Promise for Toay - My Job is____________

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

James 4:11 NLT

Most job positions are posted with an overview of the tasks and duties that are required; education, skill sets, particular levels of education, and any physical requirements. Some include a very clear, very precise description. You've probably read some: proficiency in certain software, or must be able to lift 20-50 pounds, must be able to stand for 8 hours. Must be able to sit for long periods. Must be able to... You get the idea.

What do you do if there isn't a clear job description? What if there is no employee orientation and no employee handbook to guide you? Sometimes in the corporate world, it seems as though there are policies and procedures governing everything. In smaller companies, it may be more of a relaxed, family atmosphere. Although, as we all know, not all families are relaxed. Regardless, there are rules that are pertinent to the roles being fulfilled.

When we are accepted into the family of God, we begin work for a king, and not just any king, but The King of kings. We have a comprehensive handbook to guide us. All expectations are clearly defined. 

One of the things God makes abundantly clear from the beginning to the end is:
[Jesus speaking] "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged." That's clear, isn't it?
Jesus continues, "Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you." Clear?
"Forgive others, and you will be forgiven." Are there any questions about that?
Luke 6:37 NLT.

Judging others is not my job. Condemning them is not my job, either. Forgiving others, loving them, helping them, serving - that's all part of who and what we are to be in God's kingdom. It's in our guidebook (the Bible!). Every aspect clearly defined. Reading it, studying it, knowing it, and living our lives accordingly, that IS our job.

Prayer:

Father,
           Give us understanding and wisdom when we read Your Word. Help us to live and succeed according to its precepts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Difference

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Psalm 11:3 KJV

I like reading different versions and translations of the Word of God because sometimes they say it so differently that I am able to understand the BIG picture of it all. This same text for today in the New Living Translation reads, "The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?" And I love it in The Message, "The bottom's dropped out of the country; good people don't have a chance..." Hmmm. I heard that line at the office just the other day.

I remember a conversation I had with a young woman years ago. She believes in God, but she has not yet embraced the Word as her standard for living. She wanted to justify her actions and beliefs by what was happening in the world system. It seemed right. The infamous 'Everyone else thinks it's okay.' 'There's no law against it.'

Well, actually there is... It's just not in the book of law that she's been reading.

Society (and its lawmakers) will go to unbelievable lengths to justify their actions, even so far as to enact laws that say what they're doing is okay. For those fools (that's what Scripture calls them) who say, 'There is no God,' it's almost understandable. However, for those who say, 'We believe in God' and yet still embrace what is clearly opposed to His Word, it's unbelievable... or is it?

Pastor Alan Neel said something a few years back that really stuck in my heart. He said, "We've spent the last 30 years making believers out of people. Nowhere in the Word of God does it say go and make believers. It says go and make disciples."

What's the difference? James 2:19 reads, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."

What difference does it make how many laws are passed to say something is okay if the Word of God says it's sin? What difference does it make if everyone is doing it if the Word says it's sin?

I'm going to reiterate what I said to that young lady years ago. I don't care how many rules and regulations and laws are presented, passed and posted on the books. There's only one Book of Law that doesn't change. Only one whose standards and truths remain. Immoveable, unshakeable. Only one that has stood the test of time since the beginning of time...and remains. If the Bible says it's sin, it's sin.

What does the Word say about what's going on in the world? Read further in Psalm 11, The Message, "God hasn't moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn't changed. He's in charge, as always... and at the end of the chapter, God's business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight."

Setting us straight. Making the difference between believers and disciples. What's your standard? That's the difference.

Prayer:

Father,
           We look to You - the Author and Finisher of our faith. Make our paths straight. Lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake, according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - No Bounds

On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

Acts 16:13-14 NLT

Paul and Silas went outside the city because Philippi prohibited bringing an unrecognized religion within the city limits. There they met Lydia, a wealthy woman, who listened to their message and received Jesus Christ as her savior - she and members of her household.

Later, they were harassed by a demon-possessed servant girl (vvs 16-18), until Paul commanded by the demon to leave her and it had to obey. That caused a world of problems for both Paul and Silas, and they wound up in prison after having been stripped and beaten.

You may know the story of Paul and Silas after midnight, praying and singing hymns to God. Acts 16:25-28, The Bible says "and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

ALL of them - not just Paul and Silas. All the prisoners were still there! None of them left. They WERE listening...I think all the prisoners became believers that night! We certainly know the jailer did and all of his household.

The salvation message knows no bounds. It crosses all socio-economic boundaries, from the wealthy to the servant, to the prisoners, and their jailer. All of them listened. All of them believed. All of them forever changed. God's perfect love knows no bounds. Aren't you glad?

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You that Your "whosoever will..." includes everyone, no matter who or what we are. Help us to hear and know the Truth of Your Word and to be as eager to share it with others as Paul and Silas - no matter the circumstances. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - No Matter How Many Times

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

I was thinking about this Scripture today because of the stories I hear from friends and family alike.

She did what?!? She must have learned that from one of the other kids at school – she never heard that at home!

Why would he do that at school?!? And in front of the principal?!? I taught him better than that!!

When will he learn? How many times do I have to tell him?

There is so much material for a comedy routine at a school! When I worked at the elementary school, we used to say we could have our own hit sitcom if we just had a video camera running during the day.

However, on the not-so-funny side of it, I know so many Christian parents who are standing on this promised proverb that is our text for today. Let me encourage them somewhat. I think there are those children who take a little longer to “get old.” And so we wait with patience… sometimes it’s the oxymoronic frustrated patience.

Remember the Scripture in Hebrews 4 that tells how Jesus was tempted in all points just like us, but sinned not? Well, there’s one in Hebrews 5 where the writer sure sounds to me as though he’s exasperated - "I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again…"

Always, it’s a matter of training and sometimes re-training. It’s finding the right combination of words and practice to get the point across. We don’t all learn the same things at the same pace or in the same way - whether we’re children - or children of God. Thank God His mercies are new every morning. Thank God His lovingkindnesses are better than life. Thank God for His Word in John 1:12 that declares, But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. King James calls it the power to become His children.

We have this blessed assurance. He doesn’t give up on us. Philippians 1:6 NLT promises, And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Oh…THAT’S when we’ll learn! So don’t give up. Keep trying - no matter how many times it takes.

Prayer:

Father,
Let us not be weary in well-doing. Strengthen us by Your example, Lord. Let us love as You love and be merciful one to another, so that we may learn. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - It Bears Repeating for the Dark Days

Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10 NLT

Some days in this life are so very difficult. Sometimes, it runs in seasons. Thank God He has given us the Bible - His Living Word - to get us through those times. To strengthen and to guide us and to give us hope in the dark days. To give us words that breathe and speak life. I love the rest of this Psalm...

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!"

Prayer:

Father,
           You know the number of our days - You plan our lifespan before we ever draw breath. We want all that we do to be successful in fulfilling Your purpose for our lives. Help us, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Practical Applications to Forgiving Others

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!"

Matthew 18:21-22 NLT

As promised, the practical applications toward forgiving others. 

How to Start the Process of Forgiveness:

#1 Express and vocalize your forgiveness every day. Say it out loud.
     Example: Today I choose to forgive _______ for _______.
     I choose to let go of it in obedience to God's Word.

#2 Pray daily for the ability to forgive through the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart.

#3 CHOOSE not to meditate and relive the issue every day.
     Do not nurse, curse and rehearse the hurt and unforgiveness.
     Don't tell it over and over.

#4 Reinforce your decision by daily reading God's Word.
     Search out the Scriptures that instruct us about forgiving.

#5 Choose to show compassion, mercy and kindness instead of bitterness from your heart.
     Remember, forgiving others is NOT A FEELING.
     Forgiving others is a choice to be obedient to God's Word.

How to Know When You Have Forgiven Someone

#1 Forgiveness is accomplished when the issue is no longer your issue.

#2 Forgiveness is accomplished when you can pray a blessing and not a curse over the former offender.

#3 Forgiveness is accomplished when you no longer require payback.

#4 Forgiveness is accomplished when you can respond in kindness, and not resentment.

#5 Forgiveness is accomplished when you can give a fresh start.
***************************************************************

Forgiveness is not about feelings. 

Forgiveness is not presented as an option. 

Forgiveness is not just a choice - it's an act of obedience to the words of Christ. 

If we want to be forgiven, we must forgive.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for making provision so that we can be forgiven of our many trespasses against You. Let Your Word manifest in us so that we walk by faith and not by our feelings, and so that we can truly love and forgive others as You have forgiven us. We've asked it before and we ask again. Help us to realize that forgiveness is a choice to submit our will to Yours.. Help us to understand Matthew 18 and forgiving others seventy times seven... Remind us to choose to forgive and speak forgiveness every time it comes up. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Accepting the Terms of Forgiveness

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

Lately, the most popular topic of discussion has been about forgiveness. How do we forgive the unforgivable? I refer people back to the Word. The only Truth that doesn't change with time or man-made laws. Christ died so that we could be forgiven. Without His shed blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Read Hebrews 9:22 in the NIV. It is SO important to note that even though Christ's blood has been shed, unless we avail ourselves of it and do as He commands, we cannot be forgiven.

Everyone knows this verse in Matthew 6:12, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," part of the Lord's Prayer. How Jesus Himself taught us to pray. Three short verses later, verse 15, Jesus tells us, "But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father WILL NOT forgive your sins." [emphasis mine]

This is not merely a suggestion or just good advice. It is the non-negotiable terms of the covenant of forgiveness. Do we accept His terms?

Tomorrow, I will post the very practical applications my Pastor taught today about how to know if you've forgiven someone and how to start the process of forgiveness.

Prayer:

Father in heaven,
           Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.