All posts tagged: forgiveness

6 Reasons why you should forgive people who are not sorry.

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Recently, I was speaking about the power of forgiveness at a meeting and there a young woman two or three rows from the front. I could tell that she had something on her mind. She seemed a bit anxious. Apparently, she didn’t want to interrupt or draw attention to herself. But I could sense that she was struggling very hard to ignore the urge to ask a question. Finally she gave in, and with a raised hand, she asked, “but what if they are not sorry for what they did?” I thanked her for the question and assured her that I would address the question in the next session. However, I took some time to counsel with her after the meeting because she was obviously looking for an answer to deal with a pressing need.  The following is a summary of what I told her and later shared with the group: Forgiving someone who doesn’t see the need to ask for forgiveness or show any sign that they are sorry for what they’ve done wrong is …

Taste and see that the Lord is good

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I love good food! Sometimes, I just want to show up and be served. Other times, I like to get creative and show the world that I’m a better cook than Gordon Ramsay. I have tasted a lot of good stuff, but my wife’s cooking is the best. My most favorite place to hang is in the kitchen when she is cooking. But she usually kicks me out because I don’t really know when to stop tasting. I just keep coming back for more. Well, God has extended to us an invitation to not only taste but to also discover his goodness. He is the only one able to serve goodness, and His invitation is for everyone to taste and see how wonderful it is (Psalm 34:8).  I responded to that invitation many years ago but I just can’t get enough –  so I keep coming back for more. I know you have probably tried everything this world has to offer, but God’s invitation to taste and see how good he is still stands. He wants you to: Taste the word – …

Yes, I know Jesus Blood can make the vilest sinner clean

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Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free; For He  saved the worst among you, When He saved a wretch like me. Refrain And I know, yes, I know, Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean, And I know, yes, I know, Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean. To  the faint He giveth power, Through  the mountains makes a way; Findeth water in the desert, Turns the night to  golden day. In temptation He is near thee, Holds the pow’rs of hell at  bay; Guides you to the path of safety, Gives you grace for ev’ry  day. He will keep thee while the ages Roll throughout eternity; Though earth hinders and hell rages, All must work for good to  thee.

The Day God Ran

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… But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him… There are four things about God you can rest assure about: you are never beyond God’s reach… you can not out run God… God will never stop pursuing you… His love for you is vast beyond all measure… Meditation: Luke 15:1-3. 13-32 Prayer: Lord help me to see you just as you are – full of love and compassion. Help me to respond with absolute trust that you will receive me just as I am. Amen!

Biblical Descriptions of the Atonement

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Sometimes we read the bible and it all seems like gibberish, nothing makes sense and nothing connects. But with a closer look, everything falls in place. When it comes to getting a message across, the Lord has done a great job making himself amply clear. Nothing is vague, hidden or obscure, if, through the eye of the Holy Spirit, we could just stay patient and dig a little deeper – That’s when all these gems, treasures begin to unfold. Type of Language Biblical Words Human Need The Result Language of OT sacrifices Blood, lamb, sacrifice We are guilty We are forgiven Language of personal relationships Reconciliation We are alienated from God We are brought back into intimate fellowship with God Language of righteous anger at wrongdoing Propitiation We are under God’s holy wrath God’s wrath is satisfied/quenched Language of the marketplace Redemption, ransom We are enslaved We are set free Language of the law court Justification We are condemned We are pardoned and counted as righteous Language of the battlefield Victory, deliverance, rescue We are …

Let God be your Avenger!

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Romans 12 for people like Dr. Bruce Banner The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets!” Strong emotions such as anger, terror and grief are also triggers for forcing Banner’s transformation into the Hulk.           Romans 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with …

Edging God Out – The main thing!

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Good morning everyone! This morning I feel compelled to set my outline aside and share a very important message in Jonah. I know it all seems like Jonah is on the way down, but the beauty of God is his amazing grace, his unfailing love and his longsuffering. Here are a few statements I think you will find uplifting: Even in their rebellion, God is still working in our lives of unbelievers… See verse 15, 16 of chapter 1 Even in our rebellion, God still deals graciously with us… He doesn’t punish us according to our sin… See verse 17 of chapter 1 He still listens to us… As deep as we can be in our rebellion, when we turn to him in faith and repentance he hears us… See chapter 2 verse 1 He always gives us a second chance to make things right… See chapter 2 verse 10 and chapter 3 verse 1 were he hears the voice of the Lord again and is re-commissioned Like Jonah, some may  say to you today, …