Luke 15:11-32
The parable of the prodigal son tells of a child who abandoned his family, squandered his inherentice, but later returned and was received home. His father welcomed him back but his older brother resented him.
I find today that story runs true in the lives of many. And it's not so much the child who runs away at times but at times it is the parent. Some fathers run from responsibility and leave a mother to raise a child alone. Some mothers struggle to be there for their child because they have to balance work, daycare, parenting, and make ends meet. And some mothers abandon their child for the love of a man. There are so many scenarios that can play out these are just a few, sometimes it's the mother who leaves and the father who has to raise the child and struggles just the same as mentioned above. So to you single parents I pray God strengthen you for the journey and surround with wisdom and help for the task that is before you.
But what happens when that child whom was raised without knowing their biological father and/or mother finally meets them. It's hard to fight back those raw emotions and questions of why? And I cannot begin to imagine the pain but I look at the prodigal son's father who could have rejected his own flesh and blood and let him feel the guilt of leaving. Instead he welcomed him back with loving arms and expressed to his son that he was forgiven. I am sure it was hard for his father because so much time was lost between his son and him. But I like how the father cherished the time he had now gained with his son and did not waste it on questions and speculation. Not to say if his father were to question his son it would without valid reasons but I appreciate how he spent more time on getting know his son as opposed to being hateful towards him.
For some of us, we are going to play the role of the loving father when our wayward parent returns seeking forgiveness for abandoning us, abusing us, or neglecting us. Now it is important to note the prodigal son lost all his inherentice just like the wayward parent lost some years, maybe respect, or even the right to be called "mommy" or "daddy". But it also important to notice that the father's love for his prodigal son was unconditional and his forgiveness was instant. So if you are the child of a wayward parent I know you have questions and hurts but trust this, God sees those and through all your suffering He was the one healing your wounds, bandaging your scars, and holding you in His arms as you cried. It has always been Him and He will never stop. So when that wayward parent returns don't be like the older brother who resented his brother and was angered by the very presence of his brother. Your wayward parent is more than aware of what they did and they may find the words or courage to say, "I am sorry and I love you." or they may never apologize for what they did. They will never be able to make up for time lost or take back the mistake of hurting you. But remember your forgiveness of their sin is worth more than the apology they owe you. And I know I will never understand how you feel because I grew up in a loving home with good (not perfect) parents. And I am not advocating abandoning or abusing kids nor am I excusing their reckless behavior. However what I am saying is capture what time you can while you can. And if your wayward parent died prior to coming back or you offering them forgiveness find comfort in this. The loving father was waiting on his prodigal son to return not so he could forgive him but to express his forgiveness that he had already granted his son years ago. We will not always have the opportunity to let others know they are forgiven and reconcile but we will always have the chance to forgive in our hearts. I know it's tough but sometimes as Christian this is the weight we bare. But we do not bare it alone, Christ is there with us and He will never abandon us.
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable.
"In His JOY!"
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Passion needs Compassion
Ephesians 4:29, Prov 15:1
Having a passion for something but lacking compassion when expressing it to others is nothing more than unchecked anger and shows lack of maturity. When we express the truth of Jesus to others we must consider not only the message but also the delivery. I am not saying we distort the the truth, however I am saying that we speak the truth in love and not in anger. Anger will always bring harm but love will always bring healing. You can do this!
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Having a passion for something but lacking compassion when expressing it to others is nothing more than unchecked anger and shows lack of maturity. When we express the truth of Jesus to others we must consider not only the message but also the delivery. I am not saying we distort the the truth, however I am saying that we speak the truth in love and not in anger. Anger will always bring harm but love will always bring healing. You can do this!
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
"Needed Adversity"
Joshua 7:8-9
For a Christian adversity is a chance for God to be magnified in our lives so others may come to know Him. So we do not fear challenges because our eternal faith in God surpasses the temporary fear of life. We know Who goes before us, Who lives within us, and Who stands behind us. We have an inner peace that is not displaced by any outward chaos.
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
For a Christian adversity is a chance for God to be magnified in our lives so others may come to know Him. So we do not fear challenges because our eternal faith in God surpasses the temporary fear of life. We know Who goes before us, Who lives within us, and Who stands behind us. We have an inner peace that is not displaced by any outward chaos.
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
"Spreading the Bad News!"
Ephesians 5:18
When we share gossip we are glorified and the lives of others are badly damaged. But when share the Gospel, God is glorified and the lives of others are eternally changed for the better. Which one of these sounds like the ministry of reconciliation to you?
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
When we share gossip we are glorified and the lives of others are badly damaged. But when share the Gospel, God is glorified and the lives of others are eternally changed for the better. Which one of these sounds like the ministry of reconciliation to you?
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Sunday, June 2, 2013
"Miracle Grow"
Matthew 18: 21-35
Last night I saw a name of someone who had wronged me. I was doing me social media thing and the website (in all its infinite wisdom) suggested that we should be friends and connect. My immediate thought was "Bump that noise, playa!" and within an instant feelings of anger just sprouted up. It was like someone had placed the "Miracle Grow" for hate in my heart. I had to spend the next several minutes redirecting my thoughts of rage to love. It was crazy, I eventually moved on and was able to regain my focus and get some sleep.
Today while I was driving home from work I begin to ponder about forgiveness. I mean I know how to love and forgive, but I am so quick to remember an offense. While I was thinking about this God put a challenge on my heart. It was like He asked me "Right now if you forgave everyone one for ever offense they committed against you and offered them forgiveness for ever wrong they will commit against you, how would they look in your eyes. Would they look the same to you, would you see them with hate in your heart or a heart full of love?"
I had to think about that, when I thought about the person in terms of forgiveness for past, present, and future wrongs. All I could see was a person clean of sin. I did not see them as a liar, devil, or a hypocrite. All I could see was the person and not the sin. But when I gave away my hate I took away my right to treat them mean out of anger. I took away my right think evil thoughts about them. I took away my bitterness. I took away my right to call them a hypocrite. I took away my right to tell them "Go take an eternal dip in the Lake of Fire!" I took it all away...
But what about me, what about my feelings, what about my hurt, what about my pain? Who will vindicate me, who will speak up for me, who...someone tell me who!? Because if I give up my right to hate I look like a Joker ...I look a Jello Spine...I look like a Jester...I look like the spelling error "Jesun" instead of "Jason"...I look like Jesus...wait what!
By forgiving all past offenses, amending all of current wrongs against me, and any future hurt that may come I began to act like Jesus. I look like I am willing sacrificing myself and my right to do ill, think ill, and even hope ill towards someone. I am modeling Christ. I am wiping the slate clean and refusing to add to it. I am denying myself and gladly following Jesus now (Matthew 16:24). I am forgiving others over and over no matter what (Matthew 18:21-22). I am crucifying myself and saying "Lord forgive them, they don't get it (Luke 22:34)". Now I know God because I walk in love ( 1 John 4:8). Now I know I abide in God and God is in me because I walking in love and compassion (1 John 4:16). Now I am not a liar because I have learned to love (1 John 4:20-21). I get it now.
The price for me to do this is deep but the payoff is much greater (Romans 8:18, Matthew 18:21-35). Because in the end I do lose out on claiming what is rightfully mine (to hate) but I gain the privilege to give someone something far better (forgiveness). Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Last night I saw a name of someone who had wronged me. I was doing me social media thing and the website (in all its infinite wisdom) suggested that we should be friends and connect. My immediate thought was "Bump that noise, playa!" and within an instant feelings of anger just sprouted up. It was like someone had placed the "Miracle Grow" for hate in my heart. I had to spend the next several minutes redirecting my thoughts of rage to love. It was crazy, I eventually moved on and was able to regain my focus and get some sleep.
Today while I was driving home from work I begin to ponder about forgiveness. I mean I know how to love and forgive, but I am so quick to remember an offense. While I was thinking about this God put a challenge on my heart. It was like He asked me "Right now if you forgave everyone one for ever offense they committed against you and offered them forgiveness for ever wrong they will commit against you, how would they look in your eyes. Would they look the same to you, would you see them with hate in your heart or a heart full of love?"
I had to think about that, when I thought about the person in terms of forgiveness for past, present, and future wrongs. All I could see was a person clean of sin. I did not see them as a liar, devil, or a hypocrite. All I could see was the person and not the sin. But when I gave away my hate I took away my right to treat them mean out of anger. I took away my right think evil thoughts about them. I took away my bitterness. I took away my right to call them a hypocrite. I took away my right to tell them "Go take an eternal dip in the Lake of Fire!" I took it all away...
But what about me, what about my feelings, what about my hurt, what about my pain? Who will vindicate me, who will speak up for me, who...someone tell me who!? Because if I give up my right to hate I look like a Joker ...I look a Jello Spine...I look like a Jester...I look like the spelling error "Jesun" instead of "Jason"...I look like Jesus...wait what!
By forgiving all past offenses, amending all of current wrongs against me, and any future hurt that may come I began to act like Jesus. I look like I am willing sacrificing myself and my right to do ill, think ill, and even hope ill towards someone. I am modeling Christ. I am wiping the slate clean and refusing to add to it. I am denying myself and gladly following Jesus now (Matthew 16:24). I am forgiving others over and over no matter what (Matthew 18:21-22). I am crucifying myself and saying "Lord forgive them, they don't get it (Luke 22:34)". Now I know God because I walk in love ( 1 John 4:8). Now I know I abide in God and God is in me because I walking in love and compassion (1 John 4:16). Now I am not a liar because I have learned to love (1 John 4:20-21). I get it now.
The price for me to do this is deep but the payoff is much greater (Romans 8:18, Matthew 18:21-35). Because in the end I do lose out on claiming what is rightfully mine (to hate) but I gain the privilege to give someone something far better (forgiveness). Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Saturday, June 1, 2013
"Whole bunch of excuses but not one is justified"
"I'm just still dealing with the hurt", "I'm just really disappointed in him", "Do you boo and I'll do me", "I'm not gossiping I just needed to vent to someone", "I'm just frustrated because she hasn't changed after all these years", "I told you how crazy they are", "I'm not surprised, he is just like his mother never satisfied and like his father to demanding" "I forgive you but I won't forget" "I'm trying to act like a Christian and not like I used to be, so I will pray for you"
Phrases like this come from us when we are self-centered, unforgiving, and bitter. When we act and think like this we become the prisoner of anger, tension, and stress. We become isolated, push others away, and view anyone who disagrees with us an enemy. Forgiveness sets you free, when Christ forgave you, you experienced freedom that cannot compare to anything else. Stop seeking counsel to get approval for your sin of unforgivness and stop talking about offenses to get attention. Admit you your hurt, forgive instantly, love unconditionally, and reconcile. Do this all in the strength of His Spirit, the direction of His Word, and the Grace of God. Let God replace that heart of stone with His Heart, don't worry about justice be bask in God's love. Stay focused you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
"Dancing in the Rain!"
1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:3-5
It would be awesome if we could forecast the storms of adversity in our lives. It would be wonderful if we knew for the next two weeks that life would be tough...you know someone would tell us "You are going to experience some lows Monday through Friday but on Saturday you will have some highs." It would be so cool but that just does not happen. Adversity at times just pops out of nowhere, doctor tells us the test results came back positive for Cancer, we show up to work and find out we are being let go, or the dream we once had has turned into a nightmare. It seems unfair at times doesn't it. We begin to cry out to God "Why Lord, why would you allow this after all I have done"
But just like we grumble at the rain when it pours because it hampers our day, farmers rejoice because their crops are getting the needed substance to grow. Adversity my be tough to go through but if handled in a Godly way you will learn about your faith in Jesus.
You don't know how strong your faith is until it is put to the test. Adversity causes us to experience grief but we rejoice in it because adversity shows us the genuineness of our faith. Do you trust God that God will provide for you? When you have no food in the refrigerator and no money in the bank, do you still trust God will provide? Do you trust God with your health? When the doctor says "I'm sorry but there is nothing else we can do", Do you trust God to heal you the way He sees fit? Do you love your enemies? When your best friend or relative betrays you, do you still love them? Do you believe that God works all things out for your good, when you are passed over for the job that you were qualified for, do you still believe all things work out?
This is how God uses adversity in our lives. Trials refine us and make us into the person God desires for us to be if we are willing to learn and grow. Everyone wants God to help them to change a be a better Christian but are you willing to go through some adversity to get there? Test show us how much we have learned and how much more we need to learn. At the end we are graded, either we passed or failed. Thanks be to God if we fail there is grace and opportunity for growth, If we pass we can see how God has changed us.
So rejoice in that moment of adversity because God is growing you up to be a mature Christian. Rejoice that God sees some areas of improvement in your life and He has chosen to allow this adversity to grow you. Rejoice because the person who entered the storm will be nothing compared to the person who comes out of the storm. Rejoice because regardless of what adversity you are facing God is standing with you, in front of you, behind you, and His Spirit is living in you. Dance in the rain friends.
Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:3-5
It would be awesome if we could forecast the storms of adversity in our lives. It would be wonderful if we knew for the next two weeks that life would be tough...you know someone would tell us "You are going to experience some lows Monday through Friday but on Saturday you will have some highs." It would be so cool but that just does not happen. Adversity at times just pops out of nowhere, doctor tells us the test results came back positive for Cancer, we show up to work and find out we are being let go, or the dream we once had has turned into a nightmare. It seems unfair at times doesn't it. We begin to cry out to God "Why Lord, why would you allow this after all I have done"
But just like we grumble at the rain when it pours because it hampers our day, farmers rejoice because their crops are getting the needed substance to grow. Adversity my be tough to go through but if handled in a Godly way you will learn about your faith in Jesus.
You don't know how strong your faith is until it is put to the test. Adversity causes us to experience grief but we rejoice in it because adversity shows us the genuineness of our faith. Do you trust God that God will provide for you? When you have no food in the refrigerator and no money in the bank, do you still trust God will provide? Do you trust God with your health? When the doctor says "I'm sorry but there is nothing else we can do", Do you trust God to heal you the way He sees fit? Do you love your enemies? When your best friend or relative betrays you, do you still love them? Do you believe that God works all things out for your good, when you are passed over for the job that you were qualified for, do you still believe all things work out?
This is how God uses adversity in our lives. Trials refine us and make us into the person God desires for us to be if we are willing to learn and grow. Everyone wants God to help them to change a be a better Christian but are you willing to go through some adversity to get there? Test show us how much we have learned and how much more we need to learn. At the end we are graded, either we passed or failed. Thanks be to God if we fail there is grace and opportunity for growth, If we pass we can see how God has changed us.
So rejoice in that moment of adversity because God is growing you up to be a mature Christian. Rejoice that God sees some areas of improvement in your life and He has chosen to allow this adversity to grow you. Rejoice because the person who entered the storm will be nothing compared to the person who comes out of the storm. Rejoice because regardless of what adversity you are facing God is standing with you, in front of you, behind you, and His Spirit is living in you. Dance in the rain friends.
Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)