There are two types of forgiveness… and forgiving yourself isn’t one of them.

(I am going to build on concepts from This Post on Forgiveness…  from back in Dec ’11 so you might want to re-read it… before or after… it doesn’t matter.)

Forgiving yourself isn’t only not necessary… it’s unbiblical!

The “self-help” gurus tell you that in order to love yourself and be happy you need to forgive yourself… that you need to realize that everyone makes mistakes and that until you forgive yourself you really can’t be happy.

The only problem with that is that it is actually completely opposite of the Gospel.  It is a deception of the world… of the enemy… devised to prevent people from coming to repentance of their sins and accepting Jesus: Who, by the way, “hath power upon earth to forgive sins.” (Luke5:24)

We have neither the right nor the authority to forgive ourselves. 

The Bible speaks of forgiveness as being something we receive.  It is transferred from one to another.  It is an agreement to go back to before an offense.

The Two Types of Forgiveness are:

Dealing with Difficult Seasons of Life

Often I will pick a book up because of its title.  Maybe it is catchy.  Or maybe it is concise: letting me know that the focus of the book is just what I am looking for.  Either way, if the title doesn’t get me… chances are I won’t pick up the book.

But titles can be tricky, and often misleading, so before I invest time or money into a book I check one more thing… the Table of Contents.

I want to see if what this author has to say is of interest to me.  If it is a novel or fiction I look for a story line I can relate to or one that seems exciting.

Of course, not every page of the book turns out to be perfect.  Some pages are boring.  But when you go in order you give the characters time to develop… the story time to unfold.  And at the end, even if you say, “it could have done without chapter 5”… you aren’t the editor. 

So in order to “finish” the book… you “get through” the dry, boring chapters where little side stories develop; side stories that make you think things like, “Oh they are just setting up a sequel” or, “They want to make this into a movie.”

And all along – even if you disagree – you have to come to the conclusion that the author had a reason for chapter 5.

It is his right… he is the author.

How often it goes the same way when I look at my life. 

It's all just a chocolate chip cookie

I was standing in line at the coffee bar.  It was on “Deck 5 – Mid.”  For you cruise type people you will know what I am talking about.

There I was just enjoying a cruise that had been a gift from God.  It was day 6 of the 8 day cruise.  I had been to the coffee bar at least twice a day for the six days.  Three drinks each time.  One for my wife, one for our daughter, and one for me.

I had gotten the drink order and left our stateroom, made my way to the coffee bar and now, because the line was pretty long, and the service very relaxed… I waited.

And as I waited I noticed that the young man in front of me was ordering a chocolate chip cookie.  I didn’t even know they had them.  It looked pretty good.  It was a pretty big cookie.

I thought about getting one, but then I realized that me, sugar, and a cup of coffee first thing in the morning… not such a good idea.

“Ah,” I thought, “I’ll bring one back for Rachel… our daughter.

Got my drinks, and the cookie, and headed back to the room.

Hearing from God in Sterizo: Romans 1:11-12

It isn’t a type-o. It is a revelation… at least for me it was.

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” Romans 1:11-12

The word translated in the King James as may be established is stērizō. It sounds like stereo because it is like it. In fact stereos (in the Greek) is a synonym for it.

Everything sounds better in stereo than it does through one speaker only.

And that is what Paul is getting at.

Are you like a certain ruler? (Luke 18:18-23)

In Luke 18:18-23 we read of an exchange between Christ and a man who remains describes simply as “a certain ruler.”

When reading scripture, it is the very subtle things that can mean so much.  Whenever a person is actually named, we take note, because that name can mean something.  And so, when people are only described in scripture we should do the same.

Because that description can be for everyone.

And so we need to look at what the description is and then ask ourselves, “Do I ever fit this description.”

The word for “ruler” is archōn

It can be translated as a ruler, commander, chief, or leader.  It is translated magistrate once in the New Testament and that is in the Luke 12:58. 

A magistrate is one who judges a situation and determines a fair course of action.  Sometimes the fair course of action doesn’t seem fair.

Do you ever see yourself as a leader?  Do you ever see yourself having to act as the magistrate?  As a husband; a father; a businessman?

If you have you can appreciate that the certain ruler may have been at the point of wanting to know…

The two most powerful sentences: Matthew 6:12

I usually try to build anticipation before “showing my hand.”  But today I will simply say…

The two most powerful sentences are…

 Please forgive me.

And

I forgive you.

I love you seems over used and misappropriated… we use it to express how much we enjoy lasagna and then assume it is an expression of taste rather than commitment and sacrifice.

I am sorry takes no responsibility… as when we when express our sympathy over someone losing a job or a loved one.  On one hand we think that simply to say it is to meet our obligation, and on the other we realize it does not suffice to express our feeling of empathy, of shared pain.

But please forgive me… that comes from a place of humility… it recognizes responsibility, it recognizes position… it recognizes that we become indebted to others when we wrong them.  When we say please forgive me we acknowledge our sin… our debt.  We admit that we have become bound.  We place ourselves in a position of vulnerability, a place that says “I am now at your mercy.”

“There shall no evil happen to the just:” Proverbs 12:21a

When we read verses like this it is hard not to ask, Why?

If the just is supposed to be exempt from evil then why? Why are evil people allowed to hurt the Christians?

When we see a brother in Christ going through a troubling time… when we experience one ourselves… when we turn on the news and see the horrific things that happen to people it is hard sometimes not to read verse 21 and say, is this really true, because it doesn’t seem to be?

Stress and Strength: When God tests you

The other night we had some friends over and we got to praying.  During the prayer I felt the Lord say very clearly to my heart two words:

Stress and Strength

It is through stress that strength is revealed.  It is not until the weight to be lifted or carried is in our hands or on our backs that we realize the strength of the Lord – His joy – within in us.

We make judgments as to how strong people are.  That is why we refer to “super-human” strength when we see someone who lacks the physical appearance of strength lift something that we feel is too heavy for them.

Some people we expect to be stronger than they are because they look like they should be able to carry the weight.

We need stress to reveal strength.

The next picture I received was of a fire and a waterfall.  I asked if anyone felt that the Lord was putting something on their heart about these two pictures.

The Buggy Whip

God has a funny way of speaking to us.  He often uses images and metaphors that we understand in order to speak directly to us.

It was that way with me this Sunday.  He spoke to me in a way that I get… at a time that I needed it… and it encouraged me.  But I felt that this word was not just for me and so I shared it with a few people.  And they, too, seemed to get encouraged by it.

So I will share it with you.

How is it that we hear? Acts 2:8

We all should be craving a Pentecost… A visitation of the Holy Spirit with power... An empowerment as a result of it.

Jesus Himself said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the world of sin.

HE would convict the world of sin. HE would do that work. WE do not need to.

One of the hardest things to do is to convince someone that what they are doing is wrong. Pride will not allow it. The person’s identity, their security, having shifted to who they are rather than Who Christ is within them, is challenged.

When this happens… pray that the Holy Spirit come.

I remember learning about Pentecost as a child. I remember learning about it again later in life. One of the amazing things that was discussed was how the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages.

But something slipped through the cracks on this one… something huge. Something that gives us a hint into how the Spirit has no respect of persons. (meaning that He see all men equally)

Let’s take a quick look at the following passage:

One thing have I desired: Psalm 27:4

“One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

These are the words of King David.  Can they be ours?  Honestly?

I know that it is hard for me to say that they can.

If I’m honest.

I want to want this.  I want to be able to say that I only want to behold the beauty of the Lord.  I want to be able to declare that my first thought is for Him always.

But I can’t. 

I’m married.

Coming boldly to the throne of Grace – Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

To me boldness is a word that brings together three things: obedience, honesty, confidence.

Obedience is giving ear to; listening to; (where listening is an active verb that means to act on what you have heard).

Honesty is adherence to the facts.

Confidence is knowing what has been given to you.  As in when someone confides in you.

Prayer to me is a conversation with God.  And I believe that it is a conversation that He starts.  Whenever I get the urge to pray I take that as Him gently tapping me on the shoulder saying, "I would like to spend some personal time with you."  So prayer is a response to God speaking to us.  Just as we can love Him because He first loved us... we can talk with Him (not just to) because He first talked with us.

Just as every conversation we have with other people is different because every person is different, I believe that our conversation with the Lord is going to demonstrate who we are and reflect where we are with Him.

So "boldness" in prayer, to me,

Bringing every thought into captivity: 2 Corinthians 10:5

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Continuing on the theme of spiritual warfare…

I love this passage because it gives me great hope in the victory that Christ has won for us and giving us what we need to daily live out an effective faith.

We are not left to fend for ourselves, but are given weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

And one of the keys to pulling down those strong holds lies within verse 5.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.”

What are imaginations?

Getting rid of the geese: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

I believe that the next great equipping of the church will come in the area of spiritual warfare.  I believe that it has to.  There are too many strongholds in our lives that prevent us from moving into the great inheritance in Christ that we have.

While we have been charged with fighting the good fight, resisting the devil, and putting on the armor of God… have we really taken this responsibility as men of God in our lives?

Have we cast of our concern for what people would think of us and be determined to both realize and act on the fact that we truly do wrestle against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].”(Eph 6:12)

In the past week the Lord has confirmed on different occasions that in order to advance in the kingdom of God… in order to move into the abundance, the inheritance, the intentions of Christ in our lives…

When does your day start?

Happy New Year! 

There is often no greater encouragement for me than when, in my most needed time, I receive encouragement from the Lord.  When He looks at my situation, bears with me, and tells me exactly what I needed to hear… to know… at just the right moment.

Yesterday was one of those days.  And that He told me this on 1/1 didn’t go un-noticed.

I hope this encourages you as much as it did me.

When does your day start? 

Christmas isn’t just about Jesus being born…

He told us that He would come…

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (Isaiah 7:14)

He told us why He would come…

“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” John 18:37

He told us what made Him do it…

What do you think it means to be anointed?

I have heard people say “He is an anointed preacher!” or “that man has an anointing on him!” when they are telling me about their pastor, or about an evangelist.

And it got me to thinking… what is it to be “anointed” or to have “an anointing?”

I believe that the Word of God places a measure of responsibility and accountability on believers.

Flying in formation – Galatians 6:2

“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Have you ever seen a flock of geese flying in a  V?  I am sure you have.

It is amazing how and why they do what they do.  And we can learn some things from God’s creation (just as He told us we could – Romans 1:20) that can help us to demonstrate the unity and humility that our Lord and Savior Jesus Himself showed.

And in doing so we can fulfill the law of Christ.

How?

The promise of restoration

When God promised Israel that they would occupy the Promised Land, that land took on such importance; as the proof of the promise and, in turn, of their God, that their very identity began to shift from being God’s Chosen People to being Occupants of the Land.  They began to relate so closely to the land itself that they lost sight of what it symbolized, what it represented; the One from Whom it was given.  And so, even though they might have been prospering to the world, the prophet Joel was sent with a strong word.  The locust, the cankerworm, the palmerworm, and the caterpillar all came to ravish the fruit of the land.  Once Israel repented, God restored the “time” that these insects had taken from Israel. 

We are part of the promise of Israel; adopted into the royal family of the Prince through His work on the cross.  When we accepted the sacrifice that Christ made of Himself, for us, and believed in Him as our Redeemer, as our own personal Savior, we became His.  We became a child of the promise made to Abraham. Our identity is no longer our own, but His.  In the royal courts of heaven, when our names are read aloud with all the sin that we have committed, the Father does not see us, but His Son; the propitiation required by the Law.  We are covered by the blood of the Lamb, the perfect holy and living sacrifice for our sins.

Why would we, then, seek to find our identity elsewhere?  Why would we, as Israel had done, begin to associate ourselves with that which we do, or own, or occupy?

Should we be surprised if the love of the Lord requires that He will begin to take away our fruit, making the land barren, reducing our borders as well until, as Israel, we repent of our sin; our desire for an identity, for recognition apart from Him?  Of course not.  And when we repent and truly seek to be again seen only as His child He will do what no one else can; He will restore the time that the locust, and the cankerworm, and the palmerworm, and the caterpillar hath taken. 

This is a promise of restoration, not just and only of the fruit but of the time. 

Only the Author of time, the One Who is outside it, can do this.  Fully and completely restore to us anything that the enemy has taken away.

Before you came to Christ, even before the moment that you are reading this, your life had and continues to have many facets.  Those facets radiate outward.  They start in where your heart lies.  This is who you really are.  Your faith, the One in Whom you have placed your life, your trust, your being.  Then your physical facets, your personal relationships, your heritage, your accomplishments, your calling, your possessions, your past. 

Whatever facet of your life that you have given to Him He will bless and multiply, using it for His glory.  Whatever facet your hold on to, that you seek to maintain in your identity, you are at risk of losing.  He will send the locust.  You can choose to recognize that the loss is a chastening from the Lord and turn to him, or you can put your energy into trying to maintain what you believe to be yours. 

If you chose to repent and refocus on Him then He will restore the “years” to you.

Is there a relationship that you need restored?  Have you stopped experiencing success in any area of your life that you need restored?  Is your relationship with Him not what it used to be?  He can restore the years to you and it can be as though there was never a lost!

He is the true Restorer of all things.

SDG

Bring thoughts into captivity – 2 Corinthians 10:5

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Our thoughts impact us more than we realize.  God’s thoughts toward us are for peace and not to harm us. (Jer 29:11)  His thoughts are more than be counted and precious.  (Psalm 139) 

As a man thinks in his heart… he is. (Prov 23:7)

We must control our thoughts.  In order to do so we must realize that “a thought” and “to think” are different.

Thoughts start outside of us.  They come to us… either through the Holy Spirit, through the enemy, through outside stimuli (like TV or Internet), or through people (not from people.) 

Thoughts are things we receive or accept.

But we choose to think.  And how and what we choose to think on makes all the difference.