Promises for the Battle
Promises
Holy Is As Holy Does
Living in accord with the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior. 1 Peter 1:15 During the Christmas season this year, plain brown boxes filled with precious gifts are being delivered across the nation. We, ourselves, are containers packed with abundant and priceless gifts. Our gifts are packaged in fragile … Continue reading
Refined Integrity
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Eternal tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3 During the holidays, broken airplanes, cancellations because of weather, miscommunications about rides to the hotel, and snoring roommates are not just annoying incidents in our daily lives. They are opportunities for us to inventory the stock of … Continue reading
Forgiveness #8—Pardoned Praise
You shall not hate your brother in your heart; … you shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge … but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; for I am the Eternal … who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Leviticus 19:19 O God, mercy, grace and peace are gifts from you … Continue reading
Forgiveness #7—Saving Forgiveness
Be on your guard so you don’t destroy faith! If other followers of Christ sin against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. And if one of them sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive each one of them. Luke 17:3–4 We have … Continue reading
Forgiveness #6—Fretless Forgiveness
God will clearly vindicate you for trusting in him. Rest in Yahweh and wait patiently for him; do not fret because of the prosperity of those who carry out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evil-doing. Psalm 37:6–8 Appearances can be deceiving. Someone who is bleeding … Continue reading
Forgiveness #5—Trusting Example
Christ left you an example to follow. … When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21–23 Few people have been wronged worse than Jesus. Few have got a raw deal as bad as his. Few … Continue reading
Forgiveness #4—Heavenly Warning
My heavenly Father will make every one of you pay your debts to him if you do not forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart. Matthew 18:35 The old saying goes, “You always hurt the one you love.” Scripture consistently confirms this truth. As God establishes the Israelite community he commands: “You shall not … Continue reading
Forgiveness #3—A Bigger Picture
You meant harm against me; God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. Genesis 50:19–21 Joseph’s ability to see beyond the immediate cause of his misadventures years before, enabled him … Continue reading
Forgiveness #2—Prophylactic Grace
Put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, being gracious to one another, just as God in Christ also was gracious to you. Ephesians 4:31–32 While the first thing we see in this text is a command, if we look closely, we can … Continue reading
Forgiveness #1—Sweet Hearts
When we carry a bitter spirit in our hearts we are guilty of unbelief. Being bitter means we do not believe God can or will adequately dispense justice in the world. So we harbor an unforgiving spirit; we angrily and continually view our adversaries as enemies. This bitterness eventually obliterates our joy and poisons everyone … Continue reading
A Finely Tuned Faith
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