Inspirational Article From Joanne Lowe Index of Writings by Joanne Lowe on Gospel Web

FOR A YEAR

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3: 9 King James Version

Someone sent me an email last year that really upset me and I’m sure broke the heart of Jesus. She told me that she had been counseling this person for “a whole year” and the person was still the same. My immediate thought was “I wonder how many years Jesus has been counseling us and we haven’t changed”. Thank God that Jesus is patient with us and never gives up on us.

I think sometimes we forget about the things we did before Jesus forgave us and saved us. We need to remember that we didn’t learn right away either and, I don’t know about you, but I still make mistakes and fail Jesus. The difference now is that I don’t want to do things and say things to hurt someone. Before Jesus melted my hardened heart, I hated everybody. I didn’t trust anyone and I am sure that I broke His heart countless times.

The lady that sent me the email told me that she had told the person over and over to stop feeling sorry for herself, but she said that the person kept “whining and complaining”. I wonder how many times we have “whined and complained” to God about something. May God forgive us for judging others! It is time that we point the finger at ourselves and search our own hearts. A pastor friend of mine has said this many times in his sermons “If you will keep your own heart clean before God, you won’t have time to criticize anybody else”. Are you praying for people and encouraging them or are you being critical and judgmental? Above all, is your heart right with God?

Joanne Lowe

April 9, 2007

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