Forgiveness

Forgiveness

“Sin forsaken is the best evidence of sin forgiven.”’
J. C. Ryle

I am a flawed human being. I want to do what is right, but I don’t, I’m pulled by my own natural desires, I want to do my will and that doesn’t always align with God's will for my life.

“I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” Romans 7:19

My sins are many, and more often than not I’m convicted/feel guilty because I know I’m not giving God my best and, therefore, my family is also getting the short end of the stick.

“I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, ‘I am determined to be wise.’ But it didn’t work.” Ecclesiastes 7:23

Living with sin is exhausting. It’s like trying to juggle a power saw, a bomb and an alligator—it’s only a matter of time before one of them is going to get you. Asking for forgiveness is hard. First we have to admit to ourselves that what the world labels okay is—for a Christian—sin. Pride rears its ugly head to keep us from asking for forgiveness. But, it is impossible to be a Child of God and live in sin. The unrepented sin will fester like an open sore oozing shame and guilt. But confessing our sin to God is a safe place. Forgiving our sins—and restoring us—is the reason Jesus Christ came!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3: 16-17

God is in the business of forgiving. There is a caveat though; in order to receive forgiveness, we have to be repentant. Not just regret the fact that we’ve sinned, but we need to abhor what we’ve done to the point that we turn away from that sin and not do it again.

This quote from “Judges - The Flawed and the Flawless'“ by Timothy Keller spoke volumes to me on the difference between regret and repentance:

“Regret and repentance are not the same thing. Regret is sorrow over the consequences of a sin, not the sin itself. Regret focuses on me, on what I have lost, how my heart is breaking. Repentance is about turning back to God; accepting how He has been grieved, how He has not received the honor He deserves. Regret stays sad; but repentance doesn’t because when we repent we are forgiven and restored. Regret never moves on or restores relationship with God; repentance removes all regret.”

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

As we are forgiven so we too need to have the same heart towards others who sin against us. Yep, I know what you are thinking—“Yeah, but you don’t know what he did!” or “She said those lies about me”. Jesus not only came to earth to give forgiveness but to teach us how to forgive as well.

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

Hebrews 11—we call that chapter “The Hall of Faith”—is full of people who the Lord used in many great ways. They were flawed, they sinned and then sinned again—the same sin! Sound familiar? (Genesis 12:13 and Genesis 20:2) God’s forgiveness is continual. Those men and women—when they weren’t falling on their faces in shame for sins committed—were falling on their faces in worship or walking tall and strong in the Lord. They knew what He said was true. Though they hit bumps in the road God's faithfulness to keep His promises kept them on course.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13

I am a flawed human being, but I pray I would hold on tight to God, who has lavished me with His love, grace and forgiveness. Jesus, the one who has held me in His nail-scarred hands and will present me one day spotless to His Father, took the consequence for my sin and made it His.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

by Eve Montano

Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safe guard your faith. Philippians 3:1

Paul, ever the encourager, exhorts the believers to rejoice in Jesus Christ. Rejoice not in how we look, what we have, or our accomplishments. Rejoice in Jesus, who he is and what he has done for us. We have nothing else to brag about. No one else gives us the hope of heaven.

The old Apostle goes on to warn the believers of those who would come in and change the significance of what Jesus has done.

“Watch out for those dogs those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.” Philippians 3:2

Watch out for those who come into the church fellowship and tell you there is more to salvation beyond what Jesus did. Beyond his perfect sacrifice. The “more” is an act of the flesh (or what satisfies the flesh). In this specific case, Paul was referring to the Judaizers, those who said the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the law given to Moses.

He proceeded to summarize his credentials that would, if keeping the law were good enough, mark him as one of the most qualified candidates for salvation. Circumcised on the eighth day according to the law, a pure-blooded citizen of Israel—born of the tribe of Benjamin—a member of the Pharisees (who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law). He obeyed without missing a beat and—in his zealous loyalty to the law—persecuted those who followed Jesus. He did it all and was proud of it. He had great credentials according to the law.

And then, he walked the Damascus Road. He met Jesus, the one whose life perfectly fulfilled the law. The one who provided the perfect and complete sacrifice acceptable to God. The one who died for the sins of all mankind and then, having paid the price, rose from the dead. He wrenched the keys of death from Satan. As the Apostle John later wrote. of him:

“I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
Revelation 1:17b-18

Rejoice in the Lord. All the things we’ve counted valuable in life pale in comparison to what he has done for us and given us in becoming our hope for eternity. Paul considered all his accomplishments to be garbage.

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Philippians 3:7-8a

The infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. What a goal—to consider everything we value as worthless compared to knowing our Savior.

Paul exhorts believers to rejoice in the Lord because it safeguards our faith. When we are glad in the Lord, when we realize what he’s done for us and we’re grateful, we want to know him more deeply. And to know him, we have to know his word. Paul admonished his protege, Timothy to…

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Knowing God’s word keeps us on the right path and protects us from falling for deception. It’s been said that bank employees are taught to study in-depth what valid currency looks and feels like. Then they will be able to easily spot the counterfeit. When we know the word, know the character of God, we’ll spot the phony messages. Then we’ll pass on the truth to those around us—family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances.

And we can encourage them to rejoice in the Lord.

by Marilyn Allison

A Little Inconvenience

A Little Inconvenience

“The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I love order. I love plans. I love controlling both. So God brought me to Romania to teach me lessons on “being inconvenienced for Him”.

It began with teaching me how to handle inconveniences in a God-honoring way. Here are just some of the lessons that come to mind.

In Romania, water can be shut off at any time of day for any length of time. We have to forego all water-related activities—cooking, laundry, mopping Ranger’s muddy paw-prints, showering or flushing the toilet--until the water company decides to turn the water back on.

When this happens, God often reminds me, “Do you want to see your children handling these inconveniences in a God-honoring way? Then teach them by your example”.

He reminds me to be flexible--to ‘go with the flow’ (pun intended).

“Every unplanned event is an opportunity for you to display me and allow your children to learn how to handle the unexpected things in life in a God-honoring way.”

Another lesson involved my daily schedule (remember my love for order). I need to be places at specified times. Preparing--and serving--family meals is squeezed between morning and afternoon appointments. On one particular day, I didn’t think I had time for a conversation with a man who is lost and desperately needs Jesus. He busily argued science and why he was a good person. I couldn’t get a word in edge-wise and I thought in my spirit, “Ok, Lord, I gotta go--this is a waste of my precious time. This guy isn’t willing to receive and I need to be somewhere by 1:00pm.”

God replied, “It’s 11:30am and look outside.”.

Reinforcements were coming. Jeje walked in to see what was taking me so long. I explained the situation (in English). He smiled and took over the conversation. The man listened attentively. JeJe used a different approach (I can’t tell you how much Jesus sending His Disciples “two by two” has played out in our lives).

God said, “Can you be inconvenienced for Me? Can you sit here and pray in your Spirit as Jeje shares the Gospel? This man’s soul is at stake. Can you call your kids and tell them what they can find in the fridge for lunch?”

Yes, Lord I can, and I will.

That day the Lord reminded me that my being flexible, and allowing Him to intervene in my daily plans, allows Him to prepare me for the next thing, which often takes the form of unexpected visits and food. A few of our tests:

A relative arrived and proudly gave me a dead, skinned rabbit--yes, some people really enjoy eating them here. The Lord reminded me to smile and graciously accept the gift, as it is honoring to Him and a witness for Him. I was already in the “be prepared for anything” mode. No, I didn’t eat the rabbit – but I thanked the family member and smiled. He left feeling good about his gift, and that’s what is important.

Another time, in the middle of cooking a fantastic meal for out of town relatives, they arrived with a pot of food already made. Yes, they carried those cabbage rolls on the bus, along with a fully de-feathered, intact, chicken carcass (head and feet included). The wife, who is reputed to be a terrible cook and isn’t known for cleanliness, expected us to eat her food and cook that chicken. I smiled and thanked them for their gift. They felt great and honored, and that’s what is important.

On a different occasion, we were ready to begin dinner when a neighbor brought slices of her freshly baked rum cake for dessert. I know from experience that I don’t tolerate even the smell of rum and, honestly, that cake didn’t fit my idea of healthy food. However, Romanian etiquette demands a sample taste and gratitude for the gift. I must decline the taste, but express my gratitude (with profuse superlatives) for her delicious gift. “How incredibly kind and gracious of you, to think of us and share your cake with us.” My neighbor left feeling great about her cake, but convinced I’m an American who can’t handle her rum.

Finally, there is the dear neighbor who likes to bring us his homemade cow cheese. I love fresh cow cheese—when it’s made with clean hands. Unfortunately, his are filthy, but he will expect a full report on how much I enjoyed this cheese. God always reminds me to consider the huge financial sacrifice our neighbor makes in giving us this big block of cheese. I’m overcome with thanksgiving for his gift and let him know. He left feeling so great about his being able to bless our family with that cow cheese. I will take one tiny taste to ensure my honest response when asked. “It tasted great.”

It has taken hard-core training for me to learn to handle these situations in God-honoring ways. I don’t like re-taking tests. I want to nail them on the first go around. Unfortunately, this was a lesson that needed to be re-taught over and over and over.

You see, I grew up an only child, where I controlled my environment. I didn’t have to share. I didn’t have to consider anyone else’s feelings. My toys were my toys. My dollhouse was arranged perfectly. I was “the captain of my ship”. If I didn’t like something, I told you and that was the end of it.

As I grew older, I carried these personal preferences into my adulthood. I made plans—my way, on my terms and in the way I deemed fit. If people wanted to join in, great. If not, no worries. I didn’t need to be inconvenienced or bothered.

But, the heart of God is not for us to be alone or control our environment in a way that shuts others out. God patiently waited for me to surrender my plans for the future, and the way it would be worked out for me and my family.

More importantly, it began in surrendering my heart in exchange for his--asking him to give me his heart for others. After all, as God’s disciple, I want to be obedient to him. In doing this, the two greatest commandments are fulfilled:

“Jesus said to him, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

When we love God and love others as ourselves, we are obedient. His commands are not burdensome; they bring peace and balance to life and home, and so much more--including seeing people being exposed to the Gospel.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to have plans which bring order to our sometime chaotic lives; but there must always be a submission to God’s authority over them. He’s interested in every remote detail and corner of our lives.

God doesn’t measure big or small. He wants us to surrender all the circumstances to His authority—his Lordship. When we handle the unexpected curve balls and inconveniences of life with the grace and wisdom of God, Jesus is greatly magnified. Our example proclaims the Gospel to a watching world and demonstrates his love and power to the most important disciples entrusted to us, our children.

by Coleen Jejeran, Missionary to Romania



Consent Needed

Consent Needed

“Let your attitude to life be that of Jesus Christ himself. For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his privileges as God’s equal, but stripped himself of every advantage by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born a man. And, plainly seen as a human being, he humbled himself by living a life of utter obedience, to the point of death, and the death he died was the death of a common criminal.” Philippians 2:5-9 (J.B.Phillips)

A little review about Philippi. It was a prosperous, large city, heavily inhabited by retirees from the Roman army. They were enjoying the perks of the good life (think Palm Springs), including the services of their slaves. Possibly one person in every five was owned by someone else, an accepted practice in ancient times.

In Philippians 1:1 Paul introduced himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ. In the Greek manuscript that word is doulos. one who is devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests. As described in the Old Testament,

“But, suppose your servant says, ‘I will not leave you,’ because he loves you and your family, and he has done well with you. In that case, take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door. After that, he will be your servant for life.”
Deuteronomy 15:16-17

This is the picture of a bondservant. He or she willingly takes the lower position to serve another for the rest of their life. They then receive a mark—perhaps an earring—that identifies them as belonging to the master. Wherever they go—whatever they do—they represent the interests of their master.

Jesus gives us the ultimate example. The one who stripped himself of his glory, and willingly put on the limitations of man. And he did it for Joy, the joy of paying our sin debt, the joy of presenting you and me without flaw to God the Father.

Paul exhorts, “Let this mind be in you” (KJV). Consent is needed. We don’t get the mind of Christ unless we are willing to receive it. In Jon Courson’s commentary on Philippians he writes

“One of the most important components in understanding joyful, successful Christianity is this: You cannot change your heart—but you can change your mind. Conversely, God can change your heart, but he won’t change your mind. Therefore, if I choose to change the way I think about a given situation, God will change my heart to follow suit. But if I do not choose to change my thoughts, God will not change my heart.”

Let this mind be in me…have the same attitude that Christ had. My choice. It’s the attitude with which I need to live. It’s how I need to view my purpose for taking up space on planet earth.

Jesus came as a man for one purpose: to provide salvation from sin. Every moment leading to Calvary was in service toward that end. He revealed the truth of God in what he said and did. He came as a servant. He considered others as worth the cost of self.

It’s human nature to please ourselves. That’s why we’re so vulnerable to Satan’s game plan—testing us in the big three: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life. The battle is in our thoughts. They determine our choices.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

Let this mind be in you… It takes our consent for God to change us. Will we submit…obey this direction? Will we live out our relationships and responsibilities by thinking of the needs of others first—without thinking
what’s in it for me?
when is it my turn?
What about my needs?

God has told us he has purpose and it’s way better than we think (Isaiah 55:9). The apostles James and Peter both exhorted believers to exercise humility—to willingly take a lower status.

“Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up in honor.”
James 4:10
”So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
1 Peter 5:6

There is a “down” and there is an “up.” We take the lower position to serve and God lifts us up to a place of honor. That’s what’s in it for us. That’s when it’s our turn. That’s the promise that our needs will be met. There is joy in serving a purpose, in agreeing to the destiny God has for us. It takes our consent.

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2: 9-11

by Marilyn Allison



Lost But Found

Lost But Found

"Indeed, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost.”
Luke 19:10 (God’s Word translation)

This is my testimony and the reason I Know the beautiful promises of God are true, life changing, and everlasting.

I am guilty of having a shameful, and sinful past.

In my younger years I made the selfish, and terrible, decision to leave my husband for another man.

The consequences of my sin caused unmentionable pain to myself, my family, and others. The “honeymoon phase” of my new marriage was extremely short lived. Our relationship turned into turmoil within weeks of saying “I Do” at the justice of the peace. Almost immediately, “the thrill” was gone, and my new marriage turned into a living nightmare. Guilt, self-loathing, and regret drove me into a hopeless pit of mental and spiritual despair. When I finally reached rock bottom, and my life had become completely unmanageable, Jesus came to my rescue and saved me…and my marriage.

During this time, a pastor had put a hand-written invitation on my door to attend service at a local church. Before I knew it, I found myself walking into that small church—all alone—not knowing what to expect. I was instantly overcome by the beautiful worship, sung heartily by the congregation. The obvious joy in their voices was a clear indication of their love for the Lord. I was captivated.

The topic of the sermon escapes me, but—thirty years later—I still remember the lovely feeling of peace. Even in my sinful state, it was clear to me that God meant for me to be at that church, at that time, and for that service.

In that small church I learned the truth about the love of Jesus. He came to earth—not to shame, or condemn—but to forgive and to save. He loved me just as I was. Because of his grace and mercy, his blood—shed on the cross at Calvary—washed clean my sinful soul.

Sadly, I had to learn the hard way that Jesus wants only what is best for me—his laws are for my own good and protection. I learned there is no better feeling than knowing I am loved by my creator.  That having a personal relationship with Jesus, surpasses any other relationship on this earth. I have discovered that reading and studying the Bible is life changing—exciting—and that there is nothing more fulfilling in life than serving the Lord.

The more I strive to please and obey Jesus, the more aware I become of my sinful nature. I know that I will always struggle to live a life that glorifies the Lord, and that I continue to fail him repeatedly. However, I will never again believe the enemy’s lies that I am unworthy to seek— and accept—forgiveness from my heavenly father. I never want to slip back into the empty, meaningless life I once led, and pray that I will never take for granted the cost of my salvation.

I recently heard a pastor say that God can use even our greatest sin to bring about good if we are willing to share our experience to help others. My prayer is that somehow, my past can spare someone else the misery I suffered and inflicted. May it offer encouragement to trust that God will forgive any sin from a soul who earnestly seeks forgiveness, and repents. 

I feel incredibly blessed that the Lord has given me a new heart, a Christ centered life, a loving marriage, amazing church, and a pastor who loves the Lord, and humbly teaches God’s truth with passion, and integrity.

“Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (GW)

by Julie Hill