A word from Max Lucado

The 06/29/2015 edition:

Give Thanks

Today's MP3 Some things just weren’t made to coexist. Long-tailed cats and rocking chairs? Bulls in a china shop? Not a good idea. Blessings and bitterness? The mixture doesn’t go over well with God. Combine heavenly kindness with earthly ingratitude and expect a sour concoction. Perhaps you’ve sampled it. Gratitude doesn’t come naturally. Self-pity does. Bellyaches do. Grumbles and mumbles—no one has to remind us to offer them. Yet they don’t mix well with the kindness we’ve been given. Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff. To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse His accomplishments is to discover His heart. Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. “Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians5:20). From You’ll Get Through This

Prayer, Not Despair

Our society seemed to take a seismic shift today. The decision of the SCOTUS regarding same-sex marriage has the potential to leave many Christians anxious and troubled. While those of us who hold to traditional marriage have a right to be concerned, we have no need to despair. What we need is a good dose of this Scripture: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Ph. 4:6,7) It may seem that the world is changing fast, but is it really? The headlines may announce a decision of the Supreme Court, but the actions of our Supreme God are unaltered. He is still the Creator, blessed forever. (Rom. 1:25) He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8) His years will never end. (Ps. 102:27) He needs no counselor; seeks no advice. He is equally everywhere. He never wearies, sleeps or struggles. He has never been confused, thwarted or contested. He reigns supreme over every detail of the universe. “He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Dan. 4:35) God is still God and His word is still sure. His sovereign grace never changes. Everything else may change. But He doesn’t. So let’s replace our anxious thoughts with prayerful ones. “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known…” Now is the time for prayer and faith. Something good will come out of this. Maybe now we can have this discussion where we need to have it. Face-to-face. In neighborhoods. Over dinner tables. Perhaps the hate-filled words will subside and clear thinking will gain traction; the shouting will diminish and the heart-felt dialogue will increase. Now is the time for us all to pursue the highest ideals of our Master: to love God, love our neighbors and, above all, be anxious for nothing. –Max Lucado © June 26, 2015

Forgiveness

Google: Forgiveness 

One of the first things you'll see is this definition below

1. Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.

1. I've highlighted some of the key words that make the definition.

• Intentional and voluntary: something you do of free will 

• increased ability to wish the offender well: but how does this increased ability happen?

1. We know forgiveness from God is pardon, a letting go, "Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace." The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid." -Oswald Chambers daily devotion.
2. But what about when it comes to forgiving others?
3.  Ephesians 4 vs 32 (ESV) puts it simply
4. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" 
5. Letting things go IS one of the most difficult things a person can do. And when you think about it, forgiveness is such a bizarre thing

- choosing NOT to hold a grudge when someone has done you wrong?

- choosing NOT to take revenge when you're completely in the right to do so?

But we are commanded to do so just that " as God in Christ forgave you" 

 If God can forgive us our sins, and the price it took to forgive them being death on the cross, who are we to not forgive others? It costs nothing, and will only benefit us. 

How do we do it? 
We have to humble ourselves, and it does take time because forgiveness is more of a process, than an event.
 But if we seek God's help, we can do it! 

Tips for forgiving

1. Don't deny that you've been hurt. Forgiving isn't denying 
2. Make a decision to forgive others (Luke 17 vs 3-5)
3. Don't seek revenge or repay evil for evil. Let God handle it (1 Peter 3 vs 9)
4. Pray the Lord will release any anger inside you (Ephesians 4 vs 26-27, 31)
5. Pray for those who hurt you (Matthew 5 vs 44) 

Life Lessons on Forgiveness

 
Condition Your Heart (click here for video)
Danny Gokey shares words of Solomon from Proverbs 4:23 and discusses why he advises us to guard our hearts above all else 
-KLOVE.com 

Forgiveness by Matthew West

                                                The story behind the song