February 22, 2019

 ²⁵ "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”  Mark 11:25 (ESV)

Anything against anyone.  Anyone.  When asked to make a list of "anyones" most people would include coworker, family member, neighbor, friend.  I wonder how many people would include "self" in that list?  With work most of us can forgive those who we have something against.  Forgiveness of others can be difficult, but scripture is replete with verses that emphasize the importance of forgiving those people in our lives who have caused us inconvenience or pain.  But do we extend that same forgiveness to oneself?

God tells us that unforgiveness is not just a hinderance to our prayer life, but it is also a sin and separator from God.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  Matthew 6:14,15 (ESV)

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Colossians 3:13 (ESV)

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;"  Luke 6:37 (ESV)

February 16, 2019 Three Steps

⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: ⁴⁸ he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  Luke 6:47,48 (ESV)

This winter has seen me put on more than my usual 3-5 hibernation pounds.  The scales and jeans are all telling me I have spent more couch time and had more cookie forays than usual this November, December and January.  It is time to make some changes.

Fitness articles, blogs, and books are all full of advice, diets, plans, and fads.  More protein.  Less carbs.  Mediterranean foods.  Sit-ups.  Planks.  Although the path to health varies, one things is consistent.  Getting healthy involves a multi-pronged attack.  Start eating good stuff.  Quit eating bad stuff.  Exercise.

Luke outlines for us a three-pronged plan for developing a rock-solid faith, a faith that can withstand the storms and ravages of life.

We must move toward God.  God is there.  He has not distanced himself from us.  We are the ones who through active and passive sin  have disrupted the relationship.  God is waiting, just as the father of the prodigal son, for  us to return to him.

 In the first chapter of James, we are reminded to be "quick to hear".  We should approach God not with a list of our wants, needs, and demands, but with an open heart anticipating what he has for us.  

Finally, after hearing and learning from Him, we must act.  Perhaps we will be instructed to tithe.  Maybe there will be a service opportunity presented.  His message may be to wait.  Regardless of the message, we are called to obedience to his guidance. 

Approach.  Listen.  Act.  A three-step plan to a strong faith.

February 6, 2019

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.  Eph. 2:10 (CSB)

 Do you ever find yourself just waiting for that just-right ministry opportunity to present itself.  The perfect fit for your self-perceived talents.  VBS is almost it, but not quite.  Choir?  Like to sing, but not sure about the Wednesday might rehearsals.  

Maybe, just maybe, if you wait just long enough, a heavenly messenger will announce to you in a dream or burning bush where your invaluable talents and skills can further God's kingdom.

Paul tells a different story.  He reminds us we were created for good works.  Our reason for existence is to work for God's glory.  Not wait for that perfect fit.  

Also, God has already prepared those works for which we were created.  The occasions are there.  The volunteer opportunities are abundant. Waiting is an excuse.  A dodge.

If we are to fulfill our life's purpose we must involve ourselves in the good works that God has already prepared.  A life shared is a life fulfilled.