Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church
You can't stop life from happening to you but you can choose how you react.
Bitterness poisons your attitude. It can rob you of your joy and keep you away from blessings.
Let it go and trust the Lord to be your vendicator.
When you feel bitterness trying to take root forgive quickly.
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:15 NKJV
You can't see a root, it's hidden and under ground, but a bitter root will produce bitter fruit.
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
It's easy to let what's on the outside get on the inside but you only have so much emotional energy for the day. It takes discipline to
You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.
II Timothy 4:15 NKJV
You can't see a root but that's where the root gets life. If you have bitter roots, then you're not getting the nourishment that you need.
Ask God to reveal the root of your bitterness because you can't get rid of the symptoms without knowing the cause.
African village was overtaken with an illness and after research, they learned that the water was contaminated. So they traced the source to a stream and a dead family of pigs had died and become wedged.
You have to get passed closed doors to get to open doors. What's in your future is better than anything in your past.
Naomi lost her husband and sons. Naomi means "my joy" but she changed it to "Mara".
You may have had bad breaks but don't change your name.
I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"
Ruth 1:21 NKJV
You may have changed your name but God didn't. We know this because the scripture never refers to her as Mara. Likewise, you may have put some negative labels on but God still calls you victorious.
Naomi turned her focus away from her own problems and started helping Ruth.
But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."
Mark 16:6-7 NKJV
Don't stay here (in bitterness) because God is waiting for you there! God has already gone ahead and prepared a place for you! God is not in your past, He's in your future. Move forward.
When the prodigal son came back, his brother was upset.
"But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.
Luke 15:28 NKJV
His brother's bitterness didn't stop the party, it just kept him away from the party.
