Category: Forgiveness

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The Road Home

We travel a lot, not as much as we used to but we still find ourselves on the road several times a month.

When we lived in Montana home was at the end of one and a half miles of dirt road. Now that we are in Arizona home is about the same distance from the freeway exit.

Each time we turn off we say, “we’re almost home”. Even Glory, our Australian Shepherd, knows we’re home! What a wonderful place to be!

Today, I’d like to go back to the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. It’s a marvelous example of a wonderful trip home! This story has such great meaning to me – I desire to emulate the “father” in the story in all I do.

He divided his worth between his two sons. One ran off immediately to spend it in an unwise way. There was no appreciation for his father’s hard work in acquiring so much, just reckless abandon in spending it. The other son really never recognized or appreciated the fact that he had been given such a valuable inheritance.

The younger son finally realized that he had spent everything and was at the end of his rope and went home a broken man, willing to do whatever (work as a slave) just to have enough to keep him out of the pig pen.

The father was moved with compassion, he never really gave the son an opportunity to tell him all the awful things he had done, how rough life had been or to beg with a remorseful soul. The father restored the son to right relationship, forgave him his trespass and from what we can tell never brought it up to him again.

“ The son got up and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him. The father was full of loving-pity for him. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him. ” Luke 15:20 NLV

The older brother became resentful. He felt the father should have considered all the younger brother’s awful behavior, “he should have to pay for his behavior” and then got angry because the father was throwing a party. Resentful that the father hadn’t given him a party…

I think the father was a bit bewildered by this. He told the older son, you could have had a party anytime you wanted. You were always here and I gave you your part in the inheritance – you could have done anything you wanted with it.

Now here’s the questions. Do you realize that your heavenly Father welcomes your return with a party? Do you realize that your older brother, Jesus, never acts like this brother? In fact, He’s in there helping with the party…

I think the lesson of this story is three fold – repent and return to the Father, the Father’s love is unconditional love and don’t be jealous like the older brother (act like the Father).

“His father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found.” Luke 15:31-32 CEV

Who do  you identify with? Are you the son that has run from the father’s home to live life your own way? Are you the resentful older brother who feels the Father favors the younger son or are you like the loving Father who loves each of his children and desires to provide for them no matter the circumstance?

Jesus is never jealous that we share the Father’s love or the inheritance of blessings that He has given us.  He loves sharing it with us.

“ God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:16-17 CEV

There have been times in my life that I have been like all three of the characters in the story.  I have had my prodigal moments, distancing myself from the Father, doing things my own way, on my own terms.

I have also been jealous when I have seen the Lord blessing people who have been far from God and who I felt didn’t deserve to be blessed.

And as I have grown, I have had times when I have be so glad to see the prodigals come home. Helped with planning the party and loved them back into the family.

“The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much he loved us: We are called children of God. And we really are his children. But the people in the world don’t understand that we are God’s children, because they have not known him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God. We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like him. We will see him just as he is.” I John 3:1-2 ERV

The Father is excited as He waits to greet those who are on the road home!

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Derailed

We just spent the day with our youngest two grandchildren. Sam and I spent a lot of time playing racecars.

He has this amazing track with remote controlled cars and I love playing with him. There were a few times that the cars got off centered. Sam got so frustrated when his car was derailed. Oddly, it didn’t bother him a bit when it was my car.

It made me evaluate my reaction when things in life seem to derail me and stop my forward momentum. One of the biggest factors in causing me to lose my perspective comes in the form of criticism and character assignation.

Have you ever fallen into the trap of defending yourself? Have you ever been misjudged or maligned and step up quickly in your own defense? Me too! Not a good place to be. But there is something in all of us that desires to be well thought of.

The only opinion we should care about is the Lord’s. In His eyes we are loved unconditionally, and He holds us in a place of high regard, He holds us in His heart.

We should not care about man’s opinion, it will distract us from doing what God has called us to do.

“Think of us as servants of Christ who have been given the work of explaining God’s mysterious ways. 2 And since our first duty is to be faithful to the one we work for, 3 it doesn’t matter to me if I am judged by you or even by a court of law. In fact, I don’t judge myself. 4 I don’t know of anything against me, but that doesn’t prove that I am right. The Lord is my judge. 5 So don’t judge anyone until the Lord returns. He will show what is hidden in the dark and what is in everyone’s heart. Then God will be the one who praises each of us.” I Corinthians 4:1-5 CEV

I heard one teacher talk about handling criticism and lies like this. We are  a runner in the race of life. When we hear the crowd yelling all sorts of disparaging remarks we need to stay on the track, keep moving forward. If we try to defend ourselves it’s as if we get off the track and run up in the stands to talk to the crowd. We lose momentum and ultimately, we fail to complete the course.

It’s far better to keep running and let God be our defense.

“People will make weapons to fight against you, but their weapons will not defeat you. Some people will say things against you, but anyone who speaks against you will be proved wrong”.”

The Lord says, “That is what my servants get! They get the good things that come from me, their Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 ERV

We simply need to be faithful and let the Lord be the judge. Paul was a living example of being judged falsely and still being faithful to his calling. He was beaten, imprisoned, stoned many times and he just kept on preaching.

“If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. 18 Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 My friends, don’t try to punish anyone who does wrong to you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one who punishes; I will pay people back.” Romans 12:17-19 ERV

Again, it comes back to a matter of focus and whose opinion we consider the most important in our lives. Is it man or is it our God? I had to continually remind myself, God’s point of view is the preeminent one.

Truthfully, this was a hard lesson for me to learn. I spent the first 20 years of my life always trying to please people. I wanted to be liked, a part of the “in crowd”. That’s a very heavy weight to bear and it can be devastating when those people begin to belittle you.

Then I read these Scriptures. I committed them to memory and daily I reminded myself of how God felt about me. I realized I AM part of the “in” crowd, I am “in Christ”.

“So, what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right. 34 Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us.” Romans 8:31-34 ERV

Don’t be derailed by the opinions of others.

Keep looking at the Father and you’ll stay on track!

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Love Covers

There are some things in life we just want to forget. Things we would feel better not having exposed – it’s wonderful to know that love covers!

A few years back I shared what the Lord was teaching me through these verses and here I am sharing it again.

“The words of good people are like a spring of fresh water, but the words of the wicked only hide their violent plans. 12 Hatred causes arguments, but love overlooks all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:11-12 CEV

In the King James version this verse says that love covers all sins. I’ve been taught if we have a heart of love we won’t expose someone else’s weaknesses or their wrong doing. We cover them. And this is a true teaching but it’s deeper than that.

This has to do with me and the Father. He loves me and His love covers my short comings and my wrong doings. He doesn’t come to you and tell you all the things I’ve done wrong. He doesn’t go to my husband or my kids or my friends and point out how many times I’ve missed it.

“God wiped out (blotted out) the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross.” Colossians 2:14 CEV

In the time when the Bible was written there was no mass production of text. Each page had to be copied by hand using pen and ink. To remove or cover something from that text meant the writer would take ink and dab it on the words that needed to be removed, blotting it out. The mistake or error was covered over.

He covers me – He covers me with His love and in His mercy He forgives and He forgets.

WOW!

Does that mean I don’t have to accept  responsibility for what I do wrong? Not in the slightest. If I drive drunk there are consequences. If I steal there are consequences. If I gossip or lie there are consequences.

However I have the Father’s promise that He will and has covered my sins and He won’t use my past failures to embarrass  or berate me.

“With one sacrifice Christ made his people perfect forever. They are the ones who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also tells us about this. First he says, 16 “This is the agreement I will make with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.” 17 Then he says, “I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.”

18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins. 19 And so, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place. We can do this without fear because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus.” Hebrews 10:14-19 ERV

Since I have been forgiven I am instructed to follow Christ’s example in forgiving others.

“The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins.” I Peter 4:7-8 ERV

As I do this I am keeping the command that Jesus gave to His disciples.

 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35 ERV

I am certainly glad that His love covers my sins!

“Now Father, show me how to cover and forget the sins of those who have wronged me.”

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A World Changer

This morning I would like to share with you one more person who heard God speak to him in a dramatic way.

Most of the time we refer to this man as Paul, the Apostle. However, that wasn’t always his name. As a younger man he went by the name of Saul. He was a very religious man and was highly educated. He was one of those who thought that the ministry of Jesus was heresy.

He made it his life’s ambition to stop the message of the Christians. He wanted to wipe out anyone who dared to proclaim that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah that the Jews had been looking for.

He stood, holding the coats of the Pharisees, as they stoned Stephen, a young Christian, to death. He went to the courts and asked for documents so that he could round up Christians to have them killed.

Yes, this man’s name was Saul.

Why would God speak to a man like this? A man who hated so deeply. I don’t have the answer. All I know is HE did and the world was changed.

“ Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him.

At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord’s followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria. 3 Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.” Acts 8:1-3 CEV

One day Saul was on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus when he encountered the Lord.

“Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord’s followers. He even went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord’s Way.[a] 3 When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?”

5 “Who are you?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus,” the Lord answered. “I am the one you are so cruel to. 6 Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do.”

7 The men with Saul stood there speechless. They had heard the voice, but they had not seen anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. Someone then led him by the hand to Damascus, 9 and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink.” Acts 9:1-9 CEV

There’s another man who is important to this story. His name is Ananias. He was living in Damascus and he loved the Lord. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to go help Saul.

Help Saul? He has all the necessary papers to have me arrested. Really?  Yes, really. Ananias was obedient to what God told him.

“The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name.”

17 Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:15-17 CEV

When Saul received his sight back he immediately began to worship with the Christians in Damascus. They were skeptical of him at first because they knew this was the man who had come to have them arrested. Yet they could not deny the fact that things he spoke about Jesus were true. He spoke with great conviction and power.

From there Saul went back to Jerusalem to join himself to the very people he had been persecuting.

“ Saul moved about freely with the followers in Jerusalem and told everyone about the Lord. 29 He was always arguing with the Jews who spoke Greek, and so they tried to kill him. 30 But the followers found out about this and took Saul to Caesarea. From there they sent him to the city of Tarsus.

31 The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now had a time of peace and kept on worshiping the Lord. The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow.” Acts 9:28-31 CEV

Saul continued to live and preach. Since he was brought up to be a religious leader he knew the Scriptures and once he realized that Jesus was who He said He was Saul became a powerful minister.

He began travelling the world over preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Saul, became better known as Paul. He is the one the Lord used to write two thirds of the New Testament. His teachings are fundamental to us and they way we live our lives committed to Christ.

Paul considered everything he had accomplished in his life garbage when it compared to his new life in Christ.

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.” Philippians 3:7-9

He never forgot who he had been but he didn’t let that hold him back. He definitely experienced the truth he wrote about when he said:

“ Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV

We need to be like Paul. Forget the past filled with its failures and mistakes and go forward knowing that we have been given a new life. A life filled with peace and a relationship with God.

If you listen today you’ll hear God speaking to your heart! He has a purpose and a plan designed specifically for you!

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Shameless

Some years back Billy Joel wrote a great song that Garth Brooks recorded, Shameless.

When I read the lyrics I make it the prayer of my heart, an expression of love to the Father and believe it or not, I can hear the Father singing those lyrics back to me. His love for me is Shameless.

“ Well I’m shameless When it comes to loving you, I’ll do anything you want me to, I’ll do anything at all…You see in all my life I’ve never found What I couldn’t resist, what I couldn’t turn down. I could walk away from anyone I ever knew, But I can’t walk away from you.    And I’m shameless…”

God is always there; when we succeed and when we fail. He doesn’t abandon or desert us in the rough times! He is always there to hold us close, pick us up when we fall and lift our burdens.  His love for us is Shameless.

When we’re embarrassed or have lost our way the Lord is the “lifter of my head”. Someone who is embarrassed finds themselves looking down, not making eye contact but God takes His loving hand, cups it under our chin and lifts our head.

“3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3

With head lifted  up, the first thing we do is look into the loving eyes of our Father. He, more than likely, has a smile on His face;  accepting, inviting, understanding and forgiving. He is there to be a shield for us.

“I come to you, Lord, for protection. Don’t let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me. 2 Listen to my prayer and hurry to save me. Be my mighty rock  and the fortress where I am safe. 3 You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.” Psalm 31:1-3

When we put our hope and trust in the Lord, depending upon Him for His direction and His protection we will have no need to be ashamed. We are secure in His love and it really won’t matter what anyone else says about us or thinks about us. We are the apple of His eye.

“I went to the Lord for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. 5 If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. 6 As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6 ERV

Take a look at the times that Jesus showed “shameless” love to folks in the Bible. The first one that comes to mind is the woman who was caught committing adultery. She was dragged by her accusers through the streets to Jesus. She was shamed publicly.

“The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses brought in a woman who had been caught in bed with a man who wasn’t her husband. They made her stand in the middle of the crowd. 4 Then they said, “Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn’t her husband. 5 The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?…

Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn’t there anyone left to accuse you?” 11 “No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” John 8:3-5, 10-11 CEV

Then there was the time when an  leper encountered Jesus and asked to be healed. This man’s life was void of human touch because the laws of the day prohibited him from having contact with anyone. He was unclean. It was shameful!

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.” 3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

Jesus was not ashamed to associate with this man, to touch him, to heal him. Jesus was shameless!

Just one more example – there are so many. But this is the story of a man who was a crooked “IRS” agent, a tax collector. He wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd so he climbed a tree to get a better look. He was hated by society. His action of climbing the tree opened him to even greater ridicule. It was shameful.

“Jesus was going through Jericho, 2 where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes and was very rich. 3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” 6 Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus.

7 Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.”

8 Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.” 9 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10 The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 CEV

The shameful actions of a tax collector were changed that day because of the SHAMELESS love of God’s Son!

Let’s take a close look at our lives. What things have we done that are shameful? What is it that has us looking down? Jesus came to lift our head – to provide forgiveness and restoration.

I’m going to close with one more verse.

“Everything belongs to God, and all things were created by his power. So God did the right thing when he made Jesus perfect by suffering, as Jesus led many of God’s children to be saved and to share in his glory. 11 Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:10-11 CEV

God’s love for us is absolutely SHAMELESS!

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Green Stamp Redemption

A while back there were a number of “Do you Remember” items on FB posts. One of them was “green stamps”.

Do you remember green stamps or maybe it was gold stamps that you saved? Each time we went to the gas station or the grocery store, the attendant would give my folks green stamps and they would bring them home and we put them in a savings book.

We had a green stamp catalog and we would save our books until we had enough to go to the redemption center and get what we had been saving for. That was so much fun, we walked out with something we really wanted and then we would start collecting for the  new item that we wanted. 

Do you know that we have been “redeemed”? The word redeemed means to rescue or to ransom. Our lives have been redeemed; not by collecting our good works and sticking them in a book for all to see but by the precious blood of Jesus.

“You were rescued (redeemed) from the useless way of life that you learned from your ancestors. But you know that you were not rescued by such things as silver or gold that don’t last forever. 19 You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb.” I Peter 1:18-19

All our good deeds cannot begin to measure up to the price Jesus paid for our redemption. Can’t you see it now, Jesus walking into the redemption center and God the Father asking “what would you like to take home today”?

Jesus says, “I would like Kristi for my own”.

And the Father says, “Well, are you sure you wouldn’t like something better? She has done some pretty foolish things.”

“No,” Jesus says, “I would like her.”

“And what will you give for her redemption? It has to be something very valuable.” says the Father. And he shows Jesus all the charges of my shortcomings and sins.

Jesus stretches forth His hands revealing the nail prints and says, “I think this should cover it.”

“Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.” Colossians 2:14 Amplified Version

Hallelujah! I have been redeemed. I have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus. All my sins have been blotted out, covered by the blood of Jesus!

He’s done the same for you. He’s paid the price for your redemption.

 

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Made Special

I know we all want to feel special. There is something about us that “entitles” us to the little extras. A bigger piece of pie, an extra scoop of ice cream, more money per hour at work, the bigger bouquet, the nicer car, the corner office and the list goes on.

However, I’ve never been the one to win the trophy buckle, to graduate valedictorian, be promoted to executive team or even win the state championship. But there is one thing I’ve done that puts me in the top group every time!

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone (whosoever) who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. ” John 3:15 ERV

Yes, I’m a member of the world – I’m an everyone! That makes me a recipient of the Father’s love and a participant in life eternal. I’m one of millions/billions of people who lived but I am one in a million in God’s eyes! He knows the number of hairs on my head, He knows when I fall and He knows my name.

“Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too. 9 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: 10 We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle. 11 Command and teach these things.” I Timothy 4:8-11 CEV

Father God is the Savior of ALL but we have a part to play and that is we must BELIEVE in Him.

If I came to your house with a big box, wrapped in beautiful paper, tied up with a gorgeous ribbon and I had put your name on the box, would that present be yours? Well of course it would!

If you took that present and set it on the dining room table and looked at it, each day, admiring how pretty it was and how nice it was of me to bring it, would it benefit you? No, not really. It’s not until you open the gift, fully accept it, that it truly becomes yours and is a benefit to you.

Many people have seen the gift the Father brought them; the gift of forgiveness and restoration but for whatever reason have failed to open it and appropriate it for themselves.

“My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He always did what was right, so he is able to defend us before God the Father. 2 Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:1-2 CEV

“no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 CEV

So you see if you are a whosoever, an everyone, an “all people”, the gift is yours! Accept it and take advantage of what is being given – it definitely makes you a winner!

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Warm Coals Bring Comfort

How many of you have been camping? Maybe you camp in a tent or just in a sleeping bag on the ground but one of the best parts of being out in nature is the campfire, right?

I have to admit that I enjoy the coals more than the fire. I always seem to sit on the wrong side and end up with my eyes filled with smoke. But once the fire has burned down and the embers are glowing that’s when I like to move in close. I find it warm and comforting.

These days fires like the ones I described are recreational. In the past 15-20 years fire pits have become common place in backyards. Kind of like bringing the camping experience home. But years ago fire was essential to every home’s well being.

Fires were needed for heat and for cooking. They gave light and provided a way to kill germs and sterilize wounds. Without fire, early settlers would be overcome by the cold.

There are a couple of Scriptures in the Bible that talk about coals of fire that I think have been misunderstood. They are basically the same verse, first written in the Old Testament and then repeated in the New.  These verses were used hundreds of years apart but both groups of people understood their meaning.

“If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat.  And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. 22 This will be the same
as piling burning coals on their heads.  And the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22 CEV

“Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.” 20 The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” Romans 12:19-21 CEV

Putting coals of fire on your head was a customary way of carrying your fire with you. Since fire was such a necessity for life and many peoples were nomadic they would take a few coals put them in a metal dish and transport them to the next location. Many times this meant wrapping the in container in cloth while they carried them on their heads.

What a wonderful example of how we are to treat those who are unkind to us. We are to feed them, give them water when they are thirsty and give them coals for warmth to sustain them when their fire has gone out.

Plain and simple we are to keep a loving and giving attitude even with our enemies and God will avenge any evil that has been done to us. I guarantee you He can do a much better job than we ever could.

We are to follow of the example of Jesus. He didn’t curse the Roman soldiers who were charged with His crucifixion nor did he condemn Judas for betraying Him. He even preached forgiveness to the thief hanging on the cross next to Him.

I encourage you today don’t speak evil of those who have wronged you. Don’t try to exact revenge. Let God handle your situation. Don’t be defeated by evil.

Is there someone you can give “coals of warmth” to today?

 

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The Final Word

I’m sure that at one point or another you have all watched a court proceeding either on television or in person. The symbol that brings order and conveys authority is the gavel.

When the judge bangs the gavel he calls for order and silences the gallery, the attorneys, the witness. It brings everything in to order. He has the authority to dismiss a case or to bring judgement. He reads the verdict and pronounces sentencing. He has the final word!

That reminds me so much of God our Father. He is the one who requires justice, justice for the sin that Adam brought into this world. God had created a perfect environment for Adam and Eve but they chose to disobey what God had said and so sin had to be dealt with. God provided that way through Jesus.

“This is what happened: Sin came into the world by one man, Adam. Sin brought death with it. Death spread to all men because all have sinned… .15 God’s free gift is not like the sin of Adam. Many people died because of the sin of this one man, Adam. But the loving-favor of God came to many people also. This gift came also by one Man Jesus Christ, God’s Son. 16 The free gift of God is not like Adam’s sin. God told Adam he was guilty because of his sin and through this one came sin and guilt. But the free gift makes men right with God. Through One, Christ, men’s sins are forgiven. 17 The power of death was over all men because of the sin of one man, Adam. But many people will receive His loving-favor and the gift of being made right with God. They will have power in life by Jesus Christ. 18 Through Adam’s sin, death and hell came to all men. But another Man, Christ, by His right act makes men free and gives them life.” Romans 5:12-18 NLV

You could say that this is the evidence that has been presented in heaven’s courtroom. Yes, we are all guilty of sin. There was only one person who was born on earth that was perfect. That person is Jesus. His birth was planned. He came to earth and provided the payment for sin and made us right with God once again.

“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21 NLV

As the prosecutor is presenting the evidence against us, things look bad, real bad. There’s a long list of transgressions that can be found in our lives. When asked, we have to admit that yes, we are guilty. It seems inevitable that a guilty verdict will be delivered and we will be condemned.

But wait…

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Jesus, our attorney for the defense, stands before the judge’s bench and says “Your honor, my client is guilty. They have transgressed the law. They have sinned. These charges are correct. However, Sir, the price for those sins has been paid on their behalf. I ask that you expunge their record. I paid the price. I gave my life in exchange for theirs.”

“God has shown His love to us by sending His only Son into the world. God did this so we might have life through Christ. 10 This is love! It is not that we loved God but that He loved us. For God sent His Son to pay for our sins with His own blood.” I John 4:9-10 NLV

To this testimony that Judge raises the gavel and says “I declare that payment has been met. Case dismiss. This is my final word!” And the gavel falls. We have been made right with God through the blood of Jesus.

There’s a song that was running through my mind this morning as I woke. The lyrics written by Cody Carnes go like this:

“The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
There’s nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up its strongest fight
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word”

What’s your situation today? What are you facing that appears to condemn you? Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

Just remember – The Cross of Jesus Has the Final Word!

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Don’t Waste Your Mind

The Mind is a terrible thing to waste!  Each day we are bombarded with so much information and it’s all competing for a place in our minds.  We are the ones who decide what downloads we accept and we are the ones who decide what data to delete.
Think about this. What is the difference between the Apostle Paul and Hitler?  Both spent a great deal of time destroying the Jews and Christians and feeling they were justified in doing so.  Paul was a part of the first lynch mob, or stoning party, that destroyed the life of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. After that he did everything he could to track down the Christians, have them arrested and killed. Hitler rounded up the Jews and tried to annihilate them. The difference – repentance!
Paul’s message of God’s unconditional love and his understanding of grace were born out of his past. But what’s that got to do with your mind – plenty. Your mind has been telling you, you’re unworthy – God can’t or won’t love you; He won’t forgive you; He won’t use you! You’re a disgrace – if people knew who you were or what you did, they wouldn’t want anything to do with you. Such a waste!
“All the other apostles are greater than I am. I say this because I persecuted the church of God. That is why I am not even good enough to be called an apostle. 10 But, because of God’s grace, that is what I am. And his grace that he gave me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But I was not really the one working. It was God’s grace that was with me.)” I Corinthians 15:9-10 ERV
Paul knows how it feels to deal with feelings of unworthiness but instead of wallowing in it he downloaded an overwhelming dose of God’s grace and stepped into the acceptance of God’s unconditional love.
“8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 ERV (written by Paul)
There is also a comparison that can be drawn between Peter and Judas. They both denied Christ. Peter repented. Judas was overwhelmed with guilt and shame and hung himself.  Forgiveness and restoration were available to both of them but only one appropriated it.
Then there was a young man who lived a life of drunkenness, greed, self gratification and immoral living. He chose to walk a path that went against everything he had been raised to believe in. He had no concern on how this affected his family – he just didn’t care! But in desperation he returned home. He had run out of money, had no place to stay and there was a famine and recession going on.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ Luke 15:17-19 NKJV
Do you see where his mind was? “I’m not worthy”. The son underestimated the love of His father.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20-24 NJKV
Repentance -> forgiveness -> restoration = GRACE.
I heard this testimony of a pastor who is very well known in our nation. His wife was asked why she felt her husband had such a generous, giving heart. Her reply brought tears to his eyes. She said she felt it was because he had never lost sight of his salvation. He had lived a life much like that of the prodigal – sex, drugs. This pastor has always been “mind-filled” with God’s great love. God’s great gift have always been at the forefront in his thinking. He gives generously because he has been forgiven so much.
As I said at the beginning, a mind is a terrible thing to waste – so don’t! Don’t waste it looking at the unworthiness of your past, instead look at God’s grace and love and then touch the lives of others. Don’t let your past hold you in bondage but instead let God’s grace free you to love others.
I leave you with the words of Paul
“So, as a prisoner for the Lord, I beg you to live the way God’s people should live, because he chose you to be his. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. 3 You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace hold you together.” Ephesians 4:1-3 ERV
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