How to Let Go of Past Hurts
by Rick Warren
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (NLT)
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First, relinquish your right to get even. Leave that up to God; he’ll take care of it (Romans 12:19).
I’ve been married for thirty years and I’m ashamed to say, I’ve hurt my wife many times. But after thirty years, we’re still together and more in love than ever before. Why? Because it’s not hurt that destroys relationships, it’s an unwillingness to forgive. We’re human; we’re going to hurt each other. But the question is, will you give up your right to get even? And will you offer forgiveness? When you do, any hurt can be overcome.
Second, respond to evil with good. How can you tell when you’ve released somebody, when you’ve completely forgiven them? You can actually pray for God to bless the person who hurt you. The Bible says we should overcome evil with good, praying for those who hurt us (Romans 12:21; Matthew 5:44).
Third, repeat these steps as long as necessary. Forgiveness is rarely a one-time shot. When somebody hurts you, we tent to think about it over and over and over. How often do you have to forgive the person? The Apostle Peter once asked Jesus, “‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” (Mathew 18:21-22 NIV). In other words, it needs to be continual, limitless; we shouldn’t even try to count the times we forgive, just as Jesus doesn’t count the times he forgives us.
Fourth, begin telling others about God’s forgiveness. The Bible says, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20 NLT).
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Practice Makes Peaceful
Verse For The Day
“ I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
Practice Makes Peaceful
Philippians 4:9 NIV: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Playing on the piano is easy. Playing the piano well, takes a great deal of practice. Even after a year of piano lessons, I still fumble and fail—and the results are easy to hear. Becoming a Christian is easy. Living the Christian life takes dedication, devotion, daily seeking, and a heart that is willing to remain in Christ. It seems so many try to live as Christians as though one year of lessons is enough. It is not enough to hear about stepping out in faith, or to hear about victory that comes when trusting Jesus with everything; we must put these Biblical principles into practice. Practice will not make us perfect here, but as we remain in Christ, practice will bring us peace in the meantime.
“ I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
Practice Makes Peaceful
Philippians 4:9 NIV: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Playing on the piano is easy. Playing the piano well, takes a great deal of practice. Even after a year of piano lessons, I still fumble and fail—and the results are easy to hear. Becoming a Christian is easy. Living the Christian life takes dedication, devotion, daily seeking, and a heart that is willing to remain in Christ. It seems so many try to live as Christians as though one year of lessons is enough. It is not enough to hear about stepping out in faith, or to hear about victory that comes when trusting Jesus with everything; we must put these Biblical principles into practice. Practice will not make us perfect here, but as we remain in Christ, practice will bring us peace in the meantime.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Why Must We Forgive?
Why Must We Forgive?
by Rick Warren
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
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We have to forgive the people who’ve hurt us, and it has nothing to do with whether or not that person deserves forgiveness. They don’t deserve forgiveness, but then, we don’t deserve it either.
We forgive those who’ve hurt us because God forgives us for how we’ve hurt him. To be honest, the reason we often have a hard time forgiving others is because we don’t feel forgiven ourselves.
But when Jesus died on the cross he paid the penalty for every sin that you or I ever committed or will ever commit. And if we’re going to be forgiving people, we first need to accept God’s forgiveness that comes from Jesus Christ.
Also, we should forgive knowing we will need God’s forgiveness sometime in the future. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).
Carrying a grudge just keeps us stuck in the past, and when we’re stuck in the past, we’re controlled by the past. Our unforgiveness can control us. The Bible says, “Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple” (Job 5:2 NLT).
The Bible also says that only the foolish harbor a grudge (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Accept forgiveness from God and give forgiveness to others.
by Rick Warren
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
We have to forgive the people who’ve hurt us, and it has nothing to do with whether or not that person deserves forgiveness. They don’t deserve forgiveness, but then, we don’t deserve it either.
We forgive those who’ve hurt us because God forgives us for how we’ve hurt him. To be honest, the reason we often have a hard time forgiving others is because we don’t feel forgiven ourselves.
But when Jesus died on the cross he paid the penalty for every sin that you or I ever committed or will ever commit. And if we’re going to be forgiving people, we first need to accept God’s forgiveness that comes from Jesus Christ.
Also, we should forgive knowing we will need God’s forgiveness sometime in the future. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).
Carrying a grudge just keeps us stuck in the past, and when we’re stuck in the past, we’re controlled by the past. Our unforgiveness can control us. The Bible says, “Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple” (Job 5:2 NLT).
The Bible also says that only the foolish harbor a grudge (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Accept forgiveness from God and give forgiveness to others.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Daily Devotion - Without Love
Verse For The Day
“For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
Without Love
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
We face a never-ending struggle to find a certain feeling of being satisfied with who we are. So much of what we do is motivated by a desire to gain something for ourselves, and it is a hard thing to set aside that part of us controlled by our flesh in order that we might be more like Jesus. The mind of Christ is selfless and is always seeking what is best—not just for self, but for others. Yet our insatiable desire to shine, to be the best, or get the appreciation and applause of others can greatly harm our effectiveness in loving others as Jesus did. Even what we may see as the noblest things (serving others, ministry, witnessing, etc.), can become an avenue for self-glorification if we are not careful. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul warns of the dangers in using the gifts God has given for reasons other than love. Just as it was in his day, it is still so today—we can do many things that seem right, and good and honorable. We can witness, preach, share, serve, tithe, and teach. But it all means nothing if we are motivated by anything other than a genuine and Christ like love for those to whom God sends us.
“For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
Without Love
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
We face a never-ending struggle to find a certain feeling of being satisfied with who we are. So much of what we do is motivated by a desire to gain something for ourselves, and it is a hard thing to set aside that part of us controlled by our flesh in order that we might be more like Jesus. The mind of Christ is selfless and is always seeking what is best—not just for self, but for others. Yet our insatiable desire to shine, to be the best, or get the appreciation and applause of others can greatly harm our effectiveness in loving others as Jesus did. Even what we may see as the noblest things (serving others, ministry, witnessing, etc.), can become an avenue for self-glorification if we are not careful. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul warns of the dangers in using the gifts God has given for reasons other than love. Just as it was in his day, it is still so today—we can do many things that seem right, and good and honorable. We can witness, preach, share, serve, tithe, and teach. But it all means nothing if we are motivated by anything other than a genuine and Christ like love for those to whom God sends us.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Daily Ponder
Verse For The Day
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
We Wrestle Not
Ephesians 6:12 KJV: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
What we wrestle against, as Paul writes, are principalities, powers, "the rulers of the darkness of this world," and "spiritual wickedness in high places." Or do we? That is, do we wrestle? Do we struggle against the things of this world that oppose God? Do we fight to be holy, to "throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles?" Do we wrestle against that which is ungodly, or threatens to bring ungodliness into our lives, the lives of others, or into the church? We are told in Hebrews, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (4:12). How far are we willing to go to rid ourselves of the things that cause us and others to stumble? Do we find we often selfishly give into our whims and wants from day to day? Or do we wrestle?
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
We Wrestle Not
Ephesians 6:12 KJV: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
What we wrestle against, as Paul writes, are principalities, powers, "the rulers of the darkness of this world," and "spiritual wickedness in high places." Or do we? That is, do we wrestle? Do we struggle against the things of this world that oppose God? Do we fight to be holy, to "throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles?" Do we wrestle against that which is ungodly, or threatens to bring ungodliness into our lives, the lives of others, or into the church? We are told in Hebrews, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (4:12). How far are we willing to go to rid ourselves of the things that cause us and others to stumble? Do we find we often selfishly give into our whims and wants from day to day? Or do we wrestle?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Verse For The Day
Verse For The Day
“My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” (Psalm 62:7)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
The Standard
Revelation 3:15-16 NIV: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Am I hot or cold? Am I lukewarm? Perhaps the first question to ask would deal with what standard I am using to determine if I am hot, or cold, or lukewarm. Do I use my church as a standard? It was the entire church of Laodicea that was considered lukewarm. Many churches today "teach as doctrine the traditions of men." The church has members who are Christ-like, but the church itself is not the standard to look to. Do I use my own understanding as the standard? My understanding may be influenced by "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 Jn. 2:16), or the "worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" (Mt. 13:22). Scripture tells me not to trust my own understanding but to trust God (Prov. 3:5-6). The only standard is Christ. Only in looking to Him will I avoid a lifestyle that has" a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim 3:5). Once we acknowledge Him as the standard, we have a decision to make—will I "throw off everything that hinders" (Heb. 12:1-3) so I can follow Him fully, or will I be content to remain lukewarm?
“My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” (Psalm 62:7)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
The Standard
Revelation 3:15-16 NIV: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Am I hot or cold? Am I lukewarm? Perhaps the first question to ask would deal with what standard I am using to determine if I am hot, or cold, or lukewarm. Do I use my church as a standard? It was the entire church of Laodicea that was considered lukewarm. Many churches today "teach as doctrine the traditions of men." The church has members who are Christ-like, but the church itself is not the standard to look to. Do I use my own understanding as the standard? My understanding may be influenced by "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 Jn. 2:16), or the "worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" (Mt. 13:22). Scripture tells me not to trust my own understanding but to trust God (Prov. 3:5-6). The only standard is Christ. Only in looking to Him will I avoid a lifestyle that has" a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim 3:5). Once we acknowledge Him as the standard, we have a decision to make—will I "throw off everything that hinders" (Heb. 12:1-3) so I can follow Him fully, or will I be content to remain lukewarm?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Daily Ponder
Verse For The Day
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:4)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
Seeking His Truth
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Ever wonder why it is that the Bible changes over time? Of course that is not true. God´s Word remains constant. What changes are the eyes through which the scripture is viewed—the minds in which the scripture is interpreted. Does it make sense to us to consider the interpretation of generations of Christians gone by as being interpretations that have missed the mark? What makes us believe our generation knows better than they? Truth be told, there is much interpretation being done that is heavily influenced by selfish desire and societal influence. I once heard a woman refer to Paul as a chauvinist. Could her viewpoints of Paul´s letters possibly have been clouded by societal influence? Most likely so. As we approach God´s Word, we must be willing to abandon all we think we know and discover His Truth as His Spirit would reveal it. We cannot let the world around us dictate how God´s Word should be understood; but we must let God´s Word be the measure by which we understand the world.
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:4)
Short Devotional Thought
Our Daily Devotional:
Seeking His Truth
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Ever wonder why it is that the Bible changes over time? Of course that is not true. God´s Word remains constant. What changes are the eyes through which the scripture is viewed—the minds in which the scripture is interpreted. Does it make sense to us to consider the interpretation of generations of Christians gone by as being interpretations that have missed the mark? What makes us believe our generation knows better than they? Truth be told, there is much interpretation being done that is heavily influenced by selfish desire and societal influence. I once heard a woman refer to Paul as a chauvinist. Could her viewpoints of Paul´s letters possibly have been clouded by societal influence? Most likely so. As we approach God´s Word, we must be willing to abandon all we think we know and discover His Truth as His Spirit would reveal it. We cannot let the world around us dictate how God´s Word should be understood; but we must let God´s Word be the measure by which we understand the world.
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