"I told him to stay humble, stay teachable, forgive quickly and apologize quickly. It is good advice for all of us."
There are times I know God is speaking through me to others. I am sure any of you readers who are Christians can identify a time when you were used of God to speak to someone else. At times we find that those same words God speaks through us are spoken to us.
In the case of what I said to my friend as I wrote it down that night and now a year later as I read it today it applies to my own life.
Humility is a misunderstood word. In our present society we think of humble as it relates to things. People will call a small house a humble house. Some would say that someone without means in the natural is living a humble life. This is not the humility that God wants from us.
True humility is depending on God. Moses was said to be the meekest man on earth. Did you know he wrote that about himself? Most of us would say he was prideful. Not so if you have the right definition of humility and meekness. All Moses was saying about himself was that he was the one who depended on God the most.
In order to succeed in life we need to stay humble. That means we continually depend on God. Depend on Him for everything. For wisdom, direction, strength and whatever else you need. If we can stay humble then we can know that God will pour out His grace on us. God opposes the proud be He gives grace to the humble.
We should also endeavor to stay teachable. It is a personal goal of mine to be a lifelong learner. The crazy thing is that the more I know the more I realize how little I know. Especially when it comes to God. The more I know of Him the bigger He gets.
When we realize we don't have all the answers it frees us from pride and helps us to stay humble. Then we get back to the place of grace. Being teachable will also help us to navigate new areas of life.
Finally we should all be ready to forgive quickly and apologize quickly. Jesus forgave us. That is reason alone to forgive others. If fact, we are commanded to forgive as God in Christ forgave us.
Pride will stop us from both forgiving and apologizing. When we are prideful we hinder relationships and hold on to hurts. It is that ungodly spirit that insists "I was right and they were wrong!" that wont let go. A spirit of humility depends on God to forgive and apologize; even when you don't think you were that wrong. It doesn't matter as much as following the way of God. God's way is forgiveness. He showed us that in Jesus Christ.
This is just a short list of things that will help us in life's course. Can you think of any other good advice that you would add to this list?
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Day 219 - Conflict Resolution
"Both parties are pointing the finger at each other's faults and both are not walking in love nor are they believing the best."
3...2...1...conflict! It happens that fast. Someone says something cross and your blood boils. "They were stupid!" "They were wrong!" "They, they, they!"
You can tell a person who is full of themselves by how many times they say "I" but you can tell someone who is not open to their faults when you hear them say "they".
We are responsible for our own actions. I can't make choices for other people but I can choose how I respond.
3 quick ways to resolve conflict with 3...2...1...
3. Stop pointing the finger at others.
What are you responsible for in the conflict? Can you make a change that will help resolve the issue? Pointing the finger will only hurt; not help.
2. Walk in love.
The Bible says that love covers the multitude of sins. Forgive through the power of love and move forward. Love is the most powerful force in the universe because God is love. When we operate in love it will work out better than when we operate in offenses.
1. Believe the best.
When we choose to believe the best the future is brighter. Often when dealing with forgiveness and conflict resolution I find people don't know how to move forward. They don't want to get hurt again so the close off their heart and don't allow people back in. Love believes the best. When we believe the best we open our hearts and let people back in. Yes there is the risk we may get hurt again but love covers that too. I am not saying to be foolish or to put yourself in a sinful, harmful or foolish predicament. What I am saying is with wisdom and faith you can move forward and be vulnerable to believe the best and let people in through love and forgiveness.
It is as easy as 3...2...1...
Have you seen these principles work in your life? Is there any other wisdom you could add to resolving a conflict?
3...2...1...conflict! It happens that fast. Someone says something cross and your blood boils. "They were stupid!" "They were wrong!" "They, they, they!"
You can tell a person who is full of themselves by how many times they say "I" but you can tell someone who is not open to their faults when you hear them say "they".
We are responsible for our own actions. I can't make choices for other people but I can choose how I respond.
3 quick ways to resolve conflict with 3...2...1...
3. Stop pointing the finger at others.
What are you responsible for in the conflict? Can you make a change that will help resolve the issue? Pointing the finger will only hurt; not help.
2. Walk in love.
The Bible says that love covers the multitude of sins. Forgive through the power of love and move forward. Love is the most powerful force in the universe because God is love. When we operate in love it will work out better than when we operate in offenses.
1. Believe the best.
When we choose to believe the best the future is brighter. Often when dealing with forgiveness and conflict resolution I find people don't know how to move forward. They don't want to get hurt again so the close off their heart and don't allow people back in. Love believes the best. When we believe the best we open our hearts and let people back in. Yes there is the risk we may get hurt again but love covers that too. I am not saying to be foolish or to put yourself in a sinful, harmful or foolish predicament. What I am saying is with wisdom and faith you can move forward and be vulnerable to believe the best and let people in through love and forgiveness.
It is as easy as 3...2...1...
Have you seen these principles work in your life? Is there any other wisdom you could add to resolving a conflict?
Friday, June 26, 2015
Day 178 - And You Thought You Had It Bad
"Joseph. Persecuted by his brothers. He was sold as a slave to Potiphar. There he became ruler of the house. Just when things were getting better the lady of the house lied on him and now he goes to the prison. Once again Joseph takes a step down in life but in heart steps up and becomes ruler of the prison. Until one day he steps out of the prison into the palace. He gives a plan which opens the door for him to be given a position. The plan was a process that required pain and patience to get progress and the promise which included prosperity (children and family together, lives are saved). In the end he realizes his God given purpose."
The story of Joseph is one of my favorites in the Bible. I think he is to be admired and we could all benefit by learning from his life. I can't even read the account let alone watch "Joseph, Prince of Dreams" without tearing up. (For those of you not familiar with Joseph, Prince of Dreams it was the second movie after the more popular Prince of Egypt movie... so yes, I am crying while watching a cartoon. Don't judge.)
Looking over the mouthful I wrote last year I think it gives a great synopsis of the story while also showing practical steps for us to follow. Just look at all the words that start with the letter 'p'.
Persecuted, Prison, Palace, Plan, Position, Process, Pain, Patience, Progress, Promise, Prosperity, Purpose.
That is a whole lot but so is the story of Joseph. Sermons have been preached and volumes could be written on the life of Joseph. We all should look into and learn from his life. The take away is that if you think you have it bad just take a look at his life. He was betrayed by those who should have protected him, lied about and cast into the lowest place. Yet after all is said and done he recognizes the hand of God through it all and forgives and blesses those who hurt him the most.
Will we do the same? No matter how hard life gets I know that if Joseph, and Jesus, could endure what they did and extend forgiveness then we can too. It may not be easy but it will be the greatest thing we do. The volumes written in Heaven will record the amazing stories that will come from the perseverance of people like you and me.
What do you admire most from the life of Joseph? How can we endure and forgive like he did?
The story of Joseph is one of my favorites in the Bible. I think he is to be admired and we could all benefit by learning from his life. I can't even read the account let alone watch "Joseph, Prince of Dreams" without tearing up. (For those of you not familiar with Joseph, Prince of Dreams it was the second movie after the more popular Prince of Egypt movie... so yes, I am crying while watching a cartoon. Don't judge.)
Looking over the mouthful I wrote last year I think it gives a great synopsis of the story while also showing practical steps for us to follow. Just look at all the words that start with the letter 'p'.
Persecuted, Prison, Palace, Plan, Position, Process, Pain, Patience, Progress, Promise, Prosperity, Purpose.
That is a whole lot but so is the story of Joseph. Sermons have been preached and volumes could be written on the life of Joseph. We all should look into and learn from his life. The take away is that if you think you have it bad just take a look at his life. He was betrayed by those who should have protected him, lied about and cast into the lowest place. Yet after all is said and done he recognizes the hand of God through it all and forgives and blesses those who hurt him the most.
Will we do the same? No matter how hard life gets I know that if Joseph, and Jesus, could endure what they did and extend forgiveness then we can too. It may not be easy but it will be the greatest thing we do. The volumes written in Heaven will record the amazing stories that will come from the perseverance of people like you and me.
What do you admire most from the life of Joseph? How can we endure and forgive like he did?
Monday, June 8, 2015
Day 160 - Truly Letting Go
"We prayed and released everything to God and chose to forgive regardless of reciprocation."
True forgiveness let's go and releases regardless of response or reciprocation. True forgiveness has already decided what it will do well before it speaks. True forgiveness starts in the heart, works its way through the mouth and out into the actions.
I often think of offenses as sharp tacks. The one offending may willingly or unwillingly hurt someone else and the tack is placed in the had of the one offended. U forgiveness closes its fingers around that tack and won't let go. The only problem with that is that no one is hurting except the one holding the tack. It doesn't punish the offender and doesn't relieve the pain of the offended.
Forgiveness opens the hand, removes the tack and tosses it into the sea of forgetfulness. Why? Shouldn't we stay angry? What of justice? If you believe in the forgiveness of God at the cross and have received that same forgiveness then you are under obligation to give that same forgiveness. In fact we are commanded to forgive others just like God forgave us in and through Jesus Christ.
That is the only way we can forgive. True forgiveness is in the likeness of the One who alone is the truth Himself. When we let go of the pain and the offense and forgive we are now operating in the supernatural power of God. His love never fails.
Have you been holding on to pain and unforgiveness? It is time to release it to God in prayer. What scriptures in the Bible help us to forgive?
True forgiveness let's go and releases regardless of response or reciprocation. True forgiveness has already decided what it will do well before it speaks. True forgiveness starts in the heart, works its way through the mouth and out into the actions.
I often think of offenses as sharp tacks. The one offending may willingly or unwillingly hurt someone else and the tack is placed in the had of the one offended. U forgiveness closes its fingers around that tack and won't let go. The only problem with that is that no one is hurting except the one holding the tack. It doesn't punish the offender and doesn't relieve the pain of the offended.
Forgiveness opens the hand, removes the tack and tosses it into the sea of forgetfulness. Why? Shouldn't we stay angry? What of justice? If you believe in the forgiveness of God at the cross and have received that same forgiveness then you are under obligation to give that same forgiveness. In fact we are commanded to forgive others just like God forgave us in and through Jesus Christ.
That is the only way we can forgive. True forgiveness is in the likeness of the One who alone is the truth Himself. When we let go of the pain and the offense and forgive we are now operating in the supernatural power of God. His love never fails.
Have you been holding on to pain and unforgiveness? It is time to release it to God in prayer. What scriptures in the Bible help us to forgive?
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Day 155 - Mess Ups
"I blew it this morning from the time I woke up."
I actually record in my journal two times I had to patch things up after an argument with my wife, one in front of our children. I also had to work with someone else on their issues and then that night preach in the pulpit. My message was called "Stop complaining". I was obviously preaching to myself.
What is funny is that after the message it was confession time. I almost could've had a line and people taking a number. I didn't mind though because our confession is healthy for us. If we confess then God can work with us. Once we say "God I messed up, forgive me please!" His grace and mercy do the work of forgiving us and cleansing us.
Don't try and hide or be prideful and never admit guilt. We are all mess ups and need the blood of Jesus to blot out our sin. Confess it to God, repent and make it right and then resist the temptation and the devil in the future.
Have you ever had a day where you just seemed to be messing up all the time? What scriptures do we have to lean on for days like these?
I actually record in my journal two times I had to patch things up after an argument with my wife, one in front of our children. I also had to work with someone else on their issues and then that night preach in the pulpit. My message was called "Stop complaining". I was obviously preaching to myself.
What is funny is that after the message it was confession time. I almost could've had a line and people taking a number. I didn't mind though because our confession is healthy for us. If we confess then God can work with us. Once we say "God I messed up, forgive me please!" His grace and mercy do the work of forgiving us and cleansing us.
Don't try and hide or be prideful and never admit guilt. We are all mess ups and need the blood of Jesus to blot out our sin. Confess it to God, repent and make it right and then resist the temptation and the devil in the future.
Have you ever had a day where you just seemed to be messing up all the time? What scriptures do we have to lean on for days like these?
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Day 123 - Work in Progress
"Thank God He is gracious and kind and isn't finished with any of us yet."
God has forgiven us and with that forgiveness cast our sin as far as the East is from the West. While we live in this present truth we also know that there is still a war in the flesh against the spirit. In 1 John we are told that if we say we have no sin we are liars. Thank God He offers not only past forgiveness but also present forgiveness if we confess and repent.
Knowing this isn't enough. We must live in it. If God isn't finished with me then I know that tomorrow is going to be better than today. I also can forgive myself and strive to do better with every life lesson.
If God isn't finished with others then I can be patient with them, just as God is patient with me. I also can extend the same forgiveness that God gave me.
Finally if I know all this then I should be the most grateful person on the planet. He who has been forgiven much loves much. A thank you should be on our lips every moment of every day.
Have you seen growth over the years while God patiently worked with you or others? What other applications do you see that we can live in this truth?
God has forgiven us and with that forgiveness cast our sin as far as the East is from the West. While we live in this present truth we also know that there is still a war in the flesh against the spirit. In 1 John we are told that if we say we have no sin we are liars. Thank God He offers not only past forgiveness but also present forgiveness if we confess and repent.
Knowing this isn't enough. We must live in it. If God isn't finished with me then I know that tomorrow is going to be better than today. I also can forgive myself and strive to do better with every life lesson.
If God isn't finished with others then I can be patient with them, just as God is patient with me. I also can extend the same forgiveness that God gave me.
Finally if I know all this then I should be the most grateful person on the planet. He who has been forgiven much loves much. A thank you should be on our lips every moment of every day.
Have you seen growth over the years while God patiently worked with you or others? What other applications do you see that we can live in this truth?
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Day 19 - Communication
"Communication is so vital to unity and a simple question can calm the storm!"
I remember this day. The devil went to work on a comment that was made and twisted the intent. It could have turned sour but the person who was questioning the intent was mature enough to reach out and ask what was meant by the comment. I answered the question and an offense was avoided.
The devil will bring confusion and lies in the void of communication. But we can avoid offenses and division by confronting issues in love and believing the best. Too many people have left churches, seperated from healthy relationships and lost sight of what is important in the absence of simple communication. Don't let the devil win. Go and ask, quickly forgive and move forward together!
Have you ever had this happen to you? How did it turn out?
I remember this day. The devil went to work on a comment that was made and twisted the intent. It could have turned sour but the person who was questioning the intent was mature enough to reach out and ask what was meant by the comment. I answered the question and an offense was avoided.
The devil will bring confusion and lies in the void of communication. But we can avoid offenses and division by confronting issues in love and believing the best. Too many people have left churches, seperated from healthy relationships and lost sight of what is important in the absence of simple communication. Don't let the devil win. Go and ask, quickly forgive and move forward together!
Have you ever had this happen to you? How did it turn out?
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