Forgiveness Part 1
If you are like me you might think that you don't have a problem forgiving others or that you don't need to ask for forgiveness. Some of us may be struggling with carrying loads of past experiences around with us and think it may be easier to just stuff it under everything else, or consume ourselves with life so we don't have time to think about it.
When I type, I type very fast, afraid that if I take my time and make sure everything is correct, what I want to get out will slip out of my mind, so I type as fast as possible which results in a page full of ugly, red squiggly lines. I want to go back and fix them immediately but as I mentioned before I am afraid that I will miss out on something else if I go back and fix the problem, so I just keep plugging forward. However, I just can't seem to really understand my writing until all of the mistakes have been corrected. I have this unfinished felling over me until I go back and fix every last mistake. It is not until every mistake has been corrected do I feel like the true meaning of my writing can shine through. This method of correcting also many time leads me to better writing, it forces me to reread the material several times.
I think forgiveness is a lot like this, just go with me here. We know those past mistakes are there, we know we should go back to fix them, we know that nothing will really be right until we address those ugly red squiggly lines. Yeah, our reader may be able to make out the main idea of our writing but they will not truly enjoy the piece unless all those mistakes have been corrected. When we go back and correct our mistakes we are forced to "reread" our lives, relationships and experiences and through this correcting God reveals so much more to us and helps us to restore those relationships to a new high. So as we go forth today I challenge us to ask God to reveal those ugly red squiggly lines to us and then to give us the strength to go and fix them.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Love vs. Hate
Two words in my opinion that have been watered down and emptied of their true meaning. While reading Micah this morning I was reminded of how much God hates sin. I think in today's society God Himself has been somewhat watered down, we like to think of God as gentle and kind-and the actuality of his hatred for sin is therefore somewhat misconstrued. So...how do we come to understand this God that hates sin so much yet loves us unconditionally. Can God truly hate? I think we should start at the beginning, we are created in the image of God right? If we are able to feel both these emotions (and sometimes at the same time and/or towards the same person or situation) then God too has both the ability to love and hate. Throughout scripture one reoccurring theme stands true, God HATES sin. God is Holy, if He did not hate sin then He would not be Holy. Sometimes we forget that God is so much more than just capable of LOVE, God IS love (John 4:8)! With this it brings on a holy system of judgement.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Familiar scripture, right? God revealed something to me as I read it this morning...God's love for the sinners of the world was revealed before the lost became believers. Another familiar scripture reads “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Here again we see that God's love for us is not a result of our belief in Him but rather a true unconditional love. We can not do anything that would make God stop loving us. That is refreshing to this sinner.
Application: The first step in true confession is admitting the things in your life are truly sin...this for me is difficult. I find myself overlooking the small things, thinking that God wants me to only reveal the really big sin. But sin is sin in God's eyes (anything that takes us away from God). So today as I embark on a new day I plan on admitting my sin before the Lord and then turning away from it.
It is never to late...no matter where you are or what you have done remember that God sent His Son while we were still sinners.
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
All we have to do is accept the gift of salvation and we become a new creation in Christ.
Two words in my opinion that have been watered down and emptied of their true meaning. While reading Micah this morning I was reminded of how much God hates sin. I think in today's society God Himself has been somewhat watered down, we like to think of God as gentle and kind-and the actuality of his hatred for sin is therefore somewhat misconstrued. So...how do we come to understand this God that hates sin so much yet loves us unconditionally. Can God truly hate? I think we should start at the beginning, we are created in the image of God right? If we are able to feel both these emotions (and sometimes at the same time and/or towards the same person or situation) then God too has both the ability to love and hate. Throughout scripture one reoccurring theme stands true, God HATES sin. God is Holy, if He did not hate sin then He would not be Holy. Sometimes we forget that God is so much more than just capable of LOVE, God IS love (John 4:8)! With this it brings on a holy system of judgement.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Familiar scripture, right? God revealed something to me as I read it this morning...God's love for the sinners of the world was revealed before the lost became believers. Another familiar scripture reads “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Here again we see that God's love for us is not a result of our belief in Him but rather a true unconditional love. We can not do anything that would make God stop loving us. That is refreshing to this sinner.
Application: The first step in true confession is admitting the things in your life are truly sin...this for me is difficult. I find myself overlooking the small things, thinking that God wants me to only reveal the really big sin. But sin is sin in God's eyes (anything that takes us away from God). So today as I embark on a new day I plan on admitting my sin before the Lord and then turning away from it.
It is never to late...no matter where you are or what you have done remember that God sent His Son while we were still sinners.
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
All we have to do is accept the gift of salvation and we become a new creation in Christ.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Listening
Listening is probably one of my weakest downfalls. I struggle when it comes to listening to other especially those closest to me. My mind constantly struggles with what to say next or asks how can I fix this or worse yet will wonder off to my to do list. During my quiet time this evening God ironically placed to wonderful resources about listening on my heart. One as from the Resolution for Women Book I am reading for small group. Here I found that most of the time others just want us to listen, not respond to them but truly just listen to them. The text continued to say that though our listening we reveal something very important to the talker, that we values what they have to say, it shows them that we are vested int heir life and that we believe what they have to say holds some great importance. The author challenged us to think of a time when someone truly listened to us and what emotions we had when we walked away. She is right...I feel validated, confident and receive a boost of real self worth when I know my listener is pondering each word I say. The second source God led me to was the book of James, I LOVE this book and recommend reading it if you have not already done so. It is a short book, only 5 chapters long but holds some of the greatest life lessons with very practical ways of living a good Godly life. James reminds us in 1:19, to be quick to listen and slow to speak." He then continues in later verses to caution us with our tongues. But that is another post...
Application: I want to listen, truly listen to what other have to say. I want to focus on their words and not feel compelled to always comment or try to fix anything. I want them to walk away validated that I feel what they have to say is important. My first place to start is home...maybe yours is work, school or church. But no matter where I encourage us all to become better listeners now.
Application: I want to listen, truly listen to what other have to say. I want to focus on their words and not feel compelled to always comment or try to fix anything. I want them to walk away validated that I feel what they have to say is important. My first place to start is home...maybe yours is work, school or church. But no matter where I encourage us all to become better listeners now.
Monday, April 16, 2012
My Boxes
Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
This verse has appeared to me so many times in the past few months...I know God is speaking to me through this verse. And I think I know why...my plate is full, I mean full over flowing, all GOOD but not all necessary. See I am the kind of person that can't say no...it's always been a hardship of mine. But lately God has been revealing to me that i just cant do it all. I recently went back to work after being a stay at home mom for several years. I am blessed that I work in a Christian Environment and my kids are right down the hallway from me, but don't let the convenience of it all fool you, it is tough and it has finally set in and I am exhausted. The past few months I have been focusing on what I could let go of, I was not sure because everything seemed to be where God had led me (at one time or another). I was torn (still am) but think I have finally come to a place where I can admit the areas that are no longer necessary. I have been trying for to long to balance ALL the boxes and recently realized that balance does not necessarily mean equally filling all the boxes but rather choosing which boxes will go empty (for now) and which boxes I will fill completely. That leads me back to 1 Corn 10:31, I don't want to spread myself so thin that others can not see God's Glory shining through me. I want to fill those few boxes to the brim, over flowing with joy and purpose. I am still learning that the empty boxes don't have to stay empty forever but for now will remain on the back burner til God is ready to bring them forth again.
Application: I will take each and every decision before the Lord and wait upon Him to reveal to me His plan.
I am ready to step down from something that has been a staple in my faith walk for the past 8 years.
I will say no to things that I can not give 100% to.
I will focus on the boxes that are on the front burner. I will do each task with a joyful and purposeful heart.
I will recognize the boxes that need to be pushed back and NOT feel guilty for not being able to do everything.
This verse has appeared to me so many times in the past few months...I know God is speaking to me through this verse. And I think I know why...my plate is full, I mean full over flowing, all GOOD but not all necessary. See I am the kind of person that can't say no...it's always been a hardship of mine. But lately God has been revealing to me that i just cant do it all. I recently went back to work after being a stay at home mom for several years. I am blessed that I work in a Christian Environment and my kids are right down the hallway from me, but don't let the convenience of it all fool you, it is tough and it has finally set in and I am exhausted. The past few months I have been focusing on what I could let go of, I was not sure because everything seemed to be where God had led me (at one time or another). I was torn (still am) but think I have finally come to a place where I can admit the areas that are no longer necessary. I have been trying for to long to balance ALL the boxes and recently realized that balance does not necessarily mean equally filling all the boxes but rather choosing which boxes will go empty (for now) and which boxes I will fill completely. That leads me back to 1 Corn 10:31, I don't want to spread myself so thin that others can not see God's Glory shining through me. I want to fill those few boxes to the brim, over flowing with joy and purpose. I am still learning that the empty boxes don't have to stay empty forever but for now will remain on the back burner til God is ready to bring them forth again.
Application: I will take each and every decision before the Lord and wait upon Him to reveal to me His plan.
I am ready to step down from something that has been a staple in my faith walk for the past 8 years.
I will say no to things that I can not give 100% to.
I will focus on the boxes that are on the front burner. I will do each task with a joyful and purposeful heart.
I will recognize the boxes that need to be pushed back and NOT feel guilty for not being able to do everything.
How do we know we are right?
My pastor started a new series that will investigate some common questions among Christians. To be honest some of these questions are question I have had but embarrassed to admit. I pray that as we go forth in this series of questions God will open my heart and my mind to the answers that He has in store for me.
Question #1
How do we know what that we are right?
With all the "other" religions and beliefs out there how can we be sure that Christianity is the right way.
Christianity revolves around the gift that was given to us when Jesus sacrificially gave himself for our sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins. If we truly believe that in our hearts then we are going to Heaven. It is as simple as that...it is a gift and all we have to do is accept it. So where do good deeds come in to play? These good deeds will become a symptom of our new found salvation. So back to the question at hand, how do we know we are right? The core of a Christians life should be God. When we focus on God and the gift He gives us through His Son Jesus we naturally become good deed doers. Other belief systems are based on the idea that their good deeds will get them to salvation. But if you will think about this for a moment I am sure God will reveal to you what He has to me...what does their focus become...them. I can honestly say if I knew I had to do so many good deeds to get to Heaven my life would be consumed with questions like...am I doing enough? is this good enough? I am sure I would also be comparing my good works to everyone around me. I know myself I would most definitly take my eyes off of God and become so consumed with what I was doing.
When the pastor revealed the new sermon series my hope was that he would tie each question to a worldly explanation. He mentioned at the beginning of his sermon that when dealing with non-believers, saying because "I believe the Bible as the ultimate truth" is not enough, when someone does not believe the same as you. I wanted a worldly view to bring to the table and he was able to deliver.
He mentioned Occam's razor...a principal that states...
"when you have two competing theories that make exactly the same predictions (here this would be how to arrive at salvation), the simpler one is the better." Just ponder on this for a little bit and let God reveal to you something amazing through it. Please comment on this and let me know what your thoughts are. It fit here but could fit in so many different aspects of religion, politics and general day to day life.
As a Christian I truly believe that the Bible is the Only Truth that we are given. Therefore I truly believe that the only way to salvation is thought Jesus, John 14:6,Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Question #1
How do we know what that we are right?
With all the "other" religions and beliefs out there how can we be sure that Christianity is the right way.
Christianity revolves around the gift that was given to us when Jesus sacrificially gave himself for our sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins. If we truly believe that in our hearts then we are going to Heaven. It is as simple as that...it is a gift and all we have to do is accept it. So where do good deeds come in to play? These good deeds will become a symptom of our new found salvation. So back to the question at hand, how do we know we are right? The core of a Christians life should be God. When we focus on God and the gift He gives us through His Son Jesus we naturally become good deed doers. Other belief systems are based on the idea that their good deeds will get them to salvation. But if you will think about this for a moment I am sure God will reveal to you what He has to me...what does their focus become...them. I can honestly say if I knew I had to do so many good deeds to get to Heaven my life would be consumed with questions like...am I doing enough? is this good enough? I am sure I would also be comparing my good works to everyone around me. I know myself I would most definitly take my eyes off of God and become so consumed with what I was doing.
When the pastor revealed the new sermon series my hope was that he would tie each question to a worldly explanation. He mentioned at the beginning of his sermon that when dealing with non-believers, saying because "I believe the Bible as the ultimate truth" is not enough, when someone does not believe the same as you. I wanted a worldly view to bring to the table and he was able to deliver.
He mentioned Occam's razor...a principal that states...
"when you have two competing theories that make exactly the same predictions (here this would be how to arrive at salvation), the simpler one is the better." Just ponder on this for a little bit and let God reveal to you something amazing through it. Please comment on this and let me know what your thoughts are. It fit here but could fit in so many different aspects of religion, politics and general day to day life.
As a Christian I truly believe that the Bible is the Only Truth that we are given. Therefore I truly believe that the only way to salvation is thought Jesus, John 14:6,Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Friday, April 6, 2012
Faith vs faithfulness
One of the biggest lesson I have learned in my journey is that as a Christian those around me are watching every move I make. We are called to make disciples of all nations by Jesus Himself. Sometimes our actions or reactions speak of our faithfulness. There are many people in my life who constantly question my faith, I am learning that my words will not suffice. No matter how much scripture I recite or how many times we get into a heated discussion about God my words are not going to do the trick. But my actions and reactions to situations can make a difference. Through my faithfulness in ALL things I can show others that my trust resides in the Lord even when things don't go my way.
Application: I will make a conscious effort to respond in a Christ like manner in all the things that come my way. I will remember that all things are used to draw me nearer to God.
One of the biggest lesson I have learned in my journey is that as a Christian those around me are watching every move I make. We are called to make disciples of all nations by Jesus Himself. Sometimes our actions or reactions speak of our faithfulness. There are many people in my life who constantly question my faith, I am learning that my words will not suffice. No matter how much scripture I recite or how many times we get into a heated discussion about God my words are not going to do the trick. But my actions and reactions to situations can make a difference. Through my faithfulness in ALL things I can show others that my trust resides in the Lord even when things don't go my way.
Application: I will make a conscious effort to respond in a Christ like manner in all the things that come my way. I will remember that all things are used to draw me nearer to God.
Big vs Small
For many years I thought that all things in God had to be BIG. Big service, Big events. Big Miracles, Big Moments. I was always seeking those BIG things in my life that would mean something. I always thought the small things I did or experienced would not amount to much in God's eyes. I spent much of the first part of my journey thinking that I was not truly experiencing God because the things in my life were miniscule compared to what was going on in the life of the person next to me. Over the past several years God has revealed to me that it's in the everyday small things that much of His glory and Majesty can be revealed. Through the small things I can be joyful in His wonderous creation. Through the small things I can marvel in the joys of being a mother, wife and teacher. Through those small things I am able to handle the big things that come my way. If I can be joyous in the small things day after day I can most definitely be joyous in the big things. I have learned that ALL things comes from above, big and small!
Application: Today I vow to take in every moment as a moment given to me as a gift from above and will choose to be joyous even in the small things.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" Rom 8:28
For many years I thought that all things in God had to be BIG. Big service, Big events. Big Miracles, Big Moments. I was always seeking those BIG things in my life that would mean something. I always thought the small things I did or experienced would not amount to much in God's eyes. I spent much of the first part of my journey thinking that I was not truly experiencing God because the things in my life were miniscule compared to what was going on in the life of the person next to me. Over the past several years God has revealed to me that it's in the everyday small things that much of His glory and Majesty can be revealed. Through the small things I can be joyful in His wonderous creation. Through the small things I can marvel in the joys of being a mother, wife and teacher. Through those small things I am able to handle the big things that come my way. If I can be joyous in the small things day after day I can most definitely be joyous in the big things. I have learned that ALL things comes from above, big and small!
Application: Today I vow to take in every moment as a moment given to me as a gift from above and will choose to be joyous even in the small things.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" Rom 8:28
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I resolve to love being me just the way God made me.
God has definitely done some work here...have you ever looked around and wished you were someone else??? Looked like someone else, acted like someone else? As women I think we park here for sometime and dwell in who we wish God would have created us to be. How many times have you tried to transform yourself? Made resolutions to be a different person? I can't count how many times I lost sight of who I was while trying to be someone I was not. God created us to be EXACTLY (yes flaws and all) who HE wants us to be. He can take even the worst (or at least what we think is the worst) part of us and use it to bless those around us. I am walking proof of this my friends. I have always struggled with who I was (am). I wondered how one person could have so many flaws. How one girl could be so awkward, physically, socially and emotionally? I jumped from one thing to the next searching for a place to land, a place where I would not feel so out of place. Unfortunately, it was not not until my early thirties did I find this place. Looking back I realize now that God was preparing me for exactly what I am doing now. He knew all along what He was doing. My past is rocky, believe me, filled with so much I am not proud of, but God is finding a way to use each and every terrible things to bless those around me and through this I am finding healing and for the first time am not dictated by the mistakes of my past. As I move forward a more complete person comfortable with who I am I resolve to never again question the way God created me.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Application: Ask yourself how you could use the ugliness of your past to help those around you.
Let's choose to accept ourselves exactly as God made us.
Prayer: Dear father, throughout scripture you remind us that we were created just as you planned. Help each of us to accept ourselves just this way, flaws and all. I pray for any women reading this, that she may find peace in who she is. Amen
God has definitely done some work here...have you ever looked around and wished you were someone else??? Looked like someone else, acted like someone else? As women I think we park here for sometime and dwell in who we wish God would have created us to be. How many times have you tried to transform yourself? Made resolutions to be a different person? I can't count how many times I lost sight of who I was while trying to be someone I was not. God created us to be EXACTLY (yes flaws and all) who HE wants us to be. He can take even the worst (or at least what we think is the worst) part of us and use it to bless those around us. I am walking proof of this my friends. I have always struggled with who I was (am). I wondered how one person could have so many flaws. How one girl could be so awkward, physically, socially and emotionally? I jumped from one thing to the next searching for a place to land, a place where I would not feel so out of place. Unfortunately, it was not not until my early thirties did I find this place. Looking back I realize now that God was preparing me for exactly what I am doing now. He knew all along what He was doing. My past is rocky, believe me, filled with so much I am not proud of, but God is finding a way to use each and every terrible things to bless those around me and through this I am finding healing and for the first time am not dictated by the mistakes of my past. As I move forward a more complete person comfortable with who I am I resolve to never again question the way God created me.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Application: Ask yourself how you could use the ugliness of your past to help those around you.
Let's choose to accept ourselves exactly as God made us.
Prayer: Dear father, throughout scripture you remind us that we were created just as you planned. Help each of us to accept ourselves just this way, flaws and all. I pray for any women reading this, that she may find peace in who she is. Amen
Busyness
Why do we as women fill the need to fill every moment of our day with busyness? Why do we fill compelled to sign our kids up for every activity under the sun? Why do we (me in particular) offer to help with every event, committee and program under the sun? The busyness in my life is beginning to take a toll, all the stuff we do seems to take away from the things that are really important. I try to fill fill every free moment with a planned activity. I need to focus on the why...why do I feel that every moment should be consumed? I pray that God will lead me to that answer.
This morning I went to The Word looking for scriptures on rest, and here is what I found.
Psalm 62:1a " My soul finds rest in God alone". The things of this world create caosis, but those things that truly come from the Lord have a peace about them. God wants our service to other to be a joyful experience.
Application: I plan on examining the activities that no longer bring me joy and reevaluate the reasons why I am doing them.
Jeremiah 6: 16 "...ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls..."
A good friend encouraged me this week to reevaluate my service, she encouraged me to let somethings go. That it is okay that I can't do it all. She also reminded me of the importance of family time (quality time not quantity).
Matthew 11:29-30
Why do we as women fill the need to fill every moment of our day with busyness? Why do we fill compelled to sign our kids up for every activity under the sun? Why do we (me in particular) offer to help with every event, committee and program under the sun? The busyness in my life is beginning to take a toll, all the stuff we do seems to take away from the things that are really important. I try to fill fill every free moment with a planned activity. I need to focus on the why...why do I feel that every moment should be consumed? I pray that God will lead me to that answer.
This morning I went to The Word looking for scriptures on rest, and here is what I found.
Psalm 62:1a " My soul finds rest in God alone". The things of this world create caosis, but those things that truly come from the Lord have a peace about them. God wants our service to other to be a joyful experience.
Application: I plan on examining the activities that no longer bring me joy and reevaluate the reasons why I am doing them.
Jeremiah 6: 16 "...ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls..."
A good friend encouraged me this week to reevaluate my service, she encouraged me to let somethings go. That it is okay that I can't do it all. She also reminded me of the importance of family time (quality time not quantity).
Matthew 11:29-30
"Accept
my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you
will find rest for your souls. Yes, the work that I ask you to accept is
easy. The burden I give you to carry is not heavy."
Application: I plan to spend sometime in prayer, knowing that God will reveal to me where my time and energies are suppose to be directed.
Prayer: Dear Father, I come before you with a heart that is grateful of the sacrifice you made to save us. Lord I come before you tired and weary, Matthew 11:28 tells me..."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...". I am here Lord asking for rest, praying you will help me let go of all that has landed on my plate. I pray that your will be done in my life, that the things that come from you will be revealed to me so that I may know in my heart that they are a service to You and to those around me. Help me focus on the why of each of my duties and reveal any reasons to me other than your will. Help me find rest Father. In Your Sons precious name I pray, AMEN!
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