The Strategy...
I believe that Peru must be won to Christ by Peruvians in partnership with brothers and sisters in the LORD from other parts of the World. That the only shared way there will be enough witnessing believers to fulfil the vision is through the discipling and training of local Christians that God is placing in leadership in the churches.
I must focus most of our resources on the discipling and training of leaders who will in turn repeat the process until growing, witnessing churches are multiplied across the city. I believe that especially in the early stages, leaders are best developed in the context in which they will minister.
I emphasize smaller, highly contextualized, local training programs which provide theological education as an essential part of the larger process of leadership development. I believe that while Biblical leadership requires knowledge and skills, it is ultimately based on character. I believe that there is no substitute for relationships in developing character.
I am committed to structured discipleship models which faithfully and effectively impart knowledge of the Bible while facilitating teacher-disciple relationships in the context of life and ministry.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Our Logo
Logo: The dove means the Holsy Spirit, the Book is the scriptures, the principles of the gospel is the Cross and the sun means JESUS the Morning Star
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Is Koinonia: Mision y Ministerios Charismatic
If you mean are we pentecostal, the answer is no. If you mean are we open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the answer is yes.
We believe that the word “charismatic” should not be limited to specific manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, but “charismatic” does refer to the fact that every Christian receives a gift, or gifts, from the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7,11). In Romans 6:23, Paul states “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift (charism) of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This means that all who are born again, receiving the gift of life in Jesus Christ, are by virtue of the gift “charismatic” in the broadest sense of the word (Ephesians 4:7).
What is the purpose of the work of the Holy Spirit? Obviously, it is to bring individuals to new life in Christ for their own sake, but it does not end there. When Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower His followers individually and the Church corporately which occurred on the day of Pentecost, He said that the Spirit’s power would have a particular purpose: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you shall be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:18)
Because of this primary function of the Holy Spirit to bring men and women to saving faith in Christ, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church sees the evangelization of the world as an urgent priority:
“The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations.” (The Essentials of the Faith).
Basic to all we have said here is our conviction that all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16), and that He illumines our minds to understand the truths of God’s Word (John 14:26; 16:13).
We believe that the word “charismatic” should not be limited to specific manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, but “charismatic” does refer to the fact that every Christian receives a gift, or gifts, from the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7,11). In Romans 6:23, Paul states “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift (charism) of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This means that all who are born again, receiving the gift of life in Jesus Christ, are by virtue of the gift “charismatic” in the broadest sense of the word (Ephesians 4:7).
What is the purpose of the work of the Holy Spirit? Obviously, it is to bring individuals to new life in Christ for their own sake, but it does not end there. When Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower His followers individually and the Church corporately which occurred on the day of Pentecost, He said that the Spirit’s power would have a particular purpose: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you shall be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:18)
Because of this primary function of the Holy Spirit to bring men and women to saving faith in Christ, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church sees the evangelization of the world as an urgent priority:
“The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations.” (The Essentials of the Faith).
Basic to all we have said here is our conviction that all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16), and that He illumines our minds to understand the truths of God’s Word (John 14:26; 16:13).
Friday, April 28, 2006
How to Get Along with Others?
The Value of Cooperation
Learning to get along with others is one of the most important tasks of life. It is the key to an effective witness to a lost world.
Our world is filled with conflict. Every day we hear the news of another outbreak of violence somewhere around the world. People are in conflict with one another. Nations are at war with each other. Even families are being torn apart by internal strife and conflict.
Conflict is one of the greatest problems in the Christian church today. Believers cannot get along with each other. People are becoming divided over the most petty things. Some are upset with the music. Others don't like the color of the new carpet. Some are bothered by the deacons. Still others are angry with the pastor. All this is an indication of immaturity and carnality. It certainly is not of God.
When divisiveness grips a congregation, a church cannot experience the power and blessing of God. In my years in the ministry, I have witnessed the tragic destruction of many a church because people simply could not get along with each other. When that happens the devil has a field day, and the cause of Christ suffers.
Conflict also tears families apart. It divides husbands from wives, parents from children. It feeds on bitterness and produces rebellion. In the end it can lead to wife abuse, child abuse, teen-age runaways, divorce, and even murder.
God's ways are love, joy, peace, and patience. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will produce these qualities. When we are not, conflict will always result.
Causes of Conflict. The ultimate cause of all personal conflicts is sin. Whether the sin is selfishness, bitterness, greed, or anger, it feeds sinful attitudes and sinful behavior.
Sinful actions always produce conflict. Selfishness feeds greed and anger. Bitterness produces jealousy and contempt. One sin leads to another, and soon your life becomes cluttered with sin.
Sin complicates life. The consequences of sin complicate life terribly. Sin can result in divorce, loss of a job, illegitimate pregnancy, suicide, murder, imprisonment - the list is endless. It always leaves life in a mess. Sometimes the mess can be cleared up fairly easily, but sometimes you have to live the rest of your life with the consequences.
Resolving conflict. Solving conflicts involves decision making. You must decide that you want to resolve the conflict. Problems don't just go away by themselves. You must decide to take corrective actions to resolve and eliminate conflicts. Learn to tackle every problem God's way. This means understanding and putting into practice His principles for human cooperation.
Don't be satisfied with feeble, halfhearted efforts. Give it all you have and God will bless you for it. Don't wait for the other person to come to you. Go to him first. Take the right step. Make the first move. You will be glad you did. Try these steps first:
Acknowledge the conflict. Stop pretending nothing is wrong. Admit it to yourself first, then to the one with whom you are in conflict.
Admit your responsibility. If you are part of the conflict, you are part of the solution. Be honest. Confess your faults before you ask someone else to confess his.
Ask forgiveness. Don't assume you will be forgiven. Ask for it. Don't make excuses. Admit your part in the conflict and ask forgiveness for the wrong you have done.
Grant forgiveness. If the other person forgives you and asks you to forgive him, do it. Be willing to give to another what you are asking for yourself.
Make reconciliation. Forgiving each other is not enough. You must be reconciled to one another. Forgive and forget. Bury the past and begin to build a better relationship for the future.
The joy of fellowship. One of the great blessings of the Christian life is fellowship with other believers, building spiritual friendships with those in whom Christ lives. Genuine fellowship can occur only between true believers who are indwelt by the Spirit of God.
The biblical term for fellowship is the Greek word Koinonia, meaning "to have in common." Fellowship occurs between those who have a relationship based on commonality. For Christians this should be automatic, since we all have Christ in common. When He is in control of our lives there is no conflict.
The night before Jesus went to the Cross, He prayed for His disciples, That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us (John 17:21). Then our Lord added the powerful and convicting statement, That the world may believe that thou has sent me. Our fellowship and cooperation is essential as a testimony to a lost world. People will never believe that we know God if we cannot get along with one another.
Lack of unity and cooperation is the greatest hindrance to the spread of the gospel in the world today. We cannot win the world to Christ while we are fighting among ourselves. Yet, the Christian church is more divided and segmented today than ever. May God help us to learn what true Christian unity and fellowship are all about.
The necessity of cooperation. The local church is a spiritual family. Therefore, it must function as a family. Each of us has a place of service and responsibility. To be truly effective, and to accomplish the ministry to which we have been called, we must learn to cooperate with one another.
In his instructions to the church of Galatia, the apostle Paul wrote, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). This is the great task of the church. We are to encourage the faint-hearted, and we dare not become judgmental in the process!
God has entrusted a ministry of reconciliation to us. As we preach the gospel to the unsaved, we are to urge them to be reconciled to Christ. God has also given us a ministry of restoration. We are to rebuke, correct, and restore fellow believers who fall into sin. Ours is not a task of condemnation, but one of hope and help.
If the church is to reconcile and restore, how much more do individuals and families need to do the same. We need to learn how to get along with each other to the glory of God. You have God in your soul, Christ in your heart, the Holy Spirit in your life. There is no excuse for disunity and conflict in the Christian life. Nor is there any excuse for conflict in our churches or homes. Where Christ is in control, He produces peace, not conflict. He gives us joy, not sadness, love, not hatred. He is sufficient to meet our every need.
When you allow Christ to control your life He will help you overcome conflicts. When you submit to Christ, He will produce meekness and gentleness in your life. As the source of peace and unity, He is the opposite of selfishness and arrogance. When He controls you, you will be able to control yourself. When He controls your family, petty arguments and conflicts will disappear.
Nearly one million marriages end in divorce every year in America. That is one of our great national tragedies. Divorce is tearing the fabric of our society apart. It has even become a serious problem in many of our churches. But it does not have to be that way. Jesus said that people get divorced because of the hardness of your hearts (Matthew 19:8). This should never be the case with spirit-filled believers.
Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. But we cannot be very effective if our light has gone out and our salt has lost its flavor. We cannot hope to change the world until we change ourselves.
Getting along with others is a way of life. At times it involves denying ourselves and "turning the other cheek." Other times it involves the development of positive spiritual qualities in our lives. Whichever the case may be, you are the key to your ability to get along with others. Stop making excuses. Stop blaming someone else. You are the one who can make a difference by letting God control your life.
You can learn to get along with others. The more you do it, the more you will enjoy it. In fact, you will come to enjoy life itself in a new and fresh way. May it be said of Christians today, as it was in ancient times, "Behold, how they love one another!"
Learning to get along with others is one of the most important tasks of life. It is the key to an effective witness to a lost world.
Our world is filled with conflict. Every day we hear the news of another outbreak of violence somewhere around the world. People are in conflict with one another. Nations are at war with each other. Even families are being torn apart by internal strife and conflict.
Conflict is one of the greatest problems in the Christian church today. Believers cannot get along with each other. People are becoming divided over the most petty things. Some are upset with the music. Others don't like the color of the new carpet. Some are bothered by the deacons. Still others are angry with the pastor. All this is an indication of immaturity and carnality. It certainly is not of God.
When divisiveness grips a congregation, a church cannot experience the power and blessing of God. In my years in the ministry, I have witnessed the tragic destruction of many a church because people simply could not get along with each other. When that happens the devil has a field day, and the cause of Christ suffers.
Conflict also tears families apart. It divides husbands from wives, parents from children. It feeds on bitterness and produces rebellion. In the end it can lead to wife abuse, child abuse, teen-age runaways, divorce, and even murder.
God's ways are love, joy, peace, and patience. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will produce these qualities. When we are not, conflict will always result.
Causes of Conflict. The ultimate cause of all personal conflicts is sin. Whether the sin is selfishness, bitterness, greed, or anger, it feeds sinful attitudes and sinful behavior.
Sinful actions always produce conflict. Selfishness feeds greed and anger. Bitterness produces jealousy and contempt. One sin leads to another, and soon your life becomes cluttered with sin.
Sin complicates life. The consequences of sin complicate life terribly. Sin can result in divorce, loss of a job, illegitimate pregnancy, suicide, murder, imprisonment - the list is endless. It always leaves life in a mess. Sometimes the mess can be cleared up fairly easily, but sometimes you have to live the rest of your life with the consequences.
Resolving conflict. Solving conflicts involves decision making. You must decide that you want to resolve the conflict. Problems don't just go away by themselves. You must decide to take corrective actions to resolve and eliminate conflicts. Learn to tackle every problem God's way. This means understanding and putting into practice His principles for human cooperation.
Don't be satisfied with feeble, halfhearted efforts. Give it all you have and God will bless you for it. Don't wait for the other person to come to you. Go to him first. Take the right step. Make the first move. You will be glad you did. Try these steps first:
Acknowledge the conflict. Stop pretending nothing is wrong. Admit it to yourself first, then to the one with whom you are in conflict.
Admit your responsibility. If you are part of the conflict, you are part of the solution. Be honest. Confess your faults before you ask someone else to confess his.
Ask forgiveness. Don't assume you will be forgiven. Ask for it. Don't make excuses. Admit your part in the conflict and ask forgiveness for the wrong you have done.
Grant forgiveness. If the other person forgives you and asks you to forgive him, do it. Be willing to give to another what you are asking for yourself.
Make reconciliation. Forgiving each other is not enough. You must be reconciled to one another. Forgive and forget. Bury the past and begin to build a better relationship for the future.
The joy of fellowship. One of the great blessings of the Christian life is fellowship with other believers, building spiritual friendships with those in whom Christ lives. Genuine fellowship can occur only between true believers who are indwelt by the Spirit of God.
The biblical term for fellowship is the Greek word Koinonia, meaning "to have in common." Fellowship occurs between those who have a relationship based on commonality. For Christians this should be automatic, since we all have Christ in common. When He is in control of our lives there is no conflict.
The night before Jesus went to the Cross, He prayed for His disciples, That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us (John 17:21). Then our Lord added the powerful and convicting statement, That the world may believe that thou has sent me. Our fellowship and cooperation is essential as a testimony to a lost world. People will never believe that we know God if we cannot get along with one another.
Lack of unity and cooperation is the greatest hindrance to the spread of the gospel in the world today. We cannot win the world to Christ while we are fighting among ourselves. Yet, the Christian church is more divided and segmented today than ever. May God help us to learn what true Christian unity and fellowship are all about.
The necessity of cooperation. The local church is a spiritual family. Therefore, it must function as a family. Each of us has a place of service and responsibility. To be truly effective, and to accomplish the ministry to which we have been called, we must learn to cooperate with one another.
In his instructions to the church of Galatia, the apostle Paul wrote, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). This is the great task of the church. We are to encourage the faint-hearted, and we dare not become judgmental in the process!
God has entrusted a ministry of reconciliation to us. As we preach the gospel to the unsaved, we are to urge them to be reconciled to Christ. God has also given us a ministry of restoration. We are to rebuke, correct, and restore fellow believers who fall into sin. Ours is not a task of condemnation, but one of hope and help.
If the church is to reconcile and restore, how much more do individuals and families need to do the same. We need to learn how to get along with each other to the glory of God. You have God in your soul, Christ in your heart, the Holy Spirit in your life. There is no excuse for disunity and conflict in the Christian life. Nor is there any excuse for conflict in our churches or homes. Where Christ is in control, He produces peace, not conflict. He gives us joy, not sadness, love, not hatred. He is sufficient to meet our every need.
When you allow Christ to control your life He will help you overcome conflicts. When you submit to Christ, He will produce meekness and gentleness in your life. As the source of peace and unity, He is the opposite of selfishness and arrogance. When He controls you, you will be able to control yourself. When He controls your family, petty arguments and conflicts will disappear.
Nearly one million marriages end in divorce every year in America. That is one of our great national tragedies. Divorce is tearing the fabric of our society apart. It has even become a serious problem in many of our churches. But it does not have to be that way. Jesus said that people get divorced because of the hardness of your hearts (Matthew 19:8). This should never be the case with spirit-filled believers.
Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. But we cannot be very effective if our light has gone out and our salt has lost its flavor. We cannot hope to change the world until we change ourselves.
Getting along with others is a way of life. At times it involves denying ourselves and "turning the other cheek." Other times it involves the development of positive spiritual qualities in our lives. Whichever the case may be, you are the key to your ability to get along with others. Stop making excuses. Stop blaming someone else. You are the one who can make a difference by letting God control your life.
You can learn to get along with others. The more you do it, the more you will enjoy it. In fact, you will come to enjoy life itself in a new and fresh way. May it be said of Christians today, as it was in ancient times, "Behold, how they love one another!"
Thursday, April 13, 2006
The Necessity of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of bitterness. It will set your heart free to love again.
The longer we live, the more we may be hurt. Jesus warned His disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come (Luke 17:1).
Life is full of hurts, and it always will be. As long as you live, you will be hurt, offended, and disappointed. But you need not be alarmed. You can learn to rise above life's hurts.
Bitterness is dangerous to healthy Christian living. A bitter attitude will eat away the vitality of your spiritual life and plague your soul like a spiritual cancer. Bitterness destroys lives, families, marriages, friendships, and even churches. Nevertheless, there is a powerful cure for this dreadful scourge. That cure is forgiveness.
When we learn to forgive others, we can rise above the hurts and disappointments of life. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful forces in a believer's life. It can melt the hardest heart and clear the most clouded conscience. When used properly, forgiveness paves the way for reconciliation. It is the key to God's abundant blessings and unlocks the soul to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told His disciples how to handle the problem of hurt by learning to forgive. He said, Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him (Luke 17:3). We have two obligations when we are offended. The first is to rebuke. This is not to be a verbal blast, but a statement of honesty - "What you said really offended me." It should be given sincerely and gently in the same spirit in which you would want someone else to rebuke you. Second, we are to forgive those who repent (change their mind and actions) as a result of our rebuke. Remember, forgiveness and reconciliation is the goal of any rebuke. It takes a great deal of spiritual maturity to give and receive such a rebuke with the right heart attitude.
An unforgiving spirit. In the parable of the Unforgiving Servant, the Scripture clearly states that an unforgiving spirit is the mark of an unconverted soul. Though forgiven a 10,000-talent debt (equivalent to 10 million dollars), the servant vindictively held a 100-pence debt (less than a dollar) against his fellow servant. In the parable, the unforgiving servant was described as "wicked" and he was thrown out by his master.
True Christians are known by their forgiving spirit. We who have been forgiven a lifetime of sins by God, ought to be willing to forgive the sins and wrongs others do to us.
Jesus went as far as to say that we should forgive seven times a day if necessary. To which the disciples said to the Lord, Increase our faith (Luke 17:5). Jesus responded by telling them that if they had faith even as tiny as a grain of a mustard seed they could remove mountains. He meant that they did not need more faith; they simply needed to exercise the faith they already had. Every believer has all the faith he or she needs in order to forgive others.
Selfishness is the root of an unforgiving spirit. Selfish people are easily offended. They are quick to get angry and justify their unforgiving attitude. They think the world revolves around them. They never see themselves as God actually sees them.
Excuses for not forgiving. In our selfishness, we invent a myriad of excuses for not forgiving those who hurt us:
Revenge. I enjoy hating him. Besides, he deserves it.
Anger. I'm too upset to forgive him. He has hurt me too deeply.
Fear. If I forgive him, I'll just get hurt again.
Pride. I was right. I didn't do anything wrong; he did.
Emotion. I'm too hurt. I don't feel like forgiving.
Guilt. I can't even forgive myself, let alone him.
Worry. If I try to forgive him, I'll be misunderstood.
The ultimate excuse is I can't forgive. "I can't" really means "I won't" forgive. But if the Spirit of God lives within you, you can learn to forgive anyone. God always empowers us to do what is right. His grace is sufficient to enable us to forgive. When we do, we confirm what Christ did for us at the Cross when He died for our sins so that we might be forgiven.
The powerful and positive force of forgiveness will unlock your embittered spirit and set the power of God free in your soul. The apostle Paul said, Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (Ephesians 4:31). He went on to say that these negative emotions were to be replaced by being kind, tender, and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32).
Asking forgiveness. It takes a mature Christian to admit his failures and ask forgiveness. Immature and selfish people can never seem to bring themselves to do it. Sadly, they continue living a defeated life because of guilt and bitterness. But the solution to their struggle is only a step away. Seeking forgiveness means admitting our failures and trying to correct them.
If you know (or even suspect) that you have wronged someone, go to him and ask his forgiveness. Don't wait for him to come to you. Take the first step. Don't offer any excuses (it will offend him further). Tell him you know you have wronged him. Tell him you are sorry, and ask him to forgive you. It is that simple, and it can make all the difference in your life.
Granting forgiveness. Sometimes, granting forgiveness is more difficult than asking for it. Somehow we want to think the other person should have to ask, but he does not deserve to be forgiven. Jesus repudiated that idea when He told his disciples to forgive everyone who repents, every time.
Peter had once heard Jesus say to forgive seven times a day (see Luke 17:4). But this time He said, seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). I am sure the Lord did not mean that we are to keep count all the way to 490. He meant that we should be willing to forgive again and again, until forgiveness becomes the habit and character of our lives. If you want to learn how to get along with others, learn how to forgive.
The longer we live, the more we may be hurt. Jesus warned His disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come (Luke 17:1).
Life is full of hurts, and it always will be. As long as you live, you will be hurt, offended, and disappointed. But you need not be alarmed. You can learn to rise above life's hurts.
Bitterness is dangerous to healthy Christian living. A bitter attitude will eat away the vitality of your spiritual life and plague your soul like a spiritual cancer. Bitterness destroys lives, families, marriages, friendships, and even churches. Nevertheless, there is a powerful cure for this dreadful scourge. That cure is forgiveness.
When we learn to forgive others, we can rise above the hurts and disappointments of life. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful forces in a believer's life. It can melt the hardest heart and clear the most clouded conscience. When used properly, forgiveness paves the way for reconciliation. It is the key to God's abundant blessings and unlocks the soul to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told His disciples how to handle the problem of hurt by learning to forgive. He said, Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him (Luke 17:3). We have two obligations when we are offended. The first is to rebuke. This is not to be a verbal blast, but a statement of honesty - "What you said really offended me." It should be given sincerely and gently in the same spirit in which you would want someone else to rebuke you. Second, we are to forgive those who repent (change their mind and actions) as a result of our rebuke. Remember, forgiveness and reconciliation is the goal of any rebuke. It takes a great deal of spiritual maturity to give and receive such a rebuke with the right heart attitude.
An unforgiving spirit. In the parable of the Unforgiving Servant, the Scripture clearly states that an unforgiving spirit is the mark of an unconverted soul. Though forgiven a 10,000-talent debt (equivalent to 10 million dollars), the servant vindictively held a 100-pence debt (less than a dollar) against his fellow servant. In the parable, the unforgiving servant was described as "wicked" and he was thrown out by his master.
True Christians are known by their forgiving spirit. We who have been forgiven a lifetime of sins by God, ought to be willing to forgive the sins and wrongs others do to us.
Jesus went as far as to say that we should forgive seven times a day if necessary. To which the disciples said to the Lord, Increase our faith (Luke 17:5). Jesus responded by telling them that if they had faith even as tiny as a grain of a mustard seed they could remove mountains. He meant that they did not need more faith; they simply needed to exercise the faith they already had. Every believer has all the faith he or she needs in order to forgive others.
Selfishness is the root of an unforgiving spirit. Selfish people are easily offended. They are quick to get angry and justify their unforgiving attitude. They think the world revolves around them. They never see themselves as God actually sees them.
Excuses for not forgiving. In our selfishness, we invent a myriad of excuses for not forgiving those who hurt us:
Revenge. I enjoy hating him. Besides, he deserves it.
Anger. I'm too upset to forgive him. He has hurt me too deeply.
Fear. If I forgive him, I'll just get hurt again.
Pride. I was right. I didn't do anything wrong; he did.
Emotion. I'm too hurt. I don't feel like forgiving.
Guilt. I can't even forgive myself, let alone him.
Worry. If I try to forgive him, I'll be misunderstood.
The ultimate excuse is I can't forgive. "I can't" really means "I won't" forgive. But if the Spirit of God lives within you, you can learn to forgive anyone. God always empowers us to do what is right. His grace is sufficient to enable us to forgive. When we do, we confirm what Christ did for us at the Cross when He died for our sins so that we might be forgiven.
The powerful and positive force of forgiveness will unlock your embittered spirit and set the power of God free in your soul. The apostle Paul said, Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (Ephesians 4:31). He went on to say that these negative emotions were to be replaced by being kind, tender, and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32).
Asking forgiveness. It takes a mature Christian to admit his failures and ask forgiveness. Immature and selfish people can never seem to bring themselves to do it. Sadly, they continue living a defeated life because of guilt and bitterness. But the solution to their struggle is only a step away. Seeking forgiveness means admitting our failures and trying to correct them.
If you know (or even suspect) that you have wronged someone, go to him and ask his forgiveness. Don't wait for him to come to you. Take the first step. Don't offer any excuses (it will offend him further). Tell him you know you have wronged him. Tell him you are sorry, and ask him to forgive you. It is that simple, and it can make all the difference in your life.
Granting forgiveness. Sometimes, granting forgiveness is more difficult than asking for it. Somehow we want to think the other person should have to ask, but he does not deserve to be forgiven. Jesus repudiated that idea when He told his disciples to forgive everyone who repents, every time.
Peter had once heard Jesus say to forgive seven times a day (see Luke 17:4). But this time He said, seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). I am sure the Lord did not mean that we are to keep count all the way to 490. He meant that we should be willing to forgive again and again, until forgiveness becomes the habit and character of our lives. If you want to learn how to get along with others, learn how to forgive.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Needed: Shelter for storm victims!
Churches need to be less like national shrines and more like local bars...less like untouchable cathedrals and more like well used hospitals, places to bleed in rather than monuments to look at...places where you can take your mask off and let your hair down...places where you can have your wounds dressed.
It's like a Marine-buddy, recently turned Christian, said, as he lamented the absence of a place of refuge:
…the only thing I miss is that old fellowship all the guys in our outfit used to have down at the slop shoot… we'd sit around, laugh, tell stories, drink a few beers, and really let our hair down. It was great.
It's like a Marine-buddy, recently turned Christian, said, as he lamented the absence of a place of refuge:
…the only thing I miss is that old fellowship all the guys in our outfit used to have down at the slop shoot… we'd sit around, laugh, tell stories, drink a few beers, and really let our hair down. It was great.
But now I ain't got nobody to tell my troubles to, to admit my faults to. I can't find anybody in church who will put their arms around me and tell me I'm still okay. Man, it is kinda lonely in there!
He was looking for people who demonstrated authentic love. I found myself churning, whishing it were not so. I was hoping the new Christian was nit-picking, but he wasn't.
Stop and think.
Who cares enough to listen when we cry?
Who affirms us when we feel rotten?
Who will close their mouths and open their hearts?
And, even though we deserve a swift kick in the pants, who will embrace us with understanding and give us time to heal without quoting verses?
Without giving us cassette tapes or another type of audio of some sermons to listen to? Without telling a bunch of other Christians so they can " pray more intelligently"?
Yeah , We need more shelters for storm victims. It's okay if they look like churches on the outside, just so folks don't act churchy on the inside.
Most hurting people I meet are fed up with churchy Christians. What we really need is that special something many people find in the local bar. Put on your shock boots and see if you agree with the following comparison between the bar and the church.
The neighborhood bar is possibly the best counterfeit there is to the fellowship Christ wants us to give His Church. It's an imitation,dispensing liquor instead of grace, escape rather than reality, but it is permissive accepting, and inclusive fellowship. It is unshock-able. It is democratic. You can tell people secrets and they usually don't tell others or even want to.
The bar flourishes not because most people are alcoholics, but because God has put into the human heart the desire to know and be known, to love and be loved, and so many seek a counterfeit at the price of a few beers. With all my heart I believe that Christ wants His church to be…a fellowship where people can come in and say, " I'm sunk" " I'm beat" "I've had it!"
What if your wife is an alcoholic?
Or your son recently told you he's a practicing homosexual?
Let's say your husband just walked out…
What if your wife is an alcoholic?
Or your son recently told you he's a practicing homosexual?
Let's say your husband just walked out…
or what if he is sexually abusing your two daughters?
Or you?
Who can you turn to if you just got fired?…
or you just got out of jail?…
or your 15-year daughter told you last night that she was pregnant?…
or you beat your kids and you're scared-and ashamed?…
or you can't cope with your drug habit any longer?…
or you need professional help because you're near a breakdown?
Do you know what you need?
You need a shelter. A place of refuge.A few folks who can help you, listen to you, introduce you, once again, to "…the father of mercies, the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
Christianity may be like a "mighty army", but we often handle our troops in a weird way. We're the only outfit I've ever heard of who shoots their wounded. That's what the marine buddy was afraid of. He had had enough of getting shot. Frankly so have I.
Or you?
Who can you turn to if you just got fired?…
or you just got out of jail?…
or your 15-year daughter told you last night that she was pregnant?…
or you beat your kids and you're scared-and ashamed?…
or you can't cope with your drug habit any longer?…
or you need professional help because you're near a breakdown?
Do you know what you need?
You need a shelter. A place of refuge.A few folks who can help you, listen to you, introduce you, once again, to "…the father of mercies, the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
Christianity may be like a "mighty army", but we often handle our troops in a weird way. We're the only outfit I've ever heard of who shoots their wounded. That's what the marine buddy was afraid of. He had had enough of getting shot. Frankly so have I.
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