Matthew 6:27 “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
I just had a thought about worry and how pointless it is. It truly is a futile exercise of the mind and expends so much energy needlessly. The Lord reminds us in Matthew 6:27 that worry adds no time to our lives. Nor does worrying bring solutions to problems any sooner. It’s wiser and healthier to just trust God on the matter.
Whatever may rattle our minds today, we need only look up one or more scriptures on that very thing, strengthen our faith, and receive God’s peace. Whenever I consult the Bible, perhaps even with a short prayer to the Lord on an issue, I notice a difference in my thinking almost immediately. Yet it may take a while to actually start the process.
Nevertheless, with all those things that can present worrisome thoughts, the Lord tells us further in Matthew 6:33-34, to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” and all these things will be given to us, not worrying about tomorrow, for “tomorrow will worry about itself as each day has enough trouble of its own.”
You could be a planner like me. I like to have everything mapped out in my head or, most often, on paper. I feel a certain security in having a path to follow to reach the end goal. However, sometimes our paths might not be God’s paths, so we need to ask Him to reveal to us His ways.
In James 1:5, He tells us all we have to do is ask for His wisdom, and He’ll give it to us. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” I love how lavish and detailed God is. Not only will He give us wisdom, but He’ll give it to us generously and without fault.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I’m always asking the Lord about something, or for something, too often. I start to feel like I’m getting on His nerves. “It’s me again, Lord.” Yet I know this is what He wants for us. He tells us to ask. It is part of being in a relationship with Him. He’s our Father, so there’s no better person to consult.
I love His Hebrew name, “Peleh Yo’etz”, meaning Wonderful Counselor or Miraculous Planner! This name describes one whose wisdom and strategies are extraordinary, incomprehensible, and beyond human capability. The term Peleh indicates a miracle or marvel, while Yo’etz denotes an advisor or one who plans.
So, if you’re feeling at a loss about what to do, or pondering something you need God’s perspective on. Let me encourage you to ask away! Though God doesn’t always answer us immediately, He does provide us with His answers in His timing. He delights in helping us.
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.“
Have you ever had someone speak evil of you, even though you knew you had done no wrong? Not to mention, they just flat-out lied to others about you? Have you wanted to just give them a piece of your mind about it and attempt to correct their sin publicly to clear your name? Nevertheless, God has shown us what our Lord and Savior, who was without sin, endured in the face of ridicule and humiliation.
Who was rejected and disrespected more than Jesus during his ministry? The Gospels repeatedly show tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day—Pharisees, scribes (teachers of the law), and chief priests. They questioned Him, doubted Him, spoke of Him angrily, falsely, and plotted against Him.
I don’t know about you, but when I read about the terrible ways that men treated Jesus, who was so holy, righteous, kind, and humble, among many other wonderful things, I feel foolish anytime I feel offended or resentful for any bad behavior toward me.
It helps to remember the following instances in which Jesus encountered wrong treatment:
He was Accused of Blasphemy
Healing the paralytic (Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:21): When Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins, the teachers of the law said He was blaspheming. They believed only God could forgive sins and saw His claim as offensive.
His Association with Sinners was Criticized
Eating with tax collectors (Mark 2:15–17; Luke 5:30): The Pharisees complained that He ate with “tax collectors and sinners.” They questioned His holiness and authority.
His Authority Over the Sabbath was Challenged
Picking grain on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:23–28): The Pharisees accused His disciples of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus responded that He is “Lord of the Sabbath.”
Healing on the Sabbath (Luke 6:6–11; John 5:16): They became furious when He healed on the Sabbath. John notes they began persecuting Him because He did these things on the Sabbath.
It was Claimed His Power Came From Satan
Casting out demons (Matthew 12:22–24; Mark 3:22): The Pharisees said He drove out demons “by Beelzebul, the prince of demons.” This is one of the strongest accusations they ever made.
His Authority to Teach was Questioned
Temple confrontations (Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33): The chief priests and elders demanded to know by what authority He acted. They tried to trap Him with questions.
Plots Were Made to Kill Him
After healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:6), the Pharisees began plotting with the Herodians to kill Him.
After raising Lazarus (John 11:45–53), the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council. They decided Jesus must die because many were believing in Him.
Traps were Set to Trick Him with Questions
Paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15–22): The Pharisees plotted to trap Him in His words.
The woman caught in adultery (John 8:3–6): The teachers of the law used the woman as bait to accuse Him.
His Claims About His Identity Were Mocked
Calling Him a deceiver (Matthew 27:62–63): After His death, the chief priests and Pharisees called Him “that deceiver.”
Doubting His origins (John 7:41–52): It was argued that He couldn’t be the Messiah because He was from Galilee.
His Exposing of Hypocrisy Triggered Hostility
Woes against the Pharisees (Matthew 23): Jesus publicly rebuked them as “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” and “whitewashed tombs.” This intensified their hatred.
His Miracles and Growing Influence were Disputed
Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:39): Some of the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples for praising Him. They feared His popularity.
Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12–15): The chief priests were indignant when children shouted “Hosanna.”
His Legitimacy and Background was Questioned
Insulting Him personally (John 8:48): They said He was demon-possessed and questioned His parentage and authority.
His Teachings were Rejected
Bread of Life discourse (John 6): Many disciples turned back and no longer followed him, but the religious leaders outright rejected Him.
In light of these trials, and any other offenses Jesus’ followers will suffer, we’re taught in the Bible not to take revenge, but to “leave room for God’s wrath” as He will repay (Romans 12:19). Furthermore, in our anger, not to sin, nor let the sun go down while we’re still angry (Ephesians 4:26). Also, not to be quickly provoked in our spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). We’re encouraged to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).
It’s good to know that when experiencing the pain of betrayal, rejection, or persecution, as followers of Jesus, we can find solace in knowing “…we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). That man is Jesus Christ, the one who saved our souls and makes intercession for us. He is no longer dead but has risen and is alive forever!
In any event, I am encouraged by Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
“They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”
At some point in life, we have all experienced losing an Internet connection. It can be pretty frustrating. Not to mention losing connection with the Lord in any way. We certainly don’t want that to happen.
I asked the Lord what He would have me share today, and I was given Colossians 2:19, which speaks of those “who have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”
In Colossians 2, Paul’s goal was that his audience might be encouraged in heart and united in love. He offered a warning about people who were misleading the church with teachings that sounded “spiritual” but were actually pulling believers away from Christ. He wanted believers to have the “full riches of complete understanding,” that they may know Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Clearly, Paul wanted them to remember who they were in Christ; what He’d done for them.
Paul was concerned that people might be deceived by fine-sounding arguments, even though they were people who were disciplined and firm in their faith in Christ. He wanted to make sure that they would continue to live their lives in Him, “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith,” as they were taught. He reminded them that no one should take them “captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
How easy it could be today with so much information available to us on “spiritual” things, to embrace ideas that are totally opposed to, or maybe even similar to, but with a twist of opposition to the teachings of Christ.
Nevertheless, Paul went on to encourage their fullness in Christ, having been made alive with Him, by forgiving their sins, “canceling the charge of their legal indebtedness” which stood against and condemned them, nailing it to the cross. He highlighted their circumcision by Christ, when they had been dead in their sins, were buried and raised with Him in baptism through their faith in God, who raised Christ from the dead.
He warned not to allow people to judge them by what they ate, drank, a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. He explained that those things were a “shadow” of the things that were to come; the reality being found in Christ. Paul also warned about allowing people who delighted in “false humility and worship of angels to disqualify them”, and how those people “went into great detail about what they had seen, being puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual minds.”
Clearly, Paul was concerned about those rules that were merely human teachings, which had an “appearance of wisdom”, but self-imposed worship and false modesty, with harsh treatment of the body, yet lacked any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Paul described certain teachers who delighted in visions, strict rules, or mystical practices. The problem wasn’t only that their teachings were off—it’s that they were no longer connected to Christ, who Paul called the head. Christ is the essential source of unity and nourishment. Without Him, the body falls apart.
Anyone who abandons Christ—no matter how impressive their spiritual claims—cuts themselves off from the only true source of life and growth. The church grows spiritually because God works through Christ, not because of human-made systems or mystical experiences. Believers grow when they remain connected to Christ.
It’s true for us today that we keep our focus on Christ and stay rooted and grounded in Him, rightly dividing the Bible, so as not to be misled in our lives. The Greek word for “rightly divide” in 2 Timothy 2:15 is orthotomeō, which means to “cut straight,” “cut straight paths,” or “rightly divide”. It is a compound word formed from orthos (straight) and temnō (to cut), implying the accurate, precise handling or teaching of the word of truth.
I find comfort in knowing that God has provided the Bible with Jesus’ teachings as our guide for living. In addition, He has graciously given the outpouring of His Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth. In this glorious generosity, He has provided ways for us to avoid being misled and to stay connected to Him. We just need to pray, study, believe, and remember specifically what He said. He loves us and will certainly work with us to keep us on track.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jesus speaking to some Pharisees one day, told them that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but that He came to bring life and life more abundantly. This statement showed the beauty of His grace and mercy toward undeserving men where he offers an alternative to the evil one’s offerings whose motives are wicked.
Unfortunately, the Bible tells us the Jews who heard those words, responded with statements that He was demon possessed and mad. Yet others said those weren’t the words of a possessed man, questioning if a demon could open the eyes of the blind.
To this day, our Savior offers a unique kind of life for those who choose to accept it. It is abundant in its quantity and quality. Abundant can mean different things to different people. Yet from the Bible we know the life Jesus gives is eternal. You can’t get any greater than that–everlasting.
The Greek word for abundant in John 10:10 is perissos, which means overflowing, rich, full, extraordinary, beyond measure. This speaks to a life that is beyond what is expected or needed; not just satisfying. This life is more than sufficient but exceeding normal limits. Who wouldn’t want a life like that? Do we really understand what kind of life this is?
I’m hoping to be successful in encouraging you as a believer today to remember the type of life Jesus has provided us to possess. Of course, life on earth with all of its current challenges can be frustrating sometimes. We may become distracted focusing only on those issues that rob us of the life that entails the peace and rest Jesus made available to us. However, we can redirect our thinking with faith in the Lord’s promises.
NAHB – Hartness – Greenville, SC
In our daily prayer time, it would be helpful to ask the Lord to periodically remind us, in His own creative ways, of the abundant life we have in Him as we face each new day. We should remember that though we have trouble in this world, Jesus says He’s overcome the world (John 16:33).
Further, the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:35-39, reminds us that no trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, nor any powers, height, depth, or anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! In fact, in all these things we are more than conquerors. Now how amazingly wonderful is that to know and believe?
This abundant life that Jesus has given us also provides some wonderful work by the Holy Spirit within us like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Not to mention justification, sanctification, and healing among other things. This new life we get to experience is beyond wonderful!
My thinking on this good news is not only to know what this abundant life entails, but to recognize the tools the thief uses to hinder us from living this life as Jesus would define it. We already know that anything of this world that involves theft, murder and destruction are the work of our enemy.
We also know from Matthew 28:18-20, that since the death and resurrection of Jesus, something remarkable has happened and has given us purpose: … “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
These are Jesus’ words to live by! While the method may differ from person to person, the responsibility is foundational for all of His followers.
“He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”
December is a wonderful month to lean into God’s presence, perspectives, priorities, and purposes for us. Just what does He desire for and from us in the coming new year? The past is gone and by God’s will and grace, a blessed tomorrow awaits us. So how will we determine to proceed on earth with God’s abundant life?
With the possible entrance of December’s white cleansing snow, what things might we purge from our lives that would present a hindrance to our growth and success? What a great time it is to assess our habits, relationships, goals and overall desires for the future. Do they align with God’s plans for us? Are we seeking Him to gain His perspectives on our decisions? Or do we just want and strive for those things that interest only us? Hence, now’s the time to lean into our Creator more than ever.
Leaning in requires positioning ourselves with laser focus to hear from God clearly. More prayer, fasting, Bible study and meditating on God’s promises and instructions are likely in order. Do we have a consistent quiet time of meeting with the Lord? Are we activating the discipline of fasting? (I’ll admit I could use a lot more of that one.) Are we meditating on what God has sovereignly declared as well as taught us to do that brings glory to Him?
Now’s the time to see Bible study as paramount as it provides us more familiarity with God’s character. Just what does He specifically love or hate? What brings Him joy? By this we grow in the faith we need to navigate this life in an environment that most often functions much differently from God’s best. Leaning in strengthens us to make the right decisions being led by God’s Holy Spirit. More time with Him provides more clarity.
December is often a time that sparks awareness of the closing of one chapter, and the opening of a new one. We anticipate a better future that follows the path the Lord has ordained for each one of us. Therefore, let’s lean into God this month and recall what He has for and expects of us individually, as well as the Church, globally. Examining the Bible’s timeline and prophecies, we’re in for some incredible events ahead!
“Trust” is a very important word in the Christian life. Merriam-Webster defines trust as firm belief in the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; a person or thing in which confidence is placed.
In Psalms 25:1, the Hebrew word for “trust” is a form of the verb “batach,” meaning to secure, be confident, or rely upon. It suggests refuge in God, implying a feeling of safety and security obtained from God’s steadfastness and protection.
Today, I’m pondering David’s talk with, or prayer to, the Lord in Psalm 25, highlighting his confidence in the Lord and his statements of supplication, faith, encouragement and remembrance.
When reading this chapter, I’m reminded of the blessing of receiving and believing One who can be relied upon for the utmost trustworthiness. Isn’t it wonderful that this actually exists?
This chapter begins with David reiterating his trust in the Lord while requesting that the Lord would not allow his enemies to win or triumph over him, humiliating him. He reminds the Lord (and us) that no one who trusts in the Lord will ever be put to shame, but those who are “treacherous without a cause” will incur it. This reminds me of Proverbs 17:13 that says, “Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.”
David then declaring God as his Savior, requests God’s guidance into His truth, teaching him His ways and paths, as his hope is all day in God. We see David reiterating God’s mercy and love, asking him not to remember his rebellious ways or the sins of his youth. Citing the Lord’s goodness and uprightness, he recalls the Lord’s instruction toward sinners and his guidance and teaching of what is right, and His way, to the humble. In addition, stating that all the Lord’s ways are loving and faithful toward those who keep the requirements his covenant.
When we think of David’s story which is transparently provided for us all to read, we see some of the terrible mistakes he made in addition to his great successes. Now we see David praying, for the sake of the Lord’s name, that his iniquity (described as great) is forgiven.
David then highlights the blessings of those who fear the Lord:
God will instruct them in the way that they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.
The Lord confides in them making His covenant known to them.
Regarding David’s enemies, he acknowledges that only God can release his feet from captivity and that his eyes were ever on the Lord, asking Him to turn to him and be gracious to him. He also confesses being lonely, afflicted, troubled and in need of freedom from the anguish in his heart. David again requests God’s removal of his sins, noting the number of his enemies and the fierceness of their hate, asking God to rescue him and guard his life, declaring the Lord as His refuge.
Because of David’s hope being in the Lord, he asks that integrity and uprightness protect him. Then, in conclusion, we see David asking for the deliverance of Israel from all their troubles.
This passage shows me the sincere transparency of a man with His God. He speaks freely of all his troubles, but also godly beliefs, putting his hope and trust in the only one with the power to save him. I’m sure God loves this about David and it’s graciously recorded for us to consider.
“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:” …
The Bible doesn’t describe these things in Proverbs 30 as wise alone, but rather as extremely wise. This means they exceed the average level of wisdom, possessing good judgment and sense, and applying their knowledge and experience to achieve good results.
Ants: They are “creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer” (Proverbs 30:25). The Bible also highlights their wisdom in Proverbs 6:6-8. It speaks of how their ways are to be considered–how they have no overseer, but they store food in the winter and gather it at harvest.
They can carry 10 to 50 times their own body weight, and they have no ears, but detect vibrations in the ground using a sensory organ below their knee. Not only that, they communicate by releasing chemical signals called pheromones that act as alarm signals, food trails, or indicators of death.
As tiny as they are, ants have two stomachs, one for their own consumption and the other for storing food to share with other ants in the colony.
Remarkably, they’ve been around for 130 million years, having survived an extinction that killed the dinosaurs. A more in-depth study of these individuals reveals how wonderfully they are crafted. To us, they may seem a nuisance, but what I’ve gathered of them recently reminds me of how fascinating they actually are.
Hyraxes: They “are creatures of little power, but make their homes in crags” (Proverbs 30:26). Crags are steep, rugged masses of rock that project upward or outward from larger rocky masses, cliffs, or mountains. Hyraxes have rubbery, suction-cup-like feet for climbing, have tusk-like incisors, and live in colonies. Though they look like rodents, they are closest to the elephant family. Hyraxes are also mentioned in Psalm 104:18, where crags are described as a refuge for them.
Locusts: They “have no king, yet they advance together in ranks” (Proverbs 30:27). The Bible mentions locusts as a tool of God’s wrath and judgment, a devastating force, multiple times, particularly in the plague of locusts in Exodus 10, and the prophetic descriptions in the books of Joel and Revelation.
Lizards: Interestingly, these creatures “can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces” (Proverbs 30:28). In the Bible, this indicates how they are easily captured, yet found in high places, symbolizing the power of perseverance and ability to overcome limitations and achieve great things, even in high-status environments.
Moreover, lizards have shown how the seemingly weak or humble can demonstrate great wisdom and resilience, finding their way into positions of influence through shrewdness and an unwavering spirit.
These are just a few amazing creatures, among others, that apparently God thought interesting enough to mention in His wonderful book. They are just small masterpieces that God has so graciously given them unique qualities, and He counts them as wise. Though small, they are great at their jobs. Upon further study, you may find various other amusing things that they are all known for.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
It may seem as if it’s really impossible to forgive this time. But it’s extremely worth it. Despite how difficult it may be, it is doable. We all just need some help. We can’t do it alone. We need the supernatural help of the Lord.
We are people made of spirit, soul, and body. We have an intellect, but we also have emotions or feelings that affect our bodies. When we forgive, we release our offender of the wrong they’ve done to us and no longer hold it against them. We also release those negative emotions of anger and hurt, which translate to stress on the body.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and “members of one body,” we were “called to peace.” So, we should “let the peace of Christ rule” in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). Unforgiveness and the angst it causes do not make room for peace.
Our Wonderful Counselor (Peleh Yoetz, in Hebrew) has given us access to His Holy Spirit, who helps us to be successful in the act of forgiveness. However, forgiveness isn’t easy and in some instances feels impossible, but it is doable with the Lord’s help.
I’m reminded of two instances where I was angry and hurt in two different work situations, but because I involved God in my situation, I was able to forgive and move past the offenses. One was a supervisor who rudely disrespected me.
The one thing I didn’t do right was I refused to share the offense with him, as I didn’t want him to think I was being petty or oversensitive. Instead, I stewed in the offense, letting it replay repeatedly in my mind after I’d left the office. The Bible clearly addresses offense in Matthew 18:15-17:
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
So I decided to actively remember what my heavenly Father says about forgiveness and do something about it. I didn’t have the feeling inside to forgive because I felt justified in my anger, and could not change the way I felt at that time. However, I wanted to forgive. Yet, I chose to forgive intellectually, since I could not do so emotionally.
I knew the truth according to the Bible, but I just didn’t want to acknowledge it right away. I wanted to dwell on what was done to me in pity. However, I really didn’t want to go to bed angry and knew I had to face him again in the office the next day.
At this point, I knew I had to take those emotions to the Lord for help to change my feelings. So, before bed that night, I prayed that I’d forgive my supervisor, but asked that God would help me to truly move past it in my heart, as I had no real feelings of forgiveness. I felt the same: mad, but with the willingness to let it go. I went to sleep that night and awoke the next morning; in all honesty, with no feelings of anger. I was amazed. Also, I never told my supervisor that I had been offended by him, though I should have. However, I figured since I had forgiven him, what was the point? Yet a kind and honest talk might have helped him in the future.
Now I’m not saying this is what happens in every case of offense, as every case is different. However, we are told to forgive, so we truly can forgive in every case. God doesn’t tell us to do anything that we are unable to do. There may be other unique ways he chooses to bring about our sincere forgiveness.
In the next instance, I was new to a work environment, and the person who helped me with my new position was very curt and unpleasant in her assistance. She was offensive in her behavior, and I was warned that every new person had to incur her wrath.
However, I need to give some credit to my local church home at the time, which was very strong in teaching biblical principles for relationships. I drew from them what I had learned in our Bible studies. I found it an interesting challenge to try out these bible truths and see what I’d get.
I was determined to show her respect and kindness, and it wasn’t long before she was my best friend at that office–to the point where she invited me for dinner with her and a few neighbors at her and her husband’s home, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Turned out she was nothing like the mean woman she tried to portray herself as, and I never had another problem with her for the duration of my time with that company.
Nevertheless, this was another time where I didn’t tell her about what she did that offended me; I just treated her the opposite of the way she treated me. Yet I’m learning to become more transparent. I later found she was actually a softy inside. Sometimes, it’s not really about us being so unliked, but the person who’s being mean that has issues and needs our compassion. No doubt they need our honesty too, but only in the right spirit.
Now, of course, there may be cases of abuse where situations are handled differently. Yet the result remains the same. We must forgive. Being led by the Holy Spirit in each case of offense may require different ways of communicating. Also, one may not necessarily want or need to continue a relationship with the offender. However, unforgiveness is not an option as the teachings of Jesus require that we forgive those who have wronged us.
We can be sure there will be many times in life when we’ll be offended by others. Yet, it has been to my benefit to take every case to the Lord in prayer for His wisdom and spiritual strength in forgiving someone. He can give you the ability to forgive, release, and have peace about the offense. Just don’t try to do it alone. Let God’s Holy Spirit help you succeed, remembering, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Remarkably, we humans were created in the image of the Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. As we know, an image is a likeness of a person or thing.
And what might we gather from God’s image as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? That we share a tripartite existence, a commonality that unites us. We, His children, are spirit, soul, and body.
As we study the Bible, we begin to see that God has emotions and feelings just like we do. He feels joy, anger, gladness, and sadness, among other things. He has many ways about Him, and we are blessed to even know Him, not to mention be called His children and heirs. Do we realize the magnitude of such a wonder?
We were actually given the ability to be reborn of the Spirit and to receive forgiveness of all of our sins. We have been redeemed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we are now His.
He graciously shares His eternal life as well as the fruit of His Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Our God is love, and His image reflects it as should ours. In His Bible, we are told in 1 Corinthians 13 that: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This essence, or some would say commitment, called love, is unmatched.
When God created mankind, He didn’t intend for them to sin and be separated from God. Likewise, he never desired the act of rebellion from any of His angels. However, it occurred because He’s given us the will to choose.
Would we have our children love us as puppets manipulated with strings? No. We’d prefer a free will of love toward us from those we hold dear, not adoration or intimacy we’ve programmed or forced.
As we desire companionship, fellowship, love, respect, and attention, so does our Dad. Moreover, He desires to be involved in our decision-making, as we sometimes want our involvement in others’. Thankfully, He generously shares His wisdom, along with His fruit of patience and self-control, as we proceed by faith toward a blessed outcome.
Should we desire to be like anyone, it is surely our heavenly Father–living consistently, with the fruit of His Holy Spirit, being whoever we are, and doing whatever we do, with love.
Ms. Rita's Minute 