For Those Desiring a Deep Christian Faith...
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2021 Meditations
    • January Meditations >
      • January 1
      • January 3
      • January 5
      • January 9
      • January 11
      • January 13
    • 2020 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 1
      • December 4
      • December 6
      • December 8
      • December 10
      • December 13
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 20
      • December 22
      • December 24
      • December 26
      • December 28
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 1
      • November 3
      • November 5
      • November 7
      • November 9
      • November 11
      • November 13
      • November 16
      • November 18
      • November 20
      • November 23
      • November 25
      • November 26
      • November 28
    • October Meditations >
      • October 2
      • October 4
      • October 6
      • October 8
      • October 10
      • October 13
      • October 15
      • October 17
      • October 19
      • October 22
      • October 24
      • October 26
      • October 28
      • October 30
    • September Meditations >
      • September 1
      • September 3
      • September 5
      • September 7
      • September 9
      • September 11
      • September 14
      • September 16
      • September 18
      • September 20
      • September 22
      • September 25
      • September 27
      • September 29
    • August Meditations >
      • August 1
      • August 3
      • August 5
      • August 7
      • August 9
      • August 11
      • August 14
      • August 16
      • August 18
      • August 19
      • August 22
      • August 25
      • August 27
      • August 29
    • July 2020 Archive
    • June 2020 Archive
    • May 2020 Archive
    • April 2020 Archive
    • March 2020 Archive
    • February 2020 Archive
    • January 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
    • Gods Army
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • On Death and Dying
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners

September 16

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15, ESV) 
Picture
As I read the scripture for today printed above, I began to question, “What is a root of bitterness”?  This verse from Hebrews makes known that a “root of bitterness” can cause “trouble” and “many to become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).  By the wording of this verse, the author has seen this type of sin “spring up” before.  He desired that this not occur among Christian communities.  Pondering the meaning of this root of bitterness, I looked up what Biblical scholars had written about it.  The Believer’s Bible Commentary noted with this verse that a person who retains this bitterness, “turns sour against the Lord and later repudiates the Christian faith.  His defection is contagious.  Others are defiled by his complaints, doubts, and denials”.  The Oxford Bible Commentary notes Deuteronomy 29:17-18, adding that this bitterness produces “apostasy”, an abandonment of faith in God.  Essentially, the root of bitterness causes a person to give up true faith, blame God, doubt the will of God, and reject faithful living.  What might cause you to develop a “root of bitterness”?

Adrian Rogers wrote on oneplace.com that the root of bitterness begins when you are hurt intentionally or unintentionally.  That, then, develops into hostility of all sorts that affects not only you, but those around you.  He wrote: “The world is full of people who have not dealt with an old hurt. They look for things to criticize, people to find fault with, and ways to justify the way they feel. Have you ever seen people who are hypercritical? Generally, they are bitter people. They know how to push your hot buttons until you react in a way to further justify their bitterness. Then, they can say, "Aha! I was right. I have a right to be bitter."”  Based on his explanation, the onset of bitterness is a hurt that is not worked out with God.  It is an emotional or spiritual pain that festers.  The initial hurt that causes bitterness may be caused by a traumatic event or a betrayal.  It is important when you experience such a situation that you immediately find ways to work it out with God.
 
Bruce Goodrich was being initiated into the cadet corps at Texas A & M University. One night, Bruce was forced to run until he dropped—but he never got up. Bruce Goodrich died before he even entered college.
A short time after the tragedy, Bruce’s father wrote this letter to the administration, faculty, student body, and the corps of cadets:
“I would like to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of my family for the great outpouring of concern and sympathy from Texas A & M University and the college community over the loss of our son Bruce. We were deeply touched by the tribute paid to him in the battalion. We were particularly pleased to note that his Christian witness did not go unnoticed during his brief time on campus.”
Mr. Goodrich went on: “I hope it will be some comfort to know that we harbor no ill will in the matter. We know our God makes no mistakes. Bruce had an appointment with his Lord and is now secure in his celestial home. When the question is asked, ‘Why did this happen?’ perhaps one answer will be, ‘So that many will consider where they will spend eternity. ‘“  (Our Daily Bread, March 22, 1994”

Instead of harboring ill-will and bitterness at the death of his precious son, Bruce’s father reached out to respond in love.  He gave God the glory.  He fostered healing with his words.  Because of this, bitterness did not grow among the many suffering at Texas A & M.  The grace of God offered through Bruce’s father short-circuited the onset of the root of bitterness.
​
It is important when you are hurt that you turn to God for help.  It is crucial that you do not let your hurt fester and grow into bitterness.  If you let a hurt bloom into bitterness, others will be affected by your loss of faith.  Evil will find a way to capitalize on that bitterness.   The results will always damage lives.  God has given us grace and forgiveness and mercy to counteract the root of bitterness.  It is vital that you learn to lean upon God’s grace and forgiveness and mercy in order to find true peace and joy again.  Otherwise, bitterness will be the final, long-lasting result.  

click here to See september Daily Meditations
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2021 Meditations
    • January Meditations >
      • January 1
      • January 3
      • January 5
      • January 9
      • January 11
      • January 13
    • 2020 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 1
      • December 4
      • December 6
      • December 8
      • December 10
      • December 13
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 20
      • December 22
      • December 24
      • December 26
      • December 28
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 1
      • November 3
      • November 5
      • November 7
      • November 9
      • November 11
      • November 13
      • November 16
      • November 18
      • November 20
      • November 23
      • November 25
      • November 26
      • November 28
    • October Meditations >
      • October 2
      • October 4
      • October 6
      • October 8
      • October 10
      • October 13
      • October 15
      • October 17
      • October 19
      • October 22
      • October 24
      • October 26
      • October 28
      • October 30
    • September Meditations >
      • September 1
      • September 3
      • September 5
      • September 7
      • September 9
      • September 11
      • September 14
      • September 16
      • September 18
      • September 20
      • September 22
      • September 25
      • September 27
      • September 29
    • August Meditations >
      • August 1
      • August 3
      • August 5
      • August 7
      • August 9
      • August 11
      • August 14
      • August 16
      • August 18
      • August 19
      • August 22
      • August 25
      • August 27
      • August 29
    • July 2020 Archive
    • June 2020 Archive
    • May 2020 Archive
    • April 2020 Archive
    • March 2020 Archive
    • February 2020 Archive
    • January 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
    • Gods Army
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • On Death and Dying
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners