All posts tagged: forgiveness

His Perfect Patience

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“But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Perfect PatienceNobody I know in this life has perfect patience. But I know beyond the shadow of doubt that God displays perfect patience. We can see it on full display in Paul’s life. In this short passage Paul describes himself as “foremost.” What did he mean?Let’s look back at a few verses: 1 Timothy‬ ‭1:12-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of …

12 Common Practices of whole and healed people

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What does it mean to be whole and healed? To the best of my knowledge, I think the concept can be summarized in one word: “Full.” The Greek word for “full” – perissos, “has a mathematical meaning and generally denotes a surplus.” This is the kind of life God intended for us: A surplus of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. This “full life” is a cup overflowing, a good measure, pressed down, running over. Spurgeon called the “Full Life” – “a matter of degrees.” He said, “Some have life, but it flickers like a dying candle, and is indistinct as the fire in the smoking flax; others are full of life, and are bright and vehement.” Those who have it, know the secret to it. Allow me to share a few secrets: 1. Whole and healed people make it a common practice: To pursue purpose. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬. First and foremost the secret …

Surprised by His Love

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Psalm‬ ‭18:16-19‬ ‭ But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but GOD stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved! I recently created a new playlist on my Spotify account. I named the playlist “Worthy.” Worthy is one of my current favorite songs. In this song Anthony Brown highlights the following three thoughts: He thought I was worth saving, so he came and changed my life. He thought I was worth keeping, so he cleaned me up inside. He thought I was to die for, so he sacrificed his life, so I can be free, so I be whole, so I can tell everyone I know.  I think these thoughts expresses the mood of this passage in Psalm 18. If you’re like me, I don’t always see myself as being worthy. I don’t always see …

10 Reasons I would never forgive

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I hope to capture in a few phrases, the power of forgiveness, the absolute necessity of it and the reasons why forgiving others should be a lifestyle of the believer. If forgiving others were not a righteous requirement for receiving God’s forgiveness – I would never forgive others. If forgiveness others were not the soil in which I could grow in holiness and become a bit more like Jesus – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others were not the right attitude for maintaining my sanity (mental and emotional) – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others were not the springboard from which a life of momentum, zeal and endurance ensue – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others were not a testimony, a declaration and a demonstration to the world of how much I’ve been forgiven – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others didn’t have a positive effect on my physical health – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others didn’t allow God to bring justice and avenge …

Prodigal Comeback

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The statistics are unbelievably staggering: over the last 10 years, 28 million have left the church – making America the third largest mission field in the world. 72 churches in America close each Week and attendance in 66 % of America’s churches has either plateaued or is 2/3 in decline.  I hate to report this one, but truth is – Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. Yet, as Paul would say, “we are hopeful of better things-things that belong to salvation.”  We are hopeful our generation will see another great revival.  We are hopeful that there will come another great awakening.  We are hopeful that the prodigals will return.  The question is: Why are they leaving? There are several reasons people are leaving the church. But allow me to highlight a few here: Apathy and the deceitfulness and hardening of sin Shallow soil, not grounded and without roots Hypocrisy, sin among clergy and offense from others, inner hurts Drifting, one bad choice after another bad choice The seeker experience never turned into a …

Singing with the Enemy

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Every day in December – leading into Christmas, I have planned to have or experience joy in every area of my life.  As bold and ambitious as that is, I am very hopeful and confident that nothing will derail me from knowing indestructible joy – every day in the month of December – even in difficult times. So here is a story that will help you do just that.  I started a 23 days devotional a few days on YouVersion.  This post contains the 3rd day notes from “Joy! to the world countdown to Christmas, which was written by Carol McLeod and Just Joy Ministries Here is the story British soldiers were spending Christmas Eve 1914 on a French battlefield during World War I. After four months of fighting, over a million men had perished in the bloody conflict. The bodies of dead soldiers were scattered between the trenches of the opposing armies. It was in the middle of a freezing battlefield in France, that a miracle occurred! British troops watched in amazement as candle-lit trees …

Reconciliation: Two Worlds Collide

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The last few months have been a moving apart of many nations, cities, and Peoples. From the Middle East, to Eastern Europe, Parts of Africa, to Ferguson, conflict, strife and dissension seem to be pulling people and communities further apart. There is no telling of how this falling apart, affects families, Churches and relationships. I am however hopeful, that just as a people fall apart, there will come a time of healing and reconciliation. This is the will of God; and Quite frankly, our world needs this desperately. There is an account in Genesis chapters 24-33 that tell the story of two brothers. It is a story of love and hate; friendship and hostility. It is a story of a falling out. 20 years of grudge and separation. It is a very strong desire to revenge, as well as arrogance and un-repentance. For the most part, it was 20 years of deception, mistrust, deceit, anger, bitterness and the misery of resisting God  Everything was great between them until one betrayed the other. As difficult and impossible as it …

7 Wins for your Community

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Dear Church Family, It is good to come to you today through the love and grace of Jesus our Lord. Allow me to share a few words about what I believe God is doing and wants to do at TAG this fall. The Lord has shown me at least 5 Areas in wish He wants to prosper us this fall I am calling this the 5 Wins of Fall. The church that prays together wins The church that suffers together wins The Church the forgives one another wins The Church that serves together wins The Church that Dreams together wins The church the unites wins The Church loves God and His people believer and unbelievers wins. As your pastor, it is my duty to not only call the Church to action, but to lead the way, through example. So I want to Repent and ask your forgiveness in areas I have failed to show good example and leadership. I want to personally ask for your forgiveness if I have hurt or grieve you in any …

Playing with fire

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But God came to Abimelek in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is another man’s wife. Genesis 20:3 Diabolical Disturbing Trend If this verse from Genesis chapter 20 does not put the fear of God in you, I don’t know what else would. There is something diabolically disturbing in desiring and wanting someone else’s spouse. Maybe it is the diabolical deception or the lustful pleasure, or the two joined that takes away any kind of common sense or the fear of God, to prevent one from committing such a selfish and wicked sin. We see it play out every day in the lives of the rich and famous, and the not so rich and famous. It’s portrayed in our favorite movies and TV Shows. Sadly, most of us have accepted it as a culture. And a lot of people don’t know, but by giving in to such sins, they expose themselves or give themselves over to death. …

Jesus and Children: 10 Bible Verses into His thinking

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Children have access “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.” Matthew 19:13-15 Childlike faith and kingdom access “And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 Revelation is not too deep for Children “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” Luke 10:21 Children deserve good gifts “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, …