What Our Unforgiveness Says To God

By Bruce Hebel –

Are you aware that whether or not we forgive others is a real big deal to God? It is. If you take the time to study scripture, you’ll be hard pressed to find any subject that is more important to Father God than forgiveness. Think about it. In the Lord’s Prayer, forgiveness is the only part of the prayer that has a condition attached to it; forgive us as we forgive others. In addition, forgiveness is the only issue in the prayer that Jesus gives immediate commentary on. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus connected the Father’s forgiveness of us with our forgiveness of others. He repeats the connection in Mark 11:25-26.

Have you ever asked yourself why our forgiveness of others is so important to God? Believe me, He really does take it seriously when we don’t forgive. Why? The answer is found at the center of the redemption story. It basically goes like this: God created man for the purpose of enjoying Him forever. Man sinned against God, which required judgment and created a debt owed to God. Man could not pay the price required. Jesus, God’s son, came to earth for the purpose of paying man’s sin debt. When Jesus died on the cross He proclaimed, “It is finished!” thus declaring that, through the shedding of His own blood, He had paid for the sin debt of everyone in the entire world. Three days later, by raising His Son from the dead, the Father declared, “I agree. It is finished. I accept my Son’s blood as payment for the sins of the world.”

When we say, “I know God forgives them, but I can’t,” we are telling God the Father that, although we recognize that He values the blood of His Son enough to pay for the sins of the world, which includes the sins against us, we need something more than that. The blood of Jesus is enough to satisfy God but is not valuable enough to satisfy me.

Can you imagine looking at Father God and saying, “Your Son’s crowning achievement is not good enough. Jesus really didn’t finish His work because the sin against me requires a higher payment then He paid?” Really? Is there any father who would not be angered by that?

Now do you understand why unforgiveness is such a big deal to God?

AUTHOR QUOTE: The blood of Jesus covers all sins, including the ones committed against me!

“For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NET).

Today’s devotional is by Bruce Hebel, Forgiving Forward Seminar Speaker, President of ReGenerating Life Ministries, and Adjunct Professor at Carver Bible College. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and has served in ministry for over 35 years.

Harbored

By Cynthia Ruchti –

I snapped a picture while on a mother-daughter getaway in Wisconsin’s Door County two springs ago—a lone boat tethered in a quiet harbor. I’ve turned to the photo many times, wondering why I’m drawn to it. What is it about it that speaks something deep to my heart? If I can’t define it, is it worth pondering?

I took it out again one day in the throes of an early snowstorm, the kind that spreads a layer of ice first in order to give the snow something to slide on. Was I drawn to the serene photograph because it’s just natural that I would find blue skies and non-frozen water appealing? It was more than that. Green leaves on the trees? Lush, but more than that. The reminder that spring in Wisconsin offers air that won’t freeze your lung lining when inhaled?

No. It was the sailboat. The lone sailboat at rest.

Tethered in its slip, the boat wasn’t currently performing the task for which it was designed. The boat in the photograph is at rest. Harbored. Waiting.

I wonder if it is restless. Does it strain against the moorings because it is eager to get on with it, to serve, to move, to go places, to offer its owner the benefit of its gifts?

Looking at it, I’d have to say it looks content, satisfied to wait for the day the owner walks down the length of the concrete pier, hops aboard, releases her from her moorings, unfurls her sails, and with a gentle push away from the immovable pier says, “Okay, girl. Let’s see where the wind takes us today.”

When the Lord comes down the pier to release me from the ropes that keep me in the harbor, will He find me resting but ready? Or restless?

PRAYER: Lord, Your Word tells me that I find my rest in You. It reminds me that Your ways are not my ways, nor Your thoughts my thoughts. It even tells me that Your timing is perfect when mine is so often rushed. Create in me a new heart, Lord, one that’s willing to rest and wait for You to set me sailing.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8, KJV).

Today’s devotional is by Cynthia Ruchti, writer/producer of THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME radio ministry and president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Cynthia’s debut novel—They Almost Always Come Home—released with Abingdon Press May 1 and a Christmas novella—A Door County Christmas—released in September. Cynthia writes stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark (www.cynthiaruchti.com).

The Most Quoted (and Least Believed) Bible Verse

By James Pence –

If I were to ask you to recite the most frequently quoted Bible verse, you probably would answer,  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).

But what if I asked you to name the most frequently quoted and least believed Bible verse?

There might be some debate on this one, but I think that the following verse is the prime candidate: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, KJV).

We love to quote that verse to other people when they are faced with trials or tragedies. However, when we’re the ones who are hurting, that’s usually the last verse we want to hear.

Some of that is understandable. When we are in the midst of deep grief, often our emotions are so jumbled up that we can’t think rationally. All we know is that we are hurting and we can’t see any good that can come from our pain.

But often, even when we have moved out of the initial shock of grief, we still ask the question: “God, why?”

When we look at a trial or tragedy and say, “How could God let this happen?” we are acting in unbelief. Worse than that, we are accusing God of wrongdoing. Such a question assumes that somehow God has promised that nothing bad will happen to us.

But God never made such a promise.

What He did promise was that if we love Him and are called according to His purpose, He would work everything together for our good.

If we believe that, the question, “Why, God?” becomes moot. The proper response is, “Yes, Lord. I don’t understand what’s happening right now, but I know that You do. And I will trust You and rest in Your wisdom, goodness, and sovereign love.”

What are you trusting God for today?

PRAYER: Father, please help me to trust You in life’s hard times and—even though I don’t understand what You are doing—to remember that You are working everything together for my good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, KJV).

Today’s devotion is by James H. Pence. James is an author, speaker, singer, and gospel chalk artist, but prefers to be known as a follower of Jesus Christ and storyteller. To learn more about James and how he draws the stories of your heart, visit his Web site at: www.jamespence.com.

Rest in Peace

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

Shh—don’t tell anyone I said this, but—I slept really well last night because Russ happened to be out of town. Yep, I said it! I sleep better when I’m “sleepin’ single in a double bed” (well actually a queen size)! I do less tossing and turning, and do more of the deep slumber needed for restorative sleep.

You may ask, “Kathy, that’s all fine and good, but I thought I was going to read an inspirational message today. What does your sleep pattern have to do with my spiritual life?”

I think there are several thoughts for us to consider today. As seen in today’s verse, Jesus promises rest from our labor and our burdens when we come to Him.

Unfortunately, sometimes we bring things to bed with us that hinder our sleep—like our worries and concerns. Our minds are consumed with thoughts not conducive to rest. We bring our anger or our hurt feelings, and lick our wounds rather than seeking rest for our souls. When we bring something with us, to try to come to Jesus, we won’t find rest. It’s a form of rest, but not the good restorative sleep like when we leave it all behind.

Rest is defined as: freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit; a rhythmic silence in music; something used for support; free of anxieties. When I look over that definition, and realize Jesus promises rest, I yearn for it. I long for Him to give me even more peace of mind, and freedom from activity.

Curious that the definition also includes the musical term “rest.” It means a silence or pause. I like that. Jesus can silence the thoughts and feelings whirling around in my head. I realize I have to do my part in creating the environment for that to take place. I wonder what my wandering thoughts would do if I barked out the order, “Silence!”

Would my thoughts shake in their little boots or would they laugh at me and say, “You don’t really mean it!”

AUTHOR QUOTE: Let your thoughts and attitudes know you mean business. Drop all your bags at the door, as you run into the arms of your loving Savior.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV).

Today’s devotional is by Kathy Carlton Willis, with a communications firm by the same name. She spins many plates as a publicist and writer. She belongs to Christian Humor Writers, CLASSeminars and the local plate-spinners union. Learn more about how she shines the spotlight on others at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.

Hold Onto Faith

By Carin LeRoy –

My once-youthful body is now riddled with little aches and pains. My shoulder hurts. My knee throbs, and every time I do garden work my muscles scream in protest. My middle-aged body no longer has its former vigor. What I once took for granted, I now need to attend to diligently—taking vitamins, exercising, eating right and getting rest.

The same can be said of our Christian lives as we age in our faith. Young believers, new in the faith, have an excitement and zeal to grow, learn and make a difference in others’ lives. They look toward a great future of walking with God and growing in their faith. Young David was eager to prove that God would deliver Israel when he stood to face Goliath. His faith and passion became an example and inspiration to a whole nation. Then in his later years he strayed far from his youthful enthusiasm. He committed adultery and murder. How do you go from defeating a giant to stealing someone’s wife and then arranging his death?

As we age in our spiritual lives, the responsibilities and concerns of life can cause us to step back. We can begin to watch from the sidelines, rather than be an active participant. I’ve seen some turn their backs and walk away from a once-vibrant faith. People who’ve made a difference in the lives of many have thrown their faith to the wind and turned away from the God they once served. Instead of remaining faithful, they embrace the sidelines, or worse, a life of sin. What a tragedy.

How can we stay strong in our faith and consistently walk with God?

The answer, in part, may lie in Paul’s admonishment to Timothy to hold firmly to faith and a good conscience. Faith keeps us anchored in an omnipotent God. It is the foundation of our salvation and carries us through our lives as a believer. A good conscience keeps us free from the guilt of sin. We are clean before God, ourselves and others. That brings us peace.

As our bodies age and need more attention, I think the same can be said for our spiritual lives. Be diligent in holding onto a deep trust in God and tenaciously maintain a clear conscience, keeping free from sinful habits. Faith and a good conscience walk together hand in hand as we strive to live a life that is true and authentic.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to be diligent in following after You. Keep my faith strongly anchored in You and in the promises of Your word. Give me peace and a good conscience. Help me to stay free from the guilt of sin in my life.

“I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight. To do this you must hold firmly to the faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith” (1 Timothy 1:18-19, NET).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

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