Forgiveness is Difficult

Forgiveness can often be difficult for us to muster up. In our lifetimes, it is likely that people will do some truly awful things to us. Sometimes, we can say that we forgive, but a thought of the pain inflicted upon us can return with a single thought. At the same time, we rarely think that we need to be forgiven. Though our actions or words may have inflicted hurt upon others, we can rationalize away our faults in the matter pretty easily. Fortunately for us, God is rich in mercy. He forgives the sins of those who confess their sins and trust in the sacrifice of His Son on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins.

Psalm 51:1-2 says, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Was me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” When we trust God for salvation and redemption, He covers our sins with the blood of Jesus so that He no longer sees them and chooses not to remember them. His steadfast love led Him to sacrifice His own Son so that our sins are forgiven and so that we will live forever. By this sacrifice, God’s abundant mercy is demonstrated.

Change Your World

Have you ever met anyone, who literally changed your life, just in one meeting. Perhaps it is the person who became your spouse or your children. But I am talking about someone outside of your family that contributed something to you that changed your life. Maybe it is a doctor who helped cure a chronic disease. It could be a financial advisor that gave you the keys to success. It might be a trusted counselor who gave you the encouragement to change how you lived.

I Chronicles 29:11 says, “Yours, O lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” We may think that God is some abstract figure who gives false hope to believers. Instead, He resides in majesty and has all power and greatness, and is worthy of all worship. Yet, He chooses to save and redeem people so that they may know Him. As He rules all things, He elects to know us personally and to give us every spiritual blessing. Knowing God changes everything!

Wow! You Are Really Good At That!

Sometimes, we are really good at doing certain things, and it takes little effort for us to succeed at using these innate gifts. Other times, we have to work really hard at something to succeed. In either case, our motivation for success is important. Are we trying to help others or serve selfish ambitions?

I Corinthians 12:4-7 says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” God gives each believer spiritual gifts for the common good. These gifts are used in a variety of ways to encourage and build up others, not for selfish gain or prideful purposes.

Wisdom Multiplied

How often do we receive good information or training and then do nothing with this useful knowledge? The impact of this good information is thereby nullified. I firmly believe that we have the responsibility to pass forward the good that we receive.

II Timothy 2:2 says, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” When we are teaching, we should earnestly seek to train those who can and will then train others. When we are students, we should earnestly seek to train others in the training which we have received. In this way, the benefits of knowledge and wisdom are multiplied.

Promises of God

We all need trusted friends. These friends will stay with us in the good times and the bad. We know that they will honor their word and do what is necessary to help us. Even the best of friends will inevitably fail us at times. They are human, like us, and sometimes not strong enough to show us support.

Judges 15:18-29 says, “and he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, ‘You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?’ And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned and revived.” God’s promises remain true, even in our darkest and most disastrous times. God provided for and revived Samson, even after Samson had rebelled against God with substantial bouts of anger and lust.