. He told her to go and leave her life of sin. (John 8:7-11) Jesus turned their judgmental hearts by having them examine their own hearts and look at their own sin. While standing in judgement over the woman, they realized they were guilty too and needed to turn away from judgement.
ive to do good works in your name. Amen.
Seeking to reflect God’s love to others,
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2
For the next 40 days, we will be taking stock of our attitudes, actions and our total dependence upon God. 
I have been thinking and praying about Lent and the call that I find this time of year has on my life. I never grew up observing Lent so adding this observance into my routine has taken some getting use to. However, since I have begun blogging each day during Lent I’ve found a new spiritual awareness and awakening as we journey towards the cross. Lent is a time of reflection and introspection. We take very little time in our lives to do this. I pray that each of my blog posts will help to point you to your Savior and challenge your thinking in some way. Please pray for me as we near this time: for inspiration from the Holy Spirit as I write and multiplied time- Lent begins March 1. If you enjoy my Advent blogs- be sure to pass them on to friends so they can join us in our journey. 8 days to go!
Here is a word for today: “With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 
Fearless Living 