Thoughts on Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 1:18 - “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Micah 7:18-19 - Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Mark 11:25 - And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

The Prayer was written by Kristine Brown. It is a great prayer for forgiving...

Father, 

Thank you for your gift of forgiveness. Your only Son loved me enough to come to earth and experience the worst pain imaginable so I could be forgiven. Your mercy flows to me in spite of my faults and failures. Your Word says to “clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:14) Help me demonstrate unconditional love today, even to those who hurt me. 

I understand that even though I feel scarred, my emotions don’t have to control my actions. Father, may Your sweet words saturate my mind and direct my thoughts. Help me release the hurt and begin to love as Jesus loves. I want to see my offender through my Savior’s eyes. If I can be forgiven, so can he. I understand there are no levels to Your love. We are all Your children, and Your desire is that none of us should perish.

You teach us to “let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.” (Col. 3:15) When I forgive in words, allow Your Holy Spirit to fill my heart with peace. I pray this peace that only comes from Jesus will rule in my heart, keeping out doubt and questions. And above all, I am thankful. Not just today, not just this week, but always. Thank You for the reminder, “Always be thankful.” (Col. 3:15) With gratitude I can draw closer to You and let go of unforgiveness. With gratitude I can see the person who caused my pain as a child of the Most High God. Loved and accepted. Help me find the compassion that comes with true forgiveness.

And when I see the person who hurt me, bring this prayer back to my remembrance, so I can take any ungodly thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) And may the confidence of Christ in my heart guide me into the freedom of forgiveness. I praise You for the work you are doing in my life, teaching and perfecting my faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Beginning and the End

The end of a matter is better than its beginning...

Ecclesiastes 7:8a NIV

I've been thinking a lot about beginnings and ends - in many different realms. How we perceive the value or benefit of either depends on how we look at it.

Several friends are pregnant or have just given birth - their whole focus is about the end of the pregnancy and the beginning of life spent with their newborn.  One friend is days away from retirement. He's on Cloud Nine, but not sure what the future holds.  And another was just promoted. He's excited about the beginning of the new global position, but is torn at leaving the people and position he had. 

Several friends were recently laid off from their jobs. One was elated. One was concerned. One was "okay as long as it didn't last more than two months." The jury is still out on the other. 

And one more precious friend who at the end of his life's journey was surrounded by his family and loved ones - closing his eyes on this side and opening them to be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses to how he made it to the other side.

Jesus. Only Jesus.

As mere human beings, we are conflicted with beginnings and ends. We don't always see that the end of something means the beginning of something else. And yet, oftentimes, the end of something is vitally important so that we may get to the new beginning... 

This one thing I know. If we follow the Lord and walk in His righteousness, then our steps are ordered by His design, and just like the Blood He shed for our every sin, He's got it all covered. Revelation 22:12-13 NLT assures us of this, Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You that our confidence is in You since You know the end from the beginning. Your Word in Psalm 139 teaches us that You have numbered all our days, and know the days and minutes in each. Keep us holy and righteous before You, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Every Detail

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, 
God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. 
If we don’t know how or what to pray, 
it doesn’t matter. 
He does our praying in and for us, 
making prayer out of our wordless sighs, 
our aching groans. 

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, 
knows our pregnant condition, 
and keeps us present before God. 
That’s why we can be so sure 
that every detail in our lives of love for God 
is worked into something good.

Romans 8:26-28 The Message Bible

That, my friends, is everything I have to say tonight. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for music. Thank You for great lyrics. Thank You for Your Word that is Light and Life to us. Keep us ever mindful of this Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Encore!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

I remember a several years back, my grandchildren and I attended a Christmas concert performed by the Houston Brass Band, the only British-style brass band in southeast Texas (according to their website  http://houstonbrassband.org/).  We had a good time. Of course, 7 grandchildren are a ready-made party waiting to happen!

Obviously, that night was all about the music. Some very familiar Christmas songs interspersed with some not-so-familiar ones. It was fun to watch the kids' eyes light up on songs they recognized, and it warmed my heart to see that some of the old classics were just as well known to them. It wasn't until about half-way through the concert, though, that I realized we did not share the same point of reference for knowing the songs. While my mind's eye played scenes from The Nutcracker and White Christmas (sung by none other than Bing Crosby), my grandkids were exclaiming, "That's from Home Alone!" and "That's from ELF!"

When the intermission came, they thought that was it. But it was a full concert and there remained another whole half of a concert. And even though there were a few times when I knew they'd had all the "culture" they could stand - evidenced by "How many more, Granna? " - when the band played Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride as their rousing encore, the kids were totally enamored by it, and it was as if that was the only song the band had played all evening, and Oh, how fun!!  They thanked me for inviting them and hugged me and told me they loved me. And it was then that today's text came to my mind.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever which makes Him relevant for all time - to all generations. There will always be a way to connect to those around us through Him, even when we don't have the same points of reference. And even when we think we have had all the experiences we can stand - you need to understand that Jesus has got a big finish planned, too. Wait till you see His encore!

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the continuity of Your love that transcends time and space and keeps hearts knitted together in You. Help us to share You with those around us and in our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Communicating Effectively

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Matthew 1:23 NKJV

We put together a lot of different phrases to be sure we're being understood. Have you ever noticed?  Do you understand what I'm saying? Do you know what I mean? Do ya follow me? Ya feel me? Catch my drift? See what I'm saying? Are you with me?

I'll be honest with you - most of them just pluck on my last nerve, especially if asked by someone who maybe doesn't think I'm capable of following...but that's another issue - one I keep before the Lord. LOL!  My son used to say to me, "Mom, if you'd tell me BEFORE I hit that last nerve, I wouldn't pluck on it..." At any rate, we want to be sure we're communicating effectively - be it ahead of time or in the present.

That's what I love about the Lord and His Word. He communicates effectively. You always know where God stands. He stands WITH us - so much so, that He proclaimed it in His Word - long before we heard about it in Matthew 1:23. That verse actually is quoting Isaiah 7:14... He is with us.

And He’s not just with us for a moment – That’s the Promise.

Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

And verse 8 of the same chapter, And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

Joshua 1:5, No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5, Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

So the next time you ask, “Are you with me?” Remember that He is Immanuel – God with us.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your promise to never leave us or forsake us. Thank You for being with us in the path You have laid for us. Thank You for the peace that comes in knowing that we are not alone. Let us ever be mindful of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Do Not Give Up

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

We live in an age of instant gratification. People don't like to wait for anything. I know I don't need to belabor the point with a list of examples. We're all aware of it. 

Unfortunately, many times that same impatience is carried over into our relationship with the Lord. We've all heard the humorous prayer, "Lord, I need patience and I need it right now!" We've forgotten that we are to wait on the Lord. We've allowed ourselves to get weary in well-doing. We've taken our eyes off God and His purpose in our lives and have begun to look only at what WE are doing; at what it is costing US in time and energy or resources. 

It's easy enough to do. I'm not here to accuse, but to encourage. If you are weary and just want to quit, let me remind you where we find the strength to continue. It is ONLY in the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 tells us,  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 37:7-9 instructs us to Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Choose to trust the Lord and His Word MORE than the trials and circumstances in your life ...at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray Your Word in Psalm 27, We are confident that we will see Your goodness while we are here in the land of the living. We will wait patiently for You. We will be brave and courageous. Yes, Lord, we will wait patiently for You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

His Story +

Matthew 1

18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.

20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

2 1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

3-4 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

5-6 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:

It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
    no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
    who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

7-8 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

13 After the scholars were gone, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him.”

14-15 Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. They lived in Egypt until Herod’s death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: “I called my son out of Egypt.”

16-18 Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he’d gotten from the scholars.) That’s when Jeremiah’s sermon was fulfilled:

A sound was heard in Ramah,
    weeping and much lament.
Rachel weeping for her children,
    Rachel refusing all solace,
Her children gone,
    dead and buried.

19-20 Later, when Herod died, God’s angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: “Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead.”

21-23 Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother, and reentered Israel. When he heard, though, that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as king in Judea, he was afraid to go there. But then Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us, to be God with us! Thank You for the provision You have made for all of us to be restored to right relationship with You. Help us to walk worthy of it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen