True Forgiveness

Why is it that some people can forgive and others have such a hard time with forgiveness? We know our past. We know the sins we have committed. What we forget is that God doesn’t remember them at all if we have confessed them. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us Psalms 103:12 (KJV) He is just to forgive us if we confess our sins and turn from our wicked ways. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14 (KJV) If God forgives and forgets our sins why is it so hard for us and others to do the same? It is satan who doesn’t want us to forgive anyone. If he can keep us focused on all the wrongs that people or life in general has done to us then he keeps us from doing God’s work. If we can stay focused on those wrongs then we are too occupied to move on. We have to learn to forgive ourselves and quit living in self-condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (KJV) We are so hard on ourselves when we do something wrong whether it is a sin or not. Now I am not saying that you can go out and sin willing an say oh Lord forgive me and it be alright. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb 10:26 (KJV) I am saying that if you find you have sinned or wronged someone in some way confess it to the Lord. Ask him to show you how not to do that again. If it is a thing that causes you to sin remove it from your life. If it is a person that you know is going to make you sin limit your exposure to them. Here are some things I have done to help me to learn to forgive. Most importantly read your Bible daily even if just for a few minutes each day. If you do that you will find yourself starting to believe what you read. Then you will find that you mind becomes more Christ like and it will be easier to forgive others as well as yourself. When you can truly forgive then you will be set free from that bondage of sin that is holding you back. Than you will be able to fulfill the purpose that God has for your life.

Sinners Saved By Grace

We know all to well the scripture Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matt 7:1 (KJV) What most of us neglect to read, is the scripture that follows it.   2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3　And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Matt 7:2-6 (KJV) We always say NOT ME, I would NEVER judge someone. We know it is not right to judge but oh how easy it is to fall into the judgment seat. It starts off as a casual remark such as How can she even walk through these church doors after what her such and such did? Why is she telling Ms. So and So how to raise her child when she should be paying more attention to her wild child? Did you hear what happened at the church in gossip town? We are always quick to point out the wrong others are doing without stopping to look at how we were or even are right now. We spend so much time trying to be like the other guy that if we are not careful we try to judge them by what we think is right. We need to remember this verse 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) Even when we think we are being the best we can be we need to remember that without God we are nothing. We need to stop trying to be like Brother or Sister So and So and be what God intended us to be. God has a plan for you. It is not to be like anyone you know. It is to be his hands and his feet. The talent that he gave you is what he wants to make perfect. It could even be the very thing that you hate about yourself. We need to stop judging ourselves by looking at what other people are doing and read God’s word and let it be the judge. Once we do that, we will then realize that we are all sinners just saved by God’s grace. 

Be Prepared

I was reading on the internet about fish dead in rivers and birds falling dead out of the sky. Events like these usually tend to make people think about the coming end of times. I admit it does me as well. I know the end is coming but I don’t know when. All I can do is be prepared. My favorite scripture about being prepared is The Parable of the Ten Virgins. 　1　Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2　And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3　They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4　But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5　While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6　And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7　Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8　And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9　But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10　And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11　Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12　But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13　Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matt 25:1-13 (KJV) It reminds me so much of how life is today. We as Christians, myself included, have become so comfortable with ourselves that we have lacked to prepare for his return. We have been saved but have failed to take our salvation to a dying world. We have gotten so comfortable in our own little box that we don’t want to step out and share our love for Jesus. God wants us to be prepared for his return but he also wants us to bring others to him.　For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. Romans 14:7 (KJV) We were put here for a purpose and that purpose is to lead others to Christ. To often we want to leave that job to our Pastors or Deacons. We think who am I? What good can I do? We can lead others to Christ by being a good example in our workplace and even at the grocery store. We can step up for the Lord when an opportunity comes along instead of coming up with excuses until it passes on by. We can start with our lost loved ones we have in our family. Read the Bible daily. Be prepared to answer the hard questions like why do you believe the way you do? and How can you have joy in times like these? Pray for knowledge and wisdom to say what God would want you to say to those he places in your path. Then when the opportunity presents itself you will be prepared to use it to the fullest for the Glory of God. We must be good soldiers and fight the good fight. Then when we have finished we will hear those precious words well done my child.