Category Archives: Forgiveness

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September 15, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Knowing Him, Obedience, Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

THE EYE IN THE SKY

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. [Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)]

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. [Proverbs 5:21 (NIV)]

barred owl - CSS6769webDrones have certainly been in the news lately. North Dakota lawmakers just passed a law allowing police drones to carry “less than lethal” weapons such as tear gas or Tasers and Amazon is hoping to have “delivery-by-drone” available within the next few years. Several weeks ago, a Kentucky man blasted a drone out of the air with his shotgun while it hovered over his backyard. Indeed, drones are capable of highly advanced surveillance as a Rhode Island man recently learned. A Benedictine monk who works at the school operating a giant wind turbine, was relaxing in t-shirt and shorts, atop the 200-foot turbine when a drone spotted him catching his private quiet time in the sun. The video ended up on television and YouTube almost instantly.

When he was a toddler, my nephew thought that, by covering his eyes with his hands, he was invisible. Because he couldn’t see anyone, he figured no one could see him. The monk sun-bathing on the turbine knows that belief to be false! Whether we see them or not, it appears that we’re never able to get away from other people’s eyes. Sometimes we’re not a lot different than my nephew when it comes to our relationship with God. Just because we can’t see Him, we think He can’t see us; let’s not forget that not seeing Him doesn’t mean he’s not there. We can’t get away from God’s presence any easier than we can from drones.

Knowing we have absolutely no secrets from God is both reassuring and troubling. Granted, He knows what I look like without make-up or doing my hair, which means I can relax with Him like I would with a best girlfriend. I don’t have to maintain any pretense with Him. On the other hand, He also knows my every dirty little secret, which is far more disturbing than heartening. Since nothing is hidden from God, there are no excuses, justifications or lies about our bad behavior. We may be able to hide things from our family and friends but we can’t from God. He knows the dog didn’t eat the homework, we clearly knew the speed limit when caught speeding, we had time and money to help when we said we didn’t and that no one forced us to have the third drink or smoke the joint. He knows where we go on the Internet, with whom we chat, what we say, what we do, and with whom we do it. He knows more about us than even the most technically advanced drone and yet He still manages to love and forgive us.

Father, I welcome you into my life; search my thoughts and feelings, correct and direct me and lead me in your ways. Guide me so that my walk is always pleasing to your eyes.

Secret sins, services, and sorrow are under God’s eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. [Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary]

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. … Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. [Psalm 139:1-2,23-24 (NIV)]

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. [1 John 2:6 (NIV)]

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August 1, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Obedience

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS

And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. [Matthew 6:12 (RSV)]

Forgive us as we forgive others. [Matthew 6:12 (GW)]

Various plans for debt relief have been in the news and all over the internet recently. It may be tough to pay back those college loans but being in debt was much tougher in Biblical times. Back then, if someone was unable to pay a debt, he could be thrown into prison or have his family sold into slavery. Jesus told a parable about the forgiveness of debts. When the king decided to bring his financial records up to date, all those who owed him money were brought to him. One servant owed him ten thousand talents and was unable to pay. When the King ordered that he, his family, and everything he owned should be sold to pay the obligation, the man begged the king’s forgiveness; the king showed compassion and generously forgave his servant’s debt.

This servant then went to a fellow worker who owed him only one hundred denarii and demanded immediate payment. His co-worker begged for a little more time, but the man insisted on immediate repayment and had the debtor thrown into prison. Although the king had offered the first servant mercy and forgiveness, this same man was unwilling to offer mercy and forgiveness to someone else. When the king learned of this, he had the unforgiving debtor thrown into prison to be tortured until he’d repaid the original debt.

Jesus then advised His disciples that the same thing would happen if they refused to forgive their brothers and sisters. If they denied forgiveness to others, forgiveness would be denied to them.

It is so much easier to ask God for His forgiveness of our offenses than to offer that same forgiveness to those who have hurt or offended us. God, however, doesn’t hold grudges and Jesus didn’t die on the cross for a select few; He died for all. We are all sinners and our debt was paid by Christ. A refusal to forgive others is a refusal to acknowledge our own sinful natures. It becomes easier to forgive others when we remember how much God (and other people) have already forgiven us.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [Colossians 3:13b (GW)]

If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures. [Matthew 6:14-15 (GW)]

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July 31, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, Forgiveness, God's Plan, God's Promises, God's Word: The Bible, Obedience, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Today: Make it Count, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

NO AMNESTY

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. [Psalm 51:1-4 (NLT)]

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Tonight, we’ll experience what’s called a “blue moon,” a somewhat rare occurrence of two full moons in the same month. A few years ago the Chicago Public Library had what they called the “Once in a Blue Moon Amnesty” program. For three weeks, any late fees were waived on all overdue material, no matter how late it was. Apparently, many people prefer keeping their books, magazines and DVDs rather than paying steep fines as a consequence for their late return. The amnesty was offered in hope of getting more than two million dollars’ worth of media back on the shelves. It had been twenty years since the city ran a similar program of reprieve. Avoiding the consequences of our actions, like the Chicago Public Library’s amnesty offer, usually only happens “once in a blue moon!”

David was famous: he was a musician and shepherd, a giant killer and celebrated warrior, a great king and the author of most of the psalms. Nevertheless, he was human and David, like the rest of us, fell into sin. Adultery with Bathsheba was just one of them; he also murdered Bathsheba’s husband Uriah by sending him to his certain death. When David finally confessed his transgressions, the prophet Nathan assured him that they were forgiven. Nathan added that God’s forgiveness didn’t mean David wouldn’t suffer the consequences of his sins: his child by Bathsheba, conceived while she was still married to Uriah, would die. David’s confession and apology to God were not enough to eliminate the consequences of his actions; there was no amnesty for him.

Hopefully, when we wrong others, we confess, apologize and try to make amends. Nevertheless, our confession, someone’s forgiveness, and even restitution won’t free us from consequences. We may still lose respect, a job, a friend or even a marriage. Our actions may lead to a punishment as simple as a traffic ticket or as serious as time in prison. A child may be put in “time out,” a teenager might be grounded and a college student could be put on academic probation. We may receive a poor performance review, not be allowed to participate in an activity, be expelled from school or find a relationship irrevocably destroyed. We could lose money, status or even our family. If we choose to sin, we must be prepared for the consequences of that sin. Amnesty is rarely an option.

We ask God to forgive our sins and he does. We must never forget, however, that God’s promise of forgiveness is not like a “Get Out of Jail Free” card in the game of Monopoly. Neither God’s forgiveness nor the forgiveness of those we’ve wronged will exonerate us from the consequences of our actions in this game of life.

The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. [Hosea 13:16a (NLT)]

But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord. [Ezekiel 4:12 (NLT)]

And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution. [Ezekiel 23:35 (NLT)]

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July 23, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

SHIFTING THE BLAME

“I don’t deserve to be called your son anymore. Make me one of your hired men.” … Then his son said to him, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you. I don’t deserve to be called your son anymore.” [Luke 15:19,21 (GW)]

The man answered, “That woman, the one you gave me, gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [Genesis 3:12 (GW)]

DSC01629awebAfter brazenly demanding his inheritance while his father still lived, the prodigal son quickly wasted it all in a reckless and immoral lifestyle. Realizing the error of his ways, the ashamed and penniless youth swallowed his pride and returned to his father, hoping to be hired on as a servant. His story, one of repentance, forgiveness and redemption, is quite a contrast to that of a young woman whose tale is circulating on the Internet. She recently called into a radio show and told of getting a $90,000 college fund from her grandparents. In three years, however, she managed to blow through all of it—not just on tuition but also on clothing, college breaks and a trip to Europe. Now, having no way to pay her $20,000 senior year’s tuition, she called the show to complain—not about her recklessness and spendthrift ways but about her parents. Although any fifth grader knows enough to divide ninety by four and figure out how much money can be spent each year, she blamed her parents for not teaching her to budget; it was their fault she was broke. The young woman showed no remorse for her actions and refused to accept responsibility for her predicament. The prodigal son worked at a pig farm before returning home and was willing to work as his father’s servant. This young woman’s response to getting a job in the school cafeteria was, “That’s embarrassing.”

I wonder, however, if we’re really all that different from this young woman. Hopefully, we haven’t squandered $90,000 but we’ve all blamed others for our errors, difficulties, and even our sins. It wasn’t just Eve that Adam blamed for the apple incident; he blamed God for giving him the woman in the first place. We’re not much better. In an effort to excuse our actions, we shift the blame to our parents’ divorce, our ex-spouse’s greed, bad genes, the credit card company that shouldn’t have increased our credit, the loan officer who allowed us to refinance, the persuasive salesman, our idiot co-workers, the teacher who can’t teach, the woman who shouldn’t have been so seductive, the husband who shouldn’t have been so busy, the spouse who just didn’t understand, a troubled childhood, the bartender who over-served, and the other guy who made us angry or started the fight! We shift the blame to justify our own bad behavior and, if we show any remorse, it’s only because of the mess in which we find ourselves once we have to face the consequences.

With a repentant heart, the prodigal son took responsibility for his actions and was welcomed into his father’s house. Make no mistake about it, if we don’t accept responsibility for our actions with a humble and repentant heart, our story, unlike that of the prodigal son, will not be one of forgiveness and redemption.

When someone is tempted, he shouldn’t say that God is tempting him. God can’t be tempted by evil, and God doesn’t tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. [James 1:13-15 (GW)]

If we say, “We aren’t sinful” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong. [1 John 1:8-9 (GW)]

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July 9, 2015

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Salvation: A New You, Thanks & Praise

HOW VALUABLE ARE YOU?

What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. [Luke 12:6-7 (MSG)]

bee eater Arusha-TanzaniaWEBRecently, our Florida pastor held up a brand new $100 bill and asked who would like to have it. Hands were quickly raised. He then crumpled up the bill and asked the question again; hands were raised a second time. After all, what are a few wrinkles? Pastor then sneezed and wiped his nose with the money and asked the question yet again; no one seemed deterred by a few germs and, once more, up went the hands. He wiped the worn and slightly damp bill in his armpits and asked the same question yet another time. Our congregation didn’t get to their retirement years in Florida without knowing the value of a $100 bill, even a wrinkled germy dirty one, and our hands continued to be lifted in the air. Fortunately, Pastor did not stick the bill down his pants and ask the question again. His point had been made; money retains its value no matter how dilapidated and soiled it may be.

That afternoon, I did a little Internet research to determine my monetary value. Some estimates of the assorted chemical components of my body were as low as $1. Positive I had to be worth substantially more than a dollar, I searched until I found a site that claimed the chemicals in a 176 pound person are worth about $160. I was still disappointed, especially since I weigh considerably less than that. Nevertheless, I do have some gold and silver in my mouth along with a few titanium screws in various bones, so I could be worth more when adding the value of my scrap metal. On the plus side, if one were to sell my various body organs and tissue (heart, blood, lungs, bone marrow, kidneys, corneas, etc.), this same site said I could be worth as much as $45 million. Now, that’s more like it! On second thought, that’s probably assuming all of those body parts are in pristine condition, something definitely not true of my well-worn “mature” body. My organs have been damaged by age, environment, misuse and disease. In short, my past has probably devalued my worth considerably.

To God, we are worth far more than even 45 million dollars! It doesn’t matter to Him if our bodies are in less than pristine shape or even if we still have all of our original parts. Better yet, He doesn’t care about the damage our past history has done to our souls! We don’t have to be pure and unblemished to have value to Him because we are his beloved children. Abortion, addiction, anger, violence, maliciousness, drunkenness, insincerity, depression, dishonesty, attempted suicide, divorce, adultery, wastefulness, pride, and more—none of these have devalued us in the eyes of God. Like the $100 bill our pastor showed us, we retain our value no matter how sullied, stained, damaged, or tattered we may be. We don’t have to be perfect (or even in “good” or “fair” condition) to be loved by our perfect God.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for seeing our worth even when can’t see it ourselves. Thank you for your grace and mercy, for redeeming our damaged souls and loving us no matter what has happened in the past. Thank you for giving us a new beginning in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it. [C.S. Lewis]

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. [John 3:16-17 (MSG)]

 

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May 29, 2015

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Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Salvation: A New You

SPLISH, SPLASH, TAKIN’ A BATH!

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I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. [Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)]

When on a photo safari in Tanzania, I couldn’t believe how grimy I got. Tooling around on unpaved roads all day long in an open Range Rover meant for a lot of dust and, by the end of the day, I was caked with it. I’m sure you’ve had days when you’ve gotten incredibly dirty, as well. There’s nothing like hours spent gardening or cleaning out the garage to leave you and your clothes filthy, sweaty, and less than fragrant. Your hands and fingernails are coated with grime and even your teeth feel gritty. How refreshing it feels to strip off your dirty clothing and step into a hot shower and scrub away the dirt. Once clean, isn’t it pleasant to step into freshly laundered clothes? You feel like a new person.

3-15-15 wildebeest-WEBThe prophet Zechariah had a vision. In it, the high priest Jeshua, representing the nation of Israel, was standing before the angel of the Lord. Representing the sins of his people, Jeshua’s clothes were filthy. His clothing was removed and the angel said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and I am giving you fine new clothes.” [Zechariah 3:4 (NLT)] What an amazing image this is. Sins are literally being stripped off and replaced with garments of God’s goodness. Just as we feel refreshed after a shower and fresh clothes, imagine how much better we feel when we have shed the grime of sin. Our confession and repentance serve as soap and God’s forgiveness is the warm water showering over us, cleansing us of our sins. God’s grace is like the fresh outfit that is waiting for us. He will clothe us with his love and mercy; we just have to put on our new apparel. We won’t just feel like a new person; we can be a new person!

So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. … Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 13:12,14 (NLT)]

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. [Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT)]