What Happened?

What Happened?

Genesis 6: Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, ² that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.

 

³ And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” ⁴ There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

 

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At this point there were a lot of humans on the earth. Two distinct paths were identified, those who called out to the LORD and those who did not. All humans were born with a sin nature, so sin was now a preference. When Satan was thrown out of heaven, I believe he tried to ruin humans to avoid a sentence written on a holy scroll that only a perfect human could open.

 

When he was thrown out, he had convinced a third of the angels that he should be GOD. These angels were also thrown out and on earth they raped human women versus taking a vow before GOD to be a husband.

 

My Observations:

• Woman was made extremely special because only through this being can creation of life happen.
• Even the angels desired women for their own.
• Demons are very hard to explain, but their desires are not GOD’s desires.

 

Talk about a rabbit hole! Many questions can arise about angels, demons and GOD from this set of verses. BUT GOD was explaining “what happened” versus why. Evil beings raped women and giants were born. The end. This is what GOD revealed.

 

Challenge

• In reference to JESUS, why does GOD tell Moses about demons raping women?
• Have you ever served an angel without knowing it?
• Will you be hospitable to anyone, male or female, not knowing if you are entertaining a being sent by GOD?

Cared For

Cared For

Acts 16: ¹⁶ Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” ¹⁸ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

¹⁹ When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. ²⁰ They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar ²¹ by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

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One of my employees was out sick. I called to check in on her to see how she was doing. I mean it was the right thing to do, being her boss. I did this for several of my employees. When I left the company, I lost touch with most of the people.

• There were times when I did the right thing because of my role.
• There were times when I cared for people because of my role.
• There were times when I watched out for people because of my role.

A woman kept following Paul and the disciples. She said the truth about them, stating they were men of the Most High GOD. While this was true, more than likely she did it in a mocking or annoying way.

Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her and she was immediately freed. Her bosses did not like her new freedom. They only cared that she could make them money.

• GOD wants me to care for people beyond what they can do for me.
• GOD wants me to care about people even when they cannot return any favors.
• GOD wants me to care for people, wishing them the best.

Caring for people means going beyond what they can do for me. I mean when I care about the person, I do not need anything from them. GOD wants me to express HIS love regardless of any reciprocation. I am glad HE loves me.

• Do you have people working for you that you only keep in touch with because or your working relationship?
• Do you have a lot of acquaintances?
• Will you allow GOD to speak through you by caring for more people today?

Unpreached

Unpreached

John 14: ²⁹ “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. ³⁰ I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. ³¹ But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

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Over the years, I have heard many people speak about sin, marriage, raising kids and money. But I rarely heard about demonic forces, who’s sole purpose is to rob humans of their true relationship with GOD. When I did hear it mentioned, it seemed to be in a context that gave humans some sort of comic-book like super-power to fight the forces of evil.

• Sometimes I feel alone when I speak about demonic forces.
• Sometimes I feel laughed at when speaking about the “ruler of this world” being demonic.
• Sometimes I feel I am not taken seriously when I mention there is a spirit that is against JESUS.

JESUS says HE would not speak to the followers much because the “ruler of this word” was coming and this ruler has “nothing in JESUS.” HIS words spoke more than HIS death. HE spoke about the spiritual blindness humans would fall into.

• To believe in JESUS, means I believe I need HIM.
• To believe in JESUS, means I also believe there is something that would cloud my judgment, trying to skew HIS words away from what HE really said.
• To believe in JESUS, means I believe that I am susceptible to being tricked by lies that seem sound.

It is not popular to mention Satan and a demonic force. I mean movies portray evil as this ugly, weird, alien thing, with blood or green acid dripping from sharp fangs. BUT JESUS saw different. HE saw the need to teach unpopular views so we, who follow HIM, would not be fooled.

HE saw through cravings for comfort, control and lusts for power as distractions away from HIM. HE saw the rich and educated as distractors from HIM as well. HE is the sower of the seeds of love and wants me to believe HE can heal any sickness, fix any problem and grow any person who believes in HIM. I believe in JESUS.

• Do you believe you can be lied to?
• Do you feel you are following JESUS with all your heart?
• Will stop trying to fit into the world and start trying to seek those who need JESUS?

Temporarily Clean

Luke 11: ²⁴ “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

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Seeing the results of attending church, I decided to attend more often. Things were going well in my life and I started attributing this to my relationship with GOD. I was up for a promotion and really wanted the position. I took an inventory of the sins I was doing at the time. “Maybe I will stop this particular sin for a while. At least until I get the position.”

• There were times when I thought I could temporarily clean myself up.
• There were times when I thought I could control the outcome of my life by temporarily stopping sin.
• There were times when I thought I could accomplish more by temporarily “not” sinning.

JESUS continues HIS explanation of the spirit realm. HE had just chased an evil spirit out of a man, enabling him to speak once again. JESUS says spirits have a tendency to return after a person has been temporarily cleansed.

• GOD wants me to ask for HIS cleansing on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face daily.
• GOD wants me to ask for HIS eternal protection so I will not need to worry about HIS love.

JESUS is the answer to protection from the evil one. No one can snatch me from HIS mighty hand, not even myself. I am not in control of how GOD reacts to my sins and I am thankful. HE sees through my temporary “goodness” and counts it as dung. HE reacts with patience and grace, wanting me to grow up and bring many to HIM. HE is my salvation.

• Are you temporarily trying to act temporarily good so you can get your way?
• Do you think your temporary goodness is fooling GOD into allowing you to have what you want?
• Will you turn your life over to HIM and allow HIM to thoroughly cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Permitted Protection

Luke 8: ³⁰ Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”

And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

³² Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. ³³ Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

³⁴ When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

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“He’s alright” nodded the person as I tried to get into a restricted place. I had not been amongst the lavish before so I never noticed the plain clothed guards at discreet entrances. Once inside, I could see why the rich and powerful craved these kind of places because I felt secure.

• There were times when I needed permission to pass through “security.”
• There were times when I was allowed into a secure place.
• There were times when I was the one who was guarded and protected.

JESUS permitted the demons to leave the possessed man and enter a herd of swine. HE could have said “No”, but instead allowed them to wreak havoc on the herd. HE protected the healed man from any more harm and danger. JESUS also allowed the townspeople to ask HIM to go away. HE heeded their request.

• GOD wants me to ask permission for any request.
• GOD wants me to realize HE has the power over any force.
• GOD wants me to know HE has the power to protect me and make me feel secure.

Humans can only temporarily protect me with their limited power. BUT GOD can protect me from every force that tries to come up against me. With HIS permission, I am allowed into HIS family. HE wraps HIS loving arms around me and places me in HIS hand for which no one can pluck me out.

• Are you facing something very large that seems impossible to get out of?
• Are you afraid of an outcome that is out of your control?
• Can you ask GOD for HIS permission to protect you and cleanse you today?

Character Witness

Luke 4: ⁴⁰ When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. ⁴¹ And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

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“How do I get out of this?” I thought. “I got it! I will tell them the names of police officers and judges I know” I planned in my head to get out of jury duty. I had too many other things to do rather than sitting around listening to crimes. “I wonder if I should lie.” I was not chosen.

• There were times when I wanted to show bad character.
• There were times when I desired to sin a lot and still represent GOD.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of my time and I would do anything to remain in control, even lie.

JESUS showed people just how powerful HE was. HE healed those who were sick and sent demons out of many. The demons wanted to scream “YOU are the CHRIST, the SON of GOD!” This statement was definitely true and many needed to hear it, BUT GOD did not want HIS name mentioned by those who rejected HIM.

• GOD wants me to represent HIM by pointing people to HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I am a sinner saved by grace so people will come back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to remain focused on telling people about grace rather than accusing them of sinning.

Day and night the Accuser goes before the throne, blaming each human for the sins they commit. This is a poor character witness because the devil was thrown out of heaven and wants to destroy GOD’s prize creation, namely humanity.

BUT GOD allowed “THE CHRIST” which is JESUS to voluntarily take all the blame and wipe away my sin. THE HOLY SPIRIT speaks on my behalf, nullifying every accusation brought against me. HE is my character witness.

• Have you examined your character lately?
• Does your character include blaming people for their faults?
• Will you preach “grace” that can only come from “THE CHRIST” today?

Not Alone

Mark 9: ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

²⁸ And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”

²⁹ So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

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Nighttime seemed darker as we rounded approached the campsite. When I got out of the van, I immediately stepped in some mud. I avoided mud at all costs up to that point. By the next day everything I owned had mud on it. The final straw was one of my lenses popping out in the mud. I used some less muddy water to clean it.

• When times are tough I try to “clean” myself up.
• When I go through trials I try to sin less so maybe the trial can go away faster.
• When there are difficulties ahead of me I try to act better so maybe if I were being punished, then I can show I got the lesson.

Amazingly JESUS drives out an unclean spirit and makes an effort to teach the disciples how they can do the same. My focus is on the boy. From childhood he was attacked relentlessly. He did not ask to be attacked by demonic forces and could not speak or hear any words of comfort. He was helpless.

• JESUS sees my situation and knows what I am going through.
• The HOLY SPIRIT knows I cannot speak on my behalf so HE cries out for me.
• The FATHER forgives my circumstance because of JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Trying to pretend I am clean is like taking more mud to form a pretend bar of soap to wash my body and declaring myself clean. In other words, no matter how much I try to follow the “rules” it won’t make me any cleaner or holier. I am helpless, like the boy.

BUT GOD does not leave me helpless. HE raises me out of the mud and cleans me up with everlasting water. HE restores my soul when the well of my heart is empty. Even when I cannot utter a word, the HOLY SPIRIT is there providing strength like none other. Yes JESUS loves me.

• Are you in a difficult circumstance?
• Do you feel exhausted because you thing the power has to come from you?
• Can you understand that GOD loves you enormously and knows your needs and wants you to let go so HE can clean you from the inside?

Obedience Told

Mark 5: ¹¹ Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. ¹² So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” ¹³ And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

¹⁴ So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. ¹⁵ Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ¹⁶ And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. ¹⁷ Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

¹⁸ And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. ¹⁹ However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” ²⁰ And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

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“Take this test” were the instructions given to me by a teacher. I obeyed and when I got the results, I actually got into the school I desired. I had no fallback plan had I not passed. I ran to my small circle of friends and family to tell them the great news!

• When I have obeyed in the past, great things have happened.
• When I have trusted in the past, wonderful results were achieved.
• When I have followed something that I did not understand in the past, I was put on a road of amazement.

Obedience to JESUS was clearly told in this passage. The demons begged HIM for permission and HE granted their wish. The herders begged JESUS to leave, so HE did. But the demon possessed man begged JESUS to allow him to come along and JESUS gave him another task. HE says the same to me.

• JESUS says to me “Go home to your friends and tell them about ME.”
• JESUS says to me “Tell people about the great things the LORD has done for you.”
• JESUS says to me “Proclaim the message of compassion to as many as you can tell.”

When the man obeyed CHRIST, he went and told everyone he knew about JESUS. Everyone marveled at the power of GOD. JESUS is quite amazing! HE wants me to tell everyone about HIS amazing compassion.

• Are you telling people about JESUS?
• Will you obey HIS command and tell others about HIS compassion for you and everyone?
• Can you trust and obey JESUS today?

Powerful Mercy

Mark 5: Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

⁸ For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ¹⁰ Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

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Driving on a sunny day made me feel great. I was on my way to a friend’s house to enjoy some company. As I drove through the intersection near his house, a car ran a stop sign and hit my old junker. With little apology they threatened me instead of providing their insurance. I wanted them arrested for the rest of their lives!

• Sometimes I want revenge!
• Sometimes I want “justice!”
• Sometimes I want “that” person to get what’s coming to them!

JESUS does something absolutely amazing in this slice of history. A legion of demons, whose job was to torment people, asked for mercy.  JESUS had the power to immediately speak them into being eternally tormented but restrained for it was not the right time.

• JESUS says to me “Vengeance is MINE.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM full of mercy and grace.”
• JESUS says to me “Judge not lest you be judged.”

This conversation between the demons and JESUS shows me that HE can give mercy to anyone who asks. I need to follow HIS example of giving mercy to those who may be against me.

• Did someone do something to you?
• Did they deliberately hurt you?
• Can you accept the power GOD is giving you by showing undeserved mercy on them?

Quiet Healer

Mark 1: ²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

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“I’m going to really go fast this time” I thought to myself. As I stepped on the pedal, my pant leg got caught in between the sprocket and the chain of my bike. All I could do was cry. One of my neighbors came out, freed my pants from the relentless grip and rolled the pant leg up so I could ride continuously. I thanked him but he did not say much at all. I never saw him brag about it.

• Sometimes I need help.
• Sometimes I feel like crying out.
• Sometimes I need a healer or a comforter, or someone who can solve my problem.

JESUS was that quiet healer. HE healed thousands of people in this passage but what is intriguing to me is HE told the demons to be quiet because they knew who HE truly was. The timing probably wasn’t right to let people know HE was and is GOD so HE thanklessly served the people.

• JESUS protects me without thanks from me.
• JESUS heals me even when I am complaining.
• JESUS guides me to a better place even when I have freshly sinned.

Not once is it mentioned that JESUS scolded anyone for getting sick or demon possessed. HE simply showed compassion on the people without bragging about who HE was and is. JESUS is my quiet healer.

• Are you in trouble?
• Do you feel like crying out?
• Can you recognize all the times JESUS quietly brought you out of trouble without your thanks?
• Will you thank JESUS today?

Call the Authority

Mark: ²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

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“What is that weird sound?” I asked myself with a grimace as I turned on the air condition. It was a very hot day and my luxury item was acting like it was dying. I tried to look at it but my lack of knowledge was quickly revealed. “Well, it’s not the filter, now what?” I had to call an expert.

• Many times I need help.
• Many times I feel lost ad hopeless.
• Many times I try something where I am clearly out of my league.

JESUS spoke with authority like no one had heard before. HE knew the heart behind the law because HE wrote the law. HE wasn’t guessing nor manipulating people by twisting the words, like the church leaders were doing. HE showed HIS authority by casting out a demon. All were amazed!

• When I need help I can call on JESUS because HE has authority over my issue.
• When I am in trouble I can call on JESUS because HE can handle any trouble with ease.
• When I need help JESUS steps in even when I cannot call for help.

The demon possessed man could not ask for help, yet the very presence of JESUS made the demon nervous. JESUS helped the man without being asked and HE did it with authority. HE does the same in my life as well. HE steps in when I am petrified and rescues me when I am in trouble. JESUS has authority in my life.

• Are you stuck?
• Do you think everything around you is crumbling?
• Can you look to the only one who has authority and ask JESUS for guidance today?

Unoccupied House

Matthew 12: ⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

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Someone told me it would take one hundred days to start or break any daily habit. I had plenty of “bad” habits so I chose a few and stopped cold turkey. Ninety eight, ninety nine, one hundred was my countdown. I did it I thought to myself, but after a while, I missed my old habits.

• Sin can become a habit.
• Sin can overwhelm the thoughts.
• Sin can fill an empty void.

After sweeping out my house and putting everything in order I still felt empty so I chose to fill the void with more sin. After a while it seemed like I was in worse shape. What was I to do?

• GOD said to me “I will continue to knock on your heart and will enter if you allow ME.”
• GOD said to me “I will pursue you as one of MY lost sheep.”
• GOD said to me “I will fill you up until you are overflowing.”

Filling my emptiness with the things of the world left me in a very bad spot. BUT GOD did something different. HE filled me with HIS HOLY SPIRIT which gave me purpose to do HIS will. The void was gone and something overflowed, namely CHRIST.

I realized I would never become “clean” but I can be “forgiven.” Now thanksgiving fills my heart knowing that I am redeemed.

• Are you trying to do “self-help” techniques without GOD?
• Do you think you can “clean” yourself up and get your life on track by yourself?
• Will you stop trying to do things under your own power and seek GOD’s face?

Amazing Hate

Matthew 12: ²² Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. ²³ All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

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Hatred is bewildering and amazing. I mean when I don’t like a person, there is not much “right” they can do.

• Hatred blinds me.
• Hatred makes me unable to see any good.
• Hatred takes me to s place where grace cannot live.

I may justify my words and say “I don’t hate the person” but if I am constantly thinking of their wrongs and talking about their missteps, I hate them, plain and simple. What can help me with this hatred?

• GOD says to me “Love one another” is the greatest command.
• GOD says to me “How can I show you grace if you cannot show others grace?”
• GOD says to me “Pray for your enemies for it is easy to pray for those who love you.”

Even a slight margin of hatred can breed a war. I tussle with GOD when HE tries to get me to do the right thing. GOD wants me to turn my amazing hate into amazing grace. When I do this, HE gives me rewards that I cannot imagine!

• Are you on the path to hatred?
• Is there someone in your life or on the news who you talk about constantly in a negative way?
• Can you stop your hatred and get on the road to grace?
• Will you ask GOD to heal your wounds and channel you anger towards GOD’s love?