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Don’t Be A Loser – Forgive
This is for anyone who’s even been sat upon, spat upon, ratted on (a little touch of Paul Simon).
And, I must not forget those who identify with those “somebody done somebody wrong” songs (B.J. Thomas).
Yep, it’s a word for every person who’s ever been offended.
The word?
You aren’t the first, you probably won’t be the last, so are you going to allow the offender the power to control your life?
I wouldn’t if I were you.
“But you don’t know how I’ve been treated!”
No, I’m sure I don’t have a clue. But I know someone who does. He’s the same person who had this conversation with Peter. Jesus.
“Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven.”” (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT)
In Luke chapter 17, Jesus was quoted as telling Peter the seventy times seven amount was for a single day. No wonder the disciples responded with, “Lord, increase our faith”!
So, what should a person do when they’ve been wronged?
Forgive.
I didn’t say forget. I didn’t say trust or endorse their behavior.
Forgive.
Release the offender from the imaginary prison you’re wanting to hold them in. Release them even if they don’t ask, or they never repent. Release them from your desire for revenge or retaliation. People may need to make restitution, but that’s between them and God, or them and the law.
Forgive. Don’t get locked up in your own prison.
There was a guy, a real loser, who owed a king a huge sum of money; ten thousand talents (Matthew 18). Back then, each talent was worth approximately twenty years of wages. Twenty times ten thousand equals more than my calculator cares to compute.
Well, the loser begged the king to have mercy, wait a little longer before casting him into prison, and he promised (again) to pay it all back.
Right. Great words, noble gesture, but an impossible feat.
But the king had compassion on the loser and forgave him the whole debt. The loser became a winner, thanks to the compassion of the king.
Too bad the guy didn’t appreciate what the king did for him. For immediately following his miracle debt reduction, he went to a guy who owed him a measly three months worth of wages. He grabbed the man by the collar, shoved him against the wall, and demanded repayment.
“Please have mercy, sir, and I’ll repay you”, the debtor cried.
“No way!” And with that, the loser demonstrated just how he had racked up such a huge debt in the first place.
He was stupid!
Well, the merciful king heard what the loser did, and called for an immediate face to face “come to Jesus” meeting. And by the time the king was finished talking, two men were behind bars; the loser AND the guy the loser tossed into prison.
Only the guy who WASN’T forgiven would eventually be released. The loser wasn’t EVER getting out.
So you’ve been offended, misrepresented, misunderstood, and even lied to. You hurt, your wounds are fresh, and the one who treated you in such a way is still at large; justice seems so far removed.
Before you grab your calculator and punch in all the numbers, and before you call for someone’s head on a platter, think about how much debt you have outstanding.
Maybe you’ve offended someone; maybe not. But you’re still a loser. So am I.
The debt we racked up with God is far greater than we could EVER repay. God has every right to throw us in an eternal prison and throw away the key.
But he didn’t. Instead, his son went to prison on our behalf. So, rather than remain a loser, we became a winner at Christ’s expense.
Because God forgave.
And we should, must, do the same.
“And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:33-35 ESV)
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Broken People
Have you ever wondered what it means to be broken?Broken:
: separated into parts or pieces by being hit, damaged, etc.
: not working properly
: not kept or honoredDoesn’t sound like much fun, does it?
Separated into parts; i.e. not completely together, or whole. In fact, a very precarious position to be in.
Did you know people can be broken? Maybe all their parts are intact, but not working together.
Broken people. Forgotten, overlooked, deemed unimportant by society, useless, broken people.
Broken people with shattered lives. Lives which, at one time, were filled with hope and promise. Lives turned upside down economically, socially, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Or maybe they’re completely busted up!
Broken lives.
Just exactly what the Lord is looking for.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
(Luke 19:10 ESV)It’s an odd thing, though. You see, the Lord looks for the broken; those who’ve fallen apart, aren’t working properly, have been tossed away or discarded. And when he finds them, they’re repaired, restored, and broken anew.
Don’t you agree? Doesn’t that seem just a bit odd?
Ah, but the new brokenness is a life giving source of pure delight. Delight that comes from knowing the reality of hope. Unmeasurable and limitless joy that only comes from experiencing the life and love of God.
Honestly, there isn’t a person who is unbroken. And there’s not a one of us who would be better off to stay in that position.
To stay broken, unraveled, and unglued is to remain dead, lost, and alone.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…(Ephesians 2:1 ESV)
But once you come to CHRIST, your new brokenness takes on a whole new dimension.
Now is NOT the time to run away from the divine breaker. It IS the time to fall upon him and rise up broken AND whole.
And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.“ (Matthew 21:44 ESV)
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Ps 34:18 KJV)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 ESV)
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15 ESV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18 KJV)
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They’re Coming Home
Do you ever get mad at people who:Waste your time
Make you late
Dump on you
Ignore you
Embarrass you
Manipulate you
Steal from you
Are undependable
Lie about you
Leave you for someone your oppositeWell, do you? Do you get angry, or is yours a righteous indignation?
Would YOUR treatment of a brother or sister have anything to do with why they left home?
How do you feel when a close friend or family member treats you like any one of those things listed? Do you lose your cool? Do you give them a piece of your mind, or the whole thing?
Do you offend easily?
How long do you hold a grudge? How many grudges can you hang on to? Seventy times seven?
Do the “prodigals” (your classification) you know ever have a chance of reconnecting with you and your work? If so, what test do you have them take to show you they’ve truly repented?
Can YOU pass your own test?
Do you love people because they do exactly what you expect, or do you tolerate others giving and doing less than what you expect from yourself?
When someone turns their back on you and your beliefs, do you wait for them to return? How long do you keep their room like they left it?
Do you EXPECT them to come back home? Why would they want to?
Maybe you are hoping Father will let YOU have what your brother or sister left behind.
I am SO glad Jesus told us how the Father God is. He’s forever watching, waiting, and interceding for each person who steps away from the kingdom. He EVER LIVES to make intercession for us all; whether we’re a prodigal or the perfect saint.
The Lord would have us:
Watch with Him for the returning prodigalsGreet those returning from their self-imposed exile as if their slate is clean
Help keep the roadsigns pointing back to home in plain view. Make sure no weeds are allowed to grow and block the view of the sign.
Keep your heart filled with everything necessary to aid a weary traveler.
Don’t expect perfection from the returning prodigal. It’s not a prerequisite for forgiveness.
Keep your eyes on your Father’s eyes. That way you’ll be able to tell when someone’s getting close.
Practice love. Practice makes perfect. Perfect love casts out fear.
Fear yields to God’s faithfulness.The Love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit helps bridge the gap between Father and the wayward son or daughter.
Don’t let the Angels in Heaven praise God more than you do.
And make sure you keep the car gassed up in case Father God sends you on a journey; the journey of reconciliation.
Remember, Father is stirring up and shaking everything shakeable. This includes those deemed “prodigal”. Keep your focus, your faith, and your friendly, faith inspiring demeanor. You’ll be used by the Ruler of the Universe to help move a brother or sister back home.
And, just maybe, there may be something you need to do or say before anyone would ever consider coming back home.
Amen.
I believe the Lord spoke this to my heart:
“As the Lord worked many signs and wonders in Egypt before they released their captives, so shall the Lord dominate the prodigal’s captor; the one who enticed and enslaved your brothers and sisters from the far country.
“And as the Lord caused the return of the remnant from Babylon during Ezra and Nehemiah’s day, so shall the kingdom receive a great multitude returning from land of wasteful living.
“They shall return. Watch for them. Be part of the restoration process.
“The rewards shall be great.”
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Ask For Help
People are kind of funny, don’t you think?
Maybe odd would be a better word.
We can appear so strong, so independent, so very confident.
“Excuse me, sir. Would you like some assistance?”
“No thanks, I’ve got everything under control.”
Inside we’re falling apart. Yet we’d rather lie and wear our plastered smile, than have anyone think we’re weak and not sure what to do.
Since when is it a sin to ask for help?
Maybe odd isn’t the correct word, either. How about a phrase no one likes to use?
Mentally disturbed.
Mentally ill.
I’m not a trained psychiatrist or psychologist, and I’ve never played one in a school play. But I can tell when something isn’t right.
And it isn’t right to need help, but refuse it because you don’t want to look weak or out of control.
Especially if you’re out of control.
If your arm is bleeding, wouldn’t you let someone give you a bandage?
Mental illness isn’t something people like to discuss, except in a whispered tone. But what’s the difference between a sprained ankle or a strained mind? Not much.
I really believe the body of Christ has dropped the ball on this subject. “Don’t think about it or talk about it; it will go away.” But it doesn’t go away. It gets worse.
Like everything else, it’s a lot easier to fix something if you first know what’s wrong.
I’ve had issues in the past. Moments when I was scared of what I was thinking, but too scared and embarrassed to ask for help. What would people think? Would people want nothing to do with me if they knew of my struggles; my mental anguish?
The Lord has helped me in a couple different ways, AFTER I acknowledged my need for help. First, when I let someone know what I was going through it became easier to talk about. Second, as I began to share with a trusted, and competent counselor, the Lord started revealing to me His peace and stability. I began to get answers.
I began to heal.
People are odd. And they will probably always be that way. But they, we, don’t have to be overrun by mental illness, stress, or anything like it.
There is help. Ask for it.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)
“He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19 NKJV)
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18 NKJV)
Whether you go to a doctor, a counselor, or a prayer partner; healing comes from God.
Just quit trying to fix everything on your own.
You aren’t that strong. No one is.
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God Isn’t A Republican
Well, the election is only about five weeks away. You can expect to hear and see all kinds of political ads spouting wonderful words about this candidate and the next.I’m already getting tired of them.
But do you know what bothers me more than the political ads? The followers of Christ who act as though the Republicans are saints and the Democrats are sinners.
And yes, there are those who believe just the opposite.
This may come as a shock to some, but God doesn’t belong to any political party. And He doesn’t need any government official’s approval or cooperation in order to fulfill His plans and purposes. God isn’t limited by man’s puny thinking or exorbitant pride.
He’s had to deal with them all.
I have a hunch that some will dislike this next statement, but here goes.
This nation’s future does not depend on who’s sitting in an office somewhere. Whether it’s the local city hall or the Oval Office, no one man or woman can turn a nation to, or away from, God.
It’s true; high profile people, people with a lot of governmental authority, can influence many. DO influence many.
But let’s not leave God out of the equation.
This nation will rise or fall according to how the people relate to the true Kingdom of God.
When the time comes when God is not only ignored, but intentionally mocked and even blasphemed, you can rename the nation “Ichabod”.
When the populace calls evil good, and good evil, it matters not who sits in the Commander’s chair. The descent will be rapid.
When convenience, pleasure, greed, and selfishness are predominant in our homes, don’t expect a new legislator to bring about revival. As the home is, so goes the nation.
When the church is more concerned with a candidate’s voting record than seeking the face of God on behalf of that candidate, it’s time to shut the church’s doors.
Political ads are entertaining at best. But many people put their trust in the words of the one who says, “I’m Honest John, the Politician, and I approve this ad.”
What about trusting the One Who said, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but every word of God will be fulfilled”?
And, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
And finally, “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’” (Daniel 4:17 ESV)
This election season, besides voting “early and often” with your ballot in hand, how about voting in the prayer closet? Vote for God’s kingdom to come; His will to be done in Earth AS IT IS in Heaven.
And folks, I have a strong feeling God approves this message.
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When I Grow Up
“What would you like to be when you grow up?”
I remember being asked that question when I was a kid. I had several different answers, none of which ever happened.
Some of my ideas were a fireman, policeman, rock star, artist, and industrial engineer. For a little while I considered an over the road trucking occupation, but never got started. I considered making the military a career, but felt like I should leave the army after four years.
It’s funny, but the jobs I found myself doing I never, ever thought about in my adolescent years.
For instance, I never dreamed about being a house painter, parking lot attendant, foundry worker, or driver for a courier company. Working in a meat packing house or an injection molding firm weren’t on my list of desired jobs, either.
I wasn’t going to join the army, but felt like it was the thing to do when I was about 21.
Crazy, the things we find ourselves doing for one reason or another.
When we grow up.
A kid we know told his parents that he wanted to be either a preacher or a robber when he grew up. How’s that for a dream?
I never thought I’d work in a grocery store, or deliver mail door to door. But, like I said, it’s kind of crazy the things we find ourselves doing.
I didn’t see myself ever becoming a follower of Jesus, let alone a minister of the gospel.
Frankly, it was hard to fathom ever growing up!
Although I couldn’t forsee the future, or know in advance what circumstances I’d face, God had a plan and a purpose for me. Even before I knew him, he knew me.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
He knew about me, and he certainly knows about you.
One thing I’ve learned over the past 39 years of walking with Jesus is I don’t have to worry about my future as long as I keep waking with Jesus. He can, and does, take care of my future (as well as my past and present).
What he DOES want for me, and you, is that we grow up.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2 ESV)
Do I have a dream of what I’d like to do? To be? I mean of course, when I grow up?
After 60 years I believe I’ve finally settled on something…
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Like Jesus.
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29 ESV)
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Growing Old Stinks
Growing old stinks.
Some folks will tell you it beats the alternative. But does it?
Why do I think growing old stinks? Not because of the extra aches and pains. It’s not because I’m losing my hair, or gaining an extra pound or three around the middle.
It stinks when loved ones die, whether they’re young or old.
It stinks when a parent, sibling, or spouse dies. Or a close friend.
God doesn’t care for it, either.
When Jesus lost a close friend, he cried. When he lost his cousin, he took some time off for a little vacation.
I’m really tired of saying goodbye. I’m sick of crying. It hurts to see people I love lose a loved one. I am SO looking for the day when God’s last enemy will be defeated – forever.
“Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26 ESV)
If it wasn’t for the reality of eternal life, the promise of eternity with Christ, and the reunion with all our brothers and sisters in Christ, I am not sure if living would be worth it.
I know dying wouldn’t be.
So here’s to those I miss; those who have finished their course and have crossed the chilly Jordan. And here’s to the ones I love who probably don’t have much time left on this planet.
I’ll see you later. God said so.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV)
And the fragrance of life will forever replace the stench of death.
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Real Man or Big Boy?
No man ever beats a woman.
There have been plenty of males who have, but no men.
A number of boys have flexed their muscles and busted a woman’s face, but it has never been a man.
Men, real men, don’t have to prove how strong they are by breaking a woman’s arm, or knocking their teeth out.
A real man is disciplined, able to control his temper. He knows when to back away from a heated argument, if the argument cannot be diffused.
Real men aren’t afraid to say, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.” And mean it.
A man will show his strength by yielding to others; for he doesn’t have to be right all the time.
Nor does he always have to have his way.
You will never find a man overpowering a woman in order to satisfy his sexual desires. Cravings do not control a man. Men control their desires.
Yes, it’s true: males have been guilty of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other things that have created nightmarish lives for many women.
But a man knows how to love, how to be tender, how to protect, and how to provide.
And a real man isn’t afraid to cry, to express his fears, or to say, “I don’t know”, and, “I need help.”
Mister Macho Male: show your strength by controlling your temper.
Impress those around you by honoring and protecting your wife and children. Show your young sons how a real man is supposed to live, and how a man treats a lady.
Anyone can flex their muscles and fly off the handle with temper tantrums. But a MAN lets his body only do what HE wants it to do.
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Can God Be Trusted In The Dark?
Why does our faith vacillate so much when life changes on us? When the sun disappears behind dark and threatening storm clouds?
We say we trust the Lord, that he is able to do anything, yet we become a nervous wreck when things don’t go as planned. We say he’s good (all the time) but act as though he’s not. We declare we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength, but complain the moment we feel the slightest bit of trouble.
We are quick to say, “Amen”, when the preacher speaks about Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. But when we can’t see a way out of our situation we want to rag on the preacher!
Why?
Maybe it’s because we don’t really know God as well as we say we do. Or, maybe we are too absorbed with our own little kingdom, rather than the kingdom of God. Possibly it’s because we don’t understand a basic truth about God.
God reveals himself against the backdrop of lack, trouble, and death. His handiwork is easier to see when the sky is dark and stormy. His signature is much more noticeable when the cupboards are bare. Paul said it this way:
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)
God used 4 lepers to rout the whole Syrian army. 2 Kings 7
He provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice, rather than his son. Genesis 22
Defeated the army of Moab after he told the Israelites to dig ditches. 2 Kings 3
Fed 5,000 plus with only the food found in a little boy’s lunchbox. John 6
Made a borrowed axe head float and swim, as Elisha tossed a stick into the water. 2 Kings 6
When the earth was created, he used things unseen to make all that can be seen. Hebrews 11
Killed 185,000 enemy soldiers with one angel. Isaiah 37
Remember: when circumstances scream “impossible”, that’s when you’ll hear God speak the loudest…
“Here I am.”
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Dealing With The Crazies
I know I’m not as smart as a lot of people. And sometimes I act pretty stupid. Sorry.
But I’m going to give my opinion about this ISIS group and their “beheading” videos.
And, how to deal with the crazies.
Why do people look at the videos? Why should anyone give crazy, demon-possessed people any attention whatsoever?
Why doesn’t every single news organization ignore the videos? Maybe, instead, they should broadcast information such as how ISIS is funded, and which U.S. citizens and U.S. companies send money for their support.
THAT would be worth watching.
I hate what is happening. But you can’t beat demoniacs by giving them free advertising.
Jesus didn’t offer the mad man of Gadara free advertising in the Jerusalem Post. Instead, He dealt with the host of demons with truth and the authority of God. And the crazy guy became the sane guy.
Crazy, isn’t it?
But most people, it seems like most, don’t want ANYTHING to do with truth or the authority of God. They didn’t in Jesus’ day, either.
No, they’d prefer to let the crazies show their gruesome videos of people getting their head chopped off.
I suppose it sells better than Sunday School stories.
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles – as he often was – he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. (Mark 5:1 – 5:17 NLT)
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
