"A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression." Prov 19:11
We all know what it is like to be on the south side of a north bound relationship. Discrepancies, disagreements and disputes arise among our friendships and family relationships with what can be an annoying regularity. The effects can be anything from character building to relationship destroying.
In situations like these, it is easy to place blame on the other party. We can even draw comfort and confidence in feeling that we are right. The problem is that the relationship suffers. There is a real danger in losing something that is more valuable than we are willing to acknowledge at the moment.
Beloved, Paul once asked, "why not be wronged?" Sometimes it can serve both the greater good and the individuals involved to allow things to dissipate. Yes introspection is important. Apologies should be given and or received. Above all, forgiveness should be extended. But there are some cases when we just need to let it go. Ultimately, it is ourselves that we damage by holding grudges, retaining anger and plotting responses. Let us pursue peace with our friends, family and brethren. Let us pursue peace with God.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Ultimate Friend-DD 2/8/2011
"Then Job answered, "I have heard many such things; Sorry comforters are you all. Is there no limit to windy words? Or what plagues you that you answer?" Job 16:1-3
There is not a life that is not touched by pain, inconvenience, difficulty and angst. These can be either remedied or exacerbated depending on what we do in these situations. More specifically, where we seek help can influence the outcome.
Job had several friends that came to comfort him in the time of his greatest despair. In the beginning, they sat in silence and mourned with him. After a while, they began to offer a number of opinions that were, to say the least, not helpful.
Beloved, we must be careful who we trust with our hurts. If our friends and brethren are close, we should know enough about them to know their particular strengths, weaknesses and role in our lives. Not everyone is good at everything. Jesus, among his thousands of followers, selected 12 to be close and 3 to be closest. Even the 3 fell asleep at a critical moment. Make no mistake, we need each other. Our friends can be an amazing comfort and we need to be able to call and rely upon our close inner circle. More than that, however, we need to realize that it is God that will get us through our most challenging times. Job knew that. God does that.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
There is not a life that is not touched by pain, inconvenience, difficulty and angst. These can be either remedied or exacerbated depending on what we do in these situations. More specifically, where we seek help can influence the outcome.
Job had several friends that came to comfort him in the time of his greatest despair. In the beginning, they sat in silence and mourned with him. After a while, they began to offer a number of opinions that were, to say the least, not helpful.
Beloved, we must be careful who we trust with our hurts. If our friends and brethren are close, we should know enough about them to know their particular strengths, weaknesses and role in our lives. Not everyone is good at everything. Jesus, among his thousands of followers, selected 12 to be close and 3 to be closest. Even the 3 fell asleep at a critical moment. Make no mistake, we need each other. Our friends can be an amazing comfort and we need to be able to call and rely upon our close inner circle. More than that, however, we need to realize that it is God that will get us through our most challenging times. Job knew that. God does that.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, February 7, 2011
Love Means Saying You're Sorry-DD 4/7/2011
"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." Matt 5:23-24
In the 1971 movie "Love Story," Jennifer Cavilleri, a character played by Ali McGraw uttered the phrase, "Love means not ever having to say you're sorry." Since that time, it has become a part of our social consciousness. This is unfortunate. It highlights our lack of willingness to take responsibility for our actions. In short, we fail to realize the importance of a simple apology.
Beloved, we sometimes have a tendency to sweep things under the rug. We think that if we just say nothing, it will all somehow go away. This is furthered if the affected party says nothing. Know that God is not pleased with this behavior. We are expected to take responsibility for our actions and own up to our wrongs. Even in our relationship with the Almighty, confession comes before repentance and that before forgiveness.
Failure to apologize adds insult to injury and prolongs the strain on the relationship. Both parties and potentially all who know them suffer. With the consistent scriptural call to love others as ourselves, we cannot expect that God will allow our relationship with Him to have the status of "business as usual." In order to be right with Him, we must be right with each other.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
In the 1971 movie "Love Story," Jennifer Cavilleri, a character played by Ali McGraw uttered the phrase, "Love means not ever having to say you're sorry." Since that time, it has become a part of our social consciousness. This is unfortunate. It highlights our lack of willingness to take responsibility for our actions. In short, we fail to realize the importance of a simple apology.
Beloved, we sometimes have a tendency to sweep things under the rug. We think that if we just say nothing, it will all somehow go away. This is furthered if the affected party says nothing. Know that God is not pleased with this behavior. We are expected to take responsibility for our actions and own up to our wrongs. Even in our relationship with the Almighty, confession comes before repentance and that before forgiveness.
Failure to apologize adds insult to injury and prolongs the strain on the relationship. Both parties and potentially all who know them suffer. With the consistent scriptural call to love others as ourselves, we cannot expect that God will allow our relationship with Him to have the status of "business as usual." In order to be right with Him, we must be right with each other.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Friday, February 4, 2011
Remembering to Forget-DD 2/4/2011
"Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." He named the second Ephraim, "For," he said, " God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Gen 41:51-52
Most of us have a pretty good memory, especially regarding the details of times and places we have been wronged and the individuals who are responsible. We remember them so well in fact that we carry these memories around with us as if they provide us with some sort of comfort. We nurse these hurts as if they are somehow beneficial. In fact, they are not. They are in many ways, self imposed prisons bars that restrict our freedom of movement and kill our joy.
In order to lead full and happy lives, we must learn to forget past wrongs done to us, but how? Joseph's woes are well documented in scripture. He was betrayed by family, falsely accused by someones wife, thrown into jail and forced to endure the heartbreak of forgotten promises and separation from those he loved. If there was anyone who ever lived that had a right to be bitter and vindictive, it was Joseph.
But the scripture says that God helped him to forget. He put his faith in God rather than man. Ultimately, he was put in position to save a good portion of the civilized world from famine. In so doing, he was made to prosper.
Beloved, holding grudges only holds us back. We do ourselves more harm than the objects of our disdain. Yes, forgetting frees them from the prison in which you have placed them, but it also frees you. What others may have meant for evil, God may have planned for good.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Most of us have a pretty good memory, especially regarding the details of times and places we have been wronged and the individuals who are responsible. We remember them so well in fact that we carry these memories around with us as if they provide us with some sort of comfort. We nurse these hurts as if they are somehow beneficial. In fact, they are not. They are in many ways, self imposed prisons bars that restrict our freedom of movement and kill our joy.
In order to lead full and happy lives, we must learn to forget past wrongs done to us, but how? Joseph's woes are well documented in scripture. He was betrayed by family, falsely accused by someones wife, thrown into jail and forced to endure the heartbreak of forgotten promises and separation from those he loved. If there was anyone who ever lived that had a right to be bitter and vindictive, it was Joseph.
But the scripture says that God helped him to forget. He put his faith in God rather than man. Ultimately, he was put in position to save a good portion of the civilized world from famine. In so doing, he was made to prosper.
Beloved, holding grudges only holds us back. We do ourselves more harm than the objects of our disdain. Yes, forgetting frees them from the prison in which you have placed them, but it also frees you. What others may have meant for evil, God may have planned for good.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Is Anything Too Hard For the Lord?-DD 2/3/2011
"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:14
The Lord had just appeared to Abraham on His way to Sodom and Gomorrah. As He enjoyed Abraham's hospitality, He informed him that despite his age of nearly 100 years that He would indeed give him a son by his nearly 90 year old wife. Sarah overhead this exchange and was clearly amused. The Lord inquired about Sarah's laughter.
Many of us fail to understand the might and power of our God. Sarah thought she was far beyond her child bearing years. Her amusement quickly gave way to another emotion when God called her on it. The point here is that the greatness of God is certainly seen in creation, but the significance is seen in our daily lives. God made a promise to (a) man and fully intended to keep it. The expression of His power is most seen when ordinary things happen under the most extraordinary circumstances. It was common for a woman to have a baby, but at nearly a century old? It was common to have wine at a wedding but made from water? It was common for storms to rise up, but to be able to walk on them?
Beloved, we often despair in our various situations and circumstances despite our status as children of the Almighty. When told that God will deliver us, we may even, like Sarah, laugh and simply point out the impossibility of our situation. It may very well be that the response, whether spoken or not, will be the same that Sarah received: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The Lord had just appeared to Abraham on His way to Sodom and Gomorrah. As He enjoyed Abraham's hospitality, He informed him that despite his age of nearly 100 years that He would indeed give him a son by his nearly 90 year old wife. Sarah overhead this exchange and was clearly amused. The Lord inquired about Sarah's laughter.
Many of us fail to understand the might and power of our God. Sarah thought she was far beyond her child bearing years. Her amusement quickly gave way to another emotion when God called her on it. The point here is that the greatness of God is certainly seen in creation, but the significance is seen in our daily lives. God made a promise to (a) man and fully intended to keep it. The expression of His power is most seen when ordinary things happen under the most extraordinary circumstances. It was common for a woman to have a baby, but at nearly a century old? It was common to have wine at a wedding but made from water? It was common for storms to rise up, but to be able to walk on them?
Beloved, we often despair in our various situations and circumstances despite our status as children of the Almighty. When told that God will deliver us, we may even, like Sarah, laugh and simply point out the impossibility of our situation. It may very well be that the response, whether spoken or not, will be the same that Sarah received: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
What is Happening to Our Church-DD 2/2/2011
"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?"
Haggai 1:4
Today, many are asking, "What is happening to our church?" They cite reduced attendance, reduced contribution, reduced programs and reduced passion to name just a few things. While it is true that the movement of society away from its moral and God fearing foundation is a factor, the best place to begin the search for answers is in the mirror.
We must truly examine ourselves and ask if we are doing the things that God has commanded in order to effect results with which He would be pleased. Though far from an exhaustive list, consider the following:
• Love God with everything you have-Matt 22:37
• Show your love through obedience-John 14:15
• Search the scriptures daily to know what He says-Acts 17:11
• Do not just listen, act-James 1:25
• Give generously-Acts 4:34-35
• Introduce others to Jesus-Matt 28:19-20
• Use your gifts for the benefit of the body-1 Cor 12:4-12
• Do not fail to attend worship yourself-Heb 10:25
• Stay prayed up-Eph 6:18
Beloved, we must each take personal responsibility for the health and welfare of the local congregation and by extension, the church universal. We are placed in the church as our organs are placed in our bodies. Each has a responsibility to accomplish a function. To do anything less is to put the whole in jeopardy. If you are not satisfied with the condition of the church, know that God has already told us what we should do. It is up to [insert your name here] to do it.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Haggai 1:4
Today, many are asking, "What is happening to our church?" They cite reduced attendance, reduced contribution, reduced programs and reduced passion to name just a few things. While it is true that the movement of society away from its moral and God fearing foundation is a factor, the best place to begin the search for answers is in the mirror.
We must truly examine ourselves and ask if we are doing the things that God has commanded in order to effect results with which He would be pleased. Though far from an exhaustive list, consider the following:
• Love God with everything you have-Matt 22:37
• Show your love through obedience-John 14:15
• Search the scriptures daily to know what He says-Acts 17:11
• Do not just listen, act-James 1:25
• Give generously-Acts 4:34-35
• Introduce others to Jesus-Matt 28:19-20
• Use your gifts for the benefit of the body-1 Cor 12:4-12
• Do not fail to attend worship yourself-Heb 10:25
• Stay prayed up-Eph 6:18
Beloved, we must each take personal responsibility for the health and welfare of the local congregation and by extension, the church universal. We are placed in the church as our organs are placed in our bodies. Each has a responsibility to accomplish a function. To do anything less is to put the whole in jeopardy. If you are not satisfied with the condition of the church, know that God has already told us what we should do. It is up to [insert your name here] to do it.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Such Were Some of Us-DD 2/1/2011
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;"
1Tim 1:12-13
Beloved, we all have a past. For some, that past might be as recent as yesterday. Each of us can think back to things that we used to do and ways we used to live and hang our heads in shame. Thank the Lord that he has delivered us.
As others make that same transition, we must be mindful of the standard to which we hold them. We, who through the grace of God, have become dyed in the wool Christians can often look down our noses at those who are currently living reprobate lives but struggling toward the light. We can be very quick to tell them what they are doing is wrong instead of helping them to understand what is right.
There are two things that it is important that we remember. The first is that we were not always the saints that we have become. 1 Cor 6:9-10 contains a list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God and then pointedly states in verse 11, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." Secondly, the same Savior to whom we owe our lives and who called us, calls others who are in the condition that was previously ours. In Matt 9:10-13, Jesus was having a meal with sinners. When the Pharisees questioned it, Jesus replied, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick (do)."
Jesus came to heal and forgive. As his disciples, let us emulate the master and not hinder those who would come to him, but help. Let those who were served and saved, serve and save others.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
1Tim 1:12-13
Beloved, we all have a past. For some, that past might be as recent as yesterday. Each of us can think back to things that we used to do and ways we used to live and hang our heads in shame. Thank the Lord that he has delivered us.
As others make that same transition, we must be mindful of the standard to which we hold them. We, who through the grace of God, have become dyed in the wool Christians can often look down our noses at those who are currently living reprobate lives but struggling toward the light. We can be very quick to tell them what they are doing is wrong instead of helping them to understand what is right.
There are two things that it is important that we remember. The first is that we were not always the saints that we have become. 1 Cor 6:9-10 contains a list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God and then pointedly states in verse 11, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." Secondly, the same Savior to whom we owe our lives and who called us, calls others who are in the condition that was previously ours. In Matt 9:10-13, Jesus was having a meal with sinners. When the Pharisees questioned it, Jesus replied, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick (do)."
Jesus came to heal and forgive. As his disciples, let us emulate the master and not hinder those who would come to him, but help. Let those who were served and saved, serve and save others.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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