In the chapel service yesterday at our Christian school, I talked about love. Ever try to talk about love to 120 children without giggles and nudges? Yet, in spite of all the self-consciousness that the word creates, even a little child understands real love and hungers for the affirmation that is found in receiving affection. Sincere love says, "You matter to me!" Though we hunger deeply for it, enjoy giving and receiving it, genuine Love is actually quite rare. Because love is so wonderful, the enemy of God and good works hard to obscure the real thing, to divert us from knowing love and being loving by offering ‘false loves’ to take the place of the love that is "of God."
At the top of the list of love substitutes would be sex. Our present American culture has so entangled sex and love that the terms are almost indistinguishable. Erotic attraction is a gift of God even though it is much abused and the source of many destructive temptations, but this love is not the highest or the most lasting kind of love.
Amazingly, religious zeal about the very Source of Love is quite effective in destroying love. How quickly we fall into loving our creed and/or ritual more than God Himself! Somehow we begin to believe that pursuing the love of God is about knowing ‘right’ things about Him. And tragically, love dies when Christians confuse being 'right' with knowing the life of the Spirit. Love perishes on the altar of orthodoxy so often, orthodox being defined as whatever 'we' believe to be true and right - Baptist, Pentecostal, Calvinist, Catholic, Sacramental, Charismatic. Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, encouraging him not to get side-tracked into being 'right' at the expense of being loving. "Don't let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don't help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident." (1 Timothy 1:4- 7, NLT)
Ego can step in to frustrate the expression of love. There is an innate love of self that is healthy. Even Jesus tells us to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ If we come to despise ourselves, we become broken people, unhealthy emotionally and spiritually. But, self-love can never replace the love that is of God.
Believer, we can become better LOVERS and we must. God, in Christ Jesus, has loved us and from that 'first cause' has sparked in us the ability to love Him and others with abandon. Our high and holy calling, which also becomes a source of great purpose and peace is found in this word from the Word. Read it thoughtfully even though it may be familiar to you.
"My dear friends, we must love each other.
Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life.
We are now God's children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him.
God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life.
Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us.
God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.
Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other."
(1 John 4:7-11, CEV)
Are you struggling with feelings of worthlessness today?
Are you tempted to try to find love’s affirmation in sex, expressions of ego, or fanatical religious practice?
Those things cannot heal your heart and secure your soul. Let God love you deeply today. By faith, receive the declaration that He loves you, not for your performance or pedigree, but because you are. Ask Him to help you to love someone else in that same way; not for their attractiveness or their usefulness or there intellect - but just because they are. Pay attention to a little child for a few moments. That will make your heart glad! Listen intently to a lonely elderly person in the supermarket aisle. Take on a volunteer task that makes someone's world a little brighter. In these ways, and hundreds more, we become lovers like God.
"There are three things that will endure-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)
_________________
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love,
Leading onward, leading homeward,
To my glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth,
Watcheth o'er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Love of ev'ry love the best!
'Tis an ocean full of blessing,
'Tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to Thee!
Amen.
O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus
Francis, Samuel Trevor / Williams, Thomas J.
© Public Domain
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Make me like Jonathan!
Friend. On my Facebook account there are 474 friends listed. Many of those are more like acquaintances, people I know professionally or from a distance. Some are more than acquaintances, but not actually what I would call a real friend. Some are close to my heart, people that I know well, with whom I share a mutual love and concern. The designer of Facebook was clever when he (or was it a team?) decided to call the connections made on the site ‘friending.’ When someone requests ‘friend’ status, it is a good feeling. Why? Because having friends is a good thing.
The story of David includes a sub-plot built around a prince named Jonathan, who was the son of King Saul, the expected crown prince of Israel. God decided to replace Saul’s family with a new dynasty beginning with David, but that did not bother Jonathan. The Bible tells us that from the first David and Jonathan an ‘immediate bond’ existed. (1 Samuel 18:1) Through the years, David greatly benefited from the kindness and protection of his friend.
When the king sought David’s death, Jonathan made an impassioned defense of his friend. “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” (1 Samuel 19:4-5, NIV) David reciprocated Jonathan’s love by promising to care for his family when he took the throne, this in a time when the custom was to kill any surviving members of a previous ruling family to protect yourself from rebels!
What kind of friend are you?
Are you altruistic, caring even when it costs?
Are you an opportunistic friend, only befriending those who can bring some benefit to you in the moment?
Are you a loyal friend who speaks up in defense of another when gossip arises?
Are you a friend for all times, equally faithful when your friend is up or down?
Solomon cynically announces what we all know, "Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him." (Proverbs 19:4, NIV) What a contrast to the true friendship we are blessed to give and to find. A true friend "loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, NIV)
Has a friend failed you?
Have a group of friends missed your expectations, not come through for you in the way you had hoped? Don’t give up on people! Don’t turn inward. It will sour your soul, make you miserable, and ultimately reduce the quality of your life. Instead, keep loving!
There’s a Jonathan for you! Finding that friend requires risk, openness, and giving friendship. And never forget the most loyal, true Friend – Jesus Christ! He knows you best and loves you most. Anchor your heart in that love. Be secure in Him and it will make you a better friend to others.
_________________
Who am I that You are mindful of me,
That You hear me,
When I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me,
It's amazing!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
He calls me friend.
God Almighty,
Lord of glory,
You have called me friend!
Friend Of God
© 2003 Integrity's Praise! Music
Vertical Worship Songs
(Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Israel Houghton
Michael Gungor
The story of David includes a sub-plot built around a prince named Jonathan, who was the son of King Saul, the expected crown prince of Israel. God decided to replace Saul’s family with a new dynasty beginning with David, but that did not bother Jonathan. The Bible tells us that from the first David and Jonathan an ‘immediate bond’ existed. (1 Samuel 18:1) Through the years, David greatly benefited from the kindness and protection of his friend.
When the king sought David’s death, Jonathan made an impassioned defense of his friend. “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” (1 Samuel 19:4-5, NIV) David reciprocated Jonathan’s love by promising to care for his family when he took the throne, this in a time when the custom was to kill any surviving members of a previous ruling family to protect yourself from rebels!
What kind of friend are you?
Are you altruistic, caring even when it costs?
Are you an opportunistic friend, only befriending those who can bring some benefit to you in the moment?
Are you a loyal friend who speaks up in defense of another when gossip arises?
Are you a friend for all times, equally faithful when your friend is up or down?
Solomon cynically announces what we all know, "Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him." (Proverbs 19:4, NIV) What a contrast to the true friendship we are blessed to give and to find. A true friend "loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, NIV)
Has a friend failed you?
Have a group of friends missed your expectations, not come through for you in the way you had hoped? Don’t give up on people! Don’t turn inward. It will sour your soul, make you miserable, and ultimately reduce the quality of your life. Instead, keep loving!
There’s a Jonathan for you! Finding that friend requires risk, openness, and giving friendship. And never forget the most loyal, true Friend – Jesus Christ! He knows you best and loves you most. Anchor your heart in that love. Be secure in Him and it will make you a better friend to others.
_________________
Who am I that You are mindful of me,
That You hear me,
When I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me,
It's amazing!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
He calls me friend.
God Almighty,
Lord of glory,
You have called me friend!
Friend Of God
© 2003 Integrity's Praise! Music
Vertical Worship Songs
(Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Israel Houghton
Michael Gungor
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Great Revelation
We live in what is often called "the Information Age." An torrent of words flow our way everyday from multiple sources. You are reading “CoffeeBreak” which indicates you are 'wired,' a part of the most amazing information development in human history - the Internet. It allows me to influence the thoughts of people far beyond the physical location of the pulpit from which I speak on Sunday. CoffeeBreak has subscribers in Italy, the Far East, Australia, and most of the USA. I don't write that to boast, but to illustrate a point. Many of those readers have no way to know what kind of person I am. They cannot evaluate the authenticity of my life to know if I really live the words I write.
The unregulated and largely unfiltered flow of words requires real wisdom and a measuring stick of truth. Disciple, our standard of Truth is the Holy Scripture. Are you a good student of the Bible, a person who genuinely loves the Word of God and reads it for all it's worth. Paul encouraged Timothy to remember the value of the Scriptures and he wrote: "Why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Timothy 3:15-17, The Message)
"God-breathed" is a curious construction, isn't it? In many translations the word is "inspired." The Bible didn't fall down from the sky on parchment written by angelic scribes! Peter tells us that the human authors were "moved by the Spirit." They breathed the Breath of God and, in their stories and words, recorded His wisdom for us. To recognize the human means of receiving the Word does not, in any way, diminish its power in my life, but it does make it study a bit more complex. For example, to fully understand Paul's teaching letters we need to know something about the disciples to whom he first wrote his letters. Galatians, that wonderful letter about Christian freedom from religious regulations, was written to a church he had founded that had fallen under the spell of false teachers who were stealing the richness of Christ's grace from them. We can feel Paul's passion still after 2000 years as he asks, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." (Galatians 3:1, NIV)
The way that we commonly hear the Bible used may actually diminish our ability to understand it. We hear a snippet here and a proof text there, little lines taken from their rich context and turned into a kind of pithy proverb to make a point. Yes, it is the common way the Bible is read and preached and used - even here in CoffeeBreak. It is true that we can excerpt passages and study them, we may even quote a phrase to underscore a point, but the best way to let the Scripture become the Gift of Truth to us which God intends - is to read it with understanding of context, with grasp of the story line, and with deep love for the One whose Breath makes the Words alive!
Let me encourage you to read the Bible as ‘God’s-story’! Don't read it to 'get something' out of it. Don't go looking for a proof-text to vindicate your pre-conceived idea. Don’t just grab for a passage to support your latest idea about doctrine. Read the Word with an open heart and discerning mind, with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to make it the ‘living Word.’ Be cautious about reducing it to mere nouns and verbs to be parsed. Keep a real heart of wonder at the revelations in it and a deep humility to accept them as instructive for life here and now. God will use those ancient texts to create wisdom in you, to shape your life in a way that pleases Him, as you come to love Him for the amazing, complex, Being He reveals.
Read your Bible again- for the first time!
_______________________
The unregulated and largely unfiltered flow of words requires real wisdom and a measuring stick of truth. Disciple, our standard of Truth is the Holy Scripture. Are you a good student of the Bible, a person who genuinely loves the Word of God and reads it for all it's worth. Paul encouraged Timothy to remember the value of the Scriptures and he wrote: "Why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Timothy 3:15-17, The Message)
"God-breathed" is a curious construction, isn't it? In many translations the word is "inspired." The Bible didn't fall down from the sky on parchment written by angelic scribes! Peter tells us that the human authors were "moved by the Spirit." They breathed the Breath of God and, in their stories and words, recorded His wisdom for us. To recognize the human means of receiving the Word does not, in any way, diminish its power in my life, but it does make it study a bit more complex. For example, to fully understand Paul's teaching letters we need to know something about the disciples to whom he first wrote his letters. Galatians, that wonderful letter about Christian freedom from religious regulations, was written to a church he had founded that had fallen under the spell of false teachers who were stealing the richness of Christ's grace from them. We can feel Paul's passion still after 2000 years as he asks, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." (Galatians 3:1, NIV)
The way that we commonly hear the Bible used may actually diminish our ability to understand it. We hear a snippet here and a proof text there, little lines taken from their rich context and turned into a kind of pithy proverb to make a point. Yes, it is the common way the Bible is read and preached and used - even here in CoffeeBreak. It is true that we can excerpt passages and study them, we may even quote a phrase to underscore a point, but the best way to let the Scripture become the Gift of Truth to us which God intends - is to read it with understanding of context, with grasp of the story line, and with deep love for the One whose Breath makes the Words alive!
Let me encourage you to read the Bible as ‘God’s-story’! Don't read it to 'get something' out of it. Don't go looking for a proof-text to vindicate your pre-conceived idea. Don’t just grab for a passage to support your latest idea about doctrine. Read the Word with an open heart and discerning mind, with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to make it the ‘living Word.’ Be cautious about reducing it to mere nouns and verbs to be parsed. Keep a real heart of wonder at the revelations in it and a deep humility to accept them as instructive for life here and now. God will use those ancient texts to create wisdom in you, to shape your life in a way that pleases Him, as you come to love Him for the amazing, complex, Being He reveals.
Read your Bible again- for the first time!
_______________________
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Are you hungry?
There are few things that stir up more happy memories for me than suppertime! In our house that is 5 PM, has been for years, and probably always will be. The smell of dinner cooking invites those at home to get ready to pull up a chair and enjoy a meal. If I have not eaten much throughout the day I look forward to supper even more with a real appetite.
Suppertime is associated in my mind with reconnecting with the family and swapping stories about the day. It was and is a bright spot in the day. There are, however, moments when suppertime is not inviting. If I’m having a disagreement with my wife, sitting down across from her is not what I want to do. If I had a large meal at lunch with a colleague, I have no appetite even for my favorite foods.
Jesus invites us to supper. Are you hungry? "I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you." (Revelation 3:20, The Message) Getting together with the Lord to be fed by the Word and nourished by worship, both with the church and individually, can be one of the best parts of our day or week. When we share the things that weigh us down with Him in prayer, it eases the burden, and changes us so we can meet the challenges. When we offer up worshipful adoration, it renews our hope and helps us to remember why we exist. When we meditate on the Scripture, we are made wise and filled up with soul food that keeps us strong for the journey.
But, some of us have no appetite for supper with Christ Jesus because we have filled our souls with other things or we have become a stranger to Him and thus unable to enter into a conversation. The Bible warns against allowing "your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life. " (Luke 21:34, KJV) Maybe it will make more sense from The Message: "Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping." (Luke 21:34, The Message) Soul hunger is universal! Just as our bodies require constant nourishment and develop an appetite daily, our spirits hunger, too. In the same way that we can temporarily satisfy our hunger with empty calories, and some do to such an extent that they lose their taste for meat and vegetables, we can fill up our spirits with endless pursuit of pleasure, games, and even more sensual satisfaction until our spiritual appetite for the true Food of Heaven is gone.
No one satisfies our soul hunger like Jesus Christ! The Word says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6, NIV) “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat." (Matthew 5:6, The Message) If you lost your appetite for worship and the Word, if you longer love the Presence of Jesus, a fast is in order. Nothing sharpens the appetite like a simple water and fruit diet for a few days! When we have tasted the goodness of the Lord once, we can renew our hunger for Him by laying off the ‘junk food’ that has stolen our appetite.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; hear me,
that your soul may live." (Isaiah 55:1-3, NIV)
________________
Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people,
“Come and dine”;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
Oh, ’tis sweet to sup with
Jesus all the time!
“Come and dine,” the Master calleth,
“Come and dine”;
You may feast at Jesus’ table
all the time;
He Who fed the multitude,
turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now,
“Come and dine.”
The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them,
“Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.
Soon the Lamb will take His bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of heaven will assembled be;
Oh, ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.
- Charles Widmeyer, Public Domain
Suppertime is associated in my mind with reconnecting with the family and swapping stories about the day. It was and is a bright spot in the day. There are, however, moments when suppertime is not inviting. If I’m having a disagreement with my wife, sitting down across from her is not what I want to do. If I had a large meal at lunch with a colleague, I have no appetite even for my favorite foods.
Jesus invites us to supper. Are you hungry? "I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you." (Revelation 3:20, The Message) Getting together with the Lord to be fed by the Word and nourished by worship, both with the church and individually, can be one of the best parts of our day or week. When we share the things that weigh us down with Him in prayer, it eases the burden, and changes us so we can meet the challenges. When we offer up worshipful adoration, it renews our hope and helps us to remember why we exist. When we meditate on the Scripture, we are made wise and filled up with soul food that keeps us strong for the journey.
But, some of us have no appetite for supper with Christ Jesus because we have filled our souls with other things or we have become a stranger to Him and thus unable to enter into a conversation. The Bible warns against allowing "your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life. " (Luke 21:34, KJV) Maybe it will make more sense from The Message: "Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping." (Luke 21:34, The Message) Soul hunger is universal! Just as our bodies require constant nourishment and develop an appetite daily, our spirits hunger, too. In the same way that we can temporarily satisfy our hunger with empty calories, and some do to such an extent that they lose their taste for meat and vegetables, we can fill up our spirits with endless pursuit of pleasure, games, and even more sensual satisfaction until our spiritual appetite for the true Food of Heaven is gone.
No one satisfies our soul hunger like Jesus Christ! The Word says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6, NIV) “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat." (Matthew 5:6, The Message) If you lost your appetite for worship and the Word, if you longer love the Presence of Jesus, a fast is in order. Nothing sharpens the appetite like a simple water and fruit diet for a few days! When we have tasted the goodness of the Lord once, we can renew our hunger for Him by laying off the ‘junk food’ that has stolen our appetite.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; hear me,
that your soul may live." (Isaiah 55:1-3, NIV)
________________
Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people,
“Come and dine”;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
Oh, ’tis sweet to sup with
Jesus all the time!
“Come and dine,” the Master calleth,
“Come and dine”;
You may feast at Jesus’ table
all the time;
He Who fed the multitude,
turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now,
“Come and dine.”
The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them,
“Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.
Soon the Lamb will take His bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of heaven will assembled be;
Oh, ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.
- Charles Widmeyer, Public Domain
Monday, April 26, 2010
Simmering with resentment?
Just a few moments into the conversation, it was clear that she had been hurt and was now simmering with resentment. Her tense face and quick responses revealed the anger she was trying keep under control, but you did not need a psychology degree to read her agitated state of mind. Her simmering emotions were moving toward a full boil!
My dictionary defines resentment as “feeling displeasure or indignation at (a person, act, remark, etc.) from a sense of injury or insult.” It’s not a pleasant emotional state nor does it generally lead to a good end. A resentful person often becomes hypersensitive and perceives harmless remarks as offensive, innocent people as adversaries. Resentment eats at our heart and unless we deal with it will have a detrimental effect on all of our relationships, by turning us into an angry, lonely person.
I have seen resentment build up and destroy a marriage turning a once loving couple into rivals competing for respect and power in their relationship. “He will never treat like that again,” she declares in her wounded state. He angrily declares, “I won’t be ignored for one more day!” I have spoken with employees who are sabotaging their relationship with their boss because they were passed over for recognition or promotion. Their resentment blinds them to the destruction they are bringing on themselves by continuing their grudge match with their supervisor. I have seen Pastors ruin their ministry at a local church because after working hard on a project that goes unappreciated they allow an offended heart to become full of resentment.
Disciple, are you dealing with an offense?
Has someone failed to show you the respect you think you deserve?
Has someone you care deeply about not reciprocated your love creating a simmering resentment?
Have you been discriminated against, held back, or passed over because of age, sex, or race?
The wisdom of the Word runs counter to most conventional advice on such matters. In His model prayer, Jesus taught us the importance of letting go of our offense: "Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." (Matthew 6:12, NLT)
This directive comes to all of us, "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32, NLT)
In one of His most challenging words to us, Jesus says that we must "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:27-30, NIV) He makes no excuses or rationalization for resentment in our hearts, does He?
Let God become your defender. Give yourself to Him for vindication and recognition. He sees it all, knows it all, and promises justice; in His own time. We can take our disappointment, our broken heart, our indignation to Him; and we should! And, we leave it all there, with Him, asking Him to create a tender, gentle, loving heart in us. This is the paradox created by that choice of faith; with surrender of our desire to be right, we find greater peace. Is that difficult? Yes, it requires death to Self, silencing the screaming insistence of our mind that says, “I want my respect!”
Don’t let simmering resentment boil into full rage. Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on it and let the beauty of His wisdom own your heart today.
"Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:20-22, NLT)
My dictionary defines resentment as “feeling displeasure or indignation at (a person, act, remark, etc.) from a sense of injury or insult.” It’s not a pleasant emotional state nor does it generally lead to a good end. A resentful person often becomes hypersensitive and perceives harmless remarks as offensive, innocent people as adversaries. Resentment eats at our heart and unless we deal with it will have a detrimental effect on all of our relationships, by turning us into an angry, lonely person.
I have seen resentment build up and destroy a marriage turning a once loving couple into rivals competing for respect and power in their relationship. “He will never treat like that again,” she declares in her wounded state. He angrily declares, “I won’t be ignored for one more day!” I have spoken with employees who are sabotaging their relationship with their boss because they were passed over for recognition or promotion. Their resentment blinds them to the destruction they are bringing on themselves by continuing their grudge match with their supervisor. I have seen Pastors ruin their ministry at a local church because after working hard on a project that goes unappreciated they allow an offended heart to become full of resentment.
Disciple, are you dealing with an offense?
Has someone failed to show you the respect you think you deserve?
Has someone you care deeply about not reciprocated your love creating a simmering resentment?
Have you been discriminated against, held back, or passed over because of age, sex, or race?
The wisdom of the Word runs counter to most conventional advice on such matters. In His model prayer, Jesus taught us the importance of letting go of our offense: "Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." (Matthew 6:12, NLT)
This directive comes to all of us, "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32, NLT)
In one of His most challenging words to us, Jesus says that we must "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:27-30, NIV) He makes no excuses or rationalization for resentment in our hearts, does He?
Let God become your defender. Give yourself to Him for vindication and recognition. He sees it all, knows it all, and promises justice; in His own time. We can take our disappointment, our broken heart, our indignation to Him; and we should! And, we leave it all there, with Him, asking Him to create a tender, gentle, loving heart in us. This is the paradox created by that choice of faith; with surrender of our desire to be right, we find greater peace. Is that difficult? Yes, it requires death to Self, silencing the screaming insistence of our mind that says, “I want my respect!”
Don’t let simmering resentment boil into full rage. Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on it and let the beauty of His wisdom own your heart today.
"Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:20-22, NLT)
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