Help In Time of Need

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

The dog catcher killed a dog ! The story heard from a person I know goes : that she was called at work to come home , that her dog was foaming at the mouth. When she arrived home the dog catcher was there . He said, "You have been starving your dog. I am taking your dog away. " The person I know pointed out to him that water and food were right there available for the dog to get to if it wanted. However, the dog catcher ignored this evidence and insisted she had been starving her dog. Took the dog to the pound and when the person I know arrived he told her she had to watch him put the dog to sleep, (death by injection.)

My word of testimony today is Hebrews 4:15 & 16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

It is times such as this that I must obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. If this dog catcher is a brother in Christ ( it is possible ) I need to forgive him. Right this minute I must obtain mercy because according to my feelings , I do not forgive him.

Did you read that last sentence ? My thoughts produce feelings and so I judge a lot about how I am doing on my feelings. However, I am right now working on bringing my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ . This would be the ground work for being able to forgive this person who used such bad judgement .

Only God knows my heart , even I do not know if in my heart I am able to forgive this person.
I have evidence that I have forgiven others for doing some very horrible things. I could only tell that I had forgiven when others who did similar things , I was able to respond as one who forgives. These things of which I speak were done to me. Now I will see if I can forgive someone who hurts a person I know.

I think of Corrie Ten Boone who forgave those who caused her sister and father great emotional pain before they were killed. I think of Paul who was able to forgive those people who were killing his fellow believers and preach Christ to them. I think of people that I know personally who count their lives successful when they forgive those who trespass against them.

The glory God wants comes from something He does in me. I will be going boldly to His throne of grace today to obtain mercy , and find grace to help in time of need.