pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: apologize


by Leave a comment

Forgiveness

Reading: Acts 2:14 and 36-41

Acts 2:38 – “In the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.”

Returning to Acts 2 today, we read the whole story. Peter first asserts Jesus’ place as God’s creation. He then reminds the crowd that “they” crucified Jesus. The crowd becomes “deeply troubled.” When we see one another this way, I believe our misdeeds have the same effect on us. When I truly see all people as created in the image of God – my wife, my kids, my parents, my co-workers, the stranger on the street, the grumpy neighbor… – it greatly impacts how I treat and am tempted to mistreat them. Seeing all as truly created in the image of God holds me accountable when I “crucify” or speak harshly or… Seeing others as Jesus saw them makes me “deeply troubled” when I sin against someone and, therefore, against God.

The crowd asked Peter what to do. We did once too. We sensed we did something wrong or we damaged a relationship. In time we learned the next steps: confess, repent, live better. We learned to apologize and to commit to better and then to live it out in all of our relationships. Doing so we change hearts and lives – primarily our own. Living as Jesus lived, loving as he loved, we come to receive forgiveness in his name and to extend forgiveness in his name. This restores and reconciles our relationships. As we receive and extend the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, we build the kingdom of God here on earth. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your endless grace that brings forgiveness again and again – a thousand thousands over and over. And thank you teaching us grace too. Help us to practice the grace we receive. Guide us to practice it as you give it – unconditionally and endlessly bringing healing and wholeness to our lives and to our world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Contagious

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 7:5-7

2nd Corinthians 7:6 – “God comforts people who are discouraged, and he comforted us by Titus’ arrival.”

Photo credit: Uta Scholl

As Paul and his companions arrive in Macedonia there is no rest for the weary. There are problems – “external conflict… internal fears.” For Paul and his coworkers these trials and hardships could be barriers to ministry. But God has other plans. In verse 6 we read, “God comforts people who are discouraged, and he comforted us by Titus’ arrival.” At just the needed time, God sends Titus, bringing along the encouragement that he has received himself in Corinth. In turn, Titus encourages Paul and others there in Macedonia.

When one lives out their faith it often inspires others to live out their faith too. This isn’t just true for comfort. It also works this way with peace, joy, trust, generosity, assurance, grace, humility, mercy, contentment, forgiveness… The practices of our faith are contagious!

Titus also brings a personal message for Paul. The church in Corinth longs to see Paul. They want an opportunity to express their regret for what happened during his last visit. On that second visit Paul was deeply hurt. The church has dealt with this person but still wants to apologize and receive forgiveness face to face. This news brings Paul much happiness. To mend a relationship, to offer care and concern, to restore what was broken, these things bring us much joy and happiness too.

Where do we need to bring comfort through our words of reconciliation and grace? Where do we need to respond to the brokenness in our lives or in the world?

Prayer: Lord God, guide our lives, leading us to be people who live out a contagious faith. May the light and love of Christ in our hearts be cast wide in the world, bringing healing and wholeness to our relationships and to other’s lives. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Holy and Righteous

Readings: Proverbs 2:11-12 and Hebrews 12:7-10

Proverbs 2:11 – “Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord… don’t despise his correction.”

When I was growing up and would misbehave, my parents would discipline me. At the time I saw it as punishment. Once, my mom found me playing with my G.I. Joes and I had new clothes for them. She put two and two together. The next morning my parents brought me to the store, had me hand over the stolen clothes, and had me apologize to the manager. He offered words of thanks and grace – both to me and to my parents. I learned a lot from that experience.

In today’s verses from Proverbs, we read, “Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord… don’t despise his correction.” There is love behind the correction that God offers. To raise a child in the way he or she should go, to train up a disciple to walk in the way of the Lord – both are examples of receiving favor. It is not easy to correct a son or daughter. Our parents and our Lord do the hard thing because they want the very best for us. That, to me, is a major difference between punishment and correction.

Turning to Hebrews 12, our verses come in the middle of a chapter that speaks of running the race of faith. The call is to run with discipline, remembering one’s training, persevering and not giving up. The writer reminds the reader of Jesus’ example then quotes our passage from Proverbs 2. In verses 7-9 we are first encouraged to “Bear hardship for the sake of discipline.” We’re then reminded of how our parents disciplined us out of love and then to recognize the greater love that God has for us. The discipline we receive from God leads us to “share in his holiness.” Through this sharing, as we mature, we will yield “the fruit of righteousness.” These are the ways that God works to transform us more and more into the image of his son, Jesus Christ. For this love we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts and minds to your transforming love. Bend our will to yours, allowing us to follow your lead and to accept your guidance and direction, your discipline and correction. We recognize that you desire the absolute best for us. Fill us with your Spirit and with wisdom, empowering us to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.