Reconciliation and Forgiveness

How good are you at apologizing? Do you loath the idea of saying you are sorry. When you finally grudgingly apologize, is it honest and wholehearted? Do you truly seek to reconcile differences with someone else?

It seems there is no one in our world today who isn’t at odds with someone else. There is continual upheaval among differing factions. Splits in families on opposite sides of various topics are common. Heated arguments and hurt feelings are a daily occurrence.

We have forgotten the concept of reconciliation. Our culture has lost the art of debate, being able to present differing viewpoints and meet at a compromise. Instead, the “my way or the highway” attitude has taken control, which only creates more dissention.

This does not mean we should compromise our faith or the truth of God’s Word. It does mean we are be wise enough to know the difference between opinion and fact. We are to be willing to compromise on our preferences in order to bring about peace. We are to not go about purposely offending others.

Notice Jesus’ words in today’s passage. He was referring to the Jewish sacrificial system of coming to the altar to ask for forgiveness. Jesus was telling them to be reconciled with one another before they came to the altar. How does this apply to us? We are to be reconciled with one another before we head to church on Sunday. How much would our world change if we all pursued reconciliation, minimally, on a weekly basis?

Reconciliation doesn’t come easy. The first step we must take is letting go of our pride. We must step down off our high horse and humble ourselves, first to God, then to our fellow human. This becomes the stumbling block to true reconciliation. It becomes the root cause for arguments, fighting, and separation.

The second step is asking God to reveal our own faulty beliefs to us and a willingness to change our attitudes and hearts. In effect, we must be willing to follow Jesus, not simply say we do. We must become people who trust in the truth of God’s Word. Jesus has called us to be a positive example to others. We are called to be different.

I pray we all pursue true reconciliation. I pray we are willing to change our attitudes. I pray each one of us will seek to follow Jesus. Be reconciled. Set aside your pride. Ask God to change your attitude. Dare to be different than the world.

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

God is Seeking You

Do you long to be taken care of? Are you looking for someone who will be a protector? Do you want to find a place of shelter from the chaos of this world? Do you long to belong to a group who looks after one another in partnership with their overall protector?

We all desire to be in a safe place. We want to belong to a group who looks out for one another. We long for a protector who not only wards off those who would do us harm, but also cares about us and for us. There is such a place and such a person.

As soon as you tell people the church is the place to seek protection and belonging, you may experience a scornful retort about all the things done wrong by church members. It doesn’t matter the percentage of those events is a minute percentage and very rare when compared to other organizations and all the good the church does. The excuse is used so they don’t have to commit to something larger than this world.

We are often like that aren’t we? We are willing to commit to local organizations, national organizations, or world-wide organizations, but we don’t want to commit to one that is larger than this world. Does it scare us? Are we afraid of change? There can be any number of excuses.

Regardless of our lack of desire to belong to the Church, Jesus’ Body, God continues to seek us out. He seeks to find those who are willing to accept His grace. He longs to rescue every person and does those who are willing to be rescued. There will come a time when He gathers all those He has rescued to live together forever with Him.

You are being pursued by God. He will go take all measures necessary to convince you to accept His salvation. He will use other people and situations. He will put obstacles in your way to steer you down the path to Him. He will meet you where you are to hand you the invitation. He will welcome you right where you are. Yet He won’t leave you there. He will take you down the path He wants you to go. He will lead you to His green pasture. He will provide the protection and care you so deeply long for.

I pray we all accept God’s grace. I pray we accept His invitation to follow Him into His green pasture. I pray each one of us chooses to follow the path God wants us to follow. Accept God’s invitation. Accept God’s grace. Follow Him. Go along the path He desires for you.

Ezekiel 24:11-12 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.”

Gone Astray

Have you ever gone astray? Have you gone down a bad road for a time and made a conscious choice to return to the good road? Are you going down the wrong path now and looking for a way to get back on the right path?

We make many choices as we go through our lives. In fact, we make many choices each day. Some choices are not very impactful, while others are extremely important. Some choices are made habitually, and others require time to evaluate the options and time to think.

We can make some small choices that add up. One small misstep here and another there can start us down a path of destruction. Unfortunately, we often blow off those small missteps as a “one time” occurrence, believing they won’t happen again. Therein lies the illusion Satan wants us to believe. He uses our willingness to believe the “little white lie” to pull us one step at a time away from the path God wants us to walk.

Here is the good news—we can choose to step back on the right path. It isn’t typically an easy thing to do. It requires making the tough choice to change our actions, behaviors, and thought processes. It may require us to disassociate from people we call friends. It may require us to give up habits we like. It may require us to ask for forgiveness from someone we have offended. It will definitely require us to rely on God to help us.

God has provided us with His Spirit to guide us. When we ask with an earnest heart and listen for Him, He will guide us. He often guides us without our asking. It’s that small voice inside us that tells us the right thing to do. It’s the nudging to go in specific direction. The question we must ask ourselves is, “Will we listen and follow?”

We can choose to step onto the path God has prepared for us. When we have and we have spent a significant amount of time on that path, we can look back and see the destructive path we were on. It takes reflection to both recognize the path we are currently on and to review the various paths we have been on. It is through reflection that we learn more about ourselves, how Satan has tripped us up, and how God has been working in our lives.

I pray we all spend some time reflecting on our lives. I pray we make the choice to follow the path God has prepared for us. I pray each one of us listens for and follows the Holy Spirit’s guidance. See the path you are on. Choose God’s path. Reflect on your life. Make a positive change. Follow the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 2:25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Follow Me

Do you worry about others? Are you jealous of how others are blessed? Do you ask God, “Why them and not me?” Do you realize what attitude that question reveals about you? Are you willing to change the way you think?

Our culture has become so self-centered we don’t even recognize it anymore. If we hear of someone who does one nice thing, we think they are an unselfish person. Unfortunately, we see people doing those things to be recognized for their good deed, they are looking for their ten minutes of fame.

Rare is the person who isn’t looking for people to recognize them for something. Even more rare is the person who doesn’t long for something someone else has. We yearn for more. We work long hours for more money to buy more stuff. We ignore our families for material things. We work out of jealousy rather than out of love.

We see in today’s passage Peter asking about John. This is after Jesus has broken the bad news to Peter that he will become a martyr, but he is to follow Jesus anyway. Peter wants to know about John. He wants to know if John will be a martyr, and if not, why not. Notice Jesus’ reply. In effect, He tells Peter to not worry about John nor Jesus’ plans for him, but to follow Him.

How often are we like Peter? How often do we wonder why God has chosen us for an unpleasant task and not someone else? We look around and point out someone else. Moses did the same thing when God chose him to go back to Egypt. Yet, God won out and Moses did as He was told.

Perhaps we should spend less time trying to convince God to use someone else and simply do what God has told us to do. Perhaps we should spend our energy on God’s tasks rather than making excuses or dreaming up reasons not to. Perhaps we should believe that God has a good reason for tasking it to us rather than someone else. Perhaps we might learn something from God, if we follow Him.

I pray we all choose to follow God’s instructions. I pray we stop worrying about how God is using someone else. I pray each one of us follows the plan God has for us. Stop making excuses. Start following God’s plan. Choose to trust Him. Believe He knows what he is doing.

John 21:21-22 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Cheerful Heart

How willing are you to give to others? Do you willingly give to charities? Do you actively look for opportunities to share with those who are less fortunate? Or are you hording every dime for yourself? Do you give regularly to your church?

There are more charitable organizations available for us to give to than we can count. They are specialized for diseases, research, feeding people, clothing people, and providing for people in many other ways. We cannot deny there are opportunities to help others.

On the one hand, we cannot give to every charitable organization. On the other hand, we are called to give to those in need. But have you wondered why there are so many charitable organizations and why they are constantly asking for donations? I suggest it is due to the enormous need in our world today. The cynic will state there are rip-offs out there, and that is true. But that doesn’t give us a valid reason to refuse to give. It simply means we must be wise in our giving.

We are called to share. We teach our children when they are young to share their toys, take turns riding a bike, and take turns shooting the basketball. We applaud the child who shares their lunch at school with a child who has none. Yet when we become adults, we stop sharing.

Notice what the Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth in today’s passage. There are three key points in it:

  1. Sow generously and reap generously.
  2. Give willingly and with a cheerful heart.
  3. God will bless you abundantly.

When you boil it all down, it comes down to the condition of our heart. If we want to know if our heart is in good condition, take a look at how much we share with others. If we want to measure how much we trust God, measure our giving.

You see, when we trust God, we share, we give, and we allow Him to provide for us. When our heart is focused on God, we see the hurting and less fortunate in the world and desire to share what God has blessed us with. We become His hands and feet to others. How is your heart?

I pray we all take a hard look at our giving. I pray we measure our hearts by God’s yardstick. I pray each one of us decides to give cheerfully to God’s purposes and trust Him to provide. Share what you have been blessed with. Give to others. Give wisely. Trust God. Know that He will bless you.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Grand Plan

Have you ever felt you were predestined for something larger than what you are currently doing? Have you felt a pull toward a grander plan? Do you know what it is? Or is it just out of your vision? Are you searching it out or waiting in fear?

Most of us have dreams. Those dreams may be grand in scale. Or they may be small in comparison to others. As small children our dreams are typically larger than they are when we are adults. As adults, we have come to the conclusion that our dreams need to be more realistic or logical.

I can remember as a small child dreaming of one day playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. One of my aunts used to say that I was born with a ball and bat in my hand. I played baseball nearly every day, even if only by myself. Before there were pitchbacks, I used a sidewalk and the cinder block foundation of our house. Since we lived on a gravel road, I would toss rocks in the air and hit them with a bat. I’m not sure the farmer whose field I hit them in was all that pleased.

Jesus was sent for a much larger plan. Oh, we all know of His crucifixion and resurrection. We’ve been told about it many times, especially during the Easter season. Yet that was only the means by which He was to do what He came to do. His plan was to do something that had not yet been done. He came to not merely rescue the Jews, but to bring all non-Jews into the kingdom of God.

Notice how Isaiah states God’s plan for His Son. To rescue the Jews was too small a task for Him to do. It simply would not do for Him to only bring them back into the fold. He was to gather the gentiles, everyone who was not a Jew, into the fold with them. Yes, Jesus had a far greater task to complete. His plan is still working to this day.

I pray we all recognize the grand plan God has for us. I pray we follow His plan. I pray each one of us realize Jesus has implemented His plan and we are part of it. Think bigger than you have in the past. Join in with God’s wonderful plan. Know that God wants all of us to be brought into His kingdom. Accept the salvation He offers.

Isaiah 49:5-6 And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

The Peace of Christ

What are you searching for? What is it you yearn for more than anything? Can you put your finger on it? Do you know what it is you long for down deep within your heart? Do you know where you can find it?

All of us are longing for something. We run off in search of it every day. We set goals, both long-term and short-term. We pursue them in step-by-step fashion. In our pursuit, we often step on others and leave them behind. Yet do we really know what it is we long for?

I suspect the vast majority of us don’t really know what our deep desire is. We will say we are looking for a companion, a better job, a new house, a new car, friendships, or even a church where we feel we belong. Much like a disease, these are just symptoms of what we yearn for in our heart of hearts.

What we really want is peace. We look at these other things as a means to gain the peace we desire. We have the false impression that we will be satisfied with “things,” which will grant us the peace we want. Acquiring them will satisfy us for a short time, but our satisfaction will fade, and we will start searching again.

There is only one person who can grant us the peace we desire—Jesus Christ. We have heard this before and we have been led astray before. We hear it said, “Just turn your life over to Jesus and you will find peace.” Though that statement is true, it is not simple. We are often led to believe it is as simple as saying, “I believe in Jesus.” It is more than making a four-word statement.

Notice the beginning of our passage today. We must allow Christ to rule our hearts to gain the peace we desire. That means we must give up being in control of our hearts. We must give up seeking all of those “things” ahead of Him. We must allow Christ to be our guide. Sure, we can go get those “things,” but only if that is where Christ is leading us. Otherwise, we continue to chase after the peace we desire while only gaining temporary satisfaction.

I pray we all allow Christ to rule our hearts. I pray we gain the peace we desire. I pray each one of us give thanks to God for the peace we receive through Christ. Allow Jesus to rule your heart. Give yourself up for Him. Gain the peace you desire. Be thankful to God.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Believe

What do you believe? Do you know that what you believe or believe in feeds your decision-making process? How do you decide what to believe? Are you willing to listen to, think through, and recognize truth?

We believe more than we consciously think about. Some of our beliefs are so ingrained in us they become second nature. Unfortunately, some of our beliefs are false. We don’t think they and we don’t want to hear they are. We want to believe our beliefs are correct.

There is One we should believe and believe in regardless of what else we may believe. Our belief in Him needs to become second nature, changing all our decisions, actions, and behavior. Again, it is unfortunate that most of us don’t. Oh, we may believe He is who He says He is on the surface, but we don’t truly believe deep down. It hasn’t become second nature. It doesn’t change who we are.

Many of us believe Jesus is the Son of God in the same way we believe 2 + 2 is 4. It’s nice to know. We may use that knowledge from time-to-time, but most of the time it doesn’t really impact us. We don’t have to perform math operations every moment of the day. So, we ignore it when we don’t need it.

Our mistake in treating our belief in Jesus this way is we actually need Him every moment of every day. Unlike our math equation, which may not be needed for multiple days at a time, Jesus is needed. We fail to understand deep down that He is the very One who gives us life—not just eternal life, not that eternal life isn’t important, but He provides the very breath we breathe right this moment.

We also fail to truly recognize what it means to overcome death. Jesus raised multiple people from the dead while He walked this earth simply to provide us a small indication of His power. He overcame death when He rose on the third day. He told us that we continue to live though we may die (John 11:25). Do you understand what that means? It means you and I never die. Oh, physically our temporary bodies will give out, but we continue living.

Jesus wants us to believe Him and believe in Him in the depths of our hearts. We need to believe Him, if we want to have the abundant life He promised in John 10:10. Jesus doesn’t make empty promises, but we must believe.

I pray we all believe Jesus is who He says He is. I pray we believe in Him deep in our hearts. I pray each one of us will decide to make our belief in Jesus second nature. Believe Jesus. Believe in Jesus. Believe with all your heart. Change your life with Jesus. Make your belief second nature.

Romans 10:9-11 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Accepting One Another

Are you competitive? Do you like to win? Do you argue until you have won the argument—or the other person simply gives up? Are you the parent who never lets your child win? What would you say if I told you, you will be last?

Most of us like to win, at least sometimes. We have been conditioned to believe losing is terrible. Although, those of us who have ran races have come to understand placing in the top ten or twenty percent is still pretty good.

Unfortunately, we often carry our competitive nature into our Christian viewpoint. We don’t want the person who doesn’t look like he or she belongs to come into our churches. We ostracize the person who doesn’t wear nice clothes to church. It’s alright if we serve them in a homeless shelter, but we don’t want them sitting next to us in the pew.

We read the last sentence of today’s passage or we hear it quoted and think we are the last. When we treat the children of God as though they don’t belong, we are not putting ourselves last. Unfortunately, that means Jesus will put us last. I’m sure you are wondering how I can say that.

Allow me to explain. In the parable in which Jesus states the last will be first, and the first will be last, He is talking about hiring workers. This points to His calling of all of us to work for Him. Yet, when we are like the workers who were hired first, demanding more pay, He will make us last. The point of this story is all who come to Him will receive the same reward—spending eternity with Him.

A secondary point Jesus makes is don’t hold yourself in higher regard than others. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all equal. That’s a tough one for many of us. Treating each other as beloved brothers and sisters irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, social status, and any other man-made division of people is hard. We really like to think highly of ourselves.

Being believers in Jesus has made all of us equal in God’s eyes, whether we like it or not. The sooner we accept it, the better off we will be, not just because God will be more pleased with us, but we will find freedom in our acceptance of others.

I pray we all continue working for God. I pray we treat our brothers and sisters equally. I pray each one of us accepts God’s viewpoint of His children. Work for God. Accept your reward. Treat each other well. Accept your brothers and sisters.

Matthew 20:13-16 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to workfor a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Humble Yourself

Do you like it when people honor you for doing something well? Do you seek recognition for extraordinary talent or achievements? Are you frustrated when others are presented with awards? Have you realized you are called to be humble?

We see people put on pedestals for their achievements. Our society is constantly looking for someone who does something extraordinary. We are encouraged to take on the challenge of achieving a rare feat. The world longs for someone to worship.

We see it in the sports arena. There is the “Play of the Day.” Highlights of the game are shown repeatedly. We see it in the academic world. We are amazed by people to climb their way out of poverty to be CEO’s. There are even stories of people who overcome horrible accidents to achieve amazing success.

Though we long to see and hear of people who do amazing things, we often fail to think about how they were able to do them. In many cases, the achievers spent years of hard work and practice to reach the pinnacle of achievement. This is what the world tells us we must do to achieve a high status.

There is nothing wrong with working hard. In fact, we are told we are to work with all our heart, as if we are working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). That means we are to put forth an honest days’ work for our pay. But that’s the catch, isn’t it? Putting forth a good effort only earns the pay we receive. It doesn’t get us the recognition we want.

God has a different plan for us. His plan is to lift us up. What do we need to do? We are to humble ourselves. That is certainly contrary to what we hear from the world. But think about it for just a minute. Who do you remember the most? Who is you hold in high esteem for years or perhaps your entire life? It is the person who has sacrificed themselves for the better good. It is the person who taught you about life. It is the person who has humbled themselves before God, taking on the task He assigned to them. In most cases, it is a parent or grandparent.

God has a plan for each one of us. He desires us to humble ourselves and pursue His plan. When we do, He will lift us up. Not with ten minutes of fame, but with eternal honor. Have you sought God’s plan for you?

I pray we all seek God’s plan. I pray we humble ourselves before Him. I pray each one of us choose to work with all our heart as though we are working for God. Humble yourself. Wait for God to lift you up. Trust His promises. Choose God’s plan for you.

Matthew 23:11-12 The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.