If it were not for God's grace and mercy, none of us could stand. Grace is a gift from the Lord, through Christ's work on the cross, ministered to us through the Holy Spirit and is something that no one can earn and thus no one deserves. Mercy is a gift given in the same way as grace, it is withholding judgement and death that we all have earned. "Lord help me to receive today Your grace and mercy, that I might extend grace and mercy to another."
Often we may think that we ourselves 'deserve' grace and mercy, but someone else doesn't. We may think that certainly they somehow have acted in ways that are outside of God's grace and mercy. If this were so, than you and I would be that one - that one who has "acted in ways that are outside of God's grace and mercy." But it isn't so - THANK GOD - that there is not 'one who is righteous' and there is not one who is condemned outside of God's love that extends His grace and His mercy (rjc).
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the god of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
"When we are going through hard times, God comforts us with grace, and that grace has a divine influence upon our hearts. Often he uses someone else to help bring that grace to us. And He comforts us in ALL of our trials. Then, further down the road, when we meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time, the grace that God poured into our lives is now reflected into their life – so that further down the road, when they meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time… And on and on it goes.
Life is tough. Struggles, trials and hard times will come. When they do, look around you. God is probably bringing someone along side of you to pour grace into your life. Grace to turn your life around — so that one day you can help turn someone else’s life around"(http://www.aacc.net/2011/03/29/real-soul-care/)
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Repentance, Forgiveness, Embrace
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
"The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient...Now instead, you out to forgive and comfort him....I urge you therefore to reaffirm your love for him...If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him....I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes" (vs. 7a,8,10,11).
Paul continues to exhort and instruct the Corinthian believers (and the Lord, us through Paul) about how to approach, relate, and be proactive toward a brother (or sister) who has sinned (Paul is referring to the brother described in 1 Corinthians 5) in their fellowship - their local church body. Paul describes what has taken place - the church exercised discipline - "punishment" and it is clear that the man was sorrowful and repentant. Paul would not have extended forgiveness along with the church folks, if the offender had not repented. For Paul then instructs the body that it is now time to reaffirm their love for the brother, so that he doesn't become overwhelmed.
Paul is seeking to see that the body follows Christ's example - if not, when the brother was repentant, if forgiveness and love (restoration) was not extended, the brother could have then been given to despair. The last verse indicates that Satan loves to take advantage of us going off course. In this example, Satan would take a stronghold or foothold in a situation in which a believer is disciplined, repentant but not forgiven and embraced. Despair and even suicide could be the stronghold perpetuated by Satan toward the offender. Within the church body where unforgiveness dwells, where grace is not extended, and Godly love expressed (which actually is part of and to be evident through the whole process of discipline and restoration) then Satan will wreak havoc within the congregation.
Please note the order of the process. Paul was not instructing the believers to turn a blind eye to this brother's sin/offense. He was not encouraging 'cheap grace' - grace that ignores and condones sinful actions - for that is not grace or love for another at all. To ignore a destructive (sinful) action or inaction of mine, would not be showing your love for me. It would be showing a lack of love and care, in the face of me offending God, destroying myself and others around me.
No, Paul sees that the body loved this brother enough to call attention and speak the truth in love to him. They demonstrated love by carrying out church discipline (we aren't told exactly what they did, but if you recall/read 1 Corinthians, you will note Paul's instruction); the brother repented, and they then demonstrated love through embrace and forgiveness.
Please note: discipline described is toward one who confesses Jesus as Lord and is part of the Body of Christ gathered - the local church; and it is the Body of Christ that is carrying out the discipline (present day this would be guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit through the leadership of the local church).
People who do not confess Christ are not subject to the Christ or the local fellowship. Also, Paul is not speaking to the broader issue of forgiveness. We are to forgive before God, someone who personally sins against us, even if they don't repent or ask for forgiveness. This type of forgiveness is more releasing the one who has been sinned against and giving the offender to God for His intervention. this act of forgiveness is an act of our will and also a process of healing within us...an (important) topic for another day.
"Lord, thank You for how You have provided an avenue for us to restore and be restored within the Body of Christ. Than You Holy Spirit that You help us to do that which is not natural for us in our humanness. Thank You that You empower us to carry out the path of grace and mercy - of love - that is from You."
"The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient...Now instead, you out to forgive and comfort him....I urge you therefore to reaffirm your love for him...If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him....I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes" (vs. 7a,8,10,11).
Paul continues to exhort and instruct the Corinthian believers (and the Lord, us through Paul) about how to approach, relate, and be proactive toward a brother (or sister) who has sinned (Paul is referring to the brother described in 1 Corinthians 5) in their fellowship - their local church body. Paul describes what has taken place - the church exercised discipline - "punishment" and it is clear that the man was sorrowful and repentant. Paul would not have extended forgiveness along with the church folks, if the offender had not repented. For Paul then instructs the body that it is now time to reaffirm their love for the brother, so that he doesn't become overwhelmed.
Paul is seeking to see that the body follows Christ's example - if not, when the brother was repentant, if forgiveness and love (restoration) was not extended, the brother could have then been given to despair. The last verse indicates that Satan loves to take advantage of us going off course. In this example, Satan would take a stronghold or foothold in a situation in which a believer is disciplined, repentant but not forgiven and embraced. Despair and even suicide could be the stronghold perpetuated by Satan toward the offender. Within the church body where unforgiveness dwells, where grace is not extended, and Godly love expressed (which actually is part of and to be evident through the whole process of discipline and restoration) then Satan will wreak havoc within the congregation.
Please note the order of the process. Paul was not instructing the believers to turn a blind eye to this brother's sin/offense. He was not encouraging 'cheap grace' - grace that ignores and condones sinful actions - for that is not grace or love for another at all. To ignore a destructive (sinful) action or inaction of mine, would not be showing your love for me. It would be showing a lack of love and care, in the face of me offending God, destroying myself and others around me.
No, Paul sees that the body loved this brother enough to call attention and speak the truth in love to him. They demonstrated love by carrying out church discipline (we aren't told exactly what they did, but if you recall/read 1 Corinthians, you will note Paul's instruction); the brother repented, and they then demonstrated love through embrace and forgiveness.
Please note: discipline described is toward one who confesses Jesus as Lord and is part of the Body of Christ gathered - the local church; and it is the Body of Christ that is carrying out the discipline (present day this would be guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit through the leadership of the local church).
People who do not confess Christ are not subject to the Christ or the local fellowship. Also, Paul is not speaking to the broader issue of forgiveness. We are to forgive before God, someone who personally sins against us, even if they don't repent or ask for forgiveness. This type of forgiveness is more releasing the one who has been sinned against and giving the offender to God for His intervention. this act of forgiveness is an act of our will and also a process of healing within us...an (important) topic for another day.
"Lord, thank You for how You have provided an avenue for us to restore and be restored within the Body of Christ. Than You Holy Spirit that You help us to do that which is not natural for us in our humanness. Thank You that You empower us to carry out the path of grace and mercy - of love - that is from You."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Faith Alone
Romans 4
By Faith alone - "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them" (4:7,8).
Paul continues to stress that it is not by works, by obligation, by our deeds, our own effort that we are saved. It is by believing. It is by faith. It is by believing faith in the person of Jesus Christ that we are saved. It is because of Christ's great love and by His works/His obedience to the point of death on the cross, that we are saved.
Paul stresses that there is not a sin that is too great for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ to cover. And remember, when we receive forgiveness, it is because of God's kindness (evidenced ultimately by the Cross) and that leads us to repentance...God looks at our hearts. God knows our sincerity. God knows the difference between attitudes of "well God will forgive me, so I can ________" as opposed to "oh God, again this struggle/giving into this temptation has happened, have mercy on me Lord, forgive me, help me...what is it that keeps me repeating this over and over again?!"
God knows our struggle. God knows our temptations. God is merciful, kind, forgiving, is able to bring healing and wholeness...God wants our hearts. The difference in our hearts can be seen in that prior to receiving Jesus' forgiveness and being filled with the Holy Spirit, our attitude toward sin, toward destructive behaviors (which we may not have even seen as such) was often one of 'not caring' or not thinking we wanted to walk any differently, usually not remorse before the Lord. After Jesus comes into our lives, our hearts and consciences become more and more sensitive to God's ways vs. our own way - and while we may struggle, our hearts and minds and spirits long to follow God and not dishonor God.
And God knows the difference. And we know the difference.
"Lord please help us to see ourselves as You do - people whom You Love, people for whom You gave Your Son's Life, people for whom You long to shower mercy and grace upon and bring more and more into the fullness of who You created us to be. Thank You for Your Love. Thank You for Your power in our lives. Bless You Lord!"
By Faith alone - "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them" (4:7,8).
Paul continues to stress that it is not by works, by obligation, by our deeds, our own effort that we are saved. It is by believing. It is by faith. It is by believing faith in the person of Jesus Christ that we are saved. It is because of Christ's great love and by His works/His obedience to the point of death on the cross, that we are saved.
Paul stresses that there is not a sin that is too great for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ to cover. And remember, when we receive forgiveness, it is because of God's kindness (evidenced ultimately by the Cross) and that leads us to repentance...God looks at our hearts. God knows our sincerity. God knows the difference between attitudes of "well God will forgive me, so I can ________" as opposed to "oh God, again this struggle/giving into this temptation has happened, have mercy on me Lord, forgive me, help me...what is it that keeps me repeating this over and over again?!"
God knows our struggle. God knows our temptations. God is merciful, kind, forgiving, is able to bring healing and wholeness...God wants our hearts. The difference in our hearts can be seen in that prior to receiving Jesus' forgiveness and being filled with the Holy Spirit, our attitude toward sin, toward destructive behaviors (which we may not have even seen as such) was often one of 'not caring' or not thinking we wanted to walk any differently, usually not remorse before the Lord. After Jesus comes into our lives, our hearts and consciences become more and more sensitive to God's ways vs. our own way - and while we may struggle, our hearts and minds and spirits long to follow God and not dishonor God.
And God knows the difference. And we know the difference.
"Lord please help us to see ourselves as You do - people whom You Love, people for whom You gave Your Son's Life, people for whom You long to shower mercy and grace upon and bring more and more into the fullness of who You created us to be. Thank You for Your Love. Thank You for Your power in our lives. Bless You Lord!"
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Blessing in Obedience
Leviticus 26
Food for Life:
Leviticus 26
"But (God) if you will not listen to Me..."(26:14), "But (God ) if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers..."(26:40).
But God. Remember? God is the game changer. When He 'shows up', when He intervenes, when we consider Him, God changes everything. God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But God. He changes you, me, situations, outcomes, results, the journey, the heart. God is the Original Transformer; not transforming Himself (for He is Perfection), but changes you and me.
Remember God. Actually, that is what is being said in this chapter of Leviticus. God is letting the Israelites know how they were made to live, which would result in great blessing. It is quite logical in many ways. We were designed by God. We are God's Image Bearers. God knows precisely how we are made to live so that we blossom, grow, thrive, remain in joy, and bring Him Glory.
God also knows when we don't remember Him; when we don't follow Him, how destructive and harmful it is for us, for those around us, and even for those who are our inherit-ants. The Lord shows us how going off course from Him causes us to crash and burn (not always immediately, but inevitably); God also shows us, as He did the Israelites, time and time again, how to get back on course - 26:40 reveals that to confess our sin/repent/ turn/ renounce the disobedience/ and that "of our fathers", we will receive forgiveness, refreshing, revitalization. 1 John 1:9 is like this revelation - "If you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness."
What about the sins of "our fathers?" This reveals the reality that what we do effects those that come after us; and we are effected by those who went before us - our parents, grandparents... . Why confess their sin? Because in so doing, the power of the sin, the curse if you will, is broken - we can be set free of the destructive generational patterns (you know what I'm talking about) - and begin afresh and anew.
"THank You Lord for showing us Yourself and The Way. Thank You that we don't have to sin, that it isn't our destiny, and that through the Power of the Cross and the Holy Spirit, we can break the destructive patterns that came before us and we can walk in freedom - not passing them on down one more generation. Hallelujah! Thank You for Your great Love with which You love us..."
Food for Life:
Leviticus 26
"But (God) if you will not listen to Me..."(26:14), "But (God ) if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers..."(26:40).
But God. Remember? God is the game changer. When He 'shows up', when He intervenes, when we consider Him, God changes everything. God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But God. He changes you, me, situations, outcomes, results, the journey, the heart. God is the Original Transformer; not transforming Himself (for He is Perfection), but changes you and me.
Remember God. Actually, that is what is being said in this chapter of Leviticus. God is letting the Israelites know how they were made to live, which would result in great blessing. It is quite logical in many ways. We were designed by God. We are God's Image Bearers. God knows precisely how we are made to live so that we blossom, grow, thrive, remain in joy, and bring Him Glory.
God also knows when we don't remember Him; when we don't follow Him, how destructive and harmful it is for us, for those around us, and even for those who are our inherit-ants. The Lord shows us how going off course from Him causes us to crash and burn (not always immediately, but inevitably); God also shows us, as He did the Israelites, time and time again, how to get back on course - 26:40 reveals that to confess our sin/repent/ turn/ renounce the disobedience/ and that "of our fathers", we will receive forgiveness, refreshing, revitalization. 1 John 1:9 is like this revelation - "If you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness."
What about the sins of "our fathers?" This reveals the reality that what we do effects those that come after us; and we are effected by those who went before us - our parents, grandparents... . Why confess their sin? Because in so doing, the power of the sin, the curse if you will, is broken - we can be set free of the destructive generational patterns (you know what I'm talking about) - and begin afresh and anew.
"THank You Lord for showing us Yourself and The Way. Thank You that we don't have to sin, that it isn't our destiny, and that through the Power of the Cross and the Holy Spirit, we can break the destructive patterns that came before us and we can walk in freedom - not passing them on down one more generation. Hallelujah! Thank You for Your great Love with which You love us..."
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Unthinkable
Leviticus 20
Food for Life:
Leviticus 20
God lays down more instructions that will help the Israelites to separate themselves from the pagan culture around them and to separate, be holy, to the Lord. A particular unsettling and unimaginable ritual that the Ammonites' practiced was sacrificing their children to Molech! Molech was their national god and they did this in order to either appease angry gods or ward off evil spirits. God made/makes it clear in both the Old and New Testaments that human sacrifice is unthinkable!
I have committed the unthinkable. It is hard for me to write these words, as I think about having aborted my baby when I was young and before I knew Love and the grace and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have received forgiveness from Jesus, and the Lord has brought healing in my life. He gave me opportunity to minister to others who were in similar situations as I was in. YET, this grace does not remove the fact of my actions and being able to remember what took place. The blood of Christ and receiving Him, His forgiveness does remove the spiritual consequence of my sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). But it does not remove the fact that there is one less person on earth - one less person to be revealed as the image bearer - one made in the image of God - on this earth.
Today America and many parts of the world are like the pagan cultures described in the days of old. While abortion is not a sacrifice to Molech for the warding off of evil spirits or to appease angry gods, it is a sacrifice to selfishness....remember, I committed this 'sacrifice' myself so I'm not pointing my figure at others...I have great compassion for those who are faced with situations that are difficult and for others who have aborted their babies, or who have encouraged mothers to do so. Yet, most times, the act of abortion stems from acts that are not what God intends for us. Acts of sexual immorality - either our own sin or the sins of others against us.
There are many victims in abortion. The baby's life is taken. The mother goes through tremendous grief, turmoil, and resultant consequences (even if she is not aware of it at the time); a father is without his child, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, all are without a loved one. God has been sinned against because each baby is a gift from God, regardless of the circumstances of the baby's conception. The world is without a person who would have contributed to society. Each person is valuable regardless of circumstances of life, because each one of us are created, from conception, in the image of God.
So, even as I read about the Ammonites sacrificing their children to Molech, the unthinkable - I pause because of my action and because of America's (governmental) sanction on abortion. Not only in this country, but our promotion of abortion in other countries. God help us. God have mercy.
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). This is a life-giving verse for me. I pray it would be for you - for those of you reading this that have, like me, been party to aborting a baby. The blood of Jesus has come for one such as me, such as you. This is why we need Jesus. Because we were born with sin nature and because we take actions into our own hands to manage situations in our lives that are outside of, that are an offense to, that are not the ways God intends.
And we are not condemned if we have received the gift of forgiveness through the grace in faith, the tender mercy of God. The only condemnation that stands is for those who have rejected Christ (John 3:17,18 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son").
"Thank You Lord for Your unfathomable forgiveness and mercy. Thank You Lord for the Love You poured out and continue to do so for me, for us, who act selfishly, unthinkingly, ignorantly, knowingly, and with disobedience. Who act in ways that are not made for us, that go against who we are created to be in You. Thank You that You have set us free from the power of (this) darkness and have brought us into Your marvelous Light. Bring healing Lord into the hearts and minds of those, who like me, have sacrificed their baby(s) at the seat of selfishness, fear, ignorance, pressure from others, and whatever other reasons contributed to their act. OH God, how we need You, thank You for rescuing us...from ourselves, for Your Glory, our good, and the good of others."
Food for Life:
Leviticus 20
God lays down more instructions that will help the Israelites to separate themselves from the pagan culture around them and to separate, be holy, to the Lord. A particular unsettling and unimaginable ritual that the Ammonites' practiced was sacrificing their children to Molech! Molech was their national god and they did this in order to either appease angry gods or ward off evil spirits. God made/makes it clear in both the Old and New Testaments that human sacrifice is unthinkable!
I have committed the unthinkable. It is hard for me to write these words, as I think about having aborted my baby when I was young and before I knew Love and the grace and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have received forgiveness from Jesus, and the Lord has brought healing in my life. He gave me opportunity to minister to others who were in similar situations as I was in. YET, this grace does not remove the fact of my actions and being able to remember what took place. The blood of Christ and receiving Him, His forgiveness does remove the spiritual consequence of my sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). But it does not remove the fact that there is one less person on earth - one less person to be revealed as the image bearer - one made in the image of God - on this earth.
Today America and many parts of the world are like the pagan cultures described in the days of old. While abortion is not a sacrifice to Molech for the warding off of evil spirits or to appease angry gods, it is a sacrifice to selfishness....remember, I committed this 'sacrifice' myself so I'm not pointing my figure at others...I have great compassion for those who are faced with situations that are difficult and for others who have aborted their babies, or who have encouraged mothers to do so. Yet, most times, the act of abortion stems from acts that are not what God intends for us. Acts of sexual immorality - either our own sin or the sins of others against us.
There are many victims in abortion. The baby's life is taken. The mother goes through tremendous grief, turmoil, and resultant consequences (even if she is not aware of it at the time); a father is without his child, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, all are without a loved one. God has been sinned against because each baby is a gift from God, regardless of the circumstances of the baby's conception. The world is without a person who would have contributed to society. Each person is valuable regardless of circumstances of life, because each one of us are created, from conception, in the image of God.
So, even as I read about the Ammonites sacrificing their children to Molech, the unthinkable - I pause because of my action and because of America's (governmental) sanction on abortion. Not only in this country, but our promotion of abortion in other countries. God help us. God have mercy.
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). This is a life-giving verse for me. I pray it would be for you - for those of you reading this that have, like me, been party to aborting a baby. The blood of Jesus has come for one such as me, such as you. This is why we need Jesus. Because we were born with sin nature and because we take actions into our own hands to manage situations in our lives that are outside of, that are an offense to, that are not the ways God intends.
And we are not condemned if we have received the gift of forgiveness through the grace in faith, the tender mercy of God. The only condemnation that stands is for those who have rejected Christ (John 3:17,18 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son").
"Thank You Lord for Your unfathomable forgiveness and mercy. Thank You Lord for the Love You poured out and continue to do so for me, for us, who act selfishly, unthinkingly, ignorantly, knowingly, and with disobedience. Who act in ways that are not made for us, that go against who we are created to be in You. Thank You that You have set us free from the power of (this) darkness and have brought us into Your marvelous Light. Bring healing Lord into the hearts and minds of those, who like me, have sacrificed their baby(s) at the seat of selfishness, fear, ignorance, pressure from others, and whatever other reasons contributed to their act. OH God, how we need You, thank You for rescuing us...from ourselves, for Your Glory, our good, and the good of others."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
April 17
Leviticus 6
Acts 10
Food for Life:
Leviticus 6
"...then it shall be, when s/he sins and becomes guilty, that s/he shall restore what s/he took by robbery or what s/he got by extortion, or the deposit which was entrusted to him/her or the lost thing which s/he found, or anything about which s/he swore falsely; s/he shall make restitution for it in full and add to it one-fifth more" (6:4,5).
Have you ever wondered how you could 'make right' an offense in addition to saying, "I'm sorry, please forgive me?" Or when someone has offended you, have you ever thought or said, "I'm sorry just isn't enough!"
Reconciliation can be difficult, especially when the offense is deep or repeated. Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 (Matthew 18:21,22). How do we do that? Well, it takes the Holy Spirit to bring about the reconciliation required when an offense, and repeated offense, has happened. On a practical level, we can ask (the person offended), pray, and think about what was effected in our offense and then give that back plus some. Restoring may seem easier to figure out when something material is stolen or damaged but what about emotional, spiritual, psychological, social offenses? Betrayal, rejection, deception, manipulation, and reputation? How are these restored and then some?
It is a process of understanding - of communication between the parties, of prayer, sometimes outside assistance to bring objectivity and wisdom from the Lord.
Mouthing the words is not enough. We must show by our actions in time, how serious are our saying, "I'm sorry" and the "I forgive you."
"Thank You God that Jesus forgave and forgives us. He showed this by dying on the cross for us; and sending the Holy Spirit to empower us to 'go and do likewise.' We don't have it in us to forgive and restore - some offenses are just too much for us to even grasp, let alone, extend forgiveness and to restore what has been 'taken.' BUT through the blood of Your Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit....we can. Show us how Lord. Thank You."
Acts 10
There is no other name or man under heaven through which people can be saved, that Name is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). This chapter records Peter's enlightenment, how he came to know that Jesus did not just come only as the Messiah to the Jews (even tho' Jesus made that clear...) but as Messiah for the gentiles as well - for all of us who are non-Jews. That covers all people of the world. Peter's vision was so vivid, God provided Cornelius to interpret Peter's vision, Peter was led by the Holy Spirit, as was Cornelius, and together along with those present, he understood what the Spirit of the Lord was revealing.
The Holy Spirit fell upon everyone present - they were filled w/the Spirit and were saved, being baptized in Jesus Name.
Jesus came that 'all who will' may be saved. That includes you, me, and everyone else who will. Who would the Lord have you minister to today, that is among the 'all who will?' God has given us the commission of carrying out the spreading of the Gospel - the sharing of the Good News in word and deed. Let us follow today the leading of the Spirit and carry out in sharing what the Lord has given to us, with others.
Acts 10
Food for Life:
Leviticus 6
"...then it shall be, when s/he sins and becomes guilty, that s/he shall restore what s/he took by robbery or what s/he got by extortion, or the deposit which was entrusted to him/her or the lost thing which s/he found, or anything about which s/he swore falsely; s/he shall make restitution for it in full and add to it one-fifth more" (6:4,5).
Have you ever wondered how you could 'make right' an offense in addition to saying, "I'm sorry, please forgive me?" Or when someone has offended you, have you ever thought or said, "I'm sorry just isn't enough!"
Reconciliation can be difficult, especially when the offense is deep or repeated. Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 (Matthew 18:21,22). How do we do that? Well, it takes the Holy Spirit to bring about the reconciliation required when an offense, and repeated offense, has happened. On a practical level, we can ask (the person offended), pray, and think about what was effected in our offense and then give that back plus some. Restoring may seem easier to figure out when something material is stolen or damaged but what about emotional, spiritual, psychological, social offenses? Betrayal, rejection, deception, manipulation, and reputation? How are these restored and then some?
It is a process of understanding - of communication between the parties, of prayer, sometimes outside assistance to bring objectivity and wisdom from the Lord.
Mouthing the words is not enough. We must show by our actions in time, how serious are our saying, "I'm sorry" and the "I forgive you."
"Thank You God that Jesus forgave and forgives us. He showed this by dying on the cross for us; and sending the Holy Spirit to empower us to 'go and do likewise.' We don't have it in us to forgive and restore - some offenses are just too much for us to even grasp, let alone, extend forgiveness and to restore what has been 'taken.' BUT through the blood of Your Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit....we can. Show us how Lord. Thank You."
Acts 10
There is no other name or man under heaven through which people can be saved, that Name is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). This chapter records Peter's enlightenment, how he came to know that Jesus did not just come only as the Messiah to the Jews (even tho' Jesus made that clear...) but as Messiah for the gentiles as well - for all of us who are non-Jews. That covers all people of the world. Peter's vision was so vivid, God provided Cornelius to interpret Peter's vision, Peter was led by the Holy Spirit, as was Cornelius, and together along with those present, he understood what the Spirit of the Lord was revealing.
The Holy Spirit fell upon everyone present - they were filled w/the Spirit and were saved, being baptized in Jesus Name.
Jesus came that 'all who will' may be saved. That includes you, me, and everyone else who will. Who would the Lord have you minister to today, that is among the 'all who will?' God has given us the commission of carrying out the spreading of the Gospel - the sharing of the Good News in word and deed. Let us follow today the leading of the Spirit and carry out in sharing what the Lord has given to us, with others.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Acts 3, Exodus 39
Acts 3
Exodus 39
Exodus 39
Food for Life:
Acts 3
Wow. Peter tells it like it is. AFTER the power of God was revealed through Peter's words to the man who had been crippled from birth was made to walk. The people assembled had seen what the Lord did; then Peter told the crowd the facts/the Truth in 3:12-17. "...You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and ask that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, BUT GOD raised him from the dead... Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets..."
The people's attention was riveted to Peter and John because they saw one whom they knew from birth to be crippled, walk! Now Peter could tell them what they did (they killed the King of Glory, the Holy and Righteous One...) and he acknowledged that they did so out of ignorance (not knowing Jesus was who He said He was) AND that they acted as to carry out God's plan - prophecy of old that "...His Christ would suffer" (18).
It is hard to imagine being in that crowd and hearing this Truth for the first time...shock, unbelief, "wishing" this nightmare would go away. Yet, Peter didn't just leave them hanging, he told them how their "times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (19). They could repent and turn to God so that their sins could be wiped out. Even the sin of cheering on the killing of God Himself, Jesus Christ.
Do you wonder sometimes how certain things could actually be forgiven? Do you find it impossible to forgive the one who has hurt you so deeply? It is impossible in our own strength and understanding. It is impossible in our own will and emotion. BUT GOD. Ask the Lord to help you. Ask the Holy Spirit to usher in His presence and power in the midst of your struggle. He will extend His grace and mercy to you. We can only be forgiven and forgive because of what Jesus did on the cross and how He lives within us by the Holy Spirit. And that He is coming again..."He must remain (bodily) in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets" (21).
Even so come quickly Jesus.
Exodus 39
God is so detailed and specific in His instructions to Moses for the making of the priestly garments. One author writes of being reminded by this of God's knowing every hair on each one of our heads. God doesn't miss a thing! What great security and trust that affords us to have as we move about in this life; this earthly life that is filled with uncertainty, change, and surprise. Through all the joys and sorrows of life, we can be assured that God knows each one of our names, He knows our every move, thought, action, motive...He promises to take care of us and to never leave or forsake us.
Sometimes we might shutter to think that God's knows and sees everything about us, if we see ourselves living outside of what the Lord has or we thing about the sin we commit, in thought and deed. BUT GOD. He sees us through the eyes and heart of His great Love for us...so God isn't waiting for us to blow it; God is ready to forgive, show us the way, carry us if needed, in order for us to fulfill God's best for us...after all He is our Creator, Lover of our soul, Anchor to our soul, Our Father, Abba-daddy. Thank you Lord, I (we) love you Lord."
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