“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Forgiving is hard, one of the hardest things I have had to learn.
Your child is dishonest; a friend betrays you; your boss criticizes you in front of others; your spouse lies or has an affair. Whats the result? Anger, resentment, overall emotional pain. And if we aren’t careful, the pain and anger will give way to resentment and bitterness, eventually destroying us if we won’t let go and forgive. I know I have been there and gone through that!
True biblical forgiveness involves applying the grace and forgiveness we receive from Christ to those who have hurt us. Forgiveness frees both the unforgiven and the unforgiving. Though trust and confidence take time, when we genuinely seek out and act upon forgiveness, we allow for healing and provide the foundation for reconciliation in the relationship. When you forgive, you grow in love. You build trust and create opportunities for healing. Healthy relationships demand forgiveness.
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive today? God’s dream for your life may be hindered by broken relationships. Set aside the offense, show grace and forgive. You’ll be glad you did and you will feel so much better!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Everything begins with God
The proper understanding of everything in life begins w/ God.Noone will ever understand the necessity of conversion who does not know why God created us.He created us "in his image" so that we would image forth his glory in the world. We were made to be prisms refracting the light of God's glory into all of life. Why God should want to give us a share in shining w/ his glory is a great mystery. Call it grace or mercy or love... it is an unspeakable wonder.Once we were not. Then we existed for the glory of God!
John Piper, Desiring God
John Piper, Desiring God
Thursday, February 12, 2009
CHOOSE LIFE
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life….” Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Childbirth is a miraculous thing. Even with all the pain! When we’re born, God breathes life into our bodies. But along the way, our sinful nature takes root and we must be saved. As you choose to surrender your heart and soul to Him, He breathes His Spirit into you, and that’s when real life begins.
No life exists on earth, or the universe above, without the power of God. He is the only One who can give life and take it away. When you decide to choose life, you align yourself with God’s team, you cheer for His players and even participate in the game. You become completely His. There is no better place than at the feet of Jesus.
Who are you living for? Your spouse? Your kids? Your boss? Where are your priorities placed? It’s okay to serve those you love, but you must make sure that in serving those you love, you also serve the One who placed them in your life. Choose Christ… listen to His voice… hold on to Him… and live!
Childbirth is a miraculous thing. Even with all the pain! When we’re born, God breathes life into our bodies. But along the way, our sinful nature takes root and we must be saved. As you choose to surrender your heart and soul to Him, He breathes His Spirit into you, and that’s when real life begins.
No life exists on earth, or the universe above, without the power of God. He is the only One who can give life and take it away. When you decide to choose life, you align yourself with God’s team, you cheer for His players and even participate in the game. You become completely His. There is no better place than at the feet of Jesus.
Who are you living for? Your spouse? Your kids? Your boss? Where are your priorities placed? It’s okay to serve those you love, but you must make sure that in serving those you love, you also serve the One who placed them in your life. Choose Christ… listen to His voice… hold on to Him… and live!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Breaking the Busyness Spiral
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
God loves us and listens to us. He’s never too busy or unavailable. Yet often we’re too busy and unavailable for Him. That’s when our imbalanced lives threaten to overwhelm us. The imbalance often leads to more busyness and less time for Him. When this happens, we can spiral downward. The busier we are, the harder we work to catch up. The harder we work to catch up, the faster we move. The faster we move, the less time we have for prayer. The less time for prayer, the more likely we’ll try to handle things on our own. The more we try to handle things on our own, the heavier the burden. The heavier the burden, the more we need Him.
We can wait for the downward spiral of busyness to knock us down before we decide it’s time to get back to God, but a much more sensible decision would be to let Him carry us through the imbalance se we don’t get pulled into the resulting whirlwind. That way, we don’t have to hit bottom before finding Him again. We simply rest in His arms as we tackle what’s before us.
God loves us and listens to us. He’s never too busy or unavailable. Yet often we’re too busy and unavailable for Him. That’s when our imbalanced lives threaten to overwhelm us. The imbalance often leads to more busyness and less time for Him. When this happens, we can spiral downward. The busier we are, the harder we work to catch up. The harder we work to catch up, the faster we move. The faster we move, the less time we have for prayer. The less time for prayer, the more likely we’ll try to handle things on our own. The more we try to handle things on our own, the heavier the burden. The heavier the burden, the more we need Him.
We can wait for the downward spiral of busyness to knock us down before we decide it’s time to get back to God, but a much more sensible decision would be to let Him carry us through the imbalance se we don’t get pulled into the resulting whirlwind. That way, we don’t have to hit bottom before finding Him again. We simply rest in His arms as we tackle what’s before us.
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