Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts

Thursday 24 October 2019

A prayer for this week: Asking forgiveness and thanking God

 
 
Father forgive me for I have sinned:

There were several occasions in the week when I was selfish or mean;
Or careless or uncaring or slow to reach out to those who are ill
I have given less than I could to those in need;

There were days I did not pick up my Bible
or remember to say thank you;
And when I brought all this to you for your mercy and grace
I received it.
Because you welcome sinners so that you can
love and forgive them.
 

Thank you, Lord.
I wish I was more like you.
 
 
prayer for this week

Monday 6 March 2017

Lent, 40 days, meditation and repentance

English: Ashes imposed on the forehead of a Ch...
Ashes imposed on the forehead of a Christian on Ash Wednesday. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For several Christians Lent, East and West, begins with a supposition. They may feel they are broken beings in need of forgiveness. Whether it’s the eponymous ashes of ash Wednesday or the forsaking of meat, dairy, and everything else worth eating practised by others, the Lenten Season for them is intended to enjoin repentance among them. But repentance is something which has to come from deep in the heart. And repentance presupposes a need for forgiveness, for healing; in a word, it presupposes brokenness.

People want to go inward, to the very core of the cells of their body, where the complexity is so great, so unequalled, that their human brains are incapable of understanding that, either. For 40 days some people try to find time to think about life. They also want to go for transcendence. It starts with a recognition that we are whatever else we are – eternal beings. There is something that is about us that goes beyond the material world. That we’re more than just the sum of our bodies.  Originally the Catholic Church had installed lent for that reason.

With 6 & 7Adar, last weekend, we may remember Moses having written down the Law, or Torah. It is that Mosaic Law that should have to think about. That Law is what we should have to think about.

Naked we are all born,without having done faults. Naked we shall die having done many faults probably. The price of those wrongdoings or sins is death. No other payment shall be required. Once we die we shall deteriorate and the decay shall bring us to become dust.

The Bible is also clear, that man has to make it whilst he lives. Once he dies it is too late to change anything or to make other choices. God's Word the Bible shows mankind which way to choose. In the Word of God, the Bible we can find the Law or Torah, plus guidance and answers to many questions.

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Find to read:
  1. Adar 6, Matan Torah remembering the giving of Torah
  2. Adar 7 Moshe’s review of the Torah contained in the Book of Deuteronomy
  3. Statutes given unto us 
  4. God-breathed prophetic words written torah and the mitzvot to teach us
  5. Mishmash of a legal code but importance of mitzvah or commandments
  6. Written by inspiration of God for our admonition, to whom it shall be imputed if they believe
  7. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
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Friday 26 April 2013

Abrahamic Faith Gathering – July 22 – July 28, 2013

The Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (CGAF) is pleased to announce the 38th Annual Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith Gathering to be held July 22 to July 28, 2013 at Denison University in the charming town of Granville, Ohio. The theme for this year’s conference is Psalm 130:
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Details:
  • Fellowship with brethren from near and far
  • Private, secluded campus
  • Suites w/kitchenettes & 2 bathrooms (limited availability)
  • Air-conditioned rooms for those with medical need
  • Full range of classes for children/teens
  • Swimming pool, gym, volleyball, golf outing
  • Free, professionally staffed nursery
  • Reduced rates for seniors/fixed incomes
  • Confidential financial aid available
  • Monthly payment option
  • Golf cart transportation provided
  • Free shuttle service to and from Columbus airport
  • Special dietary needs fulfilled
  • Evening programs for musical praise
  • Evening talks on the theme passage
  • Afternoon Bible discussions
Date: July 22 – July 28, 2013
Location: Denison University – Granville, Ohio [Click here for Google Maps Location]
Speakers:
  • Ken Curry: “Stewardship: Guiding Principle of a Godly Life”
  • Joe Fordham: “Judgment and Discernment”
  • Alan Curtis: “Forgive Us as We Forgive”
  • Monday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. Slayter Hall – Brother/Sisters Conference:
    Brother’s topic: “Seeing God Today”
    Sisters’ topic: TBA
Registration:
Registration forms for the Gathering will be available in late March 2013 either by mail or on our website (see link below. In the meantime, you can visit our website to listen to or download all the main classes from previous gatherings. – Brother Brad Rek, Abrahamic Faith Gathering Committee Secretary.
[Click here for the Online Registration Form]
Gathering Website: [www.abrahamicfaithgathering.org]




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Friday 9 September 2011

Forgiveness always possible

English: Graphic on forgiveness
English: Graphic on forgiveness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now matter how obstinate the obstacle or horrific the hurt, forgiveness is always possible.



'For if you forgive others their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.'
Matthew 6:14


My Lord and my God,
give me the courage and the will to be humbly
and to look over the limitednesses of others
and to forgive their mistakes. 




Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Vergeving altijd mogelijk

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2016 linkupdate

Tuesday 15 December 2009

A man who cannot forgive others


"A man who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must cross.
Every man has need of forgiveness."
- Thomas Fuller

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12-14

God, grant that I will always be forgiving.
and that I will always share my love to all.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een man die anderen niet kan vergeven

Saturday 25 July 2009

Doest thou well to be Angry?

"Human nature has not changed since the fall of Adam and Eve. No one likes to be wrong. When someone shows us we are wrong, the natural reaction is to become angry at our teacher. It has ever been thus. It happened even when God was directly involved.

When Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God we are told that "Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." In this case the LORD held a conversation with Cain and asked him, "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?" Of course God knew the answer, but He was giving Cain an opportunity to answer for himself. Either Cain refused to answer God or else his answer is not recorded. The LORD continued speaking kindly to Cain and said, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." God was giving Cain an opportunity to change. But we do not like to change. Cain did not want to change. We would think that if the LORD spoke to us that surely we would change, but Cain did not.

One of the characteristics of being wrong is being angry. Cain did not want to change. His defense was to be angry. Jonah was angry. God asked Jonah "Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah replied quite boldly to God, "I do well to be angry, even unto death." We might add that Jonah's anger was more deep seated than merely the loss of shade from the gourd. Paul was angry. He was "not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spake." Rather than follow the wise teachings of Stephen, Paul was so angry that he cast his vote to kill Stephen, and by his own admission, later said concerning the Christians, that "he was exceedingly mad against them."

Human nature has not changed. These examples were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. When we find that we disagree with someone and we feel anger welling up within us, it should tell us to stop and examine ourselves. Do we do well to be angry? We usually can convince ourselves like Jonah did that "we do well to be angry" but we might be surprised to find that we are wrong to be so angry. If we are in the right, there is no need to be angry. Instead of being angry, we should feel pity and compassion for our opponent who is wrong. Since we are in the right and they are wrong, they need our help, not our anger. If it should turn out that we are in the wrong, how foolish to have been both angry and wrong!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people really listened and changed? Wouldn't it be grand if all followed the request of the Lord when he said, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Here God is asking us to sit down and to be reasonable when we are wrong, and certainly we should be this way when we are correct. This is why Paul exhorts us saying, "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient in meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves."

We need to remember this when we are trying to teach the truth to those who have held wrong doctrine all their lives. People do not change easily or quickly. Some never change. Whether they change or not, we must be gentle, patient and meek. When we are trying to teach someone that their soul is mortal, we need to be patient for they have always believed otherwise and do not unlearn wrong things quickly or easily. We need to keep on trying to teach them even though they oppose themselves We keep hoping "Peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

If we adopt this principle with those who are outside the household of faith, then certainly we should be this way with those that are inside. We need to be extra loving, extra patient with those for whom Christ died. There is no room for anger here. If they are wrong we pray that God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. If they refuse to change then we pray that God will be merciful to them and forgive them. It is certain that we also are going to need the mercy of God or we are lost. Who is to say that their wrong is worse than some sin we have committed. We are not without sin.

Have we ever thought that there is a limit to God's mercy? We sometimes talk about how unlimited His mercy is. We often quote the Psalm "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." While this is true, nevertheless the mercy of God is definitely limited. What is the limit of God's mercy? Jesus tells us. He says, "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." This means we are going to receive mercy only if we have been merciful; we are going to be forgiven only if we have forgiven, so each one of us is placing a limit on the mercy God is going to give us by the mercy we give to others."

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

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Brother Robert Lloyd
Minute Meditations

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Growth in character

"We are to speak the truth in love; the body is to increase unto the edifying of itself in love.

There is to be more than growth in knowledge and in numbers within ecclesial life. Our characters must increase and develop and our personality traits often must be modified.

The ecclesia, with all its component parts, is supplied that we, individually and collectively, might come "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11- 13). Love and persistence, forgiveness, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, wisdom, judgement, holiness, justice, integrity are all to improve for we are to "grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (v. 15).

This is a vital area of growth, for the saints of all ages are to be joint rulers of the world with Christ."
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Principles of Ecclesial Life - Growth in character
Brother Don Styles
http://www.christadelphianbooks.org/dstyles/poel/index.html

“Furthermore, he gave some people as emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers. Their task is to equip God’s people for the work of service that builds the body of the Messiah, until we all arrive at the unity implied by trusting and knowing the Son of God, at full manhood, at the standard of maturity set by the Messiah’s perfection. We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in every respect grow up into him who is the head, the Messiah.” (Eph 4:11-15 Cjb)
Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Groei in karakter

Tuesday 5 May 2009

A Living Faith #7 Prayer

A LIVING FAITH IN ACTION
Prayer

Reconciliation with the Lord our God is the immense privilege that has been extended to all those who know His Word. Over the millennia He has called many to be His sons and daughters, yet being adopted into the divine family brings responsibilities. For those who do respond to that gracious calling, a way has been opened through the Lord Jesus that faith can find expression through prayer. Just think for one moment of how incredible that invitation to commune with our Creator is!  Indeed it could be said that prayer is the life blood of a living faith. Yet approaching Yahweh in prayer is not something to be taken lightly, but rather something that commands our utmost respect and reverence. The wise man wrote:

“Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.” Eccles 5:1-2

How often maybe in our daily conversations is it a case of open mouth and engage brain afterwards! Words often flow forth without much thought given as to the value of the message spoken.

This should never be the case in our prayers. Yahweh dwells in heaven and we are creatures of the dust upon the earth, therefore let words be few and to the point. To quote a well known phrase, ‘say whet you mean and mean what you say!’ Recognition of the immense greatness of Yahweh and a humble, thoughtful attitude of mind is an essential prerequisite of prayer.

Yet this should not lead us into thinking that prayer is something that must be confined to those rare occasions when we have a dire need or when somehow we ‘think’ our frame of mind is right. If that were the case prayer would be a rare event indeed. On the contrary, faith will desire to commune with Yahweh in prayer, drawing strength and comfort from knowing that prayer is heard.  A living faith will listen to the exhortation of Paul who tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1Thess 5:17) and who wrote:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Eph 6:18

Yet how often prayer comes forth from faltering and stammering lips that so often do not somehow find the right words to say. How often when desiring to engage in prayer, do we find that the mind wanders or thoughts get jumbled up and our words feel clumsy and inadequate before the Lord our God. If this is the case, then be assured you are not on your own!

The disciples once asked the Lord Jesus ‘teach us how to pray’. His answer came as that wonderful model of prayer that has become known as ‘the Lord’s prayer’ (Luke 11:2-4). It is not the intent now to go into the detail of this prayer, but just think of its simplicity yet also of the profound nature of the scope of this prayer. The wise man wrote ‘God is in heaven, and you on earth’, thus the Lord’s Prayer commences with ‘Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”  Reverence for Yahweh and His great Name should be the first thought and unpinning motive behind prayer. It is a deep and intense realisation that puts human nature firmly in its place. Human nature and personal will is then subjected to His divine will by acknowledging:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.

A faith put into action will eagerly seek out His will and strive to obey His commands. Faith will desire to know His ways and His Word, then will strive to live a life according to those precepts. So very often the perspective will falter, vision will fade, and personal desires will surface, striving to take precedence over His will. But faithful prayer will restore the right perspective once again.

A living faith will realise the utter truth of Jesus next words: “Give us day by day our daily bread” and recall the teaching that “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Our dependence upon Yahweh is total, for we have nothing that has not been given to us and day by day our merciful Creator provides for His children’s spiritual and material needs. More than this, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”. (Matthew 5:45), how much more then will He not provide for those who love Him. Thus Paul writes:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

The next words in the Lord’s Prayer remind and emphasise our overriding need for forgiveness. Despite our best efforts we all, every single one of us, fail to avoid sin. Thus Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

“forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

This is no mere academic acknowledgment of the need for forgiveness, nor mechanistic recital of the words, but forgiveness must be sought from a repentant heart that desires to put right what is wrong. Forgiveness will not be granted if sin is not truly repented of, because we persist in deliberately doing what we have done wrong.  Nor will we find forgiveness if we cannot forgive from the heart, those who in reality owe, but a paltry debt to us. Yet as in all things we are so frail and weak, never able to attain to the ideal. So many times we find ourselves, despite best intentions, doing those things we know to be wrong – sin so easily entangles. How often we forgive, but find it hard to forget!  Surely we can relate to those words that Paul wrote:

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God––through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Rom 7:24-25

Thus we have a great need to be kept away from temptation and sin and to be delivered from evil. Overcoming our failings is not something that we can do alone. We must make the effort, but the strength to overcome will be derived from a living faith that arises from the daily reading and practice of the Word. A willing mind that attempts to put the commandments into daily practice, to the best of our ability.

However, prayer must not be viewed as being only for our own needs. It is equally as much a time and opportunity to remember the needs of others. Indeed, James writes:

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:14-16

The fervent prayer of a righteous man! Surely we think, not us. If only I might be righteous and the possessor of such fervent lips! In many ways this thought may be correct, for we are in so many aspects of our lives ‘unrighteous’. Yet we have the comfort that through the Lord Jesus Christ sincere prayer rises up as sweet incense before the Lord our God, sanctified in Jesus and acceptable through his mediation. The one perfect and truly righteous man. Indeed David prayed:

“Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2

Yahweh is indeed willing to hear prayer and as already remarked, prayer is both a privilege and the life blood of faith. What child does not seek out their father to talk to them, to seek advice, to talk about problems, to share experiences and events? How much more then, should we as children of the living God, not seek Him out through prayer. Yet we need the right attitude of mind that fully believes and trusts that our prayers will be heard. If we do not have this belief and confidence, then our prayer will be still born, echoing up into eternal silence. Now David’s confidence that Yahweh would hear prayer shines through the Psalms:

“O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them” Psalm 65:2-3

and

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!”  Psalm 66:18-20

Though our sense of iniquity may feel like a burden that we carry. Though we may feel that personal sin will count against us, a living faith will find solace in the knowledge that Yahweh has provided atonement. Though our prayers come from stammering lips, He will not turn His mercy away from us. His only requirement is that we do not regard iniquity, but rather strive to develop a living and active faith, having our minds attuned to His will and purpose.

Yahweh will listen to sincere prayers that stem from an open and honest heart. There is no need to shout, no need to even to speak out loud, our very thoughts are known to Him who knows all things. No motive is hidden and every thought is laid bare before our Creator. The silently expressed thoughts stemming from the heart are heard and noted. No matter what our problems, cares or worries, strength and help are only a prayer away!


Andy Peel



Of interest: >
Faith Requires a Basis

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2016 January update for related articles

Sunday 8 March 2009

He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass


He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass!
- Scott Nicholson

” Who is without sin cast the first stone”
-Jesus from Nazareth

“So shall ye say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren,
and their sin; for they did to thee evil: and now, we pray thee,
forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father.
And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.” (Ge 50:1)



“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Mt 18:21-22)

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Mt 6:12)
“For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:” (Mt 6:14)

Jehovah give me the strength to overcome my bad feelings and let me be forgiving to others.
So whenever I stand up to pray, that I first forgive anyone who has harmed me.

For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving kindness unto all them that call upon you.
Then hear you in heaven your dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart you know; for you, even you only, know the hearts of all the children of men.

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Monday 23 February 2009

Love is like playing the piano

"Love is like playing the piano.
First you must learn to play by the rules,
then you must forget the rules and play from your heart."
- Unknown

"Those who love in the Lord never see
each other for the last time."
- German Proverb

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness,
a tender look which becomes a habit."
- Peter Ustinov

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but rejoices with the truth."
1 Corinthians 13:6

"Love does not act unbecomingly;
it does not seek its own,
is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered."
1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things."
1 Corinthians 13:7

Dear God let love grow in my heart
and let me be able to share my love with others
in tenderness and patience.


Dutch version / Nederlands > Liefde is zoals piano spelen
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2013 update:
 
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