Forgiveness

Two days in June which are easily recognized and we celebrate nationally are Flag Day (June 14) and Father’s Day (June 18). However, other special days that are not so familiar are: National Donut Day, June 2; Repeat Day, June 3; Eat Your Vegetables Day, June 17; and Ice Cream Soda Day, June 20. One other interesting special day in June is National Forgiveness Day, June 26. Forgiveness is an action of one person to let go of anger they have toward someone who has wronged them. The Bible tells us that forgiveness is important and it identifies two different kinds – personal forgiveness, and forgiveness of others.

1)    Personal Forgiveness.  Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Think about the aspects of personal forgiveness which this verse identifies.

a)    Timing.  There is no specific day attached to God’s forgiveness – “If we … he will.” God is ready to forgive us any day. All we need to do is to come to Him.

b)    Condition.  The condition for forgiveness is confession – “If we confess.” We simply need to agree with God about what we have done.

c)     Faithfulness.  Personal forgiveness is not based on what we have done, but on God’s faithfulness – “he is faithful.”   God is trustworthy and will always keep his promises. “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

d)    Confidence.  “He … will forgive us.” We can be certain that God will forgive us because He says that He will and He always means what He says.

e)     Forgiveness and Cleansing.  God does double work because he will not only “forgive us” but He will “purify us” at the same time. Only He can do both things; we can do neither.

 2)    Forgiveness of Others.  Scripture is clear when it says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Notice the specifics of this verse. 

a)    Kindness – “Be kind.” This is a gentle action recognizing that a person cares.

b)    Compassion – “And compassionate.” This is a deep feeling for someone who is hurting.

c)     Forgiveness – “Forgiving each other.” This is letting go of resentment to someone who has wronged you.

d)    Personal Example – “As in Christ God forgave you.” Our Lord set an example of forgiveness which we need to follow.

How should a person respond to forgiveness?  First, personally receive God’s forgiveness by coming to Him to confess sin and receive cleansing.  Second, forgive people whom God prompts you to pardon.

Showers of Blessing

We know that moisture is important for people as well as for vegetation.  Plants, flowers, vegetables and people all need moisture because without water plants, trees, and you and I would die.  God graciously supplies the moisture to the earth to keep his creation healthy and growing.  Among other things the Bible tells us that God blesses his people with showers of blessing (Ezekiel 34:26).  In the Old Testament of the Bible we read, “I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them” (Ezekiel 34:26-27).  From these verses we learn several things:

1)    Showers are sent in the season in which they are to exist. – “Showers in season.”

2)    Showers provide moisture that is needed for fruit and crops to grow and yield. – “Trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops.” 

3)    Showers offer security and a feeling of confidence for people because they are in a land that richly takes care of them. – “The people will be secure in their land.”

4)    Showers help people understand that the Lord is God and He constantly cares for his own. – “They will know that I am the Lord.”

5)    Showers are called “showers of blessing” because of the many benefits they provide for people – physical, spiritual, and emotional. – “Showers of blessing.”

In 1883 Major Daniel Webster Whittle wrote the words to the hymn, “There Shall be Showers of Blessing.”  He was wounded in the war, his arm was amputated, and while recovering he began reading the New Testament which his mother had given him.  Another young soldier was dying and a nurse attending both men asked Whittle if he would go pray for the dying young man.  She had seen him reading the Bible and assumed he was a Christian.  Since Whittle was not a Christian, he refused to go; however, after a little persuasion he finally decided to do as she asked.  He went to the young man’s side, knelt down, asked Jesus to forgive him of his own sins, and then earnestly prayed for the young man. When he finished praying, the young soldier was dead.  Whittle said, “A look of peace came across the young man’s troubled face and I believe God also used him to bring me to the Savior by trusting in Christ’s precious blood and forgiving my sins.”

The song he wrote expresses his thoughts about spiritual showers and the lyrics are:

“There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love;

“There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.

“Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need;

“Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.”

These words are a good reminder that God showers us with many blessings and brings people into our lives to help us.  What God wants from us is to turn to him in trust and obedience.

Joy of Fulfillment

Most people can think about things for which they have had great anticipation.  Maybe that anticipation was a birthday, Christmas time, a new bike, a new game player, a new car, or a new home.  Possibly, you have anticipated the visit of a friend or relative whom you have not seen for some time.  Most likely all of us can think of things for which we have anticipated and most likely there will be further anticipations in the years ahead.  Anticipation is the excitement that a person has about looking forward to something that will bring a smile to their face, provide a note of joy to their heart, and fill them with a sense of great satisfaction. 

Most of the time anticipation is positive because the fulfillment will bring much happiness to the individual.  However, sometimes anticipation can be negative, especially when the individual has anticipated something for a long but it has not yet materialized.  This might result in a feeling of “dreaded expectation” and it may also produce fear or anxiety, rather than hope, and trust. 

From a biblical perspective, anticipation is a confident belief that what God has said will take place.  Another word for biblical anticipation is “faith.”  Faith as a general term is quite different than Biblical faith.  When someone has general faith, they have a “hope so” attitude.  They expect that something may happen, but in reality, it may not happen.  When someone has biblical faith, they have a “know so” attitude.  With Biblical faith they can be completely confident that what God has said will come to pass.  Hebrews 11:1 explains it this way, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Here are several important aspects of the statement from Hebrews.

(1) “Faith” – Is the actual anticipation of that which is expected.

(2) “Confidence” – Is Biblical faith because there is certainty in what is hoped for.

(3) “Assurance” – Is the guarantee that what is anticipated will essentially transpire – a “know so” attitude.

To sum up our discussion, anticipation is looking ahead and preparing for what God has already said and promised.  Joy comes when the result of anticipation has been fulfilled or completed. What do you look forward to?  What do you anticipate.  Is your anticipation a “hope so” kind of faith, or a “know so” kind of faith?  If you are looking for something for which you can be completely confident that it will actually happen, then go to the Bible and check out some of God’s promises such as “new birth”, “a living hope”, and “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” Here’s what the Apostle Peter says in his 1st Epistle.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  I Peter 1:3-5

The Service Factor

Many people in America are involved in volunteering and about one-third of all volunteers are involved in service with religious organizations.  One of the keys to healthy relationships has to do with service.  Why is service to others important? 

Service is important because it has the potential to make your environment a better and more encouraging place. In addition, kindness to others can improve their confidence and optimism. Also, it can challenge others to use your action of service as a pattern for them to replicate. Listen to how the writer to the Hebrews explains service. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the labor of love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10). There are four factors in this verse related to biblical service.

1)    Service is difficult.  The verse mentions “work” and “labor.”  Christian service takes time, energy, and lots of effort.

2)    Service should be motivated by love.  This “labor of love” is more than words or feelings—it is action that is based on God’s love for you, your love for God, and your love for others.

3)    Service should have its ultimate focus on God.  As we serve, we need to keep our eyes on God because it represents the “love [we] have shown him.”  To serve means we are not only showing love to those we serve, but to God himself.  Ephesians 6:7 identifies this service when it says, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you are serving the Lord, not men.”

4)    True service must be ongoing.  Authentic service means there is no letup to our activity, no “breaks in the action”, and no giving up.  This is suggested by the phrase, “continue to help them.”  Service is not a “once and done” deal.  It is something that should be unending.

John Wesley expresses the multi-faceted aspects of service when he said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Where are you when it comes to the Service Factor?  Is service a vital part of your lifestyle?  Are you anxious to serve others?  If people would describe you, would they say that your life is characterized by service?  Maybe you and I need to take action to serve others with a willing heart. Such a heart suggests that we serve simply because we want to help others.

Success in Life

Success is something we all want to experience in our personal lives as well as in the workplace.  Motivational speakers point to various elements that go into making someone a success such as being positive, setting specific goals and following strict discipline.  Obviously, these are not the only way to success.  Success according to the criteria of the world and Biblical success are quite different.

In the Scriptures we are given information to help us understand success from a Biblical perspective.  The Bible says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8).  Let’s take a look at the specifics of success that this verse suggests and try to come to an understanding of prosperity and success through God’s eyes.

1)      Allow the Bible to be a regular part of your life – “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth.”  This means that we should constantly spend time reading, listening to, and thinking about God’s Word. It does not mean to simply consider what God’s word says when we attend church on Christmas and Easter.  These two Christian holidays share important biblical events, but in no way would hearing God’s word during these two times during the year be considered “regular”.  Rather, get a Bible and begin to read once a day.  Start in the Gospel of St. Mark.  Do not be concerned about how much you read but start with a paragraph or two, or maybe even read just one verse. 

2)      Let the words of Scripture constantly permeate your mind – “Meditate on it day and night.”  As you read the Bible, take time to think about and concentrate on what it says.  Let the words of Scripture speak to you.  Take time to diligently study what you read and identify what the Bible tells you about God or what it instructs you to do. As you approach the Scripture do so with the idea that you want to grasp the meaning to help you understand what the author intended.

3)      Make practical application of the Word of God in daily living – “Be careful to do everything written in it.”  God’s Word is more than just a book to be read.  In addition to reading, it needs to be studied with the idea of putting what it says into action in practical ways. The value of meditation is determined by the obedience which produces results in daily living.

These three steps are a formula for success in God’s eyes.  No matter what you do or where you are you can be confident that you are a success if you regularly expose yourself to the Word of God, meditate on it, and practically apply it every day.

Promises of God

In the Bible, at the end of the reign of Joshua, the elders, leaders, judges, and officials of Israel were called together and reminded what God had done for them over the years.  One recap Joshua gives points to the promises that God had made to them.  He said: “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed” (Joshua 23:14).

 

Many of the promises from God that are contained in the Bible are not only for Israel but also for us.  So, from time to time, we need to be reminded of what Joshua said to the leaders of Israel.  When God promises something, we can be assured that it will come to pass.  We can also be confident that God will do exactly what He says He will do.  Notice the following comments that are reflected from Joshua’s reminder:

 

1)      We can know the promises of God.  The words “You know” suggests that God has been faithful in the past and those who trust in Him can understand and have complete confidence in what God says and does.

2)      God’s promises are always great.  If one were to characterize the promises of God, they can be done so under the word “good.”  This means that the promises are not only excellent, but they are something to be desired.

3)      God’s promises are always successful.  Regarding the promises “not one … has failed.” In other words, each promise has been effective to accomplish what God intended.

4)      Promises that God makes always come to pass.  The text says that the promises God has made have been “fulfilled.”  In every situation they can be counted on to be completed.

5)      God’s promises never stop working.  His promises have not “failed”, nor will they ever fail.  There is no time that God’s promises will not come to fruition.  They will always turn out positively.

Here are a few of the promises that God has made.

1)      God is faithful to you – “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:9).

2)      God is present with you – “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

3)      God abundantly provides for you – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

4)      God gives guidance to you – “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

5)      God protects you – “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (II Thessalonians 3:3).

In what promise of God are you resting in today?  Remember, God is faithful, and you can have complete confidence in the promises that He makes.

Time to Turn to God

Because of the pandemic situation in which we find ourselves, people often wonder, “What is most significant for me and my family?”  In what or in whom should I trust?  Should I trust in the national health authorities?  Governmental officials?  Human knowledge?  Should I wait until a vaccine is developed to take care of the pandemic?  What about trusting in a mask to keep me safe?  What about maintaining a social distance of 6-feet from other people? We could turn to all of these things but even so, there is still a certain amount of risk in each of these.

People would probably feel more comfortable if the amount of risk they face was reduced substantially or eradicated all together.  So, here is a good question for us to ask.  Is there anything or anyone that I can turn to in which I can have complete certainty?  What will give me the assurance for which I am searching?

I suggest that we take a look at the Old Testament in the Bible which tells about a king in the land of Israel whose name was Jehoshaphat.  The Israelites discovered that enemy forces were coming together against them.  In fact, these enemy forces turned out to be a huge army.  We are told that Jehoshaphat's first response to the imminent invasion was that of being alarmed.  He was afraid for himself and his people.  However, what he chose to do was to pray to God and then ask the people of Israel to fast and join him in prayer.  In Jehoshaphat’s prayer he said, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (II Chronicles 20:12).

In this prayer Jehoshaphat identified three things that were extremely important for the Israelites and and for him.  He suggested that (1) Human power was inadequate.  As a result it would be useless for anyone to turn to this kind of power.  (2) Knowledge would be insufficient.  As much as knowledge helps in other situations, by itself it would not be enough to defeat a huge army.  (3) The correct person to turn to was God.  To turn to God - the One who has divine authority and is omnipotent (all-powerful) - was the right choice.  Jehoshaphat turned to God because God had helped Israel with His great power in the past and He surely would do so again.

One of the priests of Israel encouraged Jehoshaphat not to be afraid or discouraged because of the great difficulty the nation was facing.  The reason, he reminded him, was simply because the battle was not theirs but it was God’s.  This did not mean that the Israelites were to stay in their tents, cover their heads and avoid the battle altogether.  He told Israel that they were to take up their positions and stand.  In other words, they were to get ready for battle.  Even with battle-readiness the Lord would be the one to deliver them – and He did.

Keeping our eyes on God and placing our trust in Him is the only action that will give you and me complete assurance and confidence during troubled times. Maybe it is about time for us as individuals, and as a country, to turn to God.

Hope That Spurs Confidence

There is an interesting difference between the definition and the description of the word “hope.” For example, the modern idea of hope is to sincerely “wish” that some certain thing will happen.  The problem with this idea is that it turns out to be “would-be thinking” with no certainty attached to it.  For example, a person with this kind of hope might say, “I hope it won’t rain today” or “I hope I’ll feel better tomorrow.” This hope gives no assurance that what is hoped for will happen because it may rain, or it may not rain; and, he or she may feel better tomorrow and they may not.  Hope like this turns out to be a wishy-washy unsure optimism.

The concept of hope from the Bible is completely different.  With Biblical hope there is certainty and a confident expectation regarding what is to come.  Why?  Because God has made a promise and He will fulfill what He says He will do.  Biblical hope is a solid kind of hope.  It is unshakable and exudes confidence in God’s faithfulness. Psalm 46:11 reminds us, “What I (God) have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” The confident expectation rests squarely on what God says and does and does not rest on what man says or does.  Romans 15:4 says, “Everything that was written … (and) taught in the Scriptures … (are for our) encouragement (and to give us) … hope.”

The psalmist, in Psalm 62:5 said, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”  He did not have one doubt regarding his hope and was completely sure of the promises that God had made.  Three things are evident from the words of Scripture.  (1) First, the source of hope is God, Himself.  There is just no one better in which to place one’s confidence.  (2) Second, God will accomplish whatever He says.  We can be assured that if God says it, he means it, and we can count on it.  It will come to pass because it is God who has made the promise.  (3) Third, we need to go to the Bible to find the promises that give us hope.  God’s Word provides the encouragement we need.  His Word also suggests that we need to confidently place our trust in what is contained in His holy word.

Years ago in New York City, Eugene Land, a self-made millionaire, was asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth graders.  He prepared a speech, but as he stood before the students, he decided to forget his prepared speech and speak to the students from his heart.  As he spoke he admonished the students to "Stay in school."  He went on to say, "Stay in school and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you."

Wow!  At that moment, the lives of these students were changed. For the first time someone had given them hope.  One student said, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." I am sure you are wondering if Eugene Land’s words were fulfilled.  Well, nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school and attend college.  These youngsters had a hope in which they were confident. 

Sometimes what man says does not come to pass.  But we can always be sure that what God says will transpire.  If He says it, He will do it.  Put your confidence in God.

Confidence Amid Change

Change is something that affects all of us and we often resist it.  In spite of resisting some change there is other change that we personally accept – like purchasing a different home, accepting a new job, moving to another city or state, or getting married.  We readily accept these changes because we have control over them.  Other changes are those that we gradually slide into.  For example, instead of phone calls from friends and family we receive a text which initiates a texting conversation.  Very seldom do we pick up a dictionary or encyclopedia for an answer to a question.  Instead, we pick up our phones and ask “Google.”

There is another kind of change that most people do not like – and that is change that makes things worse for them.  People resist this kind of change because they personally lose control or they face an unknown situation. Peter Senge has wisely said, “People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.”  Most change brings instability.  That is why many people like to know what the boundaries are and be reasonably sure of what will happen.  They want the kind of change on which they can rely and that which gives them confidence during a time of need.

There are two things that I know in which we can be completely confident, and which will never change.  These are – God and God’s Word.  Regarding God, the Bible tells us, “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6); and, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). These statements give us confidence because we discover that we can always count on God.  He is always there for us.  He will always act in the same way.  And He is the same now as He was years ago and how He will be in the future.  Regarding the Word of God Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” I Peter 1:25 continues by saying, “The word of the Lord endures forever”. These verses give us the confidence that we can completely rely on God’s Word because it will last when other things change and fade away.  As a result we can be assured of and can fully count on what God’s Word says.

Are you anxious about something that is happening to you or in your world today?  Do you desire stability that gives you confidence, assurance and hope during troubling times? Why not put your trust in that which will never change?  Why not turn to God in simple faith and rest in His promises?  Why not open the Bible and discover what God wants to tell you?  In both God and His Word, you will find strength and steadiness to help you during times of turbulence, uncertainty and doubt.

Launching Into the Future

As we launched into a new year, I began to think back to a number of launching experiences I have had over the years.  I’m sure you can identify with many of these because they are experiences that most everyone has.  I think of my first day of school, moving and attending a new school, going to high school, attending college, getting my first job, getting married, having children, getting my first full-time job in the area in which I had been educated, becoming a grandfather, and becoming a great-grandfather.  In all of these situations there was an element of the unknown.  I really did not know what the situation would be like until I had the experience.

As I thought of these common experiences, I also thought of my experience of backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when I lived in Central California.  Among other things there were four aspects of that new launching experience that were significant.  I had to (1) Have a desire to get involved, (2) Have a willingness to learn, (3) Have good information, and (4) Have an expert guide.

Isn’t this just what we need as we launch into a New Year: Involvement, learning, information, and guidance?   In the Bible it was the Apostle Paul who said, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  He also said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).  It seems that the four aspects of a new launching experience has more to do with a relationship than it does with a religion.

So, as we launch into the unknown this year it is important that we do so with our hands firmly placed in the hand of God.  We can look forward to the future with anticipation because we know that God already knows the future.  With God, Paul was confident of the future.  He said, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).  Join me as we launch into the future with the confidence we can have with God by our side.

The Surprise of the Ages

Some people do not like surprises, but most people do.  A surprise suggests both the unanticipated and unexpected.  Whatever the situation the surprise usually brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart.  Jesus had been crucified on the cross and was laid in the tomb.  When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb they were given a wonderful surprise which turned out to be some very great news.  “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:5-7).

The great surprise had a wonderful, everlasting consequence. Because Christ lives, we who believe in, trust in, and have received him, shall also live.  Earlier, when speaking with Martha, whose brother Lazarus died, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

The surprise of the ages turned out to the resurrection Sunday.  What a great Easter we can enjoy because of what Jesus has done for us.  He is indeed our living Savior.  No wonder the songwriter could write words and music that expressed the fact that “He Lives” (Alfred Henry Ackley, 1933).

Walking Confidently Into the Future

Because of our human nature it is so easy for us to dwell on that which has been a disappointment, discouragement, or a defeat from the past.  However, God has a better idea for us.  He wants us to place our lives in His hands and confidently walk with Him into the future.  Listen to His instruction in Isaiah: 43:18-19.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

All of us need to have minds ("perceive it") that are willing to forget ("the former things" and "do not dwell on the past") and eyes that are ready to focus on His new work ("new thing").  May that be our prayer and the action for us as we progress in the New Year.