We all may be aware that God does not view any sin as greater than another sin. For instance, he doesn’t look at a murderer and say, “You’re worse than an adulterer or a thief.” But, for a lot of us, committing murder is a greater sin.
So what do you do when you get in a situation where someone has committed a sin against you that’s considered greater than other sins? You may easily forgive your son for stealing money from your purse, but will you be just as forgiving when your husband has sex with another woman?
I know that I can’t answer that question so easily. What I do know is that God expects us to forgive and that’s the bottom line. The gray area is how long it takes, what’s the process and what you do while you’re trying to forgive. In instances where it’s an unsafe situation: say your spouse or significant other is beating on you and abusing you. Of course you have to remove yourself from the situation, but you’re still stuck with having to forgive.
“Stuck…” Even I find that that’s an interesting word for me to choose. I’m just being honest, but when someone has committed an almost unforgivable sin against me or someone close to me I feel almost stuck – forced to forgive. Once the hurt and pain of betrayal has passed then I can move onto forgiveness. Not only because that’s what God says we should do, but for my own wellbeing and soul.
Some people find it easy to forgive others despite what was done to them. Others find it difficult to move on. It doesn’t make one person better than the other. We just have to realize that everyone does things in their own timing. As long as both people reach the same result then I believe God is just as pleased with the slow-to-forgive person as he is with the person who forgave quickly.
“So my heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Matthew 18:35
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Worshipping God
I was going to write an article about how to worship God and the difference between prayer and worship. If you remember from my March 25th post, my pastor Bishop Dale C. Bronner said worship is one of the ways we get to know God. So, I was going to expound on that a little.
Well, I went to a site that I recently discovered while I was doing research for an article for Atlanta goodlife magazine (http://www.atlantagoodmagazine.com/); it's called GotQuestions.org. So far, I've found the answers -- after a search phrase or question is entered -- to be really on target. I like the site so much so that I started there when I began writing this post. The answer they gave was so good that I thought you would like to read it as well.
The question I asked on http://www.gotquestions.org/ was “how do I worship God?” And this is the information the site displayed:
"What is true worship?
Question: "What is true worship? How can I worship the Lord in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24)?"
Answer: True worship is God-centered worship. People tend to get caught up in where they should worship, what music they should sing in worship, and how the worship looks to other people. Focusing on these things completely misses the point. Jesus tells us that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means we worship from the heart and the way God calls us to. Worship can include praying, reading God's Word with an open heart, singing, participating in communion, and serving others. It is not limited to one act, but is done properly when the heart and attitude of the person is in the right place.
The first thing we should know is that worship and praise is reserved only for God. Only he is worthy; not any of his servants (Rev 19:10). We are not to worship saints, prophets, statues, angels, any other false gods, or even Mary, mother of Jesus. We also should not be worshiping for the expectation of something in return, such as a miraculous healing. Worship is done for God, and God's pleasure alone. Worship can be public praise to God (Ps 22:22, 35:18), in a congregational setting, where we can proclaim through music and praise our adoration and thankfulness for him and what he has done for us. True worship is felt inwardly, then comes out through our actions. "Going through the motions" out of obligation is unpleasing to God, and is done completely in vain. He can see through all the hypocrisy, and he hates this. He demonstrates this in Amos 5:21-24 as he talks about coming judgment. An example is the story of Cain and Abel, the first sons of Adam and Eve. They both brought gift offerings to the Lord, but he was only pleased with Abel's. Cain brought the gift out of obligation; Abel brought his finest lambs from his flock. He brought out of faith and admiration for God.
True worship is not confined to singing in church, or open praise (although these things are both good and we are told to do them in the Bible), but it is the acknowledgment of God and all his power and glory in the things we do. To do this, we must know God, we can not be ignorant of him (Acts 17:23). Worship is to glorify and exalt God; to show our loyalty and admiration to our Father."
Now, I think, that answer was better than any I could have written. Check out the entire page at http://www.gotquestions.org/true-worship.html.
Well, I went to a site that I recently discovered while I was doing research for an article for Atlanta goodlife magazine (http://www.atlantagoodmagazine.com/); it's called GotQuestions.org. So far, I've found the answers -- after a search phrase or question is entered -- to be really on target. I like the site so much so that I started there when I began writing this post. The answer they gave was so good that I thought you would like to read it as well.
The question I asked on http://www.gotquestions.org/ was “how do I worship God?” And this is the information the site displayed:
"What is true worship?
Question: "What is true worship? How can I worship the Lord in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24)?"
Answer: True worship is God-centered worship. People tend to get caught up in where they should worship, what music they should sing in worship, and how the worship looks to other people. Focusing on these things completely misses the point. Jesus tells us that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means we worship from the heart and the way God calls us to. Worship can include praying, reading God's Word with an open heart, singing, participating in communion, and serving others. It is not limited to one act, but is done properly when the heart and attitude of the person is in the right place.
The first thing we should know is that worship and praise is reserved only for God. Only he is worthy; not any of his servants (Rev 19:10). We are not to worship saints, prophets, statues, angels, any other false gods, or even Mary, mother of Jesus. We also should not be worshiping for the expectation of something in return, such as a miraculous healing. Worship is done for God, and God's pleasure alone. Worship can be public praise to God (Ps 22:22, 35:18), in a congregational setting, where we can proclaim through music and praise our adoration and thankfulness for him and what he has done for us. True worship is felt inwardly, then comes out through our actions. "Going through the motions" out of obligation is unpleasing to God, and is done completely in vain. He can see through all the hypocrisy, and he hates this. He demonstrates this in Amos 5:21-24 as he talks about coming judgment. An example is the story of Cain and Abel, the first sons of Adam and Eve. They both brought gift offerings to the Lord, but he was only pleased with Abel's. Cain brought the gift out of obligation; Abel brought his finest lambs from his flock. He brought out of faith and admiration for God.
True worship is not confined to singing in church, or open praise (although these things are both good and we are told to do them in the Bible), but it is the acknowledgment of God and all his power and glory in the things we do. To do this, we must know God, we can not be ignorant of him (Acts 17:23). Worship is to glorify and exalt God; to show our loyalty and admiration to our Father."
Now, I think, that answer was better than any I could have written. Check out the entire page at http://www.gotquestions.org/true-worship.html.
Friday, March 02, 2007
I think I'm onto something
This post is dedicated to Doris Lee. Thank you for touching my life.
If you recall from my last post I mentioned two young women who I knew who died recently. Although I’ve been doing what I told you I would by focusing on ensuring that I’m living a life God wants me to live, I still had a few questions in the back of my mind. And, true to God’s word, He has answered my prayers and questions.
Before I tell you how, let me tell you this first: When I posed a question to my mother on how could these women have died when God’s word says “we’re already healed,” she told me not to dismiss that God also says His will will be done. Hmm? So, then I got to thinking well isn’t His will for us to be healed since He says that in His word?
With those thoughts in the back of my mind I have continued on with my daily life… not dwelling on death. It wasn’t until February 27 when I was reading “Our Daily Bread” that I think I got the answer. The title of the entry is Keep Praying and it is written by Dave Branon. Mr. Branon wrote about his daughter who he and his wife had always prayed to keep safe. As his daughter and her friends began to drive, they prayed, “God, please protect Melissa.”
Well, Melissa was killed on a warm spring night as she was driving.
How devastating for a mother and father to have to deal with the death of a child, but that didn’t stop them from continuing their prayer life. In fact, they needed prayer more, which was Mr. Branon’s point. But, for me, I stopped to think. Why didn’t God answer that prayer? Or was it that it seemed to me it went unanswered?
Dave Branon and his wife prayed “protect.” What God brought to me is that by taking Melissa home to Him was the ultimate protection. He answered their prayers just not in the way they saw fit or would have assumed. Well, I’m not sure anyone of us would have assumed that. And that brings me back to my friend who died of cancer. Although we had prayed for her healing there are no stipulations in the Bible based on when, where or how. With her death came the ultimate healing and an end to her suffering.
Amazing! God protected Melissa by bringing her home to Him. He healed my friend, Doris, by bringing her home to Him. As always, God is true to His word. We, as His children, simply have to continue to trust and believe.
“Faith is not demanding what we want; it is trusting God’s goodness in spite of life’s tragedies,” Mr. Branon wrote.
Thank you Dave Branon, thank you Doris and, of course, thank God!
If you recall from my last post I mentioned two young women who I knew who died recently. Although I’ve been doing what I told you I would by focusing on ensuring that I’m living a life God wants me to live, I still had a few questions in the back of my mind. And, true to God’s word, He has answered my prayers and questions.
Before I tell you how, let me tell you this first: When I posed a question to my mother on how could these women have died when God’s word says “we’re already healed,” she told me not to dismiss that God also says His will will be done. Hmm? So, then I got to thinking well isn’t His will for us to be healed since He says that in His word?
With those thoughts in the back of my mind I have continued on with my daily life… not dwelling on death. It wasn’t until February 27 when I was reading “Our Daily Bread” that I think I got the answer. The title of the entry is Keep Praying and it is written by Dave Branon. Mr. Branon wrote about his daughter who he and his wife had always prayed to keep safe. As his daughter and her friends began to drive, they prayed, “God, please protect Melissa.”
Well, Melissa was killed on a warm spring night as she was driving.
How devastating for a mother and father to have to deal with the death of a child, but that didn’t stop them from continuing their prayer life. In fact, they needed prayer more, which was Mr. Branon’s point. But, for me, I stopped to think. Why didn’t God answer that prayer? Or was it that it seemed to me it went unanswered?
Dave Branon and his wife prayed “protect.” What God brought to me is that by taking Melissa home to Him was the ultimate protection. He answered their prayers just not in the way they saw fit or would have assumed. Well, I’m not sure anyone of us would have assumed that. And that brings me back to my friend who died of cancer. Although we had prayed for her healing there are no stipulations in the Bible based on when, where or how. With her death came the ultimate healing and an end to her suffering.
Amazing! God protected Melissa by bringing her home to Him. He healed my friend, Doris, by bringing her home to Him. As always, God is true to His word. We, as His children, simply have to continue to trust and believe.
“Faith is not demanding what we want; it is trusting God’s goodness in spite of life’s tragedies,” Mr. Branon wrote.
Thank you Dave Branon, thank you Doris and, of course, thank God!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
In death, focus on life
Within the past seven days two women I knew have died. They were both about my age. I’m 38. When I heard about the first lady, I was saddened and surprised. I was told that she was “found dead” at her home and when the pastor of my church announced her death and upcoming memorial service he said she “slipped away.” How is a young woman “found dead” and how does she just slip away? I knew she struggled with some health issues – the details of which I’m unclear – but I think she suffered with high blood pressure.
The other lady had cancer – breast cancer, I think. Most people may not be surprised by her death, but not only was I surprised but I was devastated. This is a lady who firmly believed in her healing. She professed that she would live to tell her testimony, which would bless other people. A group of us all prayed, touched and agreed that she would be healed. And, for me, that was the end of it. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be healed.
So why is she dead? While I grapple with that question I’ve also been made painfully aware of my own mortality. Here we have two women who were my age and they’ve passed away. Of course, I’m well aware that people die everyday some my age and younger, but to have two people you know personally pass away so closely together gives you reason to pause. Well, at least that’s been my reaction.
I’ve experienced unexplained healings and I know others who have as well. But, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why these women are dead… and especially the woman battling cancer. There seems to be something I’m missing. If God says in His word that we are already healed then that makes it so. Why not in this case?
Well, you know as well as I do that asking “why” will yield no answers. God is not obligated to reveal to us “why,” but we are obligated to trust that His will is done and continue to have faith in Him. In the meantime, we must ensure that we are living a life pleasing to God, according to His word so that when our time comes – when we die – we will see His face.
That includes living a godly lifestyle and abiding by His word. Including “thou shall not commit adultery” – have any sex outside of marriage. Hint, hint. And for me, rather than dwell on the deaths of these women and wonder in the back of my mind if I’m next; I’m going to concentrate on being the person that God would have me to be.
In the meantime, I pray that the families, friends and loved ones of these women are comforted in their time of grief. Please pray for them as well.
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9 (New International Version)
The other lady had cancer – breast cancer, I think. Most people may not be surprised by her death, but not only was I surprised but I was devastated. This is a lady who firmly believed in her healing. She professed that she would live to tell her testimony, which would bless other people. A group of us all prayed, touched and agreed that she would be healed. And, for me, that was the end of it. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be healed.
So why is she dead? While I grapple with that question I’ve also been made painfully aware of my own mortality. Here we have two women who were my age and they’ve passed away. Of course, I’m well aware that people die everyday some my age and younger, but to have two people you know personally pass away so closely together gives you reason to pause. Well, at least that’s been my reaction.
I’ve experienced unexplained healings and I know others who have as well. But, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why these women are dead… and especially the woman battling cancer. There seems to be something I’m missing. If God says in His word that we are already healed then that makes it so. Why not in this case?
Well, you know as well as I do that asking “why” will yield no answers. God is not obligated to reveal to us “why,” but we are obligated to trust that His will is done and continue to have faith in Him. In the meantime, we must ensure that we are living a life pleasing to God, according to His word so that when our time comes – when we die – we will see His face.
That includes living a godly lifestyle and abiding by His word. Including “thou shall not commit adultery” – have any sex outside of marriage. Hint, hint. And for me, rather than dwell on the deaths of these women and wonder in the back of my mind if I’m next; I’m going to concentrate on being the person that God would have me to be.
In the meantime, I pray that the families, friends and loved ones of these women are comforted in their time of grief. Please pray for them as well.
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9 (New International Version)
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