LIVE AND FORGIVE. FORGIVE AND LIVE.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

                                                Mark 11:25

Many years ago, a very wise Sunday School teacher invited some of her student’s parents to class. Thinking the teacher had come up with a small skit or a cute song for the children to perform, many of the parents were happy to attend.

When the students and teachers arrived they found a stack of clear plastic bags and a large bin of potatoes waiting for them. After welcoming everyone, she explained that the parents had been invited because, “We are all children in the eyes of God and we all have lessons to learn.” Smiling, the parents realized they might be in for something they didn’t expect. Continuing with the lesson, this great teacher explained, “For every person you have refused to forgive in your life, take a potato. Then, write their name on it and put it in the plastic bag. Don’t stop until you’ve written the name of every person you haven’t forgiven.” When all the children and parents had finished, the teacher explained the rest of the assignment. She told them simply to carry the bag full of potatoes with them everywhere for one week; putting it beside their beds at night, in the car with them, next to their desks at work and school – everywhere!

The parents, knowing the assignment was presented to them in front of their children and that they could not turn away from its challenge at the risk of being hypocritical, took up their filled sacks and began the week.

To say that bringing the sacks everywhere was an inconvenience is an understatement. The potatoes began to rot and the smell was awful. Lugging the heavy load made life impossible.

When everyone came back the following Sunday, one father explained it best, “The hassle of lugging this terrible thing around made it very clear what a foul and heavy weight I am carrying spiritually. I’ll gladly give up this sack. But, I’ll be even happier to forgive everyone whose hurts I have been carrying on my heart.”

If you had the same assignment, how heavy would your sack be right now?

Unforgiveness is like taking a poison and expecting the other person to die. When you won't forgive others, you are truly only hurting yourself. Roy Lessin, a Christian author wrote a wonderful reminder, “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.”

God sent us a Savior that we might know His forgiveness. But, not only are we to know God’s forgiveness, we must share it with others by forgiving them. This week, let go of ALL your unforgiveness and release ALL your “potatoes” to the Lord. Remember, you need to get free so that you are able to do great things for Him!

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, Forgive me of my sins. You have done so much for me, but forgiving me for all my sins is the most powerful and has given me eternal life. Teach me how it is done. Teach me how to forgive so that I may let go of all those prisoners I have yet to release in my heart. Melt my heart to the pain I have caused by holding onto the grudges and the sins made against me. Amen.

LOOK AHEAD AND LEAD

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Proverbs 4:12-13

A few years ago, I was advising a church undergoing the construction of a beautiful new building project. This ministry had prayerfully and carefully looked upon God to guide them in this extraordinary effort. The new facility was going to expand the work of the church and God’s Kingdom tremendously.

But for some people, that wasn’t enough.

By the time construction of the facility was at the halfway point, the project manager, an exceptionally talented and dedicated church member, was ready to quit. Between those who were coming to him with their personal “recommendations,” and others complaining about every new phase of construction this poor soul was beaten down. He felt he just couldn't win.

Privately, the man told me, “I’m going to quit. It’s just not worth it! It’s like fighting a war and I don’t even know what the war is about.” I knew this man was about to make a hasty decision; one made from exhaustion instead of encouragement, and from frustration instead of faith.

I looked at him and asked very softly. “Do you think you are doing the right thing with your decisions?”

“Yes, I do,” he replied. “I think we have made each decision carefully and with good reason.”

“And do you feel that the decisions are best for the church as a whole and for the Kingdom?”

“Yes.”

“And do you feel that you have served God in these decisions? Do you feel that you and the other true leaders of this project have followed God’s will?”

“Yes. I think we have planned well and the building will be awe inspiring!”

“Then there is no war. There are only some disgruntled people. They will stop their grumbling when God’s vision comes to fruition. Your task is only to be faithful; look ahead and lead.”

Remember Jacob? He physically wrestled with an angel of God. Later, the disciples argued among themselves about who among them was Number 1 . . . and about church policy details. 

So, if Saint Peter and Saint Paul argued over church politics and procedures, what makes us think WE can come through unscathed? It would be tremendous if doing service among God’s people was always easy. That just isn't the case. And the inevitable conflict can be a real test. In fact, entire churches - even denominations - have split because of conflict.

Yes, following God’s will is often difficult. But, we are not called to win every battle or be right in every decision. We are called to be faithful. Like the project manager I spoke to, who saw the building construction through to its completion, we are not called to please everyone, but to carry out the will of God as a leader in the church. God will take care of the rest.

Certainly, you are a leader. Whether it is in church, at home, at work, or in your community, you are in a position to lead. Just remember, never lead alone. Look to God’s will for your direction. Look to the incredible things He has in store. Ignore those who say your dreams can’t come true. Walk away from those who discourage you. Just look ahead and lead!

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, please stay by my side in the times ahead. Inspire my decisions and set my heart on fire with your will so that I will be faithful in all that I do in your name. Allow those I lead to see your wisdom and patience in the path you have placed before us. And let that path lead always to You. Amen.

GOING AGAINST THE TIDE

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Romans 12:2

Nearly three decades ago a very brave man went against all he had been told . . . and saved the world from utter destruction.

On September 26, 1983, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were at a dangerous level. The Soviets had recently shot down a civilian airliner and the rest of the world demanded retaliation. Russian military believed an attack by America was imminent.

That night, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov began his shift as the commander of Russia’s Strategic Rocket Forces. His job was to launch nuclear missiles at the US. Petrov’s standing orders were very simple and clear: If his computers detected missiles approaching Soviet airspace, then he was to immediately launch a counter-strike. No questions asked.

Just past midnight, Petrov received a computer report he'd dreaded: a nuclear missile had been launched from the US, destination Moscow. The bunker he commanded was in full alarm with red lights blazing and sirens blaring. But, Petrov thought the computer was making a mistake. “Why would America launch only one missile?” he thought. So, he didn’t respond.

But then, five more incoming missiles were detected and the officers under Petrov’s command in the secret bunker demanded his order to launch Russia’s missiles. They believed Russia was being attacked and their commander was not responding.

In fact, Petrov did responod. But, his response was not what anyone expected.  

At that moment, Petrov had two options. He could dismiss the missiles as computer errors, breaking military protocol and risk his career or take the responsive action he was expected to fulfill and commence a full-scale nuclear war against America, potentially killing millions.

Since you are reading this, you already know what he decided. Not knowing how or why, Petrov believed the computer’s report of incoming missiles was an error, knowing that if he was wrong, Moscow would be destroyed in minutes.

Later, it was determined that the computer had read a very rare sunlight alignment with satellites as an American missile launch. But, in those few incredibly tense and dangerous moments years ago in 1983, Stanislav Petrov made a decision that went against the tide of all those around him – and he saved the world.

Have you ever felt like Lieutenant Colonel Petrov? Maybe you feel like him every day! Sometimes as Christians in an unfriendly world, we are compelled to make decisions that go against the tide of the people around us. If that sounds familiar to you, then you are in very good company. Because 2000 years ago a very brave Man went against all He had been told, and saved the world from utter destruction.

Yes, Jesus went against the tide. He chose peace over fighting, hope over despair, faith over fear and love over hate. Then and now, these were not popular decisions in the world. But, He did not make decisions according this world. Rather, He made His decisions based on His Father’s will.

Today, you will have decisions to make. Which way will you go? Will you do what the world expects and go with the flow? Or, will you go against the tide? If you decide to follow the path that Petrov did, the way of courage and peace, then you will find Jesus ahead of you clearing the way; beside you guiding your steps, and behind you if you fall.

With our Lord and Savior, against the tide is the only way to go.

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, I want Your will and Your will alone to be mine. Grant me the strength and courage to go against the tide of popular trends and pressures. I need Your guiding light to show me the way to Your Kingdom in this world. Allow me greater wisdom to know what decision to make in every part of my life this day and through all the days of my life. Amen.

HOW TO FIND UNFADING BEAUTY

THE UNFADING BEAUTY OF A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”

Proverbs 18:22

I am amazed at the number of women who actually think their husbands DO NOT need anything from them. Yes, it’s true; many husbands try to act cool and calm, like they have it all figured out. As men we even try to give our wives the impression that we don't need anything beyond intimacy and a good meal.

We are very good at exhibiting disdain, disinterest, isolation and stoicism.

Wives, I want to tell you a secret: it is all a facade. Inside, most of us are confused about who we are as men and trembling under a deep sense of failure and inadequacy. We've learned a few tricks to keep those things well hidden and we invest a lot of energy in keeping up the act.

But, your husband does need you. He needs you terribly. In fact, he will probably look to you to determine how he feels about himself.

Your husband needs your respect because he is constantly struggling with feelings of self-doubt and failure. As men, we've been designed for achievement and enterprise, but are frustrated by a world that does not cooperate with us. Your husband needs to know that he is enough; that he has what it takes!

He needs you to encourage him, affirm him, and even admire him. Your husband is longing to know that he is competent and desirable in your eyes. A truly successful marrieage is a testimony to the awesome power of a wife's loving embrace and her words of esteem.

Your husband also needs you to have a tranquil, contented spirit. The Bible calls upon you, as a woman of God, to develop “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”

Another part of the secret I am telling you is that men find a woman who is at peace within herself, one who is confident and happy, to be irresistibly attractive. Your husband needs a wife who loves life and accepts the person God has made her to be. A man's world is filled with competition, injustice, stress, and responsibility. His wife has the incredible power to calm his heart simply by her own God-given tranquility.

If you have developed the habit of being demanding and demeaning toward your husband, this will turn him into a hollow shell of a man. It will kill his heart. It is exactly the opposite of what he needs from you because just when he needs you to affirm him, you kick him when he's down. Just when he needs you to calm him by your tranquil spirit, you heap on the anxiety and bring tension to an already troubled home. You may think that by “keeping after him” your husband will eventually get the message and give you what you want. It won’t. You will only push him farther away.

This Week's Prayer

Lord, please save the marriages that need saving. Save them all through Your undying love and grace. Give husbands the courage to Love as you did Your Church - with their very lives. Give wives the grace to love their husbands with patience and kindness. Amen.