To forgive is to let go of the past. Seek forgiveness. Give forgiveness. Move ahead.

The more you forgive others, the more you will enjoy the forgiveness that the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ provides ( Luke 6:37; Matthew 6:14-15).

There is great danger in holding on to resentment, anger, hatred and bitterness. These things eat away at the souls of people, robbing them of joy and also robbing them of their effectiveness as Christ’s disciples. Holding on to these dangerous attitudes and behaviours can do great harm to people’s bodies, emotions, and relationships. Resentment, anger, hatred and bitterness also drain people’s energy, holding them back from fully enjoying God’s blessings.

I know a lot of athletic people. Some of them train hard and compete fearlessly. But they sabotage their full potential because they have “monkeys on their backs”- addictions, psychological flaws, bad company- to name a few. If you want to achieve your best, if you truly want to be healthy, moving freely in God’s love- wilfully choose to forgive (Philippians 3:13-14).

The more you hold onto unforgiveness towards a person who has hurt, rejected, betrayed, or caused you emotional pain or sorrow, the more you will suffer as you remain focussed on- and tied to- that person. Let go! That is the only way to let God deal with that person, to heal you, and to help you move forward. Let go of that bondage, moving forward with Christ-focussed love, courage, peace within your soul, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Forgiveness is an act of your will. As God moves and motivates you (Philippians 2:13), ask Him to empower you to forgive- to forgive yourself and to forgive others (Psalm 51, Matthew 6:12). And a reminder- we will find it easier to forgive when we are in consistent, loving Christian fellowship.

As you reflect on forgiveness, mediate prayerfully on other passages of Scripture, including John 15:12-17; Ephesians 4:31-32; Philippians 3:12-14; Colossians 3:12-14. 

Together on this journey with you, Steve Bligh.

Wisdom & Work

Wise people are diligent in their work. Proverbs 6:6 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! “(Prov. 10:4 ). “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son” .

Diligence and laziness are key topics in Proverbs. God is a worker & He expects his people to be workers also. Solomon makes it clear that God has nothing good to say about careless and lazy people.

Wise people are working people, people who make the most of their opportunities and who carry their share of the load. It’s our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. Whether it’s serving in music, cleaning, serving morning teas or leading, praying or Bible reading we ought to be preparing and doing our very best for Jesus in the Body of Christ – His Church!!

Are you involved in ministry (Christian Service)?  If not,why not? See Tony or one of the Wardens to see how you can be involved in God’s Church here at Jamberoo Anglican

The Christian life is not easy, but there is no better way, no greater adventure, & no more fulfilling life on earth.

If you have been watching hours of TV every day you have time to read the Bible & talk to God for 20 minutes. Maybe, you have time to serve the church family in some way.

If you have been overspending money on recreational pursuits then the chances are you have enough to give more for the Lord’s work.

Listen to the words of Jesus Matt 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This is a promise that if we put Jesus first & want what He want,  we will never be shortchanged or never be troubled with worry or anxiety.

It takes faith & courage to say No to temptation & our own selfishness.

But to say Yes in seeking Jesus’ Kingdom first will always bring blessing to us & others & what’s more bring glory to God.

Every morning ask God to live in you & work through you to make you sensitive to the Lord’s desires. It’s a daily surrender where you win!

Tony

Wisdom & Marriage Proverbs 5

One Woman Man

A one-woman man or a one-man woman may not necessarily sound exciting to some, but God promises his model of marriage is more satisfying & fulfilling than any one-night stand. Solomon basically wants to tell us Sexual Sin Is eventually disappointing (Proverbs 5).

When married people honour and respect sex as God instructs them in His Word, they can experience increasing enjoyment and enrichment in their intimacy. But when people break the rules, the result is just the opposite. They experience disappointment and disillusionment and have to search for larger “doses” of sexual adventure in order to attain the imaginary pleasure level they’re seeking.

God created sex not only for reproduction but also for enjoyment, and He didn’t put the “marriage wall” around sex to rob us of pleasure but to increase pleasure and protect it.

Wise up & value your married partner.                                                                                                          

Tony