Wednesday, Bryan was studying at home and I was on a cooking marathon. I was worshiping God while cooking and praying for Bryan as he prepared. I also prayed for those who would hear the word, to take it to heart.

Yesterday, my husband and pastor, preached a message that can change lives if put into action. He talked about the poisonous fruit of bitterness and what it does to us.

There have been times in my life where I didn’t realize I had unforgiveness or bitterness in my heart. Bryan gave us ways we can know if we have bitterness.

Bitter People:

• Justify their bitterness- “I’m different, if you had been through what I had been through then you would understand”
• Become overly critical
• Secretly celebrate the misfortunes of others
• Write off entire groups of people- Example: Teenagers are lazy and disrespectful
• Struggle to see bitterness in the mirror

To kill bitterness I must forgive. There are times when I have to forgive each moment of every day. I don’t want bitterness to kill me and divert me from the purpose God has for me.

Ephesians 4:30-32

³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Go to Rockwilmington.com to listen to the entire message “Redemption Week 2″.

In a few short days, church doors will open and Christians will enter to celebrate that Jesus is alive. He died on a cross, was buried and rose from the dead. Christians have heard the story, but who needs to hear the story of God’s amazing love for the first time?

You may have heard the story before but the facts may have been twisted, and Jesus death and resurrection are just another event that supposedly happened in the story book called the Bible. Don’t believe the lies others have told you and deny yourself the peace and joy that only God can bring. Jesus’ love is so powerful that it can heal your hurt and drive away fear.

Going through the motions does not make you a Christ follower. Reading your Bible does not make you a Christ follower. The only thing that makes you a Christ follower is acknowledging your need for a Saviour, believing that Jesus is the Son of God, confessing your sins to Christ and giving your life fully to him.

If someone you know hasn’t given their life completely to Jesus Christ, then they need an invitation to church for Easter. Don’t wait for someone else to invite them. It’s not easy to invite people, but each empty seat represents a person who needs Jesus.

Who do you know that needs to hear the story that will change their life forever?