Do I really need to forgive ?

Many times in my life have I heard people say: ‘I can’t forgive him’ or you don’t know what they did to me’. And it is true, I may know their story, but I don’t know the depth of the hurt. We may not all have the same story, but we can identify with emotions of loss and hurt simply because we have lived on this planet called earth.  What we do know is that we have to be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another.

Well, you may ask why do I have to forgive somebody that hurt me so deeply? We have to forgive, not because they deserve it. We need to forgive, because we are also in need of forgiveness – you and I may have hurt many people as well. We need to forgive, not because we are better, but because Jesus has forgiven you and me. We did not deserve it, matter of fact we were still enjoying our sin when He forgave us. We gave him no reason to forgive us – it was only because He loved us. And He made a choice to forgive those who have hurt Him so much.

Col 3:13,14  Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.

Prayer

Lord, Help me to forgive even if I don’t want to. Amen.

Encouragement for today

What is in front of you at this moment? 

Literally, or just in your thoughts. That thing that you put in front of you is all you will see, it will dominate your mind, your heart your thoughts and even your actions. What you behold will consume you. What you behold you will become. The truths of God tell us to keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  

We can only complete this race if we set Jesus before our eyes. I imagine him standing there like a parent waiting for a pre-schooler to run their race. Cheering us on. Don’t look at what your friends are doing. Don’t get distracted with things happening on the side. Don’t let the mundane and the little things blur your vision. Keep your eyes on Jesus and run!

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us

also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run

with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder

and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured

the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne

of God.  Hebrews 12:1,2

Prayer: Father help me to keep my eyes on Jesus and run my race.

Do you like doing your own thing?

Most of us like doing our own thing. We don’t want somebody else telling us what to do (if it is somebody that we don’t like it’s even worse). We want to make our own way in life.

Then there is the annoying fact that someone else has more experience and they just know what to do. This can be true for parenting, for work for faith, for many things in life.   

When children are young they listen to what adults say, because sometimes they want to please us or they fear the consequences of disobedience.  Because we care what happen to children we want to tell them what to do, how to behave and what to look out for.

Our father in heaven is also concerned about us. He has a greater advantage than life experience...He knows the end from the beginning. As his children we must heed his loving instruction and stern warnings – because He knows and He cares deeply for you and me.

Prayer: Father, help me to love your words and listen to them, for therein is life and freedom for me. Amen.

Let's kneel in front of the LORD, our maker, because he is our God and we are the people in his care, the flock that he leads. If only you would listen to him today! Psalm 95: 6,7

Choose wisely -it may affect your future

You may have heard that every decision you make will affect eternity. It will affect your loved ones and it will affect you. It will affect the way you live and it will affect your legacy. 

So choose this day whom you will serve. I’m not saying make a choice for Jesus to inherit salvation. No I am saying something way more profound.  I am urging you to choose minute by minute to align yourself in your mind with the will of God. Choose to do the godly thing.

When you feel your husband is selfish –choose to align yourself with the will of God.

When your child acts up – choose to align yourself with the will of God.

When your dishwasher breaks down – choose to align yourself with the will of God.

When the government mess up – choose to align yourself with the will of God.

It is easy to say that you are a Christian, but to live the life is much more difficult. We have free will, we can choose. And we must make the decision even if it is difficult and takes effort. God did not promise us an easy life – but in the end, when all is said and done, it will be worth it.

Joshua 24:15  But if you don't want to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to choose the godly thing every time.

The key to provision

It always strike me in the story of the widow of Zerapath that God tells her through the prophet to give him the first cake (or in this case the last morsel) and then make something for herself and her son. When you read carefully God have already spoken to her before the prophet came. 

The Bible says our obedience to God is better than sacrifice. In the widows case her obedience felt like she sacrifices herself and her son. She is staring death by starvation in the face. And then the prophet says to her: 'don't be afraid'. I wonder what would have happened if she did not listen? But I am glad she listened for this makes a great story on a principled life.

Obeying God when your right mind tells you, this is lunacy.

There may be times that you feel... I cannot give to the church (which is in fact giving to God) or whoever God is pointing out. I won't have enough left for my family.
We all have been there.

But like the widow you have the freedom to deceide what to do.
And I can testify that God will come through as he did for this widow and provide in amazing unexpected ways.
Truly he is a faithful God.

What about you? Will you live by principle or by fear?

[ I believe sowing is the key to provision in our lives.]

Prayer: Father, teach me how to be faithful to you principles and see your provision. 

1 Kings 17
The Lord told him, “Get up, go to Zarephath in Sidonian territory, and live there... I have already told a widow who lives there to provide for you.”... She said, “As certainly as the Lord your God lives, I have no food, except for a handful of flour in a jar... Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid.... first make a small cake for me and bring it to me; then make something for yourself and your son... The jar of flour was never empty and the jug of oil never ran out, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.