Unforgiveness the Size of a Mulberry Tree?

Did you know that the number one killer of human life in America is unforgiveness? The very thing man has the most problems with is the reason Jesus came.God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Jesus had strong words about unforgiveness. He said, Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him (Luke 17:3-4). Think about it. If someone hurt me seven times in one day, and asked me seven times to forgive him, I would find it very difficult. What about you?

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith" (John 17:5).

Jesus replied, If you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted into the sea,' and it will obey you (John 17:6). Check this out.  A mustard seed is the tiniest of all plant seeds and a mulberry tree grows to be over thirty feet. Its roots go down deep into the ground and become as large as the tree. It survives in just about any climate. Like unforgiveness, the mulberry tree grows on very little. It doesn't take much for the pain of someone's words or actions against us to grow into unforgiveness, which grows into holding grudges, which grows into bitterness. Out of control, unforgiveness dries up our bones and makes us sick physically and spiritually. Without forgiveness, our bitterness can lead to disease, malice or murder. 

We don't have to be sick with unforgiveness. With a tiny faith, we can trust Jesus to help us forgive others as He forgave us. Is there someone you need to forgive? Don't let it fester inside you until it's out of control. Jesus came to set you free from this kind of suffering.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for forgiveness. Help us to share your love and forgiveness in our world. Amen.

Why Would a Loving God Allow This?

After the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Boston Marathon, many ask, "Why would a loving God allow this?" My question to them is, "Why do you blame God?" When He created man, He gave him a free will, to love Him or reject Him.

We live in a broken and hurting world. It's been this way since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve fell for Satan's lie that they could be like God. Man has rejected God's love and set themselves up as gods of their own lives. They have eliminated prayer from schools and other public places. So how can they blame evil on God?

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (with Him), John 3:16.

You might ask, "Why do the good people get hurt along with the people who committed the terror?" Over and over again God has demonstrated that He can use evil for good.

A good example is Joseph, who was a good man, his father's favorite son. Yet his brothers hated him and wanted to kill him. Instead, they sold him into slavery where he was falsely accused and spent time in prison for several years. He could have retaliated, but he gained a reputation as a model prisoner. God used his ability to interpret dreams to rescue him from the dungeons. Joseph interpreted the King's dreams and earned the position of governor of the land.

During a seven year famine, Joseph's brothers came to him for food. They didn't recognize him at first, but he presented himself to them and forgave them. He told them, "What you intended for evil, God intended for good, the saving of all these people (Genesis 50:19).

Do you see the major difference in the way people responded in the two stories? There are those who react under the circumstances and choose to reject God. And there are others, like Joseph, who respond to God in the midst of suffering and reflect on His goodness.

What will you do? React and reject or respond and reflect?

Thank you, Holy God, that you are always with us, and that you will never leave or forsake us. Help us  respond to your love and to live under your will and purpose for our lives and not under our circumstances. Help us to rise above our anger, disappointments and suffering to reflect on your blessings in the midst of our challenges. Amen.

Let God Love You More

Verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

Now that Christmas 2011 is behind us and the New Year has already started, I have this great feeling of new beginnings. I want to do all those wonderful things that I bet are on your New Years Resolutions too:

1. Lose weight.
2. Drink more water.
3. Exercise more.
4. Give more.
5. Save more.
6. Spend less.
7. Get organized.
8. Stay organized.
9. Plan my work.
10. Work my plan.

I have to admit whenever I make New Years Resolutions, I fail within the first week. Yesterday in church I heard a new concept--Let God love you more. How could God love me more? Maybe He can't, but I can acknowledge more of His love if I am quiet in His presence and if I commit more time to prayer. When I think about it, experiencing more of God's love will require a response to love and serve Him better.

I think that means I will be doing the things on the above list--not in my power, but by trusting God in response to His amazing love and knowing He will finish the good work He started in me.

How do you approach the New Year? Are you making resolutions or will you let God love you more, then respond? 

Prayer
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for New Beginnings, for the hope we have in trusting You. Thank you that as we face new challenges and dreams, we can look to You for strength, faith and counsel. Amen.