Forgivness Takes Work

Good Morning!! Because of our fallen human nature, forgiveness can be difficult. God calls us to forgive, but natural instinct tells us to protect ourselves and pay back those who have hurt us.  Singles hurt in a divorce, bitter about a spouse's death, or angry about a broken relationship may struggle to deal with bitterness and unforgiveness. This week we will focus on how the challenges of forgiveness apply to singles, but the principles apply to everyone.

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

Most of us don't fully understand exactly what forgiveness does—and does not—mean. When we forgive people who have hurt us, it doesn't mean we are saying, "What you did was okay" or "It wasn't too bad; let's just forget about it." Damage was done; lives have been affected. To simply gloss over the hurt is not forgiveness! Rather, forgiveness acknowledges the hurt and pain,...yet decides not to seek vengeance or payback, for the wrong done.
"Bless your enemy and pray for him,...this may well lead him to true repentance."

Trust God to take care of all situations,...vengeance is not ours to take.

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Father, help us let go of our bitterness. Help us to forgive, and be able to hope and pray for the best for the ones who've hurt us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"God doesn't do what He does BECAUSE of us. God does what He does in SPITE of us."

No To Temptation

Good Morning!! The first temptation Jesus faced in this wilderness experience involved hunger, physical need. Is eating to satisfy our hunger wrong? Of course not. But Jesus had been led by the Spirit and had made a commitment to fast during this time period. To break the fast by putting his desire for food above his commitment to the Father would have been sin.

The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone."—Luke 4:3-4 (NIV)

There are many desires we experience day to day that are normal and good. To succeed on a job. To dress nicely. To engage in a hobby. To prosper financially. To enjoy shopping. To commit to a relationship. To spend time on the computer. Participating in a ministry. And the list goes on.These things are not wrong in themselves, but they are wrong if they become more important to us than our relationship with the Lord. God's plan and God's leading must always come first.

Turn to God's Word,...and say no to the temptation.

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Father, we realize that there are areas in our lives that is causing us to slip in my relationship with You. As we look to the Scriptures for guidance, please help us get back on track. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"God doesn't do what He does BECAUSE of us. God does what He does in SPITE of us."

God Is Not A Respecter Of Persons

Good Morning!! Jesus doesn't look at how much we have in our bank account, or how talented we are, or what background we come from. He looks at our heart. Do you have a worldly point of view or a Christ-like point of view? A worldly point of view considers how a person looks … what a person possesses or lacks … or who a person knows. Financially well-to-do people may avoid associating with the working class. People in lower income brackets may assume that everyone with money is stuck-up and unkind. But Jesus doesn't see people on a ledger sheet. He sees each of us as an individual with needs and desires and feelings. .

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.—2 Corinthians (NIV)

You know there are people we fail to see or avoid, because of their social or financial standing. But they too are God's creation,...just like us. A successful business person who seems distant or aloof, may be hurting and in need a friend to talk to. Another person might not have the college degrees you have, but could have a godly wisdom, that would make a difference in your life.

We need to learn to shake off the worldly point of view, with all its prejudices and misconceptions. We need to see people through God's eyes, while reaching out to them with His love.

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Father, help us to not evaluate people by what they have or don't have, or by how they look. Help us have a more Christ-like point of view,...and respond to the real person inside,...not just what I see on the surface.

"God doesn't do what He does BECAUSE of us. God does what He does in SPITE of us."

Give The Grace You Want To Recieve

Good Morning!! If we aren't willing to make allowances for other people's faults, we will greatly limit our ability to develop meaningful relationships,...relationships that God could use to help fulfill His plan for our church or ministry. Sometimes forgiving a large offense seems easier than being gracious, about those little day-to-day annoyances. Almost everyone has habits or mannerisms that others might find irritating. And let's face it,...that includes us!

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

God calls us to walk in forgiveness, to make allowance for each other's faults. So are we still sometimes focus on people's faults, rather than their needs? Their weaknesses rather than their strengths? Are we still allowing those negative focuses to block our ability to love and encourage? Even stopping us from working together toward a common goal?

God forgave us,...how can we do less?

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Father God, sometimes we get sidetracked by petty annoyances,...help us. Please forgive us and help us make allowances for others' faults,...just as we hope they will do for us. Amen.

"God doesn't do what He does BECAUSE of us. God does what He does in SPITE of us."

Challenged To Love

Good Morning,...Tuesdays Are Terrific, To Show Some Love!! The parable of the Good Samaritan is a classic story of love, for your fellow-man. In it Jesus made it very clear that one can easily put on a religious front, and yet show no concern for others. The Samaritan (who came from people usually despised by the Jews) demonstrated love and concern for a neighbor who really needed help. Christians are challenged to show love, by caring for those in need.

And he wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"—Luke 10:29 (KJV)

And we don't get to choose who can have love,...Peter called upon Christians to be holy and to live in reverent fear, always remembering the price of their redemption. Sincere love for brothers and sisters extends to all people,...saved and unsaved,...Americans and non-Americans.

Often those we find hard to love,....need love the most.

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True Christian love breaks down every barrier that men and women raise to divide.

"God doesn't do what He does BECAUSE of us. God does what He does in SPITE of us."

Love " One Another "

Good Morning!! All through the Bible, we find "one another" scriptures that instruct us in the kinds of caring action and attitudes that ought to characterize our relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ. God clearly defines what kind of relationships we should have,...and yet we so often fail to develop the type of relationships that He desires for us. And when we fail, we not only add unnecessary stress to our lives, and the lives of those around us,...but we also fail to exemplify the love of Jesus to unbelievers who may be observing.

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.—Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

God has blessed each of us with gifts and talents and then placed us within a body of believers with a variety of gifts. As we live in harmony and love, focused on God's plan, we can accomplish so much more than if we each try to do our own thing. And along the way, we will develop relationships that we can count on,...relationships built on a foundation of God's love.

Ask God to help you relate to people in love and harmony, and build God's kind of "one another" relationship.

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Lord, there are times when we let personal feelings and differences interfere with our relationship with other believers. Please forgive us and help us have the kinds of "one another" relationships described in Your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

"God doesn't do what He does BECAUSE of us. God does what He does in SPITE of us."

Learn To Give It To God,...Learn To L.I.G (Let It Go)

Good Morning!! It is interesting to trace our family tree and even do generational behavior studies; however, freedom comes first by receiving Christ as Savior and following Him. To live a life free from enslaving hand-me-downs, it is imperative to walk out God's behavior patterns—and we can only do that with His help. A person who receives Christ as Savior should immediately enter a discipleship process to deal with hand-me-downs.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.—Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Some people who have been a Christian for years still carry the baggage of hand-me-downs. They also need discipleship. God has boundaries that, when observed, bring His love and blessing. An accountability partner or godly mentor can help through this time. Christ-centered support groups that provide both support and accountability can also help people struggling with hand-me-downs. The group's focus should be on Christ, and the curriculum should emphasize biblical principles of behavior.

As you believe and obey God's truth, He will help you develop godly behavior patterns.

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Father, thank You that our sins have been forgiven through Jesus. Help us with our walk. Help us leave behind our sinful hand-me-down behaviors and develop behavior patterns that are pleasing to You. Help us find the right individuals to teach us and guide us through this process. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

"Nothing tell other that we're  Christian like; our giving and forgiving."