TOUCHY
I have written the last two days about a topic that is, for many, a “Touchy” spot in their lives. Mention “forgiveness” and they don’t want to talk about it. Others will think that this is not for me, I am not forgiving them. Friendships have been ruined because of words spoken or actions taken that were not forgiven. Families have suffered – have been split apart because someone was not willing to forgive.
Do we need to be reminded that to “not forgive” is sin. Scripture tells us sin starts out small, seems insignificant, but when it is finished it brings forth death. We cannot expect the blessings of God when we are not trusting and obeying His Word. Forgive others that the Heavenly Father may forgive you.
My daughter provided me with the words of this song written by Chas. H. Gabriel. I make it my prayer. You might like to do the same.
AN EVENING PRAYER
If I have wounded any soul today, If I have caused one foot to go astray, If I have walked in my own willful way, Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain, If I have turned aside from want or pain, Lest I myself shall suffer thru the strain, Dear Lord, forgive!
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee: Forgive the secret sins I do not see; O guide me, love me, and my Keeper be, In Jesus’ name.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He forgives our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
David Livingstone, after 16 hard years in Africa, came home. Speaking to students at Glasgow University, he said, “Shall I tell you what sustained me during the hardship and loneliness of my exile? It was Christ’s promise, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Billy Graham, in his devotional book, HOPE FOR EACH DAY, writes, King George V wrote on the flyleaf of the Bible of a friend: “The secret of happiness is not to do what you like to do, but learn to do what you have to do.”
Dwight L. Moody- “I see earth receding, Heaven is opening, I must go. If this is death, it is sweet. This is my Coronation Day.”
A Catholic Priest says – “Christianity promises you two things, that your life will have meaning and that you will live forever. And if you get a better offer, you should take it.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose thank and praise the Lord that He is with us in this life and has prepared a place for us to be with Him in the life to come. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
WHERE TO NOW?
Feb. 1st the shuttle Colombia fell apart as it entered the earth’s atmosphere. Seven astronaughts died. Hours of TV time and hundreds of pages of print have been devoted to this. Memorial services have been held to honor those who died. Our hearts reach out to the families of these men and women. The question, “Where to now?” comes up. The consensus answer seems to be, “Move on, keep going.”
On the world scene, “Where to now?” Is war inevitable? America is in a tough spot William Sloane Coffin was quoted in Saturday’s paper. “America is the greatest super power but might is not the same as right. Might and wisdom seldom go hand in hand. It’s hard to be a super power. You’re full of yourself. St. Augustine warned us, ‘Never fight evil as if it were something that arose totally outside of yourself.’”
“All we can say for sure is that while might may be necessary, what is wrong – always wrong – is the desire to use it.”
Today – out loud and on purpose thank and praise the Lord that for the believer – the “where to now” is to turn to God and trust Him to guide and keep us. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
BLESSINGS
An e-mail had these words: “Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget our blessings. Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up.”
I find myself asking, “Which way am I looking?” It is easy to get bogged down in sorrow or smothered by worry. Then I remember God’s blessings. Faith looks up. What better time to pause and count your blessings than right now?
Johnson Oatman, Jr. wrote the words of this beautiful song.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that by faith we can look up and count our blessings. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
THINK ABOUT IT
When I became a Christian my life was changed and is still changing. I didn’t understand it all then and I don’t understand it all now. Galations 2:21 helps me know that the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
2 Cor. 5:15 reminds me that Christ died for me and I am to live my life for Him. 2 Cor. 5:17 shouts that if any man be in Christ he is a new creature.
In John 14:23 Jesus tells us that those who love Him will keep His Words and the Father will love him and we will make our abode with him. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in me ! WOW ! Vs 27 says that Jesus gives the peace that passes understanding.
I Cor.3:16-17 Tells me that I am the temple of God – the Spirit lives in me. And I must not defile the temple of God. I Cor. 6:19-20- My body is the temple of God. I am no longer my own. I have been bought with a price. I Cor. 9:27 – Paul writes that we are to bring our body into subjection and 10:31 tells me that whatever I do is to be done for the glory of God. (See also Col.3:17).
As a Christian I find myself between a rock and a hard place. I want to do what God wants me to – to have a clean heart and live a wholesome life. But the devil keeps throwing road blocks in front of me. What am I to do?
Rom. 12:1-2 is a good place to start. (1) Present my body as a living sacrifice to God. (2) Don’t be conformed to this world. Be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Get hold of the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
Phil. 4:13 reminds me that I have an unlimited source in Christ. These and many other Scriptures help me know what God wants me to do. I realize that when I became a Christian I gave up all my “rights, privileges and selfish desires.” I no longer have the “right” to hold a grudge or the “right” to not forgive someone. I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. My desire now is “not my will, Thine, be done.”
It is an amazing adventure ! I want to see what’s over the next hill, around the next curve. Whatever it is I can Praise the Lord for it and know that the victory is won because there is NOTHING in this world that can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39).
Today – Out loud and on purpose let’s just Praise the Lord. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
MOVING ON UP!
I am not where I was when I started and I am not where I’ll be when I’m finished. There is this spirit implanted desire to keep moving on up. All my life I’ve heard the song written by Johnson Oatman Jr.. It expresses my desire to move on up to where God wants me to be. May these words be a blessing and a challenge.
HIGHER GROUND
I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
I want to live above the world, Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height and catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith on heaven’s table – land, a higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Today – out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the upward pull of the Holy Spirit. Have a TERRIFICE DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
Today is Valentines Day. Your e-mail has been filled with valentines and poems exalting love. This is good. An old song says, “It’s love, it’s love, it’s love that makes the world go round.” If your heart is not overflowing with love start filling it until it does. In the heart of a Christian there is no room for a grudge, for hatred, for unforgiveness. If any of these are present push them out and replace with love.
A friend recently wrote saying, “I ruined a lot of days by holding grudges. I wish I had never disliked those two. It took a lot of joy out of my life.”
See I John 4 for some thoughts about love. Love comes from God. Whoever does not love does not know God for God is love. We love because He first loved us. God has given this command: “Whoever loves God must also love one another.”
Billy Graham writes in a daily devotion book: “When I think about God’s love I trend to dwell on the good things He has done for me. But then I must stop and realize that even when circumstances have been hard or the way unclear, God’s love is just as real and just as powerful in the darkness as it is in the light. And that’s why we can have hope!”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for love: His love for us and our love for each other. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
HAPPINESS
What makes people happy? The results of a study of that question was reported in USA TODAY (Dec. 9, 2002). The conclusion might surprise you. It was not money or possessions. The report indicated that the two single most important factors in human happiness are friends and forgiveness. There were many other things also. But the two most significant factors were having friends and being able to forgive easily. This agrees with what the Bible teaches. So make friends – lots of friends, and forgive those who need your forgiveness.
Matt. 6:12 – 15 gives the teaching of Jesus regarding forgiveness. “Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you.”
In Wisdom From A Pastor’s Heart William S. Stoddard writes, “Forgiving the unforgivable is hard. So was the cross: hard words, hard wood, hard nails.”
(Portions of the above came from One Day At A Time written by Bob Knisley.)
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that we can be happy because He has taught us to forgive those who sin against us. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!
I WOULD BE TRUE
From time to time I find it worthwhile to check up on myself. It is very easy to get complacent, to be careless about things. With the help of friends I have changed my way of doing some things. When I first got my computer ( a gift from2 grandsons) and found that I really could operate it, I was excited. I thought everything that was sent to me was supposed to be sent to others. After all, almost everything said, “If you love Jesus you will send this to five people.” I have learned that sending sending e-mails to others has nothing to do with my loving Jesus. That is not a test of my faith.
Then I begin to learn that not everything was appropriate to pass on. I began looking more closely and I also found the “delete” key. I have also learned that what would be enjoyed and appreciated by some o f my e-mail friends would not be received with the same feeling by others.
In his prayer, Jabez, said to God, “Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain.” (I Chron. 4:9-10) (emphasis mine.)
I’ve sung these words of an old song through the years. “I would be true, for there are those that trust me, I would be pure, for there are those who care.”
More and more it is my desire to be true to the Word of God and to the responsibilities He has given me. It is my desire to live and act in such a way as to not cause pain.
Today – out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He is ever present to walk beside us and to guide our footsteps. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
TRUST - OBEY
I believe that most Christians have within them a strong desire to trust God at all times and in every circumstance. Along with trusting God is the desire to life as God wants us to live it. In other words, be obedient to the teachings of the WORD.
In reading the WORD we find a principal taught in both the OT and the NT. It goes something like this. Obey God and be blessed. Disobey God and be cursed. In other words what we have in our lives is a result of our actions in relation to the teachings of the WORD. We have to take responsibility for our actions. We can’t be like the woman who bought a cup of coffee from McDonald’s, spilled it on her legs and sued M’s because it hot and she was burned. You remember a jury decided it was M’s fault and awarded her a substantial sum of money.
The WORD tells us to be not deceived, God is not mocked. You will receive the consequences of your action. God will not buy your argument that God made the coffee too hot!
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for His WORD that gives us directions for living and that God implants within us the desire to Trust - Obey. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
HAPPY
What makes you happy? Dr. Linda S. Mintle, PH. D., writes concerning an article in the USA Today paper. “Psychologists now know what makes people happy.” This article lists eight things. Dr. Mintle says the research only validates God’s way of doing things.
I was especially interested in the 8th reason for happiness. “The strongest link for happiness is a willingness to forgive others. Dr. Mintle writes that for the believer, forgiveness is not an option; it is a command from Jesus. We forgive others because He forgives us. She concludes that the search for happiness will fall short if it doesn’t lead to the One in whom contentment may be found.
Psalm 145:15 – “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.”
Dr. Mintle adds this thought, “If you want to find happiness, trust in God’s sovereignty and omniscience. Obey Him and believe that He works all things for your good. It’s not about you or your resilience. It’s all about Him.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose thank and Praise the Lord that by grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I am saved and heaven bound!
Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
Psalm 119:9 – How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word and following its rules.
W. Torbisch – “He has the film of my whole life in view and not just a snapshot of my present situation.”
Copied – “A person’s character is like a fence. It cannot be strengthened by white wash.”
Georgia Harkness – “The Christian faith imparts meaning to life. A living faith that is centered in God as revealed in Christ takes our chaotic, disorganized selves, with their crude jumble of pleasures and pains, and knits them together into a steadiness and joy that can endure anything with God.”
Michael Youseff – “The evidence of Christ’s life within you is the outward display of His goodness, mercy and grace. The Lord bless you as you seek to be more like Him each day.”
Michael Youseff – “Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.”
William S. Stoddard – “Forgiving the unforgiveable is hard. So was the cross: Hard words, hard wood, hard nails.”
Copied – “God loves you just the way you are; but He loves you too much to let you stay like this.”
Today – Out loud and purpose Thank and Praise the Lord and pray this prayer: “Day by day, in every way, may others see Jesus in me.” Have a TERRIFIC WEEKEND !!!
ODORS
Odors have to do with the sense of smell. People do many things to be sure they smell good. Most of us appreciate their efforts.
In East TN there is a most distinctive animal odor, I discovered this as a boy wandering in the woods near my uncle’s home. A group of men and boys were in the midst of capturing skunks. I was a city boy and knew nothing about such things. I walked right into the middle of their operation. Suddenly a very strong, burning odor hit my nose and I knew I was in the wrong place. I went home smelling like a skunk.
I am thankful there are other odors more pleasant to the nose. Have you ever smelled wild honey suckle? Roses and other flowers have a sweet oder.
The Bible refers to perfumes and other sweet smelling substances. Sacrifice in the O.T. are said to give off a sweet smelling odor to the Lord. Paul, in Phil. 4:18, makes reference to the gifts he has received as being like a sweet smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end.(The Message)
The Message Bible describes an offering we can make in Rom.12:1 “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going – to – work and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord we can make an acceptable offering to Him. Have a TERRIFICE DAY !!!
CUSTOM
Custom is defined as a usual practice. It is something done often enough that it becomes a habit.
Jesus had the custom of teaching when He was with people.(Mark 10:1) Jesus also had the custom of going to church. Luke 4:16 – On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue as was his custom.
Some customs are good. Some are not so good. Hazel and I had the custom of walking every morning. This was good. We also had the custom of going to a fast food place for a breakfast biscuit and coffee. This was not so good.
It is good to have the custom of reading the Bible and praying at a set time each day. My day is always better when I start it this way.
When our children were growing up we had the custom of going to church on Sunday. In some homes there were discussions over whether to go to church today or not. We did not have that discussion. It was our custom to go to church.
As a teen-ager I was taught to tithe of any income I received. This has been one of the good customs in my life. I still have the habit!
Today - Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He leads us to develop customs which are for our good. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
ROWS
Some of you were blessed with the privilege of living on a farm when you were younger. In the spring the fields were prepared for planting. Corn, potatoes and gardens were planted in rows or furrows. These rows were made as a horse or mule pulled a plow held by a man-or boy. The rows were expected to be straight and an equal distance between the rows. It took some experience to lay of rows like that. I remember my early experiences as I tried to do this. Disasterous. Then I was given some helpful instructions. I was told to find an object at the other side of the field. Line up the mule so the object was seen between the mule’s ears. Never take your eyes off the object and never look back.
In Luke 9 Jesus is teaching about the cost of following Him. One man said, “I’ll follow you but first let me go take of some things at home.” Another said , “I’ll follow you but I need to go home and tell family and friends good bye.” It is still this way with many people. “Lord, I’ll follow you after I do this or that.”
In Luke 9”62 Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
You have heard the expression, “Stay the course,” meaning keep going without turning to one side or the other.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for His instructions in the “Owner’s Manual” which enable to go forward on the straight and narrow way. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
PERSPECTIVE
We ask, “what is your perspective about this?” meaning what do you think about it or what is your point of view? Our point of view or perspective is usually shaped by he way we were taught as we grew up. I grew up during segregation. We lived on a street corner. The next corner was where the black community started. Many black people walked by our house every day. I played marbles and spun tops with black boys. There were also times we stood on opposite side of a field and threw rocks at each other. I did not hate black people because my mother’s point of view was not hatred but acceptance.
Jesus perspective as He taught it to His followers was that we are to love one another as He loved us. Love your neighbor as yourself. Forgive others as God has forgiven you. His point of view was to seek first the kingdom of God. In His point of view people were important to God and He would provide for them and protect them.
Civilla D. Martin expresses this perspective well in the words of this song.
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
Thro’ days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you,
No matter what may be the test, God will tke care of you; Lean weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you, Through ev’ry day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that God loves us, provides for us and protects us as we trust Him. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
Anon. – “The Ten Commandments were given in tablet form. By following their directions, we could save a lot of other tablets being used.”
Abraham Lincoln when forced by the horrors of war to seek refuge in God - “When everyone seemed panic stricken, I got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed. Soon a sweet comfort swept into my soul.”
John Chrysostom – “We have a whole Christ for our salvation, a whole Bible for our staff, a whole church for our fellowship, and a whole world for our parish.”
Billy Graham writing in Hope For Each Day:
“Two conflicting sources cannot exist in one human heart. When doubt reigns, faith cannot abide. When hatred rules, love is crowded out. Where selfishness rules, there love cannot dwell. When worry is present, trust cannot crowd its way in.”
“It is life’s ultimate frustration – thinking we will find fulfillment in the things of this world. But they can never bring happiness. As one bumper sticker I saw expressed it, ‘All I want is a little more than I have now.’”
Copied – “ If I want to dwell on hatred and resentment and self-pity and being a victim, it’s just self-destructive. I believe having hatred and resentment is like taking poison and expecting it to hurt the other person. This is the only way to get rid of that poison. I choose to sincerely forgive. This is living it.”
Michael Youseff – “No matter what this life may hand you, God has given you all you need to handle it perfective and from His perspective.”
“ Obedience is the doorway to blessing.”
Today - Out loud and on purpose give Thanks and Praise to God from whom all blessing flow. Have a TERRIFIC WEEKEND !!!