I Will Never Forgive Him!

“It’s easier to forgive when someone apologizes, but hard to do when someone arrogantly refuses. This is when we need the power of God.”

“I will never forgive him!” Have you ever said that about someone who deeply hurt you? When someone lies, abuses or uses you – it hurts. It causes emotional injuries that swell up into resentment, anger or bitterness. And what the person has done, makes them a “debtor”. Meaning, because of what they have done, they owe you something to try and make things right. (Photo by unsplash)

In these situations, have you ever asked yourself, “What do I really want from them?” If they have committed a crime, maybe it is jail time. In extreme situations, where they have killed someone, perhaps the death penalty. In other cases, it might be an apology or replacing something they have vandalized or stolen.

Does our desire for someone to make things right always work? What if the offending person is already dead? What if the person is uncooperative and does not want to do anything? What if they try to, but it does not turn out so well. In the end, what would be enough to satisfy us?

Forgiveness is the only sure way of handling situations like this. It is written, “…as the Lord [Jesus] has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossian 3:13) Forgiveness is an often-used term in the financial sector, referring to the forgiveness of a loan or another type of financial debt. It is also used in relationships with the same idea. When someone has offended you, they have accrued an offense debt. They pay it off by admitting what they have done, making no excuses, and apologizing. Then in response they are forgiven, and peace is restored in the relationship.

However, it normally does not work that way. Typically, the person who has hurt you does not always come to make things right. Let me ask this tough question. Would you forgive the one who has hurt you--without them admitting any wrong? It is easy to forgive when the person genuinely apologizes, but hard when someone arrogantly refuses. It is situations like these where forgiveness is desperately needed but can only be done by the power of God.

In our natural humanness we will only forgive if someone meets our conditions for it. And when someone does not meet those, we refuse forgiveness. According to God’s standards though, He requires it. No matter the gravity of the offense. No matter the attitude of the offender. No excuses. God commands us to forgive.

Jesus provided us an example through His cross. He forgave those who put Him on there. For He suffered, died and rose again to provide forgiveness for their forgiveness, including you and me. And He chose to do it despite the arrogance of His enemies, and their rejection of Him.

Therefore, as He forgave His enemies, so we must forgive ours.

But what if we refuse to forgive, determining how the offenses against us is too great? If that is our choice, then we must consider the consequences, which is this--God will not forgive us.

Think about it logically. How can He forgive us, if we refuse to forgive others? How can He allow an unforgiving person into His forgiving eternal home?

In our natural state, it is nearly impossible to forgive, but with the power of God, it is possible. By faith call out to Him for help. Admit your weakness, but also your willingness to do it.

A prayer for you - Lord God, show us if there is anyone we need to forgive. Bring us to obey your command to forgive no matter how hard it is. Then empower us through the Holy Spirit to forgive, releasing the one who has offended us from any debt they owe. Enable us to forgive like Jesus and show His mercy to another. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Is It Too Late for America?

“In the midst of our rampant immorality and rejection of the things of God, is there hope for America?”

When the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, our forefathers built their hopes of the nation’s survival on some important principles. John Witherspoon, one of the Declaration signers wrote, “Nothing is more certain than that a…corruption of manners make a people ripe for destruction.” This is the principle of a civil society. Witherspoon and other founders repeated this ideal believing if America did not upkeep its civility, it would become its greatest downfall. (Photo by piqsels.com)

When you scan the moral landscape of American culture, how would you judge it to be? Isaiah the Prophet, a spiritual leader in days long gone, was a student of the moral condition of his nation. He wrote, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” (Isaiah 59:14-15)

What a poetic, yet accurate denunciation he made of his nation. Does this resemble America? Has justice turned back in our nation? Has truth stumbled in our public sector? Does the person who does good, make himself prey to the one who does evil? Is the character of our society known more by virtuousness or unscrupulous behavior? 

Truth has stumbled in America’s public square, while decency and honesty seem to be strangers among us. We are an immoral nation. There are no firm standards of right and wrong or good and bad. Instead, corruption is rewarded, while evil is framed by statute and applauded. Violence is justified, and deceitfulness is defended.

What Isaiah said has become a reality for our nation, “uprightness cannot enter.” In the Land of Liberty integrity is no longer encouraged. Truthfulness is silenced. Rightful justice is absent. And the one who walks away from corruption, violence and deceitfulness is vilified by the schemers of lawlessness. 

We are a people that have sunk to a moral low, “For our sins testify against us.” (Is. 59:12) God is not blind to all this, for it is written “The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.” (Is. 59:15) 

Who will pray for America while we are in this condition? Will the Lord find anyone on their knees seeking Him for His saving power? His judgment is coming. The Scriptures say, “According to their deeds, so will he repay.” (Is. 59:18)

Sometimes God repays rebellious nations through His appointed judgements, in order to humble them, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-15)

Is it too late? Is there divine mercy available for our nation? Read what God Himself says, “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression” God is looking for a faithful remnant, who will come out from among the lawless and live for Him. He has sent His Son to be their Redeemer. Through Jesus, He promises to be their God and they will be His people. And this remnant of the redeemed can be the means for a great spiritual awakening to descend on America.  

A prayer for you – God of truth and justice, our nation is in desperate need of you. In past days, we have seen you move mightily on our land. Do it again O God! Turn the hearts of the masses to you. Save us, O King of the Universe. In Jesus name. Amen.

The Battle with Loneliness

“I was surrounded by people at home, school and church but overwhelmed by loneliness.”  

Elvis Presley recorded the song, Where No One Stands Alone. In it he sings, “Like a king, I may live in a palace so tall; With great riches to call my own; But I don't know a thing; In this whole wide world; That's worse than being alone.” (Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash)

According to experts in the field of human behavior, loneliness is at epidemic levels. Millions are walking through this dark valley and every day the numbers are growing. 

It may seem odd as to how people could feel so lonely in our modern times. With all the technology available it may seem like an impossibility. But it is true. Social media, television, movies on demand and having an ability to instantly connect with anyone anywhere does not remove the struggle.

I grew up as a Pastor’s kid and moved often. My personal fight with loneliness came in my sophomore year of high school. We moved again and I felt like I could not fit into the new school in another new town. I responded by withdrawing. My bedroom became my cave and I isolated myself. My grades plummeted and my parents became deeply concerned. I was surrounded by people at home, school and church but overwhelmed by loneliness.  

Loneliness is a common human experience. Why do we feel this way? In an article from Time Magazine, it says “Humans were not designed to be solitary creatures.” The column is partially right. We were not created to live in isolation, but it does not identify who we were created by, which is important. 

All of us were created by God. He made you and me. Furthermore, the column did not clarify “solitary”.  Most writings on loneliness speak of isolation regarding relationships with other people. That is partially right too. 

Yes, God created human beings to live in relationship with other people…but also with Him. Read this truth carefully. If we do not know God personally or have drifted in our relationship with Him then we have provided the foundation for loneliness to flourish.    

The first step toward victory begins with God and understanding that He made us for a purpose. The Scriptures say, “…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:7) God made you to know Him and experience the wonder of His beauty and majesty. In Him we are made whole and complete, where there is no loneliness, but instead--abiding joy and peace.  

Only one thing keeps us from experiencing this--ourselves. When we purposefully resist God, passively neglect Him, hurt others or put our needs above those around us, we open the door for a life of loneliness. 

Here is the good news though. Jesus came to save us from ourselves. Through His death and resurrection, He made a way for us to be made whole. 

Are you struggling with loneliness? There is hope! Take the step of knowing God and following Jesus with all your heart.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for the One caught up in loneliness. I pray for them as they isolate themselves and have their mind filled with thoughts that constantly feed this. Turn their eyes toward you. Bring them to open the Scriptures and find strength in them. Use their talents to serve others. Lift them up and out of the pit they are in. Set their feet on the solid ground of Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

God’s Plan for Every Man

“One of the jobs of a dad is to show their little boys and girls what a man is.”

Recently, our family laid to rest a man affectionately known as “Papoe Dean” to our great-granddaughters. He was a hardworking farmer and rancher that raised two boys. He taught them hard work through taking care of cattle, planting and harvesting crops, fixing machinery and daily chores.(Image by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash)

One of the jobs of a dad is to show their little boys and girls what a man is. They may have other men in their lives too that help with that, like grandpas, uncles, pastors, teachers and coaches. And they may even be impacted by their favorite athletes, actors and musicians. In some cases, the examples are good, while in other cases, not so much.

Is there a place that describes what a man is, how he should live and the example he should provide his children and grandchildren? God has given us a standard for men, because He is the One who fashioned and shaped men and women. 

The story of mankind’s origin is found in the Bible through its opening pages in the book of Genesis. In chapters one through three there is found six descriptions of what it means to be a man.

1. A man walks with God. (Gen. 1-3)

2. A man and his wife together, raise their children. (Gen. 1:28)

3. A man works and provides for himself and his family. (Gen. 2:15)

4. A man takes responsibility and provides spiritual leadership. (Gen. 2:16-17)

5. A man receives the woman God has provided to be his wife. (Gen. 2:18-25)

6. A man serves and cherishes his wife. (Gen. 2:24)

When we look at this list, we find the majority of men do not live this way. Why? Because of this, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened…” (Genesis 3:6-7).

This historical account lays out how the first deadly disease entered our world and affected the human race. It was the sickness of sin. It radically altered God’s intended plan for men. Instead, it caused men to reject God. Consequently, men began acting on selfish impulses, inherited a passive spirit in the home, became abusive and controlling, were absent in helping to raise their children and served their own interests. Sin corrupted God’s original purpose for men, flipping upside down everything He intended a man to be.

How can a man live differently, and redeem what sin destroyed? To live as God wants is impossible to do on our own. We need help outside ourselves to change us into the men we must be. That help comes from Jesus. He alone is our hope. Jesus died and rose again to save us from ourselves. He came to rescue us. Call out to Jesus to make you the man you were created to be.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will deliver men from the sin within them. Lift their eyes toward you, Jesus. May they call upon you to change them into the men you have destined them to be. In your holy name. Amen.