Next Level

Next Level

Colossians 3: ¹³ Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.

 

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As we sat at the picnic table, someone knocked over a drink into “my” food. I pouted because I was a child. “Forgive” were the words given to me. After some cooling down time, I was able to let it go. After that incident, other people spilled stuff and I easily forgave. One day a bully punched me in the chest so hard I almost passed out.

 

• I had been attacked so “How am I supposed to forgive?” was my question.
• I could not fight back, but I wanted something “bad” to happen to the bully.
• I remembered the words “forgive” and I had to do it, reluctantly.

 

Paul addresses differences of opinions. One person had a way of doing things and another had an opposing way to do the same thing. This raised complaints. He provided a way to resolve the differences. “Forgive one another.”

 

My Observations

• There seems to be another level of forgiveness GOD wants me to reach.
• As life goes on, I seem to face a variety of situations and people who need me to forgive.
• GOD forgave me and wants me to forgive others, even when my complaint is justified.

 

Someone said “Forgive and forget”, but it is the “forget part that trips me up. I mean, I do remember what happened so did I not forgive? Having a good memory does not seem to be the problem. Holding back GOD’s love from someone who hurt me is the problem. Why forgive in the first place?  Because the LORD has forgiven me.

 

HE wants him or her to be forgiven too. HE knows humans will have differences in approach, values and opinions. HE also knows this will cause quarrels. HIS message still needs to be spread to everyone. The only way to spread the message is to drop my “offenses”, “defenses”  and be ready to forgive those who are hard to forgive. I am glad GOD forgave me and teaches me to forgive, little by little.

 

Challenge

• What complaint does the writer speak about that does not warrant forgiveness?
• Have you ever been stuck on doing things a certain way and have a difference in opinion that you cannot let go of?
• Will you take purpose into your relationships and forgive those who may be difficult to forgive?

Unstuck

Unstuck

Colossians 1: ¹⁹ For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. ²⁰ Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

 

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After years of dedication and hard work, I was told “the position is being eliminated.” Handing me an award for the best team added insult to injury. I could not concentrate during the final days. So much of my identity was tied up in work.

 

• I was stuck on “my” accomplishments.
• I was stuck on trying to make sense out of something that made no sense.
• I was stuck trying to see if I made mistakes, so I spent hours replaying words, actions and thoughts.

 

GOD the FATHER gives the ultimate example of moving forward, according to Paul’s letter. HE showed unmatched restraint by allowing the creation to senselessly murder and blame the creator. HE decided to reconcile versus destroy everyone and everything.

 

My Observations

• GOD provides me with a way to become unstuck when I get stuck in the past.
• GOD’s example of forgiveness is something I can obtain when I ask for it.
• GOD can help me to let go, especially when I relapse into pitying my circumstance.

 

“Forgive and forget” seems impossible when I am stuck. I mean, when I replay past hurts over and over and over again, I get stuck in a loop where there is no room for forgiveness. BUT GOD wants me out of the loop.

 

HE picks me up out of the hole of unforgiveness and moves me forward. HE gives me words of peace and reconciliation through the SON and enables me to serve those who threw poison darts at me. I am glad I can let go of seeing “punishment” and turn to GOD’s example of hoping everyone knows JESUS in a saving way.

 

Challenge

• What human intervention does the writer mention, if any?
• Have you ever been stuck in hurt or cannot see a way out of your situation?
• Will you follow GOD’s example and decide to move forward regardless of past or current circumstances?

Offense Defense

Offense Defense

2 Corinthians 2: ⁵ Now, if anyone has made somebody sad, he has not done it to me but to all of you—in part, at least. (I say this because I do not want to be too hard on him.) ⁶ It is enough that this person has been punished in this way by most of you. ⁷ Now, however, you should forgive him and encourage him, in order to keep him from becoming so sad as to give up completely. ⁸ And so I beg you to let him know that you really do love him. ⁹ I wrote you that letter because I wanted to find out how well you had stood the test and whether you are always ready to obey my instructions. ¹⁰ When you forgive people for what they have done, I forgive them too. For when I forgive—if, indeed, I need to forgive anything—I do it in Christ's presence because of you, ¹¹ in order to keep Satan from getting the upper hand over us; for we know what his plans are.

 

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Seeing the car dart in front of me gave me offense. I couldn’t do anything about it, so I carried that offense down the road. I missed the light I usually made and when I got to the parking lot I could see a car slip into my usual spot. I was offended. In many meetings, people kept saying offensive things like asking for the day off when we had a lot of work to do. Everyone was pretty offensive that day.

 

• I had a day that I wanted to be angry.
• I had a day that I carried one offense to the next.
• I had a day that I was looking for fights and I easily found them.

 

Paul writes about a specific person who offended many. He did not justify the offenders actions, nor did he say the punishment given was too harsh. He did however limit the offense time for a greater purpose. He wants people to forgive to keep the offender from giving up completely after receiving reasonable punishment. Causing people to give up is a plan of Satan.

 

My Observations

• When I get offended, GOD wants me to take a moment to give it to HIM.
• When I get offended, GOD wants me to see if it is a tactic of Satan to throw me off my praise.
• When I get offended, GOD wants me to understand that forgiveness is the only way from the bondage of hate to the freedom of love.

 

Love sets me free. I mean, when I set my prayers on the offender, I must realize that I am going to the thrown of GOD. I have two choices; “Hurt my offender” OR “Forgive my offender.” The latter of the two is the choice GOD wants me to make all the time, because HE did the same for me.

 

But this is not easy. It sometimes takes a little time and maturity to forgive. Quite honestly, sometimes it doesn’t happen. BUT GOD understands that too. The more I can forgive, the freer I can be. I am glad GOD can make my days stress free when I let go of offenses. HE also enables me to sleep by not being offended.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the offender in this passage?
• Have you ever messed up so bad that you needed to be forgiven?
• Does your offended state offend others?
• What offenses can you let go of so you can be free as CHRIST has set you free?

Put People Right

 

Put People Right

Romans 1: ¹⁶ I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. ¹⁷ For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.”

 

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Listening intently for mistakes, I waited for a slip up. This was a negotiation that I had to “win.” Immediately I found the opportunity when the goof came out of his mouth. I leveraged the mistake to get “my” way.

 

• Sometimes “winning” is losing.
• Sometimes being right means being “dead” right.
• Sometimes getting “my” way doesn’t get what I need.

 

Paul placed his complete confidence in GOD’s power to save all humans who believe in JESUS as the Savior. The gospel reveals how GOD puts people right with HIMSELF. It wasn’t the amounts given, or church attendance or by being nice that saved humans, Paul’s words imply. It is about being put right with GOD through JESUS dying for the sins humans commit.

 

• GOD wants me to be put right with HIM by believing I need JESUS to save me from eternal death.
• GOD wants me to see other people as HE sees their need to be put right with HIM.
• GOD wants me to put people right so I can overlook their sin as HE forgives those who believe in HIS SON.

 

Let’s face it, some people are difficult, namely you and me. I mean, GOD knew humans would not want to be bothered by HIM nor would we want a relationship with HIM. BUT GOD loved me anyway. HE saw every sin I would do and put me right with HIM so I could have a relationship with HIM.

 

On occasion I blame HIM and doubt HIM and pout when HE does not give me “my” way. BUT I praise HIM and love HIM and cherish the things HE has done for me. I am grateful GOD loved me enough to put me right with HIM through HIS SON JESUS, who is now alive.

 

• Are you at odds with someone?
• Do you want someone to change leave or die?
• Will you put the person right with you and desire salvation for you and “that” person so GOD can “win” HIS people back?

It’s You Not Me

 

It’s You Not Me

Acts 1: ⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the whole world is hearing about your faith. ⁹ God is my witness that what I say is true—the God whom I serve with all my heart by preaching the Good News about his Son. God knows that I remember you ¹⁰ every time I pray. I ask that God in his good will may at last make it possible for me to visit you now. ¹¹ For I want very much to see you, in order to share a spiritual blessing with you to make you strong. ¹² What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time, you by my faith and I by yours.

 

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Another year had past without a source of sustainable income, yet we were taken care of. As Christmas rolled around, I remember instructing the family to bake gifts and write letters of thanks. But deep down I had a question. “What about me?” Would I have to go another year trying to make things work?

 

• There have been times when I had become too weary to think of others.
• There have been times when I had become too beat up to pray for others.
• There have been times when I had become too weak to see that other people had needs.

 

Paul had been through a lot. He had been chased, jailed, shipwrecked, beaten and bitten by a poisonous snake. GOD sustained him through all the hardship. Paul became more thankful and so he starts off his letter by thanking GOD through JESUS for people.

 

• GOD wants me to see a way out of the situation is to be thankful.
• GOD wants me to put aside the situation for moments of praise to HIM.
• GOD wants me to be excited about people enough to include them in my prayers.

 

Thinking of others is hard when I am distracted by the enemy. I mean, the worries of the world prevent me from seeing others in need. BUT GOD loves when I see what HE sees, even if it is only for a moment. When I have needs and I can still see other people have needs, then GOD is excited.

 

HE accepts my prayers as I intercede for others. HE loves when I stand in the gap for the weak and helpless, especially when I am one of them. GOD loves when I have “you” type thinking. I am grateful for you and I hope GOD pours out HIS blessings on you and me.

 

• Are you busy thinking about yourself?
• Do you think you should get “your” way but have forgotten other people have needs?
• Will you gain strength over the situation by praying to GOD that JESUS comes into the lives of those around you today?

Before Accusing

Before Accusing

John 8: ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

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“Ooo, I’m telling” was my threat to my adversary. Getting this person in trouble and seeing them punished was my goal so I added a few items just to make sure the sentence was harsh.

Unfortunately the person I spoke to used discernment and made me settle the issue I had with the person I was telling on. They also gave me a warning. “Be careful of accusing someone or you may get in trouble yourself.”

• Many times I wanted to accuse someone.
• Many times I wanted to see “that” person get in trouble.
• Many times I wanted to see justice served because of my accusation.

JESUS discerned the motives of the church leaders. HE wrote something on the ground that may have scared them. Did HE write the names of those who also committed adultery? Or did JESUS write specific hidden sins of the church leaders? We do not know. BUT JESUS did something else.

• JESUS forgives me in the middle of my sin.
• JESUS has compassion for me, knowing I need HIM.
• JESUS ignores my accuser, the devil, by giving me the HOLY SPIRIT who pleads for me on my behalf.

Before accusing anyone, GOD wants me to check my motive for accusing them. Do I want to restore this person or tear them down? If it is the latter of the two, then I may be accused of hatred by GOD HIMSELF. I am grateful GOD forgives me.

• Are you slandering someone?
• Do you speak harshly about other people?
• Will you stop trying to get others in trouble and seek GOD’s restoration so they can bring others to HIM today?

The Cause or The Cure

Luke 17: Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ³ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

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Bored and lonely, I decided to throw a party. I discussed this with my roommate and our plan was put into action. “Hmm, what do I need to make this successful?” I said to myself. “I know! Great music, booze and girls who would get drunk to… you know!” This was a good plan.

• There were times when I was the cause of the problem.
• There were times when I sought out to bring other people into my failure.
• There were times when I wanted to be viewed as the king of “my” kingdom.

JESUS warns HIS disciples about sin. “Don’t purposefully cause people to sin” was the first warning and the second was “Forgive people a lot more than you think you should.” HE understands that the pride if Satan caused mankind to fall. BUT GOD also knows the fall can be temporary.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS sinless life so I don’t have to be perfect.
• JESUS wants me to understand that at some point in my life, I should try to reduce my sins.
• JESUS wants me to forgive people because I too am a sinner who needs to be forgiven.

Forgiving people who are the cause of sin is probably harder than staying away from being the cause, for me. “Remember that time way back about twenty years ago” are the words that pop up in my mind that makes it hard to forgive “that” person. BUT GOD wants me to forgive even though I may never forget. I have caused many to sin, I am glad GOD has forgiven me and them.

• Are you causing other people to sin by your poisonous or lustful or complaint–filled words?
• Do you take sin lightly?
• Will you allow GOD to help reduce your sin a little each day by adding grace to your heart so HE can grow you for HIS purpose?

Them Too

Mark 11: ²⁵ “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

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One guy pushed all my papers off of my desk. Another punched me in the chest so hard, I saw stars. One lady wanted to put a stupid label on myself so she would be more popular. This other person said “I’m going to wipe that smile off of your face” while I worked for him.

• There have been many people who have done some mean things to me.
• There have been some people who have low down things to me.
• There have been people who have slandered me, hit me, and hurt me physically and emotionally.

Asking GOD for whatever I wanted comes with a price. I can literally tell a mountain to move and ask GOD to do it and it will be done but first I must do something. I must forgive.

• JESUS says to me “I want you to pray to ME and ask me anything.”
• JESUS says to me “During your prayer, I want you to forgive those who hurt you.”
• JESUS says to me “When you practice forgiveness, your HEAVENLY FATHER will do the same for you.”

You mean I have to forgive “them too?” Yes! Asking JESUS to get me out of a jam gets nullified when I harbor hatred in my heart. Even bullies who call themselves CHRIST followers who seem to get their way at every turn will have to answer to GOD one day. GOD does not want me to be one of those bullies.

GOD wants me to be the person who is strong enough to recognize maleficent actions towards me and take the time to forgive them. It may take hours or days or sometimes years for me to truly get the poison out of my heart, BUT GOD can replace the poison with love. GOD wants me to forgive “them too.”

• Do you have hatred in your heart?
• Has someone hurt you on purpose and it is difficult to forgive them?
• Can you stop giving that person power over you and forgive them just as GOD has forgiven you?

Heart Sorrow

Matthew 18: 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

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“Say you’re sorry” a teacher demanded. “Sorry” was my pitiful response, but I wasn’t sorry at all!

• JESUS wants me to have empathy over anger.
• JESUS wants me to have forgiveness over being right all the time.
• JESUS wants me to have a heart that is truly sorry over saying I’m sorry to get past an argument.

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” tells me to have forgiveness all over. If forgiveness is not in my heart then I will pursue others onerously. GOD wants me to know the main reason I am here is for HIM in the first place. HE forgives, so should I.

• Are you harboring ill feelings for someone?
• Why are you holding onto so much negativity?
• Will you let go of the hurtful thinking and ask GOD for a forgiving heart?

Keeping Track

Matthew 18: ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

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One time I was robbed. I remember the guy’s face as if it were yesterday. He stole fifty cents, a calculator and my bus card! This guy should have been thrown in jail for the rest of his life!

• It is hard to forgive when I keep count.
• It is hard to forgive when I quantify the offense with my emotions.
• It is hard to forgive when I feel threatened or experience extreme loss or I am hurt.

Peter threw out the most extreme number he could think of, “seven.” I thought about it, I would have to get robbed by this guy six more times! JESUS says, “No, Seventy-seven times” meaning I would have to get robbed by this guy seventy-six more times before I stopped forgiving him. I could see myself saying “Is this number forty two or forty three?” as I kept track.

• JESUS wants me to have the mindset of forgiveness even when I do not forget.
• JESUS wants me to release problems by forgiving versus holding onto negative thoughts.
• JESUS wants me to have abundant life and forgiveness is part of it.

Keeping track of the number is the main problem. GOD desires that I carry a mindset of forgiveness wherever I go. When “that” person cuts me off in traffic, my mindset says it is impossible for them to do this seventy-six more times before I reach my destination. Instead, GOD wants me to reset the clock to zero and say, “This was not an offense to me, but to GOD.”

No I am not saying I am GOD. I am saying the offender will have to deal with their offenses “to” GOD just like I will have to do one day. The act of forgiveness means I pray for the both of us in the offensive situation.

• Have you been sinned against?
• How many times did the person offend you?
• Can you stop replaying their offense in your mind and start healing by forgiving them?