Forgiveness is Just a Prayer Away

Forgiving you is my gift to you. Moving on is my gift to myself. - Anon

When Nehemiah looked over the city ruins, though his heart ached, he saw not retribution but a vision of restoration. Hmm!

There was Peter on that fateful night, denying Jesus and calling down curses when he turned and saw Jesus looking straight at him. Now what he saw when he looked at Jesus made him immediately break down and cry. It wasn’t a look of anger, frustration, or disbelief, but a look of forgiveness. How do I know, because a little later Jesus told Peter “feed my sheep!” This should reinforce in our hearts that when we feel shame/guilt for our mistakes, forgiveness is only a prayer away. God has a ‘look’ in His eyes as well when He looks at us. He looks upon us every day through eyes of forgiveness, and a vision of us in our own small way that He’s provided, helping to build up His kingdom. I don’t know about you, but today I’m going to work.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” – Psalm 51:12

Freeing Forgiveness

Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner! – Max Lucado

Though Daniel spent the night in the lion’s den, King Darius was the one held prisoner in his own heart. Then morning came and he was relieved. Hmm!

Prisons are ominous places. True they house some vile people, but they also house those who have to keep watch over them. It is a tough grueling job with little if any benefits. This is also a true picture of us when we can’t practice forgiveness. The thing is when we refuse to forgive someone, when we decide to harbor ill will or hatred toward them; it is really ourselves that we keep locked up. We have to make sure that person never gets free to have a pleasant life or ruin someone else’s life. We in essence become jail keepers in the dungeons of our own heart. That’s why God ‘commands’ us to forgive one another as He forgave us. Life is too short to be locked up of your own will. Forgiving is not necessarily forgetting what happened, but it is allowing yourself to live freely and fully for God, and it works wonders for your heart and spirit.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15

Pointing Fingers

Before pointing a finger at someone else make sure your nails are clean. – Anon

In the Garden, Adam blamed Eve, she blamed the serpent, and here we are today. Hmm!

We live in a fallen world, that’s a given. We’re all imperfect beings who sometimes fall short of God’s expectations. What’s amazing though is that, though we know we live in a fallen world we seem to get so much joy pointing out others sins and imperfections rather than working on our own. Constructive criticism is great when it is offered in love and respect to the person, but not when it’s given to tear them down. The God we serve asks us to be loving and forgiving of our brothers and sisters, not condemning or speaking ill of them. Throughout today we can rest assured God’s going to give us ample chances to practice what he expects of us.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“….If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her…..At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time…..” – John 8:7,9

Note: Bro. Terry Grissett is working on building our 'digital library.' If you have music that you would like to be included please speak with him to get the specifics of what is needed. Blessings!

Mistakes

In life, try to fix the mistakes – not the blame! – Anon

Back in the original Garden of Eden, Adam blamed Eve; and we know what the end result of that was. Hmm!

It’s a guarantee that in your life today a problem will arise or a mistake will occur. They will not necessarily be yours but they will impact you. It’s called circumstances. Issues never arise for finger-pointing exercise, but for active responses like healing, helping, loving, forgiving, etc. Like Jesus’ response to the woman taken in adultery, God is expecting us to NOT do the ordinary and selfish but the extraordinary and life-giving. The key to it all is to remember that we too fall short sometimes and need a little grace.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:1-2