Miko's Sweater

I had a great time knitting this sweater for Miko's first birthday (April 12th). Well, if I'm honest, there were some hiccups along the way. I admit there were moments of frustration when I needed to unravel parts of it to go back and fix spots that were messed up. And it definitely taught me a lesson in patience as I learned new knitting lingo and techniques through trial and error that I didn't know previously. But in the end I was so happy that I didn't give up. It felt great to see the finished product and to find out how much my sweet niece enjoys the lady bug buttons. 


Reflecting on this project makes me think about life walking with God. Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you have made a hundred mistakes? Well, this week I had one of those days. When this happens the temptation I am faced with is to beat myself up over all the wrong things I have done. And the devil's hope is that I would stay in that place of self condemnation. But God says in His Word, 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) 

We won't always get things right. We may fall from time to time. But God is right there to pick us up, brush us off and heal our wounds. In hard times I often don't see my circumstances from God's perspective. They can seem so big and overwhelming. But He always sees the big picture and will often use my circumstances to accomplish His good will for my life. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

When we give our lives to Him in full surrender, from that moment on, daily He takes delight in lovingly transforming us and molding us into what He created and desires for us to be. Sold out lovers for Jesus! As we surrender our pitfalls and mistakes at the foot of His cross He says, "You don't need to hold onto that anymore. It's already been paid for. You are forgiven." Period.


So I am learning day by day not to beat myself up for making mistakes. And to let go of anything I have done wrong in the past. Because He doesn't want me to hold onto those things. What He has for me is so much better. His plans for us are so much greater than we could ever hope for or imagine. The dreams we have are very small compared to the dreams He has for us. And in order for me to accomplish those dreams there's something important that needs to happen. 


Jesus wants to renew the way I think about Him and the way I think about myself. He wants me to see myself the way He sees me. And that process started a long time ago, but it will continue from day to day until the day Jesus comes back for us, His Bride. Each day my mind is transformed more and I see myself the way He sees me.... I am His beautiful creation. I am His daughter who He loves beyond words. I am His friend who He can confide in. I am His and He is mine.

"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. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."          (Colossians 3:1-3, emphasis added) 

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."      (Romans 12:2, emphasis added)

Can unforgiveness keep us from the banqueting table with Jesus?

Our lives are not short on opportunities to be offended. In fact, Jesus was tempted with offense until His very last breath. His cross was stationed between two other crosses with two very different men on them. One of these men cried out for mercy and the other was a tool in the enemies hand. The devil in his final assault used a thief on the cross to slander our perfect Savior and give room for Jesus to be offended before His death. If offense was received into Jesus' heart the manifold plan of salvation would have been destroyed.

Offense gives birth to bitterness and unforgiveness. Unforgiveness short circuits our relationship with God and gives legal right to our enemy to torment our lives. Many Christians have diseases, illnesses, tormented minds and souls because they will not forgive.

Recently I met with a Christian friend. Before we met I received a vision from God. I saw my friend sitting at a long, rectangular, banqueting table with a white table cloth. He had a large, eloquent plate before him inlaid with gold, and piled on the plate was food fit for a king. My friend was ready to eat with fork in hand and napkin stuffed in his shirt, but he couldn't. There was a huge black figure behind him with red eyes keeping him from eating. That figure was a demon and his name was bitterness.

When my friend and I met he shared from a place of frustration, desiring to have more experiences with God and hear His voice. I then shared the vision with him that I had before our meeting. I asked if he was holding unforgiveness toward anyone or if he had felt betrayed. His lips lifted up on one side, a kind of half smile, as if he was caught. He began to open up and share a painful experience that presented opportunity for him to become offended. I then led him in a prayer of repentance and he forgave this person by whom he was bitter towards. We bound the spirit of bitterness and unforgiveness and cast them out of his life.

I told my friend that the banqueting table I saw in the vision was the fellowship table with Jesus and that he was made to feast from this table. My friends relationship with God had been hi-jacked and he wasn't having greater experiences with God because he took the bait of offense and allowed tormentors into his life. Unforgiveness can destroy a persons life.

The devil is working feverishly to cause offense in our lives and sometimes through those we care for the most. If the devil gets us to take the bait of offense, demons are released into our lives and they will reek havoc. If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. Out of Gods mercy he allows demons to torment those who do not forgive in order that they might cry out and be released from the prison of unforgiveness. (Read Matthew 18:21-25, 6:14-15)

In His last breaths Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Likewise we are commanded to do the same. Every time we release forgiveness toward someone we re-present Jesus and release the kingdom of God into men's lives. Mercy triumphs over judgement. Let us feast at the banqueting table with Christ and steer clear of all offense. He who is forgiven much, loves much.

Grace and Peace,

Cody