We are studying 2 Corinthians on Wednesdays. Today, Paul addressed forgiveness in his quest for reconciliation between he and the Corinthians. Someone had bad mouthed Paul to his good friends in Corinth and he wanted to make it right. As I considered the importance of the issue of working through conflict with others, I listed 5 steps to enable us to do a better job at reconciling with those who have offended us. See if you agree with me.
1. Understand that the sin is against God and not me.
This is evident in Psalm 51 where David states that his sin (adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband) is "against You and You only have I sinned, Oh God!"
2. Be concerned with my offender's reconciliation with God rather than with justice for myself.
When the other's relationship with the Lord is unbroken then my relationship with them will benefit.
3. Forgive like God.
Ephesians 4:32 - 5:2 states that we are to forgive like God forgave us, we are to be imitators of God. That means we must be ready, willing, and able to forgive BEFORE asked. We will deal with forgiving our offenders as soon as the offence occurs so as not to allow bitterness to set in.
4. Remember that bitterness and grudge holding will affect your future by anchoring you to your past. Also, your children and your children's children will learn this trait from you.
5. If it is only a difference of opinion, agree to disagree and GET OVER IT! MOVE ON! GET A LIFE!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Living Beyond Suffering: Closing Comment
I guess the main theme of yesterday's lesson was this: As we experience suffering and persecution, Christians should respond differently than those who do not have the Comforter and Consolation of Christ. Everyone, Christian or non Christian will experience trials and times of pain and anguish. Affliction is not without purpose: In Christians it is to reveal the glory of God through us. Our answer to situations of difficulty or even if we are persecuted because of what we believe must be godly and above reproach. The world is watching to see if we (even when life is not "peachy") believe that God is sovereign and we trust Him.
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (paraphrase: Adversity reveals your character. The times of tribulation are not when you develop your moral fiber.) Therefore, decide in whom you will trust now, then rest and be comforted in your time of need.
PS. My apologies to the morning class, I didn't have a clear thought all morning. It was a long and arduous morning for you. I took cold medicine before class. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (paraphrase: Adversity reveals your character. The times of tribulation are not when you develop your moral fiber.) Therefore, decide in whom you will trust now, then rest and be comforted in your time of need.
PS. My apologies to the morning class, I didn't have a clear thought all morning. It was a long and arduous morning for you. I took cold medicine before class. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Living Beyond Suffering
Closing Comments – Rom 8:1-19, 26-27
I. Pitfalls of persecution (an unsuspected difficulty, danger, or error that one may fall into)
A. Belief of Condemnation – Rom 8:1
B. Fear of Failure - Rom 8:15
C. Belief of Rejection – Rom 8:16
II. Protection of The Spirit
A. Free from the law of sin and death - Rom 8:2
B. The law can be fulfilled in me – Rom 8:4
C. Have the freedom to set my mind of the things of the Spirit – Rom 8:5
D. Free to have a life worth living here and now – Rom 8:11
III. Advantages for all when we are comforted by the Spirit during suffering
A. Christians
1. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God –
I. Pitfalls of persecution (an unsuspected difficulty, danger, or error that one may fall into)
A. Belief of Condemnation – Rom 8:1
B. Fear of Failure - Rom 8:15
C. Belief of Rejection – Rom 8:16
II. Protection of The Spirit
A. Free from the law of sin and death - Rom 8:2
B. The law can be fulfilled in me – Rom 8:4
C. Have the freedom to set my mind of the things of the Spirit – Rom 8:5
D. Free to have a life worth living here and now – Rom 8:11
III. Advantages for all when we are comforted by the Spirit during suffering
A. Christians
1. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God –
Rom 8:16-17
2. Gives me an eternal perspective – Rom 8:18
3. We have an intercessor – Rom 8:27
B. Non Christians
1. They are treated by Christians in a godly manner – Rom 8:4
2. They experience their earnest expectation, the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:19
2. Gives me an eternal perspective – Rom 8:18
3. We have an intercessor – Rom 8:27
B. Non Christians
1. They are treated by Christians in a godly manner – Rom 8:4
2. They experience their earnest expectation, the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:19
PS. I will never again take cough medicine before Bible study. I didn't have a clear thought all morning!
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Calling
Have you ever just wanted to know what your "calling" in life was? You know, that certain occupation your were predestined to do. The activity where you find fulfillment. Your perfect fit. Your passion.
As I consider my "calling", it seems that my passion is, in general, women's ministry. And, again, I find that total immersion is the only option for me. Not because I need something to fill my time and consume my energy, but because I have found that serving God with all my capabilty is the only place I find perfect satisfaction.
In the last few months I knew that God was challenging me to leave my current occupation, real estate. God has been very good to Husband and I through this vocation. He has met many financial needs in this way. However, I had become increasingly unsatisfied and even irritable as I worked with my clients doing tasks that in the past had been pleasurable for me. So, as an opportunity was presented to me to have a lead in our women's ministry at my church, in a complete attitude of prayer, I humbly accepted the challenge that God had set before me.
So, even though inadequacy haunts me and an unworthiness troubles me, God, in all His sufficiency has promised good to me. My prayer is that our WM will be His ministry. I long for other women to find their passion and come along side me and forge new ways to enable our peers at church and in our community to experience the LORD God, know Him, love Him, worship Him, cede to Him.
"And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant(Me) and the cause of his people Israel(You) according to each day's need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other." I Kings 8:59-60
As I consider my "calling", it seems that my passion is, in general, women's ministry. And, again, I find that total immersion is the only option for me. Not because I need something to fill my time and consume my energy, but because I have found that serving God with all my capabilty is the only place I find perfect satisfaction.
In the last few months I knew that God was challenging me to leave my current occupation, real estate. God has been very good to Husband and I through this vocation. He has met many financial needs in this way. However, I had become increasingly unsatisfied and even irritable as I worked with my clients doing tasks that in the past had been pleasurable for me. So, as an opportunity was presented to me to have a lead in our women's ministry at my church, in a complete attitude of prayer, I humbly accepted the challenge that God had set before me.
So, even though inadequacy haunts me and an unworthiness troubles me, God, in all His sufficiency has promised good to me. My prayer is that our WM will be His ministry. I long for other women to find their passion and come along side me and forge new ways to enable our peers at church and in our community to experience the LORD God, know Him, love Him, worship Him, cede to Him.
"And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant(Me) and the cause of his people Israel(You) according to each day's need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other." I Kings 8:59-60
Monday, January 07, 2008
January 7th!!
January 7th! How could it possibly be January 7th? So many events have taken place in the past four weeks and I have so much to share. Husband and I have shopped, eaten, wrapped, eaten, talked, eaten, visited with family and friends, eaten, worshipped the Living Savior, eaten, and in general had a spectacular holiday season.
I will not be wrong in sharing with you that on Christmas Day we took a break from our ordinary lives and spent the day with our children, children's children, and other relatives. We feasted and gave one another gifts to celebrate the fact that Christ has saved us from utter annihilation. What a wonderful day! Generosity was the theme, love was the reason.
Last week husband, 16, 18 and I skied some fabulous slopes in Colorado (perfect powder I might add). We drove the 13 hour trip with my dad and brother and simply enjoyed every moment together.
This morning, as I walked to squeeze in my cardio exercise for the day, I noticed how overcast and windy it was. My first inclination was to relate it to the past year. For me, I would catergorize the last twelve months as cloudy, somewhat dark and difficult. There are many reasons, some I have shared with you and some that I couldn't possibly relate, they are just too private. However, the temperature this morning during my walk on January 7th, was a balmy 67 degrees. That's right, 67 degrees. It occurred to me that the clouds were keeping the temperature moderate and the wind felt good on my face and in my hair. I could have looked at the day and thought how depressing it was, how I was being deprived from the sun. But, instead, I see that if the clouds were not in place, the heat would dissipate and a cold, cold wind would prohibit me from going on a walk that keeps me healthy.
Maybe that is what the past year has been about. It has been cloudy and windy in my estimation. I know that God is sovereign and has provided a covering to keep the freezing and harmful wind from causing irreparable harm. The comforting Truth is this: God is Lord of all and I can trust Him.
Husband is an eternal optimist. He expects this year to be the best year ever. So do I.
I will not be wrong in sharing with you that on Christmas Day we took a break from our ordinary lives and spent the day with our children, children's children, and other relatives. We feasted and gave one another gifts to celebrate the fact that Christ has saved us from utter annihilation. What a wonderful day! Generosity was the theme, love was the reason.
Last week husband, 16, 18 and I skied some fabulous slopes in Colorado (perfect powder I might add). We drove the 13 hour trip with my dad and brother and simply enjoyed every moment together.
This morning, as I walked to squeeze in my cardio exercise for the day, I noticed how overcast and windy it was. My first inclination was to relate it to the past year. For me, I would catergorize the last twelve months as cloudy, somewhat dark and difficult. There are many reasons, some I have shared with you and some that I couldn't possibly relate, they are just too private. However, the temperature this morning during my walk on January 7th, was a balmy 67 degrees. That's right, 67 degrees. It occurred to me that the clouds were keeping the temperature moderate and the wind felt good on my face and in my hair. I could have looked at the day and thought how depressing it was, how I was being deprived from the sun. But, instead, I see that if the clouds were not in place, the heat would dissipate and a cold, cold wind would prohibit me from going on a walk that keeps me healthy.
Maybe that is what the past year has been about. It has been cloudy and windy in my estimation. I know that God is sovereign and has provided a covering to keep the freezing and harmful wind from causing irreparable harm. The comforting Truth is this: God is Lord of all and I can trust Him.
Husband is an eternal optimist. He expects this year to be the best year ever. So do I.
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