Have you ever stopped to think what it cost you to just live each day in a world filled with slow-burning anger, discontentment and a debilitating disposition filled with discuss towards your fellow man and others whom you have no idea who they are? Just think about it!! Mad at the world, fed up with our political systems, cajoling you to engage in acts that you know would not be pleasing to yourself or to your Maker in the end.

Thanks be to God there are holy scriptures that can help you overcome these deep-seated and destructive feelings.

Don’t you know, that if you don’t do anything about your ill-gotten feelings, you will pay a horrible price in the end and your overall health could also become detrimental to your life expectancy. The choice is up to you.

When we choose to serve one another in love, it could mean that we have to spend more time with them and try to get an understanding as to why they say and do the things they do. If it is at all possible, we can ask them how they came to their conclusions concerning the matter. Scripture, also reminds us that we, too, can bring along another resource person of our choosing to help navigate the issue.

If religion, nationality, gender or physical impairment is the stumbling block, enabling the meeting of the minds, seek professional guidance before kicking your brother or sister to the wind.

By doing so, we have put aside condemnation, judgement and criticism towards our fellow man. What’s left is a realization of peace, love and joy for our fellow man and that we are also at peace with our Maker.

Following is my own personal experience when I had ‘OUGHT’ against my brother…

There is no doubt as to what the word ‘ought’ means in this context. It clearly speaks to the fact that a person (me for instance) has offended someone. My offense happened while on an international mission trip to South Africa some years ago. I was presenting a biblical lesson to a group of African men and women on the Bible verses in Matthew 5:23 & 24. All the while I was speaking, an elderly gentleman in the front row was mumbling out loud in his native language and was becoming very agitated and disturbing. Next to him sat his young grandson who was trying to comfort his grandfather and calm him down.

Finally, I had no other choice but to halt my discussion, approach the young lad and inquire what his grandfather was saying. The boy responded that his grandfather was sadden because what he had done could not be undone. He had stolen a chicken from his neighbor, cooked and fed the chicken to his family and now, due to your teaching, it is impossible to return it.

NOW I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE…

It was not until I had finished writing this blog today that the Holy Spirit nudged me and said, “My child, you are the guilty one. To this day, you have never asked Me for forgiveness for your selfish, insensitive, reaction to my servant in Africa. While the old gentleman received a blessing by hearing the Word of God and obtaining a better understanding of the Word, he asked for forgiveness and received it from Me. In his outbursts, he was thanking Me. However, you have never returned to Me and asked for forgiveness for having ‘ought’ against the old man for interrupting and disturbing your teaching! WHILE ALL THE TIME, IT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVING COMFORT, UNDERSTANDING AND INCREASE INTO HIS WORD TO THIS GRANDFATHER!

You’d better believe, that before I went to bed, I fell on my knees and ask the Lord to forgive me for my slothfulness and disrespect for HIS teaching. (Back in the day, when I was much younger, I now realize that I may have robbed God of a lot of repentance prayers and praises for His awesomeness, protection and patience with me while acting on His behalf.) May I never forget that it is God Who gives the increase! Amen.

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