God is gracious
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22
We all seek to be forgiven, but what happens when forgiveness is asked of us? It takes courage, patience and a generous heart to forgive others when we have been wronged. At times we hold grudges, seek revenge, suppress anger and struggle with releasing hurts that can be very deep and profound. Consequently, we end up suffering more and becoming bitter by not letting go.
So, how does one accomplish this daunting task of forgiveness? Jesus' death on the cross reminds us of the extreme suffering Jesus endured to provide payment for our sins. So if God's grace allows us to be forgiven without any cost, we too should be able to extend the same grace and forgive others without receiving payment. When we embrace God's miraculous gift of grace that has been extended to us through faith and not by any works we do, we will then be able to forgive others, and in doing so experience freedom and true joy.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
Because God is gracious, through Jesus Christ we are able to forgive others and live joyfully.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Wise Choices
God is Wisdom
The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 1 Kings 10:24
Solomon was a great leader, the third King of Israel. He was also known as the wisest man to have ever lived. He placed his trust in God, but over time he became disobedient and took matters into his own hands. At times of testing, it was evident that his own wisdom didn’t lead him into right choices. In the end Solomon concluded it is all meaningless without the one true God.
How many of us know the right thing to do, and yet fall short in our actions? Temptations to do things our way, to control the situation, to take shortcuts or follow the crowd… these short sided decisions get in the way of allowing Godly wisdom to prevail.
When building a career, business, marriage, or family, it is not enough to get off to a good start. We must remain faithful to God to the end, always yielding our selfish desires to make wise choices.
And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Because God is wisdom, with Christ we can know and do what is right.
The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 1 Kings 10:24
Solomon was a great leader, the third King of Israel. He was also known as the wisest man to have ever lived. He placed his trust in God, but over time he became disobedient and took matters into his own hands. At times of testing, it was evident that his own wisdom didn’t lead him into right choices. In the end Solomon concluded it is all meaningless without the one true God.
How many of us know the right thing to do, and yet fall short in our actions? Temptations to do things our way, to control the situation, to take shortcuts or follow the crowd… these short sided decisions get in the way of allowing Godly wisdom to prevail.
When building a career, business, marriage, or family, it is not enough to get off to a good start. We must remain faithful to God to the end, always yielding our selfish desires to make wise choices.
And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Because God is wisdom, with Christ we can know and do what is right.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Let It All Go
God is Faithful
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21(NIV)
What would it look like if we consciously made the decision to give up control of everything? To turn over not only what we hold dear, but also our fears, anxiety, anger, and grief….
You may ask “why would I give up what I cling to so tightly” and “how would I begin to let it all go”?….The answer is anchored in “Trust”. God sent his Son Jesus to pay our debts so that we can live our life to the fullest through a relationship with Him. We will experience an abundant life full of unconditional love and acceptance, peace, hope, and joy, once we chose to trust in Christ.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10(NKJ)
Because God is faithful, through Christ we receive God’s blessings in abundance as we trust in Him.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21(NIV)
What would it look like if we consciously made the decision to give up control of everything? To turn over not only what we hold dear, but also our fears, anxiety, anger, and grief….
You may ask “why would I give up what I cling to so tightly” and “how would I begin to let it all go”?….The answer is anchored in “Trust”. God sent his Son Jesus to pay our debts so that we can live our life to the fullest through a relationship with Him. We will experience an abundant life full of unconditional love and acceptance, peace, hope, and joy, once we chose to trust in Christ.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10(NKJ)
Because God is faithful, through Christ we receive God’s blessings in abundance as we trust in Him.
Friday, January 15, 2016
A Passion For Service and Excellence
God is Gracious
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15
Since creation, God has given us work to do. Knowing that God created work should shed new light on our approach to the work week. And, if we focus on this truth, it is possible that even the most difficult aspects of work can become a passion.
Are you passionate about your work? Do you strive for 110 percent or is complacency lurking in you? With the new year underway, take a look at what is being asked of you today and think of how God has been gracious to you. As He changes your heart and mind, you will have the ability to transform an undesirable or mundane task into one full of joy and excellence. Passion comes from the heart, a heart humbled by the knowledge of God’s grace and mercy.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23
Because God is Gracious, He can transform our hearts and enable us to serve passionately.
Friday, January 1, 2016
New Year's Resolutions
God Is Faithful
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
The New Year is about new beginnings, new hopes, new dreams, and sometimes new direction. It is about setting goals, changing habits, improving character. In our own strength, we often fail, even after our best efforts. But when we lean on God to help change us from the inside out, we can experience success in transforming the big and small things in our lives.
Through the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, all things are possible for those who believe. Remember, God is always at work, renewing our minds and refining our character – it is just that sometimes we don’t recognize Him or embrace His efforts. The bible tells us to have faith and trust God with everything. When we let go of our hurts, our struggles, and our desires to be in control, God will transform our hearts and perfect our character. What would you like to leave behind as you start the New Year and are you willing to trust God to help?
Do not conform any longer 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 12:2
Because God is faithful, with Christ we can experience a changed life.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
The Most Important Gift of All
God Is Gracious
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The birth of Jesus Christ is the most significant event in the history of mankind, splitting history into BC and AD. His birth represents a new beginning and hope for our future. Jesus came to forgive us and free us from our sin. And in doing so, He made the way for our eternal salvation.
This year, let us look past the pile of packages, Santa and his sleigh, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman to see the true meaning of Christmas -- celebrating the birth of Jesus. When we focus on God’s precious gift to all people, His Son Jesus, we can experience heavenly peace, unconditional love, and complete joy without exchanging a single store-bought gift. Throughout this Christmas season, may we keep our focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11
Because God is Gracious, He gave us His beloved son Jesus.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Vision Trumps Fear
God is All Powerful
So the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid. Nehemiah 2:2
Our greatest obstacle to accomplishing a goal is fear. Fear can conjure up a slew of reasons why the task can not be accomplished. Fear can immobilize. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. So how can we resist or defeat fear?
When Nehemiah stepped into his vision to rebuild the broken walls and gates around Jerusalem, he was afraid to approach the King to ask for permission and resources. Knowing this was a grand vision from God, Nehemiah’s fear dissolved when he placed his confidence in God. Ultimately, his vision became reality, an inspiration to many as he was able to accomplish an unbelievable task, a “God-sized” goal -- all because Nehemiah overcame his fear by trusting God.
We all have a dream or a vision to be passionate about -- a vision about our lives, our careers, our families, our finances ….So what is stopping you? Is your fear bigger than your vision and greater than your faith?
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11
Because God is all powerful, we can accomplish great things when we trust God with the outcome.
So the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid. Nehemiah 2:2
Our greatest obstacle to accomplishing a goal is fear. Fear can conjure up a slew of reasons why the task can not be accomplished. Fear can immobilize. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. So how can we resist or defeat fear?
When Nehemiah stepped into his vision to rebuild the broken walls and gates around Jerusalem, he was afraid to approach the King to ask for permission and resources. Knowing this was a grand vision from God, Nehemiah’s fear dissolved when he placed his confidence in God. Ultimately, his vision became reality, an inspiration to many as he was able to accomplish an unbelievable task, a “God-sized” goal -- all because Nehemiah overcame his fear by trusting God.
We all have a dream or a vision to be passionate about -- a vision about our lives, our careers, our families, our finances ….So what is stopping you? Is your fear bigger than your vision and greater than your faith?
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11
Because God is all powerful, we can accomplish great things when we trust God with the outcome.
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