Extreme Forgiveness

21 But if the wicked man turns from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all My statutes and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

22 None of his transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; for his righteousness which he has executed [for his moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation], he shall live. Ezekiel 18

This really makes a beautiful picture in my head.  Every person is wicked and sinful.  There's nothing we can do to get around it.  Before we come to Christ, we are wicked.  However, when we turn from our sinful ways and embrace Christ, we are washed clean.  We will live eternally with him and not die.

Get this: God will not remember any of the sins we committed prior to turning to follow Jesus!

When we meet God, he'll welcome us with open arms. He won't smile and nudge us to say, "Hey, remember that time three years ago that you sinned?  Yeah, that was bad, but I forgave you for it."  It says he won't remember any of our transgressions!

This is a really difficult concept for us to get our heads wrapped around.  Maybe it's just me.  This is complete and total forgiveness.  Forgiveness to the point where God doesn't even remember the sin we committed.  Can we ever truly forgive someone that much?  To the point where we don't hold onto any nugget of how someone has wronged you?

Forgiveness is powerful.  This last week, I attended my mother-in-law's church in Cleveland and the pastor gave an incredibly powerful sermon on "The Real F-Bomb."

Go take a look at it.  It certainly resonated with me, I've watched it at least twice since attending service on Sunday.  I had no idea that it would perfectly tie in with my devotion for the week, but sometimes God puts things right in front of you and there's no avoiding it.

Mosaic 081815 on Vimeo

The Cross, The Resurrection & The Holy Spirit

Hello Friends!

The following article is meant as an encouragement and reminder of the Awesome God we serve!

Please join me in remembering to reach out to those in our personal & professional spheres of influence here @ TR who desperately need to hear the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

May they receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior – Praise the Name of our Lord Jesus!

The Cross, The Resurrection & The Holy Spirit

What sets Christianity apart from every other belief system or religion? For more than 2,000 years, the Gospel facts about Jesus Christ of Nazareth have been proclaimed on every continent and to people from every walk of life. When someone considers the Christian message, what exactly are they accepting – or rejecting?

The Cross:

The instrument of torture upon which Jesus Christ died is the most well-known “symbol” of Christianity. What could possibly explain a two millennia-long fixation on something so horrible? One clue is found in Jesus' final words in which He uttered as He died:

It is finished! – John 19:30

That victorious declaration – spoken in the midst of what looked like humiliating defeat – tells us Jesus Christ saw these events as an accomplishment. But how could such a tragic end to Jesus' amazing teaching and miracle-working ministry be an accomplishment? Jesus taught that He came to:

…seek and save the lost – Luke 19:10

And:

…to give His life as a ransom for many – Mark 10:45

On the Cross, a divine transaction took place. It was His life for the life of the “believer” in Jesus Christ – a willful ransom paid to buy “us” back from our “lost” and “sinful” condition. That's why the day Jesus died is called "Good Friday," not "Tragic Friday!" Jesus' death on the Cross completed the work God gave Him to do, because His mission was not just to “teach” us but to “die” for “us.” All that is left for “us” to do is to personally receive that wonderful, “free gift” for ourselves.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

As grand as the accomplishment on the Cross was – the story doesn't end there...

The Resurrection:

On the third day, the stone that covered the tomb was rolled away – Jesus Christ came back from the dead! He is “alive” – never to die again! The power over “sin” and “death” has been defeated!

The angel in the Gospel of Luke said to the startled disciples looking for Him at the tomb:

He is not here; He is risen! – Luke 24:6

The Resurrection declared Jesus Christ as Victor over “sin” and “death” – humanity's most unsolvable eternal dilemmas. By “rising” from the “dead,” Jesus Christ proved that even death was no match to His power! Without the Resurrection, Jesus' life would have been “unique” – just like every other human being. Faith in Him under those circumstances would be foolish – a criticism understood by both Christianity's adherents and detractors. In fact, it was the Apostle Paul just a few decades after this event who wrote:

If Christ is not raised, your faith is futile – 1 Corinthians 15:17

Yet, in fact, the Resurrection did occur and Jesus' life and mission became the most powerful events this world has ever seen! Therefore, faith in Him makes sense. And if we fail to trust in Him – in light of what He did for us – disbelief seems foolish. The Resurrection “assures“ us that “power” beyond human comprehension is available to the “followers” of Jesus Christ. Everything changes when we come to the foot of the Cross with empty hands of faith and stare in wonder at the open doorway to the tomb – He is risen!

The Holy Spirit:

And there's more! The power of the “resurrected” Jesus Christ comes to us through the “Holy Spirit.” After His resurrection, Jesus told His followers that the same “Holy Spirit” who “ascended” upon Him at His baptism in the “form of a dove” would be “on” them:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you – Acts 1:8

God's desire is for every true “Christian” to have access to His personal presence and power – in Jesus Christ through the “power” of the “Holy Spirit!” At Pentecost – 50 days after His resurrection – that's exactly what happened!

What does this powerful Person of the Holy Trinity do in our lives today? Jesus Christ was clear – He takes residency “inside” of the “believer” and the “Holy Spirit” comes “on” us so “we” can become His “witnesses” by being “like” Him. The “character” and “power” that Jesus Christ has – “we” have to “overcome” the “sin” in our lives. The “Holy Spirit” produces “fruit” in us! The Apostle Paul describes exactly what that looks like:

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23

In other words… The Christian life!

These characteristics demonstrate that God is at work in Jesus' followers through His “Holy Spirit!” And when His “power” produces these “fruits“ in our lives, the natural result is that “unbelievers” will sit up and take notice! If the “fruit of the Spirit” is the Christian “life,” then the “fruit” of the Christian “life” is… more Christians – Hallelujah!

The Cross, the Resurrection & the Holy Spirit. These three aspects God’s Sovereign plan set Biblical “Christianity” apart from every other religion and cult group!

Take any One of these aspects away and you don't have the whole story – or the whole Truth. Embrace them all and you will have “eternal life.” He will make you “new” from the moment you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, what we do with Jesus Christ determines what Jesus Christ will do with us – for all eternity...  

Thank you for your desire for Biblical discernment and Truth – Praise the Lord!

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

Blessings!

Shane <><

Make Better Choices

So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.  But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:14-15

My five year old granddaughter is something else!  The other day, she had a moment with my daughter asking why she did not come to her birthday party.  My daughter explained that she had practice the same day, and she could not miss it or else she would be fined.  In her special way, my granddaughter responds, “Well, you made a choice, and you need to make better choices.”  It’s obvious that she is destined to be a leader one day, and has already figured out where people are on the ‘Accountability ladder.’  As funny as the story is, it reminded me of the choices we must make as Christians each and every day.  When we are rushed for time, do we skip our morning prayer to do other things?  Are we missing Sunday service because of son’s soccer practice or daughter’s cheer tournament?

We must choose to serve God wholeheartedly, and continue to make Him the priority in our lives.  Reading the 24^th chapter of Joshua gives clarity to the conflict we face between serving our God and other ‘Gods.’  After all God had done to bring the Israelites out from Egypt, they got to a point where they have turned to their sinful ways, and Joshua made a bold statement to them in today’s verses.  Like all great leaders, he ends his address asking for Israel’s commitment saying, “I choose to serve God.  Who’s coming with me?”  Now we tend to think of Gods as spirits and entities that live above the earth, but there are other ‘Gods’ that we serve and do not really notice.  For example, I have the NFL ‘God’ that might ask me to watch the game instead of an event serving others in need or spending time with family.  The ‘Cosmopolitan’ God obsesses over how you look above where you are spiritually, and the adventurous ‘Thrill Seeking’ God would have us look for greater adventures above a spending time with a God who loves you.  Moderate doses of all these can be fun and in some ways healthy.  However, we must be careful not to let these supersede our relationship with a God who is always there for us.  He is a God of abundance giving us more than what we will ever need, and all we need to do is to choose to serve Him decision by decision.

A choice for God is both simple and yet difficult.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6b)  Choosing to serve Him is a simple one, but this decision requires life changes.  Many of them will challenge our ways of thinking and how we do things.  Let us renew ourselves to putting God at the top of our lives for He alone is worthy.  What false Gods are taking away from you serving God?  What must you reprioritize to put God first in your life?  My prayer is that we are able to as my granddaughter put make better choices.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Ready to answer

1 Peter 3:15-17 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. “(NASB)

Hello,

As the parent of a couple toddlers, I do find myself asking questions to a couple young folks who are not ready with answers! It is very clear when they aren’t ready…there is that pause, some stammering, looking around, and the answer never starts with the answer – but rather with their rationale.

When we are not ready there is generally one of two reasons. 1) We are not expecting the question or 2) We are hoping the question won’t be asked.

In the past I have thought of these verses as defensive verses – be ready to answer in case you get asked. That approach of these verses being used on the defensive I believe have us leave out a valuable element. We are not just to have emergency answers, but to be ready to give an answer at all times, that answer must be natural in us – and reflective of our constant motivation.

What is your motivation? Are you ready to answer – or are you hoping you won’t be noticed and asked?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Whom Shell I Fear? continued

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,  and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

Last week I wrote how we are to fear God, not this word.  I didn’t take it far enough and a couple of you added to what I wrote so thank you!  They were exactly right, we are to fear God however in the sense that we fear him with respect.  Our fear of God is what keeps us walking in obedience to him, loving him and serving him with all that is within us.  It is why we keep the Lord’s commandments. 

God will protect us from the earthly fears that we face.  He will be there to carry us through the hard times, when we live for him even in the good times.

Thurs Devo: Clean Ashes

Does “clean” or “dirty” come to mind when you think of ashes? Dirty comes to my mind. However, God gave the Israelites instructions on using ashes in their water of cleansing. 

Numbers 19:9     ⁹ “A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and put them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They are to be kept by the Israelite community for use in the water of cleansing; it is for purification from sin.

It may seem strange, but that’s what God decided as a way for the Israelites to purify and cleanse themselves in His sight. Jews followed this law for centuries, otherwise they would have been cut off.

Numbers 19:20-21       ²⁰ But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean. ²¹ This is a lasting ordinance for them.

Now that God sent Jesus as our once and for all sacrifice for sin, accepting Jesus’ blood in our place purifies us from sin. Then, we can live a life pleasing to God, in fellowship with Him and others.

Hebrews 9:13-14             ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

I John 1:7  ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Are you cleansed and purified and forgiven by God?

Are you trying to clean yourself your own way?

Or have you accepted and submitted to the one way God determined?

Alice 

I Can Do It!

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  Matthew 14:26-29

Last week, I felt entirely spent mentally having dealt with many things that had been going on in both the short and long term.  Even though I would like to think I have a pretty high threshold for taking on things, I was struggling to find a way to be energetic.  Fortunately my annual recharge known as The Leadership Summit ended the week, and as usual, it greatly uplifted my spirits.  While there were typical well renowned speakers that gave great informative talks, it was a gentleman from Nigeria (Sam Adeyemi) who gave me the greatest pause for thought.  He provided a different spin on an old story.  He spoke on the story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:26-31).  As Christians, we tend to focus on the moral of the story, which is to have faith in Jesus.  While that is true, the story is also a reminder how Jesus encourages us to do His will.

Jesus wants us to know that we can do anything through Him.  We already know of the literal words of Paul in Philippians 4:13 (For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength).  The story of Peter walking on water with Jesus is a prime example of this.  Peter could not visualize how he could walk on water.  However, Jesus, the great leader He is, does not try to teach Him to walk on water.  Why?  First, Jesus is already standing on the water as proof that it can be done.  Second, He knows Peter’s heart, and understands the faith he has in Jesus.  What Peter lacked was the confidence that he could do it.  So Jesus says plain and simply, “Yes, come.”  This is Jesus being the encouraging force saying ‘if I can do it, you can do it!’  We often come across situations where we cannot see a clear pathway.  When God calls us to do something, we need not focus on the obstacles ahead or the lack of preparation we were given.  Like Peter, we must simply come to Jesus because if He says we can do it, we can!

God has given us everything we need to do His will.  Like most things with God, we must not focus on what we see.  We must trust in what He says.  If Paul focused on his circumstances (murderer of Christians) and education (not well versed), we would not have the majority of the New Testament.  When you find yourself stuck or struggling to achieve something God is asking of you, do not run to the corner of ‘failure’ and ‘disappointment.’  Trust in Christ not just in word but through His examples.  When is the last time you trusted God beyond what you could see?  How can you look less at circumstances and focus more on what God is asking of you?  My prayer is that we are encouraged by Jesus Christ to know that if He could do it, “I can do it!”  Amen!

Tues Devo: Growing pains

Hello,

A couple of weeks ago we had an interesting experience at our house. My son started complaining that his leg was hurting. He hadn't fallen or done anything – it lasted for a few days, and we believe it was growing pains. I never really thought that was a real “thing” – but there was no doubt he was being honest about the pain.

It got me thinking about our walk with God as believers – there is often pain with the growth. We may not make a bad choice to bring the pain – it may just be a necessary element of the growth process at the time.

So what? Well, when we encounter pain in our walk we need to ask the right questions. If we only focus on getting out of the pain as fast as possible, we may very well miss that growth opportunity. We need to ask what we can learn and how we are to respond. If we focus on learning and responding, we can then trust God to bring the right ending/next step for His glory and His purpose.

A passage from Philippians 3:7-11 to encourage us to focus on Him and keep moving forward:

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (NASB)

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Whom Shell I Fear?

Luke 12:4-5

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

It seems that we live in a world where more and more evil can be found all the time.  Many are scared of the world anymore because of everything you hear on the news.  No one trusts their neighbors anymore let alone a stranger that you run into on the street, at the mall or sometimes even at church.

We have been told that those people are not who we are to fear.  We are to fear God!  God is probably someone that you often don’t think of as someone to fear because you know that he loves you and wants the best for you.  While this is true, he is also a just God and he does hold the power to throw us in hell. 

I think we need to wake up and remember these things because we often just go through our lives without worrying about our future beyond this earth.  This world is just temporary however Heaven and Hell are forever. 

Let’s start today with fearing God and as a result, live to please him in everything we do.

Thurs Devo: Gift Management

 In addition to our local churches, there are also so many wonderful Christian organizations furthering the cause of Christ in the world. We have so many different ways we can give to God’s work. The Israelites in Moses’ day didn’t have near as many choices or opportunities. Most of their financial gifts were to one place – the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle).

Numbers 18:21 and 24       ²¹ “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. ²⁴ …I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”

Just like our tithe at church goes toward the living expenses of our church leadership, the tithe of the Israelites went toward the expenses of the priests and Levites who did all the work at the tabernacle.

Sometimes I wonder if my gift is being used most effectively. However, it struck me that God didn’t tell the Israelites not to give their tithe if the Levites weren’t doing their job efficiently. He gave no caveat. The Israelites were to give to the Levites and the Levites were to give a tenth of that back to God. No exceptions!

Numbers 18:25-29   ²⁵ The Lord said to Moses, ²⁶ “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering. ²⁷ Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. ²⁸ In this way you also will present an offering to the Lord from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the priest. ²⁹ You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’  

Giving is an act of worship and obedience to God. The gift belongs to the Lord. If we try to micro-manage how our gifts are used, then we probably aren’t giving from our heart in true worship of God. God will hold the recipients accountable for the use of our gifts.

How will you and I prepare to give cheerfully, in sincere worship and obedience to God? After prayerfully considering where and how God would have us give, we can leave the rest in His hands!    

Alice