The Miracle of Forgiveness

I have been doing a lot of reading lately on the subject of forgiveness. The topic of forgiveness is so huge that is deserves a lot of study. The bible goes on and on about the subject and I believe it holds a key element to the concept of healing and overall everyday life to the believer.
The biblical word for forgiveness is a noun which most commonly is translated as a "release from bondage or imprisonment, a pardon of sins, and a remission of the penalty."
This concept is so vast because not only does Jesus practice forgiveness towards us but we are also told to practice forgiveness towards others.

I have also seen the word "forgiveness" tossed around by Christians as a sort of option or preference which can or cannot be practiced. As if it is an optional thing like purchasing a warranty with a new car, or super sizing a value meal. However, the more I grow and understand who God is and this whole Christian life, the more I see how crucial it is. Forgiveness is also used in prayers so casually when well meaning Christians often pray and ask God's help in forgiving someone. However, what we need to realize as Christians is forgiveness is a must. If someone really wants to grow close to the Lord they must forgive. It is an act of obedience, which is not based upon feelings or a sliding scale. It is merely one saying, Lord there is something blocking my relationship with you and others, and I forgive this person. It is simply agreeing with what God says on the issue and CHOOSING to do the right thing. One may not wait until the feelings of forgiveness are there, it is not a feeling which will come one day. If the antithesis is practiced, the feeling or lack thereof will get worse and worse and will actually prevent one from doing so.


It seems as though lately the more I read and study these things it's as if I have discovered a special secret, but the secret is so awesome I want to share it. I don't want to hide it for myself because I want others to realize the greatness of it too. This "secret" is so incredible because it doesn't appear to be a big revelation or new discovery. Forgiveness is all throughout the Bible and any Christian or non-Christian for that matter would testify to the concept of forgiveness because it is so common. However, it is amazing when God really opens your eyes, I mean really opens your eyes to something, to the point when it is as though you have experienced a new illumination which rocks your world.



This illumination was brought to me not too long ago when I began reading and seeking for God with all my heart. I mean really and truly. I hope this concept of forgiveness ministers to you in even the smallest way because I know it is so amazing.



The Facts:



People are constantly seeking God to find hope and healing for their cares, concerns, and lives. In every church service and in every prayer circle people are continuously seeking healing in some area of their lives. Whether it be for their health, marriage, finances, relationships, family, heart, etc. The requests are numerous but they are one in the same.



The problem:



So often these determined and well-meaning saints are going through the right motions, they are seeking the right help, they are so eager in their pleas, and they are so honest in their cries.

However, all to often, the Christian is so riddled with hatred and a lack of forgiveness they often stay in the same chains year after year, decade after decade, and do not ever grow any stronger and their relationship with the Lord is as stagnant as ever. God may even try to work in their lives but they are so bitter than cannot even recognize the blessing. They often quit seeking and knocking because their efforts do not seem rewarded and their hope is ever decreasing. They do not seem to receive God's touch because they are not able to. The unforgiveness is blocking the very thing they are craving.

Jesus is our Savior, He is our healer, He is our Counselor, but He is also holy. If we want all that He is and to be as close to Him as possible, than we need to do what He asks because He knows what is best for us. Our Creator knows the answer to our deepest hurts and cries and He is ever waiting to deliver us.



The solution:

One needs to repent, and choose to walk in forgiveness. One needs to agree with what God has said on the issue and forgive. They may even need to forgive God (or so it may seem) and let it go. This can only be done with God's help and power of the Holy Spirit, but when someone honestly and completely chooses to take the step and purposes in their heart to stand by the decision, God comes in. He is free to come in because the wall of unforgiveness/bitterness/hate/hard-heartedness is torn and God can make full residence. He can them come in and do the healing He has been waiting to do.

So often we forget that God cannot dwell amongst sin. We are so used to our sin, we can forget what it is. We are so used to it because it feels so familiar that we can even stop seeing the problem with it. We can rationalize our hard hearts and our lack of forgiveness until it doesn't seem like a big deal. This is tragic because although God is ever ready to come in and make himself so real, he is a gentlemen. He will never force His way in our hearts, because He understands what a real relationship is, and THAT'S what He wants.

I wonder how many people are out there dying to get healed, dying to get touched, dying to get set free, and God has been wondering the same thing. He has been wondering when these people are going to come to Him with everything they have got. He longs for that intimate relationship that can only be found amongst a Creator and His created.
God wants desperate disciples who are so sold out, they won't let anything come in their way between them and the Father.

What is in the way with you? What hard heart are you carrying?

Just let it go. Repent of the sin of unforgiveness, get rid of it, mourn it, forsake it. Watch what God will do.

What have you got to lose?

or better yet...

What have you got to gain?

Christmas in a recession

Well, Christmas is coming up soon, very soon actually, in a few days.

I find myself not as excited this year as I usually am around the holiday season. The whole "economic recession" has put a few of my family members and close friends in complete financial crisis. I just haven't had the same excitement this year when I think about Christmas. I find myself not really wanting to go Christmas shopping because I know some people can't. I don't really want presents this year because I know some people won't get any or have the money to buy them. Some people may not even be living in their own homes in a few months and it breaks my heart to even think about it, or know what to say anymore. It's just so sad.


But, what comforts me is that God is alive and working during these times. He is Faithful no matter what the news says, no matter where we live, or what type financial crisis is going on. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, no matter what is going on in the world around us. Maybe I have always thought Christmas to be some magical time because of the all the gift-giving and receiving, and I just have never had the right perspective.

I have also been reading through the book of Job, for a Bible Challenge my friend gave me. Job is an awesome man of God because he faced things that many people would not be able to face. He faced trials that far surpass the economic crises which is happening right this very moment. There is one thing which stood out to me during my reading, which really encouraged me. In all of his trials, JOB DID NOT CURSE GOD.

Now, he was upset, he cursed the day he was born(Job 3:1), but He did not curse God. This is extreme faith at it's finest. This is a man who went from having everything, to having nothing, and he wasn't really given a lot of answers. He had friends who tried to be there for him at first. In fact for seven days they just sat there alongside Job and didn't say a word because they saw his grief was so great.(Job 2:13) But once they started talking they just ended up discouraging him and making his pain worse. His wife wasn't very support either. Nevertheless, Job continued to exhibit righteousness and faith during a very sharp time of mourning and pain. No matter what was taken from him; his family, wealth, health, friends, Job trusted God.

In chapter 19, Job continued to defend himself after his friends continued to attack him and blame him for his misfortunes. Yet Job looked forward to the day when he would be with the Lord.

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God(Job 19: 25-27.)!

Jesus already warned us that trials and hard times are inevitable, but we need to remember where our hope lies. We need to ask God for his true perspective on the situation at hand so we can see things with a new light.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)

When I think of Job and his example of faith I am reminded that God always uses trials for our advantage. When I think about that, I am comforted for my family and friends this Christmas, because I know God has a plan.

Maybe the very things we want God to take away are the very things which He is using as a tool of refinement and a faith builder, which is far more precious than any earthly thing. So, maybe instead of praying: "God, help, what are you doing here? Why aren't you answering this prayer, Lord", I should instead pray for His will to be done. I should pray that God would grant them more faith and a stronger relationship with Himself, instead of financial prosperity. I know I would rather have a closer and intimate relationship with the Lord than I would rather have any other earthly thing. So, I should also want that for my family and friends. So, when I see these things happening around me I am going to choose to exercise my faith and remind myself of God's character.

When I put my faith in God and His word, I am comforted and reminded to look at situations through the eyes of faith and be glad. I can trust that God is in control despite how things may "appear."

Submission: What it is and What it Aint

Lately I have been reading a few books by my current favorite author: Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I love her books because she is very anointed, she tackles the tough issues, and she is very right on.

I love her book: Lies Women Believe and The Truth that Sets them Free.

In this book Nancy talks a lot about the "S" word. Yeah, the submission word. This is a very controversial topic in today's world. She dedicated a whole chapter to the concept of Marriage and discusses the Lies Women believe about Marriage. She then gives scriptures to back up her points.

"Lie # 24. If I submit to my husband, I'll be miserable" (page 146, Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

This is a huge lie which is prevalent in the world today, even in the church.
Unfortunately, many women who believe this lie can also miss out an a blessing. Nancy even goes on to point out that "this truth is one of the most liberating principles in all of God's Word."

You see what women often misunderstand is that when wives submit to their husbands they are not putting their trust in a man. They are putting their trust in God. This is often hard to digest for most people if your like me. Because I don't trust well. I struggle at it. But, when we are submitting to our husband we are trusting that the Lord is our true covering and that he controls the heart of the King. (Proverbs 21:1)

When we are submitting to our husband and showing him the respect he deserves as the God appointed head of the household, than we are free. We are free to trust God who will deal with the man who is ultimately under God's control. This gives women a sense of freedom. They don't have to manipulate or control, although it is quite tempting. They can lay back in a sense because the man is responsible for the leading of his household. The ultimate judgement is in fact in his lap. The women's job is to provide support, love, prayer and RESPECT.

Another reason we are to submit to our husbands is because it protects us. When we stray from the covering placed over us by God and our husband, we are in danger. Satan can easily attack us when we are not under the covering which God has designed for us. How much easier would it be if we simply obeyed God? This struggle is nothing new. In fact, these struggles date back to Adam and Eve.

"WIVES, IN THE SAME WAY BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR HUSBANDS SO THAT, IF ANY OF THEM DO NOT BELIEVE THE WORD, THEY MAY BE WON OVER WITHOUT WORDS BY THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR WIVES, WHEN THEY SEE THE PURITY AND REVERENCE OF YOUR LIVES. " 1 Peter 3:1-2

Lies About Submission:

1. The wife is inferior to the husband.

2. As head of his wife, the husband is permitted to be harsh or dictorial.

3. The wife is not to provide input or express her opinions to her husband.

4. The husband is always right. (page 147)

What is sad to me is how society views marriage. Marriage is so often dispensable and deemed of little importance. This is evident in the huge divorce rate and the growing number of couples who decide to live together out of wedlock. What is even sadder is how Satan often attacks marriage because he knows it is important to God. God designed marriage to be a reflection of His relationship with Christ and the church. (church=Christians)

So, if Satan can attack marriage then he can attack the relationship, the image, and the God ordained relationship between man and women.

But let's face it, marriage is Hard. Marriage is realllllyyy hard, but all good things are hard. This is where we as Christians need to get real. We need to gear up and really start to take marriage seriously. So often couples fight over stupid and petty things. If we could only realize the fights we struggle with are not just "fights."

They are in fact tools of Satan to break up the God-appointed relationship of marriage. In Ephesians 6:12 we even see the fact that our "struggle" is not in fact our spouse, the struggle is a lot deeper than that.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

This is why the themes of respect and submission are so important. All to often we wives try the alternative when dealing with our marriage. We can try to handle our marriage issues with alternative methods such as manipulation, control, revenge, anger, bitterness, anger, and even divorce. These things are sad because not only do they hurt us but they also destroy the family unit. Lord help us and give us your grace to be the wives you would desire us to be.

The best way a wife can show respect to her husband is by submitting to his authority. Respect and Submission are two of the most powerful tools a wife has in her marriage. Not only does it bring honor to her husband, but most importantly to God. Wives must respect their husbands.

"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33

The rest is up to God. The problem is women often will use respect/submission to their own benefit or they will use conditional submission. They will only submit to their husband if they are getting the love they want. However, this is not what God is saying here. In the book Love and Respect, Eggerichs talks openly about this topic and how wonderful it would be if wives really "got it".

And the best part is when we do what is right, God blesses us. :)

Sin: Grace + Truth

In John's epistle in the book of 1 John, John is concerned with the importance of the Christian walk. John talks openly on the concept of sin and instructs the Christians on how to handle the issue of sin once it comes up(1 John 2:1). I thought this was pretty interesting since sin is inevitable in the life of the Christian. John then makes it clear that Jesus has provided a rescue for the sinner and he accomplishes this through His sacrifice. His sacrifice enabled Him to be the Advocate to the Father and through this he is the propitation for our sin. This word propitiation is cool. Basically He took care of this issue for us. So what does that mean?

1. We all sin. We all will always sin. We cannot change that this side of heaven.

2. When we sin Jesus is our Advocate. He fights for us and defends us.

Is that all? Basically we have nothing to worry about, we can just chill out because Jesus is our Advocate and died on the cross?

John takes it farther than that. He talks about obedience and love as key elements to the Christian life.


1 John 2:3

"Now by this we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments."

1 John 2:9

"But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

John talks about these very important issues in the lives of all believers. All believers want to know about sin. They don't like sin and if they are really honest, they hate it. If they are truly sold out or trying to follow God with all their hearts, they will have to face this issue. One cannot simply believe Jesus loves me and that's it. That is true but if our lives never reflect Christ than one has to wonder, is Christ really there? Is He real to the Christian? Are they real?

The awesome part of God is He knew in advance our sinful state because He created us. He knew what would happen in the Garden of Eden. He knew He would need to send Jesus to Earth because He is God and He is omniscient(all knowing). So, He didn't just leave us out there without a paddle. He loves us enough to not only provide an Advocate Jesus who pleads our case to God but He is love. He gives us the grace to follow Him. We just simply need to cry out. We need to take up our cross every day and surrender our lives and our wills to Him. It's simple. We do the surrendering, He has the grace. We have the faith, He does the work.

1 John: Jesus, Love, Truth

Wow. All I can say is Wow.

I have just started this new study on the book of 1 John by Kay Arthur. It is so amazing.

The book of 1 John was written by John in order to instruct Christians on how to live and to also warn them of different false teachings which were rising up within the church. One of these teachings was Gnosticism. Gnostic's believed they had a superior knowledge which other believers did not, or could not obtain. They believed they somehow "arrived" and this learning they had, led them to salvation. The funny thing about this type of teaching was, that it was not based upon the Word of God.

Gnosticism also includes some really bizarre beliefs. They dehumanized Christ, and they also downplayed sin and the need for redemption. They did not believe in Jesus being the means for salvation. 1 John repeatedly talks about the importance of Christ, and the necessity of his Crucifixion and Resurrection for salvation and forgiveness. The Gnostic's could not believe that God would come to Earth in the form of a "human Jesus" and thus save the world from sin. They thought that anything physical was dirty or unclean, thus God could not come in the human form. John repeatedly urged the Christians in this book to turn away from this teaching and embrace Jesus.

"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. " 1 John 4:2

It was also interesting how John continually spoke on the concept of love and obedience within this epistle. Over and over again John emphasized the importance of Love and Obedience as evidence, and the "fruit" of walking with Christ and abiding with Him.

"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, " I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not see. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4: 19-21

"Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 5:7-8

He used awesome words to describe Christianity and the walk of following Christ. He spoke on how we are to live in the Light and not in the darkness. There are "fruits" which come from walking in the light and on the contrary "evidences" of walking in the darkness. It is interesting to me how when I am "abiding in Christ" I really do have joy, peace, righteousness, love, etc. However, when I am walking in "darkness" in any area of my life, there is a fear, an insecurity. John was basically teaching the importance of really abiding in Christ and how it was good for them, it was life to them.

Isn't this true though? Isn't it interesting that most evil deeds are done at night, in the darkness? People can hide in the dark, it is safe there, it just feels right. Similarly, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He wanted to talk to Jesus, but he didn't want to be seen. He still had fear. This is like us. 1 John talks about the importance of love, and how love even casts out all fear. Christ's love that is.

This teaching was important because the Gnostic's did not believe they had a sinful nature which needed repentance. John urged them to dismiss this type of thinking which was unbiblical and untrue. He called those who claim they are without sin: "liars"(1 John 2:3) and they should turn away from this idealogy.

God's plan was Egypt

God's plan was for his people to go to Egypt. This was not a vacation for them. This was not a fun adventure full of hope and blessing. This was a trip they probably would not have wanted to go, had they been able to see the future. If they were able to see the future they would see slavery and bondage. But God called Jacob in his old age, to get up and take his family and all his belongings and go to Egypt in search for food, his son Benjamin, and his long lost son Joseph.

(Genesis 46:3) "And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said,Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
3And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
4I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. "

Jacob obeyed God's plan and took all he had in search for food, his sons, and whatever awaited him next. He probably would have rather that God provide for him in his old comfortable home of Canaan. It seems strange that God would want his people to gather in Egypt. Then we find that many years later during the book of Exodus that God's people are in slavery and bondage under the Egyptians. Potipher is long gone along with the mention of Joseph and the favor he had while in office. However, God knew that in order for the Israelites to take over the promised land they would need to grow in size. Egypt was the perfect place for them to grow into a huge nation able to fight off the other surrounding nations and be victorious in their conquest of the promised land later on in the great Exodus.

Rebekah- What the heck?

I am excited tonight because we are continuing in the exciting book of Genesis. I am attending a class with my husband on Thursday nights and I am really getting into the study. We have been reading through Genesis and this book is probably one of the most interesting books I have ever heard. What drama, what romance, it's definitely a good read. There are however, some things that are somewhat perplexing to me. In Genesis 24 we read about how Isaac's servant went to go find a wife for Isaac. He even put up a fleece for God to make sure he brought back the "right" wife. He decided he would look for a woman at the well to offer to water not only him but his 10 camels as well. I guess the well was a hang out spot where guys would look for wives. Now this woman would be impressive because a camel can drink a lot of water. So he found this woman who offered to water all of the camels and he brought her home to Isaac. Her name was Rebekah and the whole story was pretty romantic. But this woman Rebekah was very interesting. She made some pretty interesting decisions. First of all, she had twin sons and favored one son more than the other. I wonder why she favored one son more than the other? Maybe it was because God have her a prophetic word that she would have twins when she was pregnant and the younger one would rule over the older, and out her womb would be two nations. It is sad to think that a mother would favor one child over another. I wonder if her sons were aware of this fact, I hope not. The interesting thing is that she even tried to interfere in her husband Jacob's life. One day when her dying husband was about to give the blessing typically given to the eldest son, who in this case was Esau, she tried to change the plan. Maybe it was because she remembered the dream she had, she remembered the younger son was to rule over the oldest. She had the nerve to give her son Jacob the heads up, to go in and try to trick her own husband into giving him the blessing, instead of his older brother Esau. Amazingly enough, this plan actually worked and Jacob did get the blessing. I just don't get it. How could God bless that? Why would God bless and fulfill his covenant of love through the descendants of Jacob when it was supposed to be through the oldest son. He was the heir.

But then it hit me.

God's faithfulness to his promises does not depend on our obedience. He was faithful because He is love. Throughout the Bible you read about all of these characters who were big sinners. But yet God still worked through them, he still fulfilled the covenant through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Isn't that cool? God even sent his son Jesus to be born and he even had murderers and a prostitute in his lineage. God knew that we could never be perfect people but He still chose to die for us and accomplish his plan through our lives. That is true love if I have ever seen it.