Tag: forgiveness

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The Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Daily Reading

Hebrews 1-6

Daily Thought

“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:4-6). This passage describes lovers of legalism who nibble at the edges of grace, but the freedom frightens them. The problem with grace is it requires absolutely nothing from us. It offends the pride of the religious who insist on contributing to their own salvation. One sacrifice is not enough for their sin, so they go back to the safety of rules and religion, do’s and don’ts. 

Lovers of religion who delight in legalism harken back to the Law of Moses which taught the Israelites to offer repeated sacrifices for every sin, but Jesus offers one sacrifice, himself, and “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The writer of Hebrews compares the new to the old, the cross of Christ to the Law of Moses, and it is not even close, “Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses” (Hebrews 3:3). 

Ask any kid, “What is the best sandwich ever made?” It is Peanut Butter and Jelly, no competition. Unless you met a kid from my youth group, a kid who was served my wife’s Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. I run into these kids, 5, 10, 20 years after graduating. You know what they remember? The Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly. They liked the old PB&J, but they had tasted the new. One kid summed it up: there’s no going back.

There are not enough rules to cover all my sins, but one sacrifice did. It is no longer what we must do to be forgiven, but what Christ has done to save us, once for all forever. This is the grace of God and once you bite deeply into grace, you will never again be satisfied by the Law. There is no going back.

Daily Prayer

God, You are so good. To be welcomed into Your family, to experience Your warmth and love, to understand what life is all about, to really live, what more could I ever want? (The answer is nothing more. You are above and beyond my deepest desires.)

Thank You for the blessings of heaven, of Your Kingdom. There is a better life than the one this world offers. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. I look forward to the day when Your Son reigns over the heavens and the earth in perfect peace and righteousness. There is nothing better, not even close.

Amen

Daily Question

Have you accepted God’s forgiveness if you have not forgiven yourself?

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Bonfires

Daily Reading

Ephesians 4-6

Daily Thought

You should not put out a beach bonfire by shoveling sand on the flames. Sand locks in the heat and the smoldering coals get hotter and hotter. I learned this the hard way when I stepped on a hot spot and scorched my bare foot, and there is a picture of bitterness. Paul says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31), each word inflicting more damage. Bitterness is buried hurt, a wrath waiting to ignite. The burst of anger seems to come out of nowhere, but it was laying in wait just under the skin. Left unchecked comes clamor, a loud attack of anger. I want to hurt you, physically if necessary. Then slander, I want to hurt you deeper, emotionally. We’ve heard, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The guy who made up that little ditty was an idiot. I know I’m not supposed to say idiot, but apparently words don’t bother him. Meanwhile, for the rest of us, words do the greater damage. Lastly comes malice–I just want to hurt you. Period.

The point: stop it early. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). Do not bury bitterness. It does not smother, it smolders. Deal with it. Today.

Paul tells us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and Jesus describes what that might look like, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). You and your brother (or sister) are not actually alone, however, because Jesus reminds you, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). These are the times when we need Jesus most. Thank You for being there, Jesus.

Daily Prayer

My Father, let no corrupting talk come out of my mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Help me be one who imitates You, who is ready to forgive, as You forgave me, who is tenderhearted, who seeks unity. May I walk in love, may I look like You.

Amen

Daily Question

How can you tell if you’re losing control of your anger?

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What Kind of Savior

Daily Reading

2Chronicles 6-8

Daily Thought

The construction of God’s Temple was finished, the place of meeting between God and humanity, Creator and creation. But how can a sinful humanity approach a holy God? Solomon understands this concern as he dedicates this place of meeting, “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth?” (2Chronicles 6:18).

He knew it was going to happen. The people would sin. He would sin. “If they sin against you–for there is no one who does not sin–if they turn their heart repent and plead with you, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you” (vv 36-38).

The woman had an excuse for not coming to church, “Oh, but you don’t know what I’ve done,” she explained. “I’m not the kind of person God could ever forgive.” In other words, God’s forgiveness has to have a limit. How much will he forgive?

I thought of the Temple. I thought of the cross. The people cried out, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:13). They spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (Matthew 26:67-68). Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head (Matthew 27:28-30). They kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” (Luke 23:21). So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him (John 19:16-18).

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

“You’re right, I don’t know what you’ve done, what kind of person you are,” I said to this woman. “But here’s what I do know. I know the God I worship. I know what Jesus has done and what kind of Savior he is and what kind of person God forgives and how great is his grace.”

God’s answer came quickly to Solomon, “As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. They bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever’” (2Chronicles 7:1, 3). Our God forgives.

Daily Prayer

Loving Father, Your love endures. I’ve put it to the test! So have others. All of us. And yet Your love lasts forever and forgiveness is always in front of me. So, God, thank You for forgiving me by the blood of Your Son.

God, may I live life with confidence, not in my own strength, but in the absolute certainty that Your Son did everything needed to restore my relationship with You forever. Your love endures forever.

Amen

Daily Question

What have you done that God will not forgive?

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Our Redeeming God

Daily Reading

2Chronicles 2-5

Daily Thought

King David was a man after God’s heart, but that does not mean he was without sin. “I have sinned greatly” (2Samuel 24:10) was David’s confession to God after commanding a census. By God’s will David was chosen king, and by God’s power David attained the throne, but when he counted his people he was counting his soldiers, relying on his own strength to rule his kingdom. Repenting of this sin, David purchased property on Mount Moriah where he built an alter to worship the Lord.

A greater sin yet was David’s adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah. Again, David repented, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:3-4). There were consequences, but this was true repentance and out of this sin, David married Bathsheba, and later they had a child, naming him Solomon (2Samuel 12:24).

David’s sins came with great cost, but even in the darkest of sin shines the power of God’s redemption–“where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). From the remnants of sin, God produced a man, Solomon, and a mountain, Mount Moriah, and “Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah” (2Chronicles 3:1).

This does not justify sin but displays the power of grace and reminds me to trust God’s salvation. Satan would have me deflated by failure, but I am made large through God’s salvation. I will, therefore, trust Christ’s cross and press on confidently.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.” ~Psalm 51:12-13

Daily Prayer

Holy God, how great a salvation. As your servant King David asked, “O Lord, who am I that You care for me,” I am amazed by Your grace, that You turn your attention toward me. I keep turning my attention away, yet You look upon me and care about me and restore me.

God, may my focus never waver. May I dwell on my sins less and your redemption more. Keep me from being distracted. May I look to You first, may I seek Your kingdom, your goodness, You always.

Amen

Daily Question

What has more power over your life, your own sins or God’s grace?

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A Clean Heart

Daily Reading

1Kings 15-17

Daily Thought

While Asa reigned forty-one years as king of Judah and did right in the eyes of the Lord, six kings ruled over Israel to the north: Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab. The reigns of the kings lasted from 7 days (Zimri) to 24 years (Baasha), but no matter, each life was summed up by a phrase summing up their relation to God. Each of these kings did evil in the eyes of the Lord. (It doesn’t actually say Elah did evil. He was too drunk and too dead within two years to cause too much trouble.)

That each king of Israel did evil was shared by one other trait, they walked in the sinful way of Jeroboam. Jeroboam slipped off the path toward idolatry and each successive king strayed farther, until Omri did more evil than all who were before him (1Kings 16:25), and Ahab did more evil still (v 30). Judah’s king Asa, on the other hand, did as David his father had done. “David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (1Kings 15:5).

Except for the matter of Uriah? Are you kidding me?! That’s quite an exception. David had sex with Uriah’s wife, then murdered Uriah–THAT’S NO SMALL SIN! 

God, however, weighs not the act, but the afterward. David ends up right in God’s sight and Jeroboam wrong because when confronted, Jeroboam did not repent and David did–“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (A Psalm of David 51:3-4). As towering as David’s sin, God’s grace soars above, and David is forgiven, renewed, and restored.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation. ~Psalm 51:10, 12

Daily Prayer

My God, blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Thank You, God, for Your grace.

Amen

Daily Question

When have you experienced God’s grace toward you?

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Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together

Daily Reading

Matthew 18-19

Daily Thought

When Christians gather in small groups for a Bible Study, someone often quotes Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus is with us! 

Well, of course, but isn’t he with you when you are alone? Yes. So, what makes this verse special? Keep reading…

What follows is Peter asking how many times he should forgive his brother, suggesting seven, and Jesus replying, “not seven, but seventy-seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus then tells a story of a gracious king who forgave the extravagant debt of a servant, yet the servant was ungraciously unwilling to forgive another man of a meager amount. Because of the servant’s greed, the king rescinded his grace and cast the wicked fool into prison. God is the king, and the selfish servant could be us, and the lesson is, “so also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Earlier, Jesus explained how to forgive. “If your brother sins against you” (Matthew 18:15), go to him and seek reconciliation. If that does not work, take someone with you. If that does not work, take it to the church. Keep trying. 

Now we are back to that cherished verse, right in the middle, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20), but with a better idea of what it means. Jesus is so interested in the good relationships of his children, in reconciliation and forgiveness and love, that when two or three of us get together to work out an offense, Jesus says, “I am with you. I am here to help. I am all about this!”

Daily Prayer

Father in Heaven, forgive me my sins as I forgive others theirs. That is a dangerous thing to pray because I am not very good at forgiving. But You are teaching me. I know I have sinned against You. A lot. You not only have forgiven me, You paid the penalty for my sins. The more I understand Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, the better I share it with others.

Thank You, Jesus. For dying on the cross to free me, not only of the penalty of my own sins, but of the ugliness of bitterness I carry against the sins of others.

Amen

Daily Question

What are the main reasons you might have trouble reconciling with someone who has hurt you?

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God’s Smile

Daily Reading

Psalm 80-85

Daily Thought

O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? ~Psalm 80:4

God made the nation of Israel out of a promise to Abraham, raising and caring for them, delivering them from Egypt and planting this chosen nation in a land of their own. “I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves” (Leviticus 26:12-13). The Hebrew people are God’s children, and in all families, there are rules, and God laid down the Law: “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments…” (Leviticus 26:14).

“No throwing a ball in the house,” was one of our rules. My son threw a ball. It broke a vase, so he hid the pieces, but he was 5 years old and 5-year olds do not hide well. “Go to your room,” I growled, holding the pieces in my hand.

I waited. Five minutes feels like five hours when you are five. Opening his door, I walked in with my mad face. He was sitting on the top bunk, frightened, but not of being punished. His damp eyes met mine with one question: “Are we still okay, Dad? You and me?” We were and I smiled and then he wasn’t scared anymore. He knew he was still in trouble, but trouble is okay as long as he knows Dad and Son are still okay.

Like children, Israel broke a lot of rules, and now they were in trouble and they knew it.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved! ~Psalm 80:3, 7, 19

They just needed to know if the smile was still there, and it was.

Daily Prayer

My God, though I turn away and do my own thing, and break rules, and wander off the path, Your grace is still before me. When I turn back to You and see Your love and say, “I’m sorry and I’ll stop,” You forgive me. Even when I do it again. And again.

God, I don’t want to take You for granted, and I’m sorry when I do. I do what I don’t want to do a lot, but less often as I grow in my trust and faith in Your goodness. I’m amazed that You still smile down on me, and forever I thank and praise You. You are my refuge, my strength, and my salvation.

Amen

Daily Question

Why does God forgive you if you keep breaking his rules?

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Bonfires

Daily Reading

Ephesians 4-6

Daily Thought

You should not put out a beach bonfire by shoveling sand on the flames. Sand locks in the heat and the smoldering coals get hotter and hotter. I learned this the hard way when I stepped on a hot spot and scorched my bare foot, and there is a picture of bitterness. Paul says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31), each word inflicting more damage. Bitterness is buried hurt, a wrath waiting to ignite. The burst of anger seems to come out of nowhere, but it was laying in wait just under the skin. Left unchecked comes clamor, a loud attack of anger. I want to hurt you, physically if necessary. Then slander, I want to hurt you deeper, emotionally. We’ve heard, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The guy who made up that little ditty was an idiot. I know I’m not supposed to say idiot, but apparently words don’t bother him. Meanwhile, for the rest of us, words do the greater damage. Lastly comes malice–I just want to hurt you. Period.

The point: stop it early. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). Do not bury bitterness. It does not smother, it smolders. Deal with it. Today.

Paul tells us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and Jesus describes what that might look like, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). You and your brother (or sister) are not actually alone, however, because Jesus adds, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). These are the times when we need Jesus most. Thank You for being there, Jesus.

Daily Prayer

My Father, let no corrupting talk come out of my mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Help me be one who imitates You, who is ready to forgive, as You forgave me, who is tenderhearted, who seeks unity. May I walk in love, may I look like You.

Amen

Posted on

Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together

Daily Reading

Matthew 18-19

Daily Thought

When Christians gather in small groups for a Bible Study, someone often quotes Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus is with us! Well, of course, but is he with you when you are alone? Of course! So what makes this verse special? Not small group Bible studies, as good as that is. When we read what comes before and after Matthew 18:20, we discover it is about something much more, much better.

What follows is Peter asking how many times he should forgive his brother, suggesting seven, and Jesus replying, “not seven, but seventy-seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus then tells a story of a gracious king who forgave the extravagant debt of a servant, yet the servant was ungraciously unwilling to forgive another man of a meager amount. Because of the servant’s greed, the king rescinded his grace and cast the wicked fool into prison. God is the king, and the selfish servant could be us, and the lesson is, “so also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Earlier, Jesus explained how to forgive. “If your brother sins against you” (Matthew 18:15), go to him and seek reconciliation. If that does not work, take someone with you. If that does not work, take it to the church. Keep trying. Now we are back to that cherished verse, right in the middle, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20), but with a better idea of what it means. Jesus is so interested in the good relationships of his children, in reconciliation and forgiveness and love, that when two or three of us get together to work out an offense, Jesus says, “I am here to help. I am with you. I am all about this!”

Daily Prayer

Father in Heaven, forgive me my sins as I forgive others theirs. That is a dangerous thing to pray because I am not very good at forgiving. But You are teaching me. I know I have sinned against You. A lot. You not only have forgiven me, You paid the penalty for my sins. The more I understand Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, the better I share it with others.

Thank You, Jesus. For dying on the cross to free me, not only of the penalty of my own sins, but of the ugliness of bitterness I carry against the sins of others.

Amen

Posted on

God’s Smile

Daily Reading

Psalm 80-85

Daily Thought

God made the nation of Israel out of a promise to Abraham, raising her and caring for her, delivering her from Egypt and planting her in a land of her own. “I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves” (Leviticus 26:12-13). Israel was the family of God, and in all families, there are rules, “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments…” (Leviticus 26:14). Israel had broken a lot of rules, important rules like, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3), and now they were in trouble.

“No throwing a ball in the house,” was one of our rules. My son threw a ball. It broke a vase, so he hid the pieces, but he was 5 years old and 5-year olds do not hide well. “Go to your room,” I growled, holding the pieces in my hand.

I waited. Five minutes feels like five hours when you are five. Opening his door, I walked in with my mad face. He was sitting on the top bunk, frightened, but not of being punished. His damp eyes met mine with one question: “Are we still okay, Dad? You and me?” We were and I smiled and then he wasn’t scared anymore. He knew he was still in trouble, but trouble is okay as long as he knows Dad and Son are still okay.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved! ~Psalm 80:3, 7, 19

Daily Prayer

My God, though I turn away and do my own thing, and break rules, and wander off the path, Your grace is still before me. When I turn back to You and see Your love and say, “I’m sorry and I’ll stop,” You forgive me. Even when I do it again. And again.

God, I don’t want to take You for granted, and I’m sorry when I do. I do what I don’t want to do a lot, but less often as I grow in my trust and faith in Your goodness. I’m amazed that You still smile down on me, and forever I thank and praise You. You are my refuge, my strength, and my salvation.

Amen