Tag Archives: forgiveness

Toxic!

When we fail to recognize and confess our sin to God, we spread that sin to those around us.

Don’t you know that your own sin can spread to your children?  What about the compulsive liar who lies to make him look good…this in effect teaches those around us that it is okay to tell that “little white lie.”  It is not.  In addition, those extended breaks at work, or the late arrivals and early departures from work; demonstrate to your employees or colleagues that this “cheating mentality” is okay.  It is not.

Lord, expose the obvious and not so obvious sin in our lives.  Bring us to confession of these sins and acceptance of Your forgiveness.  Jesus died to take away our sin.  Receive Christ’s deliverance from all sin today and stop the spread of toxic waste. Genesis 3: 6-7

Hacked!

Last night, a friend of our 10-year-old, Sam, became a victim of a cyber attack.  Someone hacked into Tim’s computer and stole all his games, passwords, and content; locking him out of his computer.  When Sam learned that his friend’s computer had been hacked, he was deeply saddened.  “Mom”, he said, “Tim is a Christian!”  I prayed with Sam for his friend, Tim.  Sam asked if he could stay up a little past his bedtime to console Tim; I granted his request.

Sam couldn’t understand why someone would do something so awful to Tim.  He explained to me how for months Tim had saved up his birthday money in order to buy these computer games.  And now all his games were gone.  Sam and I talked about evil and good and that the works of the hacker was evil.  I reminded Sam that God is still in control.  And that Christians will suffer as Christ did, but God will always be with us to make our burden light.  As we were walking down to his bedroom Sam said to me, “Mom, I don’t wish anything bad to happen to the person who hacked Tim, I only pray that he will ask God for forgiveness.”  Hallelujah!  My 10-year-old understood the power of forgiveness over material loss and hurt.  He understood that it was most expedient for this hacker to seek God’s forgiveness over rejoicing in the gain from stealing someone else’s treasure.  Sam’s attitude was right toward God.  He had the mind of Christ.

My eyes filled with tears to hear Sam pray for the sinner.  Sam understood that there was a greater benefit to God’s Kingdom if this hacker would turn from evil and turn to God.  He could have easily wished that the hacker would suffer the same evil that he caused to his friend—but he didn’t.

Philippians 2:5 reminds us to, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”  The mind thinks, reasons, perceives, feels, wills, judges and remembers.  Paul was encouraging us to have the same attitude that Christ has.

Father, help us surrender our mind to you.  Choosing Your way over our way, Your attitude versus ours, following your examples versus our feelings.  We believe the more we meditate on Your Word, the more our lives and attitudes will change to become like Christ.  Thank You, for helping us Lord.

What’s holding you back?

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3: 13-14 (MSG)

Many of us may have reason to forget our past—we haven’t been faithful to God, we have made some poor choices in life, we have hurt someone, badly. If you’re like me, I wish I could take some things back. Some of the things in our past seem to threaten our future; that, not-so-perfect college transcript, the run-ins with the police or the stretched truth on your tax return. No doubt, many of us have things that we’ve done in the past that we are ashamed of, and we struggle with what we hope to be based on what we have been.

Paul is telling us in Philippians 3:13-14, to let go of the past, the guilt and the shame. Because our hope is in Christ Jesus now, we are free to look forward to what God will help us become. And the Lord wants you to come to Him. God wants you to grow in His knowledge by focusing and concentrating on, a dedicated relationship with Him. Realize that you are forgiven and move on to a life of faith and obedience. God is offering you the opportunity to trade in your past for a new life with Him.

Lord, Jesus, we come to You today, with a past, we’re not proud of. I realize that the mistakes I’ve made, in some cases, can never be corrected. However, I learned today, that You can set me free from the guilt and shame of my past and allow me to be a living example to others.   You can still use me. You will use anyone, who comes to You with and open heart. O’ forgive me dear Lord, wash me clean of my past which comes to haunt me daily. I’ve decided to become what Christ Jesus wants me to become. I’m no longer the person I use to be. My past tells me, I’m never going to amount to much. But I believe Your word in Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I believe Your word over my life today. I’m going to keep looking to You Lord, to help me become what you want me to be. I will forget what I use to be, by your grace and mercy. Thanks for the hope You’ve given me today Lord. I won’t hold back any longer, because of my past.

An Invitation…

Welcome Lord Jesus,

Excuse my crippled condition which caused me to take such a long time opening the door.  Forgive me for not offering you a clean place to sit, as my blindness has prohibited me from seeing things clearly, so I have not been very good at cleaning up after myself.  I’d like to offer you a drink, but the pain in my joints cause me great discomfort when I ambulate.  Are you comfortable Lord?  The weeping is uncontrollable Lord, my apologies for that too–my heart is broken over the loss of many friends and family members.

Alas, You are here!  Well, I invited You to stop by today Lord because I am tired of my current condition.  And I was told that you cared about me.  Forgive me for not having invited You sooner.  I was ashamed of my condition.  I was told You have healed the crippled.  I was told that You are familiar with grief too.  I believe I was made blind because of my sin so I have come to accept living in darkness–although, someone said that you could even forgive my sin!

I do want to thank You for my hearing Lord!  It is about all I have.  You see I heard that if I sent you an invitation to come into my life that You would accept it.  I also heard about the many miracles you have performed.  I am not worthy of Your visit today, but I was also told that You love me just the same.  Since You are here, I’d like to ask Your forgiveness for believing that my condition is hopeless.  For Lord, despite my vision loss, I can see clearly now that You love me–You came to see me.  I believe what I heard about you not being afraid to come meet me in my filthy house.  I’ve been trying to clean up my house before inviting You in, but was told that it would not matter to You the condition of my house,  Because You can make me and my house clean.  Yes, my heart is broken, and I miss my friends and family that have passed on. However,  I also heard that you would comfort me, and I am tired of being sad.  The pain in my joints does not bother me much anymore–I’ve learned to deal with it.   A few pills here and there, sometimes will ease my pain.  However, if You are willing, I know You can fix that too.

You know Lord, I am suddenly feeling better now that You are here.  What I heard about You seems right.  Even though I cannot see with my eyes very well, I can see things a little clearer now about my condition.  I no longer feel guilty about the mess around me, because, in my heart, I know that You will help me clean things up.   Although my body may be failing me, I believe You have the power to heal me, besides, I am going to get a new one some day–that is what I heard.  I was also told that you created me in Your likeness and Your image.  Maybe the day is yet to come when I will be like You–I cannot wait until that day arrives!

I am so grateful that You came today Lord.  I thank You for my hearing, because everything, I heard about You, is true.  Thanks again for coming Lord; they said You would if I asked You.  By the way, is there anything You can use me for in Your Kingdom?  They also told me that I was created to glorify You?  I am happy to do whatever You need me to do Lord.  You are a good friend.

Inspired by…
Psalm 34:18
Revelations 3:20
Luke 5:12
Mark 2:1-12
John 9
1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 53:3
Genesis 1:27
Ephesians 2:10
Psalm 51:10
John 15:15

A Lesson on Kindness

If people, you know, can be kind, can you imagine how kind God can be? I love this definition of the act of being kind: having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others: wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others. In Matthew 7:11, Christ shares with us the heart of Father God. God wants to give good gifts to those who ask of them from Him! We know how to ask for good gifts from our parents, spouse, children, and friends. However, we fall short of asking for good gifts from God.

This morning, a mom offered to drive not just her son but mine and another boy, to indoor baseball. The weather is cold and snowy. So this lady often offers to taxi the boys around. I thanked her and noted how she is always so kind in her offerings. I thought about this mothers act of kindness and then remembered the kindness that our Heavenly Father shows us constantly. At first I cried, and asked God to forgive me for not thanking Him for the many acts of kindness that He does for us every day! I admitted to God that sometimes I take His acts of kindness for granted because I have grown to expect Him to do them each day. This made me very sad. I told the Lord that I would thank him for His kindness toward me.

I thought about how God gently corrects us when we are wrong. He teaches us right ways. He desires to help us as we learn His ways. He even gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live right. God promised never to leave us, not even when we struggle as a result of our disobedience. Rather, He told us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. He wants to do good things for us. He wants to give us good gifts. He said He would supply all that we need. In reflecting on God’s kindness toward me, I began to praise Him—For showing me how much He loves me. For giving me the truth about His kindness and for forgiving me for not having remembered all that He has done for me.

I prayed and asked God to help change me. To help my heart to see his kindness and to thank Him for all that, He does for me. When I finished thanking God, he asked me to pray for the God things that He has…because He wants to give them to me. I carefully crafted my prayer to be sure I was asking for only the things He knows good for me. What a lesson on kindness.

Thank You, Lord.

Thwart

To prevent someone from accomplishing something or to stop something from happening; To stop or hinder a plan.

No one or nothing can thwart God’s plan for you. Your current situation or circumstances do not mean that God’s plan for your life has changed or been delayed. God is still in control. Believe.

Jesus wants to be King of your life…He does not want to take life away from you. He wants to give you abundant life, eternal life–and it begins right now. Christ gives you freedom from sin, joy and peace in Him. However, you must make Him King of your life. Your situation or circumstances do not mean that God’s plan to save you has failed. Believe.

God’s plan for you can not be stopped. Joseph might have thought that God’s plan for him had been delayed or stopped when he was rejected by his brothers, kidnapped, enslaved and imprisoned in Egypt. However, God had a plan to make Joseph ruler of all Egypt. Do not give up hope, God has a wonderful future in store for you. Believe.

Herod tried to thwart God’s plan by killing all male children two years of age and younger, in an attempt to kill Jesus. However, God warned Joseph in a dream to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt so that the life of Jesus was spared. Herod did not stop or delay a God’s plan through Jesus. Believe.

So no one or nothing can stop God’s plan for your life. “For I know the plans, I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
You may be in a place right now where God needs you to help when the need arises. You are in that job, living in the city you are in, holding the position you are holding, for a reason. God is in control. Believe.

Jesus’ death did not thwart God’s plan, but rather His death and resurrection were the biggest parts of His plan to forgive us of sin and to make it possible for us to have eternal life. The cross was the extension of Christ in bringing us back to God. It bridged the gap between our separation from God, because of sin, to eternity with God through Jesus’ death on the cross. Believe.

The plan to keep you from hearing the truth about God’s purpose for your life today…right where you are has been thwarted. Believe today that that no situation, no circumstance, no condition can thwart God’s plan for you today. God is still in control. Believe.

Holy Father, I believe that no one or nothing can stop or hinder the plan that you have for my life today. All I have in life today, I offer to You. I will proclaim today, despite the heaviness of my circumstances that your plan for my life will succeed…just as it has for the life of many others, including Jesus. Thanks for helping me believe in You today Lord. Amen.

Genesis 45:4-8
Matthew 2:16
John 10:10
Jeremiah 29:11
Luke 23:7-8

God Sees Someone Different!

God does not see you for who you were or even who you are today.  He sees you for what He created You to be!

Don’t hang your head down, don’t feel hopeless!  We often consider ourselves unfit for any “good” purpose because our past, or present is shameful, ugly, disgraceful, sinful.  However, God created every one of us for a purpose.  So you have a purpose in God’s Kingdom today.  Your purpose can begin right now.  In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord says it this way, “For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  There is hope for you!

God used murderers, prostitutes, liars, and thieves in the bible.  If He can use them, He can use you too!  All it takes is for you to know that God still has a purpose for you!  If you are reading this message today, it is not too late for you!

Dear Lord, I thought there was no hope for me.  My past is disgraceful and sinful.  I do not even deserve to be loved or given another chance.  However, You said that you have a plan for me.  Take me as I am.  Forgive me for who I am today and what I have done in my past.  Help me to live a changed life.  I want to live the life that You planned for me.  Clean me up so that I may be acceptable for your use…I cannot do it by myself.  Thank You for giving me hope today to see myself as You do…someone who can be used for Your Kingdom.

Take responsibility…

Exodus 22 talks about making right the wrongs you’ve caused.  If you have done something wrong to someone, perhaps it is not enough to just try to make it right.  Maybe you should go beyond what is expected of you to make things right with that person.  Doing so may help ease any pain you’ve caused.  It also helps the other person to be more forgiving.  Also, it will certainly make you less likely to do it again.

How can you make right the wrongs in your life?  Sometimes it may be just as simple as saying to the person that I am sorry–And asking them for their forgiveness.  Always we should ask God for forgiveness and sin no more.  Think about it today.  What can you do to make right the wrongs you have caused?

Leave it behind…

There is no sin that God is not willing and ready to forgive. However, we must first confess and repent of our sin. Repenting also means, turn from that sin and commit it no more! When others are caught in sin, are you quick to forgive them—remember their sin no more? Alternatively, do you quickly pass judgment and say, they deserve punishment, and they are terrible for the bad that they’ve done. If you are quick to judge others, then pray that God will teach you how to forgive and have compassion.

In John 8:2-11 a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought to Jesus to condemn her…her partner in adultery was not brought to Jesus. While she was accused, and the LAW stated that she should be stoned for her act, Jesus did not condemn her but rather asked her to leave her life of sin. Jesus would rather have mercy, forgiveness and compassion on us than to condemn us. That does not mean that he condones sin–absolutely not!!! However, true forgiveness and repentance, cleanses us from our sin. So only God can cleanse us but we must be willing to forgive and have compassion on others!

Love prefers to offer forgiveness, grace, and mercy…

…not judgement. Lord I pray for the wrong-doers that they will repent and accept your forgiveness. Please have mercy upon wrong-doers Lord…hold your judgement toward them for a little while. I pray they will repent and change from their wrong ways to Your righteous ways. You said that You hate evil and so do I, And we will join You as You judge evil in the end. 1 Kings 12 tells us that although judgment may appear slow, You will judge evil harshly.  So for now, I pray that You will give them a change in heart…to turn from evil to righteousness. I know You want them saved. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.