Repairing Relationships

We have all been hurt by people in our life. Forgiveness is a choice we make for ourselves so we can live in freedom (whether the offender deserves it or not). The Bible has alot to say about forgiveness. Here are just a few verses:

Matthew 6:12,14-15 "...and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!

Mark 11:24-25 "Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing."

Colossians 3:13 You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

We have also been responsible for hurting people in our life. It's not always easy to think or remember whom we may have hurt along the way. If you are having trouble thinking of anybody, perhaps these questions will help:

* Is there anyone to whom you owe a debt that you haven't repaid? A friend, family member, a business?

* Is there anyone you've broken a promise to? A spouse, a child?

* Is there anyone you are guilty of controlling or manipulating? A spouse, child, brother, employee, friend?

* Have you been verbally, emotionally, or physically abusive to anyone?

* Is there anyone you have not appreciated or paid attention to?

* Is there anyone you have been unfaithful to?

* Have you lied to anyone?

If God should happen to bring to mind anyone as you read this list, then here is what Jesus says to do before the next worship service:

Matthew 5:23-24 "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Will there be anyone left in the worship service on Sunday? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Definition of a Hypocrite

"How can we worship a homeless man on Sunday and ignore one on Monday?"

But Jesus said, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head." Matthew 8:20 (NLT)

Thoughts from the book of Acts

This comes from Perry Noble, Senior Pastor of NewSpring Church in South Carolina.

• The church had to let go of the comfortable and the familiar in order to fully follow Jesus and advance HIS Gospel.
• The church was passionately obsessed with seeing more and more people come to faith in Christ.
• The message of the church was Jesus…nothing political or social, they didn’t try to legislate morality…simply Jesus!
• God kept raising up gifted leaders who were willing to embrace their calling…one group of people were not expected to do it all…and when people embraced God’s calling on their lives–the church grew!
• The people in the church were willing to work hard AND beg God to intervene on their behalf.
• The crowds opinion can change often…the early church leaders knew that and were obsessed with Jesus and not with the opinions of others.
• A praying church is unstoppable! (Acts 12!)
• God reigns…despite circumstances…HE REIGNS!
• The wisdom needed for leadership in the local church is plentiful and available if we will only seek His face and beg Him for it! I believe He will often allow us to expereince things that seem “impossible” just so we will continually learn that it is HIS church…and that we should seek HIS guidance!
• Repentance must be taught…churches that do not preach and teach repentance are not being true to the call of God!!!
• God wants the church to grow!!!
• Vision that comes from the heart of God to the heart of a leader is what the church needs!
  

HMMMMM...

Today's church prays for safety...the church in Acts prayed for boldness! Hmmmm....

Turning Your Pain into Purpose

In his book, "Purpose Driven Life", Rick Warren made a statement that has helped my wife and me many times over. The statement is, "God never wastes a hurt". Stop and think about that. Reflect on it.

Everyone of us has had pain in our life and wondered what purpose it serves. Oftentimes in the midst of the pain we cannot see a point, but we are reminded of Romans 8:28 which states: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them". God doesn't do or allow things haphazardly. He has a plan. We may not always see it, but we can be assured that something good will come from it - eventually.

Recently, I was changing our church sign in the pouring rain. The phrase I put up was: "There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm". After the rain stopped, someone snapped this incredible picture!

If you are experiencing pain or a cloud or even a storm right now, be encouraged. God is behind the scenes creating your rainbow. He is wanting to turn your burden into a blessing.

Combines, GPS, and God's Word

Yesterday I had the privilege of riding in a combine with one of our members. Upon driving out to his field to meet him, he told me that he would be three miles south and one mile west. (all directions are given that way in Nebraska). As I was trying to watch my odometer to see if I was getting close, it wasn't hard to spot him. I looked over to the west and all I could see was a huge cloud of dust moving about 6mph in the field. (It was a bit windy yesterday.) Sure enough, that was my friend. I parked my car and climbed aboard the big rig.

There are so many neat little gadgets in these things. Much of the equipment is computerized to tell you the yield per acre, how wet the beans are, etc. But the one gadget that was most needed that day was the GPS system. As we drove down the rows harvesting beans, the dust began to fly. It looked just like a blizzard only it wasn't snow that was flying - it was dust. (It reminded me of Kansas' song, "Dust in the Wind"). It was impossible to see where you were going. Thankfully, the GPS system was able to guide and direct the combine in a straight path until we got to the end of the row.

My friend said, "That would make a good sermon, wouldn't it?" I agreed. How often in life do we not know where we are going? Or we think we might know but we can't clearly see the path? Oftentimes, there is too much dust blowing in front of us and we don't know what dangers might lie ahead. Psalm 119:105 says, "God's Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path".

God's Word is our global positioning system. There will be numerous times in our life when we simply will not be able to see the path clearly. This verse says that God will guide us one step at a time. Our job is to rely on Him. Faith means moving ahead, trusting God when you can't see anything in front of you - kind of like my combine experience yesterday. (Thanks Barry)

Gifted for Greatness

Here at Bellwood, we are encouraged to use our S.H.A.P.E. to glorify God and serve others. (S-spiritual gifts, H-heart, A-abilities, P-personality, E-experiences in life). Pastor Erik Rees has written a book that talks about all of this. Here is a link to a recent article he wrote. If you struggle to know what spiritual gift God has given you, check out this list. http://erikrees.com/archives/126