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THREE THINGS WILL LAST FOREVER—FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE—AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Forgiveness- Is there a Choice?

10/31/2014

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     Do you ever have those chores you just despise doing because you know even after you complete them; they will need to be completed again and again.  I can think of a few right off the top of my head.  Laundry is always a reoccurring chore.  Cleaning out my car when I have two kids with me all the time.  Last but not least is raking leaves.  Just yesterday I was blowing leaves to get them away from all of our lawn furniture, only to find they had returned this morning, which was not a shock.  Sometimes I think in my head why bother?  If it is only going to happen again and again why worry about it at all.  Then I stopped to think if you never raked the leaves away from your stuff, you would eventually not be able to use it at all.  If you did not do laundry you would eventually not have any clothes.  And if you didn’t clean out your car it could possible start growing things.
     As I was thinking about the leaves yesterday and how they always seem to come back; I started thinking about sin and forgiveness.  Forgiveness has a lot in common with the leaves that are ever present; it is continually needed, and has to be continually given. Have you ever wondered how many times you have to forgive someone, or how many times you have to show him or her grace?  Well if you have been around long you have definitely asked yourself this question.  It might be a family member, spouse, co-worker, boss, or friend. Sometimes people can be so mean, and so negative it literally drains the life right out of you.  I have known a few of those in my life, and at a certain time, actually was one.  I was so unhappy with my life I wanted everyone else to be just as miserable as I was.  I was so self absorbed with myself, and what I was going through, I took it out on everyone around me.  Thankfully God gave me a different heart, and I try to make an effort to be more positive.  I have to admit it can be pretty hard at times, but luckily I have a good friend who keeps me in check.
     The point is how do you deal?  How do you cope?  Is it right for a person to get to treat others anyway they want without consequences?  Are we as Christians suppose to just lie down and roll over?  The most normal reaction would be to write them off.  We usually make a mental note that this person has offended us one too many times, and we are now finished with them.  Honestly even if we write them off, if you still have to see them, has the emotion really changed?  So therefore we are left with the question of forgiveness, and how much is enough? In my studying I found an interesting article stating what forgiveness is not: (based on sermon Luke 11:1-4)
1.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT APPROVING OR DIMINISHING SIN.
2.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT ENABLING SIN.
3.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT DENYING A WRONGDOING.
4.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT WAITING FOR AN APOLOGY.
5.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT FORGETTING.
6.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT CEASING TO FEEL THE PAIN.
7.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT A ONETIME EVENT.
8.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT NEGLECTING JUSTICE
9.    FORGIVENESS IS NOT TRUSTING.
   10.  FORGIVENESS IS NOT RECONCILIATION.

The bottom line is that Jesus expects forgiveness from Christians.  However, we have to understand what forgiveness really is, or is not.  For instance when you hear someone say forgive and forget.  I think this is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard.  If someone deeply wounds you, you will never forget it.  You may choose to forgive and not dwell on it, but the words or deed cannot be removed.  This is why it is imperative that we control our tongue and our attitude.  I think if we can get a better idea of what forgiveness is it may pave the way for us to truly be able to forgive others.  So let's look at a few scriptures that reinforce the idea of forgiveness, and its importance.

  Mathew 18:23 tells the story of the unforgiving servant.  A servant was forgiven of his debt, but then would not forgive someone else of their to debt to him.  So in the end he was tortured until he could pay back the debt because he refused to show forgiveness.  In verse 35 it says, “This is how your heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” 

In Mathew 18: 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

John 1:16 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

Matthew 5:22-24 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (attitude: forgive because you love the Lord)

Ephesians 4:31-32 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.(attitude: loving and forgiving just like God forgave you)

If we are a Christians, then we do not get to choose our attitude or whether we want to forgive someone.  If we want to walk in the spirit we must be willing to forgive and love no matter how we “feel”.  My mentor often reminds me “teachers of the word are judged more severely because they are trained in the Word and know better.  It is imperative that they go over and above to treat people with kindness, and always be willing to forgive so bitterness will not take root.  I have thought about his statement often. I pray when times and people are difficult, God will allow me to strive to follow this godly advice. 
 
Take time to watch: 10 Things That Forgiveness Is Not
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What Would I Do?

10/24/2014

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In Community Bible Study for Ladies ( Westmead Thursday at 9:45-11:45 everyone welcome) we are learning about Daniel sustaining his faith through the trials in his life.  It is reassuring that someone is able to complete, with flying colors, the tests that God puts into their life.  However, when we look at our own lives it can be a little disheartening to realize we may have failed a time or two.  While studying Daniel it can cause you to wonder "What would I do?"

Our verse this week was “Obey God rather than men.”  Daniel was placed in a situation that called for his true obedience to God over everything else.  Daniel could either change the person he had been for years, or he could stand up for his convictions and be true to himself.  There are often times in life that we allow our situation or our circumstances dictate how we act. I recall a time when I was young and was just starting my career in the Operating Room.  I was placed in the pod of orthopedics.  I didn’t mind the pod I was in, but quickly realized that there were only 2 women on the team. We learned a couple things fast working on an all guy team.  One, do not show emotion because you will be considered weak, which is funny because most crying women are just so mad they could probably harm you.  Two, we learned everything possible about football because that was the whole topic during surgery.  Three, we learned to endure ridiculous sexual innuendos which was way past fun and games.  When I think back to that situation, I think why did we go to all the trouble, and why did we put up with the unacceptable behavior? Why?  We did what we thought was necessary to keep our job and fit in while doing it. Many people had already lost their job in the merge, so we tolerated things we should not have, for job security.  Although we did nothing immoral or unethical, we tolerated things we did not feel were right. This led me to wonder what I would do in other situations.  What if I was faced with Daniel’s choice, either obey the government and not pray, or pray to God and be killed?  What if I was faced with the fiery furnace?  Would I have knelt before the statue saying, “I am really praying to God”, or would I have been as bold as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and refused to kneel.  In all these situations there was a choice to be made.  They could just fit in with the crowd, and in their heart say they served God, or they could take a bold stand for others to see.

As time pushes on there are a lot of things we have let slide.  In our mind we may have not accepted them our self, but we have not stood up for the opposing position either.  In community bible study this week a lady shared with us how right here in the United States over the past three years that Christian churches have been bought and turned into Mosque.  This should make your hair stand up.  The church talks about the time of persecution coming, it is not coming, it is here.  Although I believe it will obviously be much worse at later times, just look at the Pastor in Houston whose sermons or “speeches” were taken by subpoena.  What happen to freedom of speech?  Look at how people with “special circumstances” (and I am not talking about physical or mental problems) have the whole world bending over backward for them because they are afraid of being sued.  She also pointed out places like Asia Minor that use to be populated with churches that is now 99.8% Islamic.  God has never guaranteed that the United States would always enjoy religious freedom.  As a matter of fact I think you could say we are like the people in Malachi and Haggai.  God warned over and over he would pull his blessings, but they refused to listen.  Are we really so arrogant in the United States that we think we have enjoyed freedom on our own?


If someone took your Bible from you right now do you know enough to sustain yourself?  Would you know enough to teach your kids?  Could you theologically, at least on a foundational level, defend your faith? 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..” I guarantee that Muslims and Mormons can tell you everything about the Bible, and probably know more key scriptures than a lot of Christians.  After all, you cannot dispute something you know nothing about.  We desperately need to focus on our kid’s knowledge of the Bible.  I believe in my heart it will be the ones that are young now, that will be heavily persecuted.  One day they may not even have a Bible.  Daniel was around 15 years old when he was taken into captivity.  He was indoctrinated with the Babylon ways and laws, but because God’s law was instilled in him so firmly as a child, he was able to remain faithful to God. How imperative it is for us to do the same for our children.  

God is not surprised or unprepared for anything that is currently happening in our World.  However, I believe the time has come when the church has to rise up like never before.  I don’t want to leave you will gloom and doom on a Friday afternoon, so I leave you with a hope that only God can give:

He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.  He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. (Daniel 2:21-22)
 
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

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Not Enough....

10/3/2014

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The world will tell you that the dominating influence in your life is your past.  If you have been in a bad situation or had problems then that will divine the rest of your life.  You will never be quiet good enough because you have these things in your past.  If you were hurt or abused, or if your youth was spent in rebellion, the remainder of your life will be spent in guilt and sorrow for your past.  Sometimes we don’t even need a past to feel bad about our selves.  Often  people feel inadequate just because, so therefore; they do not attempt the task.  In essence there are times we feel not enough.

Our women’s retreat this past weekend was caterpillars to butterflies.  It simply talked about the stages in life that we all go through.  When I was studying to do our opening session I revisited the life of a butterfly.  Interestingly enough when the caterpillar weaves its cocoon and goes into hiding it is doing some amazing things.  I had forgotten, or maybe had no idea that during this stage a caterpillar literally secretes enzymes to dissolve itself down until just a few imaginal cells are left.  From these few cells it begins to recreate a different form.  Obviously when enough time has been allowed, it turns into a magnificent butterfly.  The once limited caterpillar that was dependent on the leaves and trees is now free to fly wherever it wants to go.

What an awesome picture in nature of the scripture 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”  The caterpillar in order to become this beautiful butterfly had to be wiling to dissolve itself down into nothing to become something spectacular.  The same is true with us.  When we are saved it is up to us to allow Christ to make us into a completely different person. We have to be willing to die to our selves, and allow Christ to become Lord.  I think of the fruits of the spirit, and how when someone really loves the Lord, you can see the fruit as evidence in their life.

Sometimes this is easier said than done.  Sometimes we come with a lot of baggage and wonder if God could truly take us because we are simply not enough.  The good news is even the most wonderful person on the planet would not be enough without Christ in their life.  Isaiah 43:25 “I, I am he
 who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
 and I will not remember your sins.  The truth is once we have Christ we have everything.  In Deuteronomy 30:19-20  “Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life”.   In this verse he doesn’t say oh just give God what you can, he is saying HE is your LIFE, HE is everything, HE is your next breath!

The devil would like nothing better than for us to walk around feeling incompetent or not enough.  He knows if we have these attitudes we will never accomplish anything for the Kingdom of God. Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is strength of my heart and my portion forever.  In this verse I am reminded of my friend that just passed away this weekend.  She could have done a lot of things when she found out she was going to die, but she concentrated on one.  She decided in her heart that she would go and tell everyone that would listen about what Christ had done in her life.  Like in Psalm 73 when her flesh and heart were failing, God became her strength, and is now is her portion forever!  I feel like she has turned from a caterpillar always dependent on medicine and help, into a magnificent butterfly who is free to worship God in an unlimited body.

  You see it is not about us and how we feel, but about a mighty God, and what he can do! Isaiah 43 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
 I have called you by name, you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
 and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
 when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
 and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God”
 The world is focusing on what they are overcoming, while Christians should be focusing on what they are becoming.  Christ supersedes what ever happened in our past.  May we always remember in Christ we are more than conquerors, and are more than enough!

We watched this clip from Mom’s Night Out at the conference, and I wanted to share it with you.  It could not be truer.
 

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    Author 

    My name is Bridgette Guest. I am a wife, mom, children's minister, as well as women's conference speaker.  I love the Lord, and want to share his word with as many people as I can.






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