Having Trouble With Forgiveness? What Does the Bible Say?

These verses speak for themselves and need no commentary from me.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV 

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Proverbs 20:22 ESV

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Proverbs 10:12 ESV

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses

James 1:19-20 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 12:15 ESV 

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

James 1:26 ESV

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Wonder of a Loving Relationship

Soon my wife and I will celebrate our 45th Wedding Anniversary. What a wonder filled life we have had.

For most of those years we were privileged to serve side by side in Christian ministry. Our love for each other defies description. Many others have had this same experience.

Love, indeed, is a wonderful thing. The love of a parent for a child, a child for a parent, and so it goes. Yet, none of these can compare with the love that God has for His creation.

God sent His son, Jesus, as an expression of that love. The Bible says all humankind has sinned and is in need of forgiveness. Because of the love Jesus expressed on the Cross, forgiveness is ours for the asking.  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1st John 1:9)

We need not go it alone in this life. As a member of God's family, He draws alongside of us and walks with us each step of the way. This is truly a 'wonder filled' love.

You can experience this love today!

There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

Chorus
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
(George Beverly Shea)

Our New Name

"The Conservative Christian" has a new name. It is "By His Stripes Journal". We have changed the name because we felt the use of the word "Conservative" in our name might carry with it a political overtone. Since we do not deal with worldly politics, it was felt that a name change was in order. It has been quite the task finding a name that both reflects our content and one that is not already in use, but alas, 'By His Stripes'.

When the Rain Comes

The night has passed and the sun rises above the horizon. It has been a difficult night as sleep has eluded you. There are many things on your mind, not the least which are the difficulties you have been facing. Your spirit is troubled and you are not certain just what to do about it all. The anxiousness you feel is only making your level of distress rise and you are not certain how things will play out. You have talked with friends and relatives but that has not brought any relief and you are not certain where else you can turn. Will it ever come to an end or will you ever be able to see things through to a satisfactory end?  What can you possibly do to make it better, make it all go away? Here are five things that might help.

First, know that what you are going through is common to the human experience! Everyone has trouble that, often, seems insurmountable. If there is a difference between them, it is in how they approach dealing with difficulty. You are not alone.

Second, there is a reason that you are facing these difficulties and it is important that you gain an understanding of why you are where you are. It may be something you have done that has brought trouble your way.  If so, take responsibility for your actions. Perhaps it is something others have done and, through no fault of your own, it has complicated your life. Knowing the source of trouble will help you devise a plan that will help you solve the problem.

Third, know there is a way out! There are few problems faced by humankind that are not without a solution. Once you understand that everyone faces difficulty and that there is a way out of that difficulty, you can begin to put together a plan that will solve whatever the problem is. Know that it is OK to ask others for help. You may not have control over how they will respond, but it never hurts to go to those you love and trust for advice and counsel. You may not always like the advice you get... but always, always consider it. Your friends and loved ones just might know what they are talking about. They can be more objective about your issues.

Fourth, know that there is a loving God to whom you can go. This may seem to be to simplistic, but it is, nevertheless, true. If your troubles stem from some ill advised action you have taken, ask Him to forgive you and resolve never to do it again. Ask Him for guidance. Ask Him to give you a solution. God intervenes in our lives when He judges that we are sincere. If your problem is because of what others have done, then forgive them and move on. God expects us to be forgiving if we are to expect His help.


Fifth, once you have accomplished these things, go to work solving the problem. Don't just sit around hoping it all will just go away. Most often, it will not. We are expected to take charge of our lives! That means rolling up our sleeves and get with the process of problem solving. All through life this will be expected of you.


"Got any rivers you think are uncrossable
Got any mountains you can't tunnel through
God specializes in things thought impossible
He does the things others cannot do." 


Oscar Eliason




Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)


Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)

Eggs, Cereal, Toast and Bacon

What a great morning! Rose at 5AM and headed for the kitchen determined to give my wife a treat this morning. With Breakfast in Bed in mind, I opened the refrigerator, pulled out the eggs, bacon, and potatoes. Scrambled, diced and fried for the next half hour taking in the aroma all along the way. I put on a pot of coffee and popped the bread in the toaster, all the time anticipating her surprise when it is all served up. Even though my vegan friends would have probably preferred hearing of me serving up a Peanut Butter Granola Breakfast, somehow this seemed to be the right way to go. You should have seen the smile on my wife's face as I proudly strolled into the bedroom, breakfast fare in hand! Boy, was it good and it made for a wonderful start to the day.

For years I never ate breakfast. I always liked to get that last few minutes of sleep in before rising, showering and heading out the door to work! Lunch and Dinner always seemed more than adequate most days.

Nutritionists, however, tell us that if we are to properly maintain our health we should recognise that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets the stage for kicking in the metabolism, helps us concentrate better at work and school and is, generally, a must if we are to develop into strong, healthy human beings. It also helps us develop a staying power for all that will be required of us throughout the day.

Can There Be a Spiritual Application Here?

As I think of this, it makes me wonder if the same is not true for the healthy development of our spiritual life! Can there be a 'spiritual' breakfast served up that will have a similar effect on our spiritual health?

During my formative years I remember my mother rising very early in the morning, always before the sun would rise. She would have a quiet time for herself and meditate. After a short time she would pull out her Bible and read several passages of scripture before falling to her knees for a time of prayer before God. Today I was thinking to myself, this was her recipe for a 'spiritual breakfast'. A quiet time for oneself, Bible study, and then a season of prayer. It set the stage for her 'spiritual metabolism' to kick in. She always maintained that it helped her keep her focus, and asserted that it gave her the strength to be consistent and 'energy' filled throughout the day.

I  think Mom became spiritually equipped during this morning 'breakfast' of hers. She was better equipped to face the day and the challenges the day would bring. God bless her for the example she set. 

How do you start each day? O, you say you have been a Christian for many years and you have already discovered this? Wonderful.....but are you doing it....every day? If you have fallen a bit by the wayside and your spiritual strength is not what it ought to be, try this recipe out! You just might be surprised at how well your day goes.

Blessings!

Meet My New Minister!

Meet My new minister! He is one of the most humble and selfless people I know. He refuses to drive a fancy car or live in an upscale townhouse. He never, never overeats or wastes his food. Expensive clothing he always shys away from. I don't think he ever owned a pair of alligator shoes... that would be to pretentious for him.


Occasionally, he asks for an offering but never asks for very much. He does not travel in the social circles most minister's frequent. He does not waste his resources on fancy restaurants. A vacation is something he has only heard of. He's much to preoccupied for that.

Like some other minister's I know, he is ignored by many who see and hear him, but choose to pass on by without taking him very seriously.

His greatest contribution is that he tests people to see what they are really made of. He challenges them to be real servants of the Almighty. He demands nothing, but chooses to sit quietly by and watches to see if my fellow Christians will adopt a servant hood lifestyle.

Yes, he is my new minister! Much different from the others I have had. He challenges me to be my very best as I serve Christ and he does it without uttering a word. He is my minister because he reminds me of my responsibility for service. Without words he inspires me to immerse myself in God's word and discover how I should live. He is my minister because he is who he is.

Also, he is my minister because, I believe,  he has been sent by God to make me a better servant of the Most High! The mere sight of him moves me to action! O, that I might not miss this opportunity!

Go Back to the Old Wells!

When I look at this illustration I think of my mother and the countless thousands who have served humankind over the years with a caring heart. They did not need innovative, creative programming. They did not need the approval of society. They did not need huge sums of money, a late model car, expansive (and expensive) organizational hierarchy, fancy buildings or planning and development commissions. Their work did not require a PhD., an MSW or a Bachelors degree and if they had one, they never called attention to it. Nowhere to be found was a computer, iPad, or cell phone! Few, if any, had a secretary or paid staff to help them. Modern day Social Workers were yet to arrive on the scene.

Anna Mae (Hunt) Laws 1926



They had everything they needed in a caring heart and a winsome spirit. They possessed an undying love for those who were suffering and needed a friend. They cared for the soul!

 



Sometimes, I think we need to go back to the 'Old Wells'! Return to the old way of thinking and living. Perhaps we should require less for ourselves and make certain WE are connecting with those who really need us. I believe we should, at the very least, consider this. Consider what we can do to achieve what the old timers accomplished. Perhaps simpler is better!

It is true that we live in a different world, today. However, the emotional and spiritual needs of the masses have not changed! Neither has our ability to reach them... if we go back to the 'Old Wells' and draw from it the personal and corporate inspiration, and motivation, that will make a difference!

Perhaps we should be training the troops to maintain the kind of simplicity this chorus exhibits:

"You bring the one next to you,
and I'll bring the one next to me.
In no time at all, we'll win them all.
Win them, win them, one by one!"



A Gift From God!

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2.

Never take your health for granted, whether you are young or older. It was just five years ago our life changed in just a moment of time. It continued to change as my wife's health became worse. Susan is a victim of several strokes. She went through so much. Few people, at the time, understood what was happening or what was to come, including me.Don't take for granted the simple things like bathing, dressing, understanding, talking, moving about and so many other seemingly simple tasks. All can be lost or significantly impaired in a moments time.


Take care of your health....it is a gift from God! He cares about your health and desires for you to guard it carefully!

Can God Really Be Trusted?

On the way home from church I saw a church message board that said, "Got Problems? Trust Jesus!" I thought to myself, "if life could be so simple!" How many of us have had people say to us, when sharing the challenges of life, "you just have to trust God!".

In church we sings hymns like, 'Trusting as the moments fly', or 'Trust and Obey' and I often wonder if we really understand what those words mean. Is it possible for us to just turn over the cares of life to God and forget about them? I would suggest, No!

Now, before you get all upset about my theology, hear me out. In order for us to have the privelege of turning our cares over to the Almighty, and then expecting Him to handle them, I would suggest that there is something more required of us. I maintain that we cannot abandon our cares without some prerequisite behavior. This is my point, if we are to trust God to handle our affairs, we must also be acting responsibly and living righteously!

The Bible says, "O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withold from them who walk uprightly."(Psalm 84:9-12) This Psalm helps us understand that we can trust God for all good things if we are walking uprightly! So now, the question becomes, 'what does it mean to walk uprightly'?

'Nancy and Rob' lived in the Midwest. They lived on a very meager income and often had trouble paying all of their financial obligations each month. They commented to me one day that they were having difficulty and, soon, they expected to have their utilities shut off. I asked them what they had planned to do about it and they responded, convincingly, that they were trusting God to provide. I thought how wonderful it was they had such trust.

Some time later I learned that this couple had a habit of going to a nearby casino every week. While there, they would spend about $50.00 and then go home when that was lost. That came to $200.00 a month being thrown away for what they called 'entertainment'! When there utilities were finally shut off, they came to me for help. Well, you can imagine what my response was.

If we are to trust God to provide for us, we must, in my opinion, be acting responsibly. I do not believe the argument can be made that this couples behavior was responsible. We are, after all, the stewards of all that God gives us and He expects us to use what we have wisely.

Also, I have heard many people, who were not Christians, expect God to meet their needs without realizing that the promises of God are for His people. God will never withhold any good thing from those who belong to Him and are living in accordance with His word. The Psalmist said, "no good thing will he withhold from them walk uprightly".

Friends, today God wants you to know that whatever the challenges of life may be for you, you CAN trust Him....if you are living responsibly and righteously! Are you using your resources in such as way as to please God? Are your sins forgiven? Do you have the assurance in your heart that you belong to the family of God? If so, you can 'cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1st Peter 5:7)