When Another Christian Hurts You

 

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

What is the basis of our not holding grudges against Christian brothers and sisters who repent?

Our moral indignation because of a terrible offense done against us does not evaporate just because the offender is a Christian. In fact, we may feel even more betrayed. And a simple, “I’m sorry” will often seem utterly disproportionate to the painfulness and ugliness of the offense.

But in this case we are dealing with fellow Christians and the promise of God’s wrath against our offender does not apply, because there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). “God has not destined [Christians] for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). It looks like they are going to get away with it!

Where shall we turn to assure ourselves that justice will be done — that Christianity is not a mockery of the seriousness of sin?

The answer is that we look to the cross of Christ. All the wrongs that have been done against us by genuine believers were avenged in the death of Jesus. This is implied in the simple but staggering fact that all the sins of all God’s people were laid on Jesus. “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24).

The suffering of Christ was the real punishment and recompense of God on every hurt you have ever received from a fellow Christian. Therefore, Christianity does not make light of sin. It does not add insult to our injury.

On the contrary, it takes the sins against us so seriously that, to make them right, God gave his own Son to suffer more than we could ever make anyone suffer for what they have done to us. If we go on holding a grudge against a fellow believer, we are saying in effect that the cross of Christ was not a sufficient recompense for the sins of God’s people. This is an insult to Christ and his cross you do not want to give.

DISCOVERING YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE! - PART 2.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 07, 2022.

SUBJECT : DISCOVERING YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE! - PART 2.

Memory verse: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you, I ordained you a prophet to the nations."  (Jeremiah 1 vs 5.)

READ: Psalms 139 vs 13 - 17: 

139:13: For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

139:14: I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows very well.

139:15: My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

139:16: Your eyes saw my substance, being yet informed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

139:17: How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

INTIMATION: 

As earlier stated yesterday, the major purpose of God creating us is to give Him glory. All the purposes we are to serve must bring glory to God. It is a right thing to bring glory to God because there is no one greater who is worthy of trust, adoration, and worship. Therefore, for the Christian, we are to live to bring glory to God, and how we do that is through prayer and study of His Word, the Bible, so that we might better know what He has for us. Continuing from yesterday, I will be discussing more ways to glorify God in your everyday life.

5. Leading A Christlike Life

Once we learn to lead a life that is Christ-centered, then we will understand how we can glorify God in all things. In this way, we can lead a purpose driven life for God. Any lifestyle devoid of lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life is a Christlike lifestyle. When you are engulfed in pursuing worldly things like money, power, women, and status without realizing how temporary they are, you are leading a purposeless life because this world and therein will one day pass away. Therefore, live in this world with eternity consciousness, and your life will be pleasing to the Lord and God will direct your steps to be in conformity with His predetermined purposes you are created to serve. 

6: Examine your gifts

The gifts God gave you are also road signs to where God is directing you to. Have you ever considered your talents and gifts? Do you get a kick out of soccer? Are you a strategic thinker? A great listener? Can you motivate others to action with your words? Are you skilled at building things? I suggest making a list of the things and activities that interest you in which you excel. You can also ask yourself, “What’s the one thing that I do better than others?” This can also clue you in to your God-given purpose.

The gifts God gives us are like little seeds planted inside us, but for them to grow we have to use them. This means that if you can’t identify which “Gift Seeds” God has given you, try doing new things that interest you. Through these new experiences, God will reveal more to you about who you are and how He has called you to serve Him.

7: Examine your passions

Identify the things and/or circumstances that emotionally revive you. If you could ask yourself what makes you angry, joyful, excited or passionate, what would you say? Take note of when your emotions are moved; these times can be a sign of your God-given purpose. For instance, I am always very deeply perturbed when I see fellow human beings suffering and in deep want. When I hear about little children being abused, I get angry. When someone tells me a story about loyal love, I am deeply moved. Talking about Christ stirs me up. 

When coupled with my talents, these passions point in the direction of my purpose of written and spoken communication about things that deeply impact people on a spiritual and emotional level. Pray. Ask God to show you the things that move you and make a list. And remember, He wants you to discover His purpose for you more than you do.

8: Listen to others

Listening to what others say about your gifts can be a road sign from God to show you your purpose; so when someone notices or comments on one of your talents, take note. God may be trying to tell you something through His people. There are times, however, when we shouldn’t listen to what others say. But when what they say about us agrees with our passions, internal convictions, gifting and what God has already revealed to us, it can be a solid indication of our God-given purpose.

Prayer: Abba Father, I know You have wired me with special talents, and abilities for the purposes You intend I will serve You and others in line with the glorious destiny You have bestowed on me. Give me the grace to identify these things that I may serve You and others acceptably so as to achieve the purpose(s) You created me to serve, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

How Christ Conquered Bitterness

 

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23)

No one was more grievously sinned against than Jesus. Every ounce of animosity against him was completely undeserved.

No one has ever lived who was more worthy of honor than Jesus; and no one has been dishonored more.

If anyone had a right to get angry and be bitter and vengeful, it was Jesus. How did he control himself when scoundrels, whose very existence he sustained, spit in his face? First Peter 2:23 gives the answer: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

What this verse means is that Jesus had faith in the future grace of God’s righteous judgment. He did not need to avenge himself for all the indignities he suffered, because he entrusted his cause to God. He left vengeance in God’s hands and prayed for his enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Peter gives us this glimpse into Jesus’s faith so that we would learn how to live this way ourselves. He said, “You have been called [to endure harsh treatment patiently] . . . because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

If Christ conquered bitterness and vengeance by faith in what God, the good Judge, had promised to do, how much more should we, since we have far less right to murmur for being mistreated than he did?

DISCOVERING YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE! - PART 1.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JULY 06, 2022.

SUBJECT : DISCOVERING YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE! - PART 1.

Memory verse: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you, I ordained you a prophet to the nations."  (Jeremiah 1 vs 5.)

READ: Psalms 139 vs 13 - 17: 

139:13: For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

139:14: I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows very well.

139:15: My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

139:16: Your eyes saw my substance, being yet informed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

139:17: How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

INTIMATION: 

God has a purpose for each Christian, but some people are appointed by God for specific kinds of work. Whatever work you do should be done for the glory of God (Philippians 1 vs 11). If God gives you a specific task, accept it cheerfully and do it with diligence. If God has not given you a specific call or assignment, then seek to fulfill the mission common to all believers—to love, obey, and serve God—until His guidance becomes more clear. 

Do you find yourself struggling to find your God-given purpose in life? If so you’re not alone. In my adult life I found myself questioning if I was wasting my life because my actions didn’t reflect a life I was too proud of. I knew what I was passionate about but didn’t know if following my passion aligned with God’s purpose for my life. 

Often we boast in our accomplishments and material possessions because we identify them as giving us significance in life. I must admit I often link my career accomplishments with my identity, which can lead to us falling short of our true God-given purpose in life. (Isaiah 43 vs 7). 

The major purpose of God creating us is to give Him glory. All the purposes we are to serve must bring glory to God. It is a right thing to bring glory to God because there is no one greater who is worthy of trust, adoration, and worship. Therefore, for the Christian, we are to live to bring glory to God, and how we do that is through prayer and study of His Word, the Bible, so that we might better know what He has for us. In the coming days I will discuss several ways to glorify God in your everyday life.

1. Turn to God in prayer.

God has left us with a wealth of knowledge of the Bible to help us. To live a life with both passion and purpose, we must continue to learn who Jesus Christ is and what he says our purpose in life is. We’re created in His image so His life reflects many character traits we should seek to live out on a daily basis. We can only know these things when we enquire from Him in prayers (Matthew 7 vs 7 - 8).

2. Pray For Direction

As you seek your purpose, understand that each day we live is a gift and ask how to make the most of your life by living by faith and not by sight. In Ephesians 2 vs 10 the apostle Paul says, “We are God’s handi­work, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God calls you to a purpose—to do good works—“tailor-made” just for you. And He gifts you with all you need to accom­plish that purpose.

3. Follow The Will Of God 

For us to live with a God driven purpose, you must first put down this life to gain life. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19 vs 21). God has better plans for us than we can imagine and he does things, which we may not be able to understand but trust in His will. Through scripture, there are several ways we can live a purpose driven life. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (First John 2 vs 16 - 17).

Take time and reflect if you feel you desire materialistic possessions or want pride and power. It’s futile to focus on temporary pleasures because on our deathbed we can’t take anything with us. Besides more than likely, your family will be by your bedside, and they love you unconditionally, not because of what you have. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

4. Promises Of God

Now that we understand what the will of God is for our life we must look at the many promises of God when we seek first the kingdom of God. There are over 3,000 promises of God, but I want to point out a few that relate specifically to finding your God given purpose in life so you can experience a career that aligns with your faith: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29 vs 11).

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew , He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8 vs 28 - 29).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1 vs 17).

Take time to review some verses that apply to your life and write them down and place them in different locations. This can help you in your daily walk and serve as reminders of the many promises that comes from Jesus Christ. 

To be continued!

Prayer: Abba Father, I know Your thoughts for me are good, and You will never leave me nor forsake me. You have given me a glorious destiny, and only You will make it happen. Give me the strength to trust absolutely in You , and follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE VICISSITUDES ARE PART OF GOD'S PLANS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JULY 05, 2022.

SUBJECT : THE VICISSITUDES ARE PART OF GOD'S PLANS!

Memory verse: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8 vs 28.)

READ: Genesis 50 vs 19 - 21:

50:19: Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid CR, for am I in the place of God?

50:20: But Astor you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

50:21: Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones,” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

INTIMATION:

Our God is a perfect God, and His ways are also perfect. His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are unsearchable. His ways are far away from our ways and his thoughts far away from our thoughts. God has good plans for us. He created us for His purposes known to Him alone, and has fashioned our ways to achieve His purposes. The ways to achieve His purposes are planned by Him and known to Him from the foundation of the earth. 

The vicissitudes we encounter are part of His plans for our journey in life to achieve His purposes. Therefore, when you encounter them, as a child of God, do not be dismayed, for He is still with you. If you are obedient, you will eat the fruit of the land, and if obedient to the end, you will obtain the crown of life—eternal life with Him.

Perhaps no other account in all of Scriptures illustrates the strange vicissitudes of life more vividly than the biography of Joseph (The Dreamer). Joseph was born into privilege. He was the eleventh (and the favorite) son of Jacob, one of the patriarchs of Israelite history. Though Joseph was loved by his father, he was hated by his brothers because of his favored status. 

Joseph stoked his brothers' hatred by telling them of dreams he had—dreams in which his brothers bowed down to him. One day the brothers could contain their rage no longer. They seized Joseph and threw him into a pit. Their first thought was to kill him, but they changed their minds when they saw a caravan heading for Egypt. Instead of murdering him, his brothers sold him as a slave to members of the caravan. They returned home and told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast.

In Egypt, Joseph became the trusted servant of Potiphar, an official in the king's court. Unfortunately, Potiphar's trust was shattered by one false accusation against Joseph by Potiphar’s wife. Without so much as a court hearing, Joseph was thrown into prison. He was doomed, or so he thought. But a perplexing turn of events raised him to unexpected heights, because Joseph was faithful to the end.

In prison, Joseph met the king's cup bearer and the king's baker. Both men were troubled by strange and mysterious dreams. When they told Joseph their dreams, he interpreted the strange visions for them. Days later his words came to pass precisely the way he had announced to them. What kind of special powers did Joseph possess? How could he interpret these dreams? Joseph merely attributed his ability to the God of Israel, a God not worshiped in Egypt.

Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream. His advisors could not even begin to interpret it. Joseph was summoned from the prison to decipher the strange, troubling images. After a moment of silence, Joseph declared the visions meant that Egypt would be blessed with seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. 

In grateful response, Pharaoh appointed Joseph second-in-command in Egypt (a Prime Minister in a foreign land). Again, Joseph downplayed his own abilities and spoke instead, of the power of the Awesome God. And just as he predicted, the seven years of abundance came, as did the seven years of famine.

Joseph's appointment to second-in-command, remains an astonishing moment in ancient history. How do we explain his rise from an impoverished foreigner to an imperial leader? However, God was with him in his journey of life, and empowered him to overcome all temptations, because he puts God first in all things.

God predetermined the fame of Joseph, and even showed him in a vision of the night what He has planned and purposed for him. God packaged all the encounters in the life of Joseph to achieve His purpose. And now, look at the words of Joseph to his brothers; "God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people" (Genesis 50 vs 20). 

Are you a child of God? Are you engulfed in the vicissitudes of life? Do you place your absolute trust in Him, and is obedient to, and serving Him? Is God first in your life? If your answers are 'yes,' then, rest assured of your great visitation from Him, and your testimony is on the way. What you are passing through are all en-route to your glorious destiny.

Prayer: Abba Father, though the labor of my hands may fail, nor the fields will not yield its food, though life turns sour, and I hardly can eat, though I crush under human hardship, I will put my trust in, and rejoice in You. For I know Your thoughts for me are good, and You will never leave me nor forsake me. You have given me a glorious destiny, and only You will make it happen. Though it might tarry, but it must surely come to pass! Give me the strength to trust absolutely in You , and follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Give God Your Revenge

 

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Why is this such a crucial promise in overcoming our bent toward bitterness and revenge? The reason is that this promise answers one of the most powerful impulses behind anger — an impulse that is not entirely wrong.

In many cases, real wrongs have been done to us. Therefore, it is not entirely wrong to feel that justice should be done. What’s wrong is to feel that we must make it happen and that we may feel bitter until it does. This would be a deadly mistake.

During my seminary days, Noël and I were in a small group for couples that began to relate at a fairly deep personal level. One evening we were discussing forgiveness and anger. One of the young wives said that she could not and would not forgive her mother for something she had done to her as a young girl.

We talked about some of the biblical commands and warnings concerning an unforgiving spirit.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

If you do not forgive others . . . neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:15)

But she would not budge. So I warned her that her very soul was in danger if she kept on with such an attitude of unforgiving bitterness. But she was adamant that she would not forgive her mother.

The grace of God’s judgment is promised to us here in Romans 12 as a means of helping us overcome such a deadly spirit of revenge and bitterness.

Paul’s argument is that we can be sure that all wrongs will be dealt with by God and that we can leave the matter in his hands because vengeance belongs to the Lord. To motivate us to lay down our vengeful desires he gives us a promise: “I will repay, says the Lord.”

The promise that frees us from an unforgiving, bitter, vengeful spirit is the promise that God will settle our accounts. He will do it more justly and mercifully and more thoroughly than we ever could. He punishes all sin. Nobody gets away with anything. He punishes it either in Christ on the cross for those who repent and trust him, or in hell for those who don’t. Therefore, we can back off and leave room for God to do his perfect work.

When Will I Be Satisfied?

 

“I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26)

Imagine being able to enjoy what is most enjoyable with unbounded and increasing energy and passion forever.

This is not now our experience. Three things stand in the way of our complete satisfaction in this world.

Nothing in this world has a personal worth great enough to meet the deepest longings of our hearts.

We lack the strength to savor the best treasures to their maximum worth.

Our enjoyment of things here comes to an end. Nothing lasts.

But if the aim of Jesus in John 17:26 comes true, all this will change. He prays to his Father about us, “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” God does not love the Son the way he loves sinners. He loves the Son because the Son is infinitely worthy of love. That is, he loves the Son because the Son is infinitely lovely. Which means that this love is totally pleasure. Jesus prays that this pleasure that God has in his Son will be the same pleasure we have in the Son.

If God’s pleasure in the Son becomes our pleasure, then the object of our pleasure, Jesus, will be inexhaustible in personal worth. He will never become boring or disappointing or frustrating. No greater treasure can be conceived than the Son of God.

But add to this what Jesus prays for; namely, that our ability — our energy, our passion — to savor this inexhaustible treasure will not be limited by human weaknesses. We will enjoy the Son of God with the very enjoyment of his omnipotent Father.

God’s delight in his Son will be in us and it will be ours. And this will never end, because neither the Father nor the Son ever ends. Their love for each other will be our love for them, and therefore our loving them will never die.