I love Peter. He reminds me of myself in so many ways. It seems that his intentions are good but he always ends up doing the opposite of what Jesus wants him to do. For instance, in the Garden of Gethsemane when the mob came to arrest Jesus, Peter took out a sword and cut off a guy's ear. His intentions were good, he wanted to protect his Lord but he was interfering in what was supposed to happen. There are numerous times when Peter just doesn't get it. Just like me.
In Matthew 18, Peter comes to Jesus with a question. "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Knowing Peter's history you can see that he is probably asking this question not to learn about forgiveness but to find out when he can cut someone out of his life. However, Jesus gave him the answer that I doubt Peter was looking for. He told Peter, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." We might look at this and say, "OK I can forgive someone 490 times but after that I'm done with that person." I get this picture of someone walking around with a tally sheet, marking off each time they have to forgive someone. I'm sure Peter would have loved to get that answer but Peter understood what Jesus was saying. Jesus was using an exaggeration. Seventy times seven was basically like saying to infinity and beyond. We should always forgive. There is no limit on forgiveness like Peter and the Rabbis of the time were trying to rationalize.
God is always willing to forgive us when we are sorry. He forgives because He loves. There is no greater picture of this than the parable of The Prodigal Son. This spoiled brat was so greedy that he basically told his father that he wished he was dead. That way he could have all the money that was going to be left to him so he could do whatever he wanted. I can't imagine telling my mom that I wish she was dead just to get more money. That's what this son did. He went off, wasted the money and was to the point that he wanted to eat what the pigs ate. A Jewish boy wanting to eat with unclean pigs was just an absurd picture. He came to his senses and went home. While he was a long way off his father RAN to him. Not walked, power walked, or jogged. He ran to him like Armanti Edwards to the end zone. God runs to us when we want forgiveness. He knows our hearts and before we can even mutter the words "I'm sorry," He has His arms wrapped around us like the father in the parable.
God has forgiven us of so much, I know I am guilty of over 490 things against God but His forgiveness is still there. His mercies are new everyday. We should do the same. I know its not easy. When it comes to following Christ nothing is.
Why is it so hard to forgive people? What is the hardest part about forgiveness? Is it easier to forgive or to ask for forgiveness?
Ed gave us a great message about forgiveness and how love and forgiveness go hand in hand. Now its your turn...Speak Your Mind.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Don't Be a Smoker
Wow. Such a simple message. It seems so easy in theory, but we know from experience how terribly difficult it is to live out.
Love, which can only be found by the knowledge and acceptance of Christ, must be the foundation for everything we do. We lack the ability to honor, serve, and live in unity with a community following Christ on our own, and if our heart is empty of a love for God, we will fail miserably at being a friend to our brothers and sisters in Christ. But don't we try to hide anyway? We know it is bad for us. We feel disconnected, and we have people who want to help us; yet, we mask our struggles and pains because it is more comfortable to smile and pretend we're fine. Why do people go to such great lengths to cover up how they are really feeling when they know how badly it is stunting their spiritual growth?
It's like smoking today. People know it kills them, yet they do it anyway. There is no logical explanation for it, but it is easy to understand. People are missing an inspiration that comes from outside themselves. A smoker might tell you that he doesn't try to quit because he doesn't care if he increases he chances of death, but if he fell in love with a woman and she told him to quit because she would be heart broken if he died and left her alone, he would make an inspired effort. The same principle is true for Christians. Do you realize how good your friends are to you? Do you serve them in the same you they serve you? Do you desire to honor and serve Jesus more than anything in your life? If you do, and your filled with love, you would honor and serve the people around you with greater enthusiasm than they show you. If you feel you're not able to, you're probably missing the fundamental ingredient to Christian community: love (Don't forget Christ is the center of the Christian community. It isn't just your friends).
Danielle gave an amazing message. She really is a talented speaker. You could have taken so many things away from her message. This is just what I thought was most important. What did you get out of it? What going through that head of yours? Speak your mind...
Love, which can only be found by the knowledge and acceptance of Christ, must be the foundation for everything we do. We lack the ability to honor, serve, and live in unity with a community following Christ on our own, and if our heart is empty of a love for God, we will fail miserably at being a friend to our brothers and sisters in Christ. But don't we try to hide anyway? We know it is bad for us. We feel disconnected, and we have people who want to help us; yet, we mask our struggles and pains because it is more comfortable to smile and pretend we're fine. Why do people go to such great lengths to cover up how they are really feeling when they know how badly it is stunting their spiritual growth?
It's like smoking today. People know it kills them, yet they do it anyway. There is no logical explanation for it, but it is easy to understand. People are missing an inspiration that comes from outside themselves. A smoker might tell you that he doesn't try to quit because he doesn't care if he increases he chances of death, but if he fell in love with a woman and she told him to quit because she would be heart broken if he died and left her alone, he would make an inspired effort. The same principle is true for Christians. Do you realize how good your friends are to you? Do you serve them in the same you they serve you? Do you desire to honor and serve Jesus more than anything in your life? If you do, and your filled with love, you would honor and serve the people around you with greater enthusiasm than they show you. If you feel you're not able to, you're probably missing the fundamental ingredient to Christian community: love (Don't forget Christ is the center of the Christian community. It isn't just your friends).
Danielle gave an amazing message. She really is a talented speaker. You could have taken so many things away from her message. This is just what I thought was most important. What did you get out of it? What going through that head of yours? Speak your mind...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Stop Staring at Your Chia Pet
Love. Spelled L.O.V.E. Symbolized by the heart shape, signified by cupids darting arrow, and simplified by McDonald's catchy slogan. And this, friends, is the image our world has painted for us in order that we might understand love and all that it means in our lives.
I think these are exactly the kinds of things Ed was referring to when he had to remind us all to stop thinking about lovey-dovey Valentines Day feelings each time he would mention the word "love." With this warped image set in our minds, we have difficulty loving the way Christ called the church to love.
Goodness. We are challenged by the reality that the greatest love is laying down one's life for another, as Jesus so evidently portrayed on the cross (1 John 3:16). I do not think Hallmark has a card with a verse like this on it. It probably would not be a top seller. Yet, as verse 23 of the same chapter explains, we are commanded to love in this way. Because it had to be commanded, we know loving the Body of Christ is not a natural thing. Nonbelievers can have great friendships and stay close, but I believe it is only through the love Christ gives us that Believers can truly love others with the greatest love possible. What are some of the differences you have found in the evidence of God's complete, unfailing, and redeeming love in a group of Believers verses good friendships any group can seem to have? Is it necessary that these look different?
Over these past few weeks, we have looked at the foundations of the Christian community and different areas in which Christ calls for obedience. Love is one of them. I know that a lot of the community that has developed in our ministry is a result of the love growing in our own relationships with God and then overflowing into each other's lives. Of course, we can always keep growing in this area (...even if you fail to grow in other areas, such as the mohawk on Mr. T's head. At least he never needed a hair cut, Ed). What are some specific ways you can think of to encourage a stronger bond of love in and throughout our ministry? The picture of everyone sitting together, praying together, and partaking in communion together is a great start!
I think these are exactly the kinds of things Ed was referring to when he had to remind us all to stop thinking about lovey-dovey Valentines Day feelings each time he would mention the word "love." With this warped image set in our minds, we have difficulty loving the way Christ called the church to love.
Goodness. We are challenged by the reality that the greatest love is laying down one's life for another, as Jesus so evidently portrayed on the cross (1 John 3:16). I do not think Hallmark has a card with a verse like this on it. It probably would not be a top seller. Yet, as verse 23 of the same chapter explains, we are commanded to love in this way. Because it had to be commanded, we know loving the Body of Christ is not a natural thing. Nonbelievers can have great friendships and stay close, but I believe it is only through the love Christ gives us that Believers can truly love others with the greatest love possible. What are some of the differences you have found in the evidence of God's complete, unfailing, and redeeming love in a group of Believers verses good friendships any group can seem to have? Is it necessary that these look different?
Over these past few weeks, we have looked at the foundations of the Christian community and different areas in which Christ calls for obedience. Love is one of them. I know that a lot of the community that has developed in our ministry is a result of the love growing in our own relationships with God and then overflowing into each other's lives. Of course, we can always keep growing in this area (...even if you fail to grow in other areas, such as the mohawk on Mr. T's head. At least he never needed a hair cut, Ed). What are some specific ways you can think of to encourage a stronger bond of love in and throughout our ministry? The picture of everyone sitting together, praying together, and partaking in communion together is a great start!
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