Sunday, March 16, 2014

Tired and Weary?

Psalm 69:3
I am exhausted from shouting for help; my throat is sore; my eyes grow tired of looking for my God. 

Have you ever felt the despair that David felt during his persecution.  Things can go wrong when you least expect them and without any wrongdoing on your part.  Finding yourself in the midst of a battle or a number of battles calling for Christ and waiting for an answer that doesn't seem to come can be discouraging.  It is during such difficulty that we can begin to experience sadness, anger, doubt, and so forth.  Looking up towards heaven becomes seemingly impossible so our eyes also become weary.   This is a reminder that our belief is founded in faith; we simply believe God to be present even when it doesn't seem he is there.  We believe because we know that in the end, God shows up and saves the day.  He rescues us from our sorrow and fills us with his joy.   Yes we can grow tired and weary, but Christ shows up and fills us with the power of his Spirit, renewing our strength so that we can continue to carry out his purpose in our lives.  Praise the Lord!  Just a little advice to go! 

Monday, March 10, 2014

Forgive Me!

1 John 1: 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Recently, I sat at a meeting listening to a colleague express his sadness over the reality that he may have offended others.  He explained that it was never his intent to offend and asked for forgiveness.  Most in the room didn't see this coming and looked surprised but touched.  Someone offered to close the meeting with prayer and prayed for everyone in the room but most importantly for our colleague.

Amazing how the words "forgive me" can have such an impact on others and how releasing the burden of our mistakes, whether simple or significant, can help us.  God calls us to confess our sins to him seeking forgiveness from those we have offended.  He asks this because he understands that sincere repentance will not only lift our burdens, but will empower us with courage.  Taking that step, provides others with the opportunity to lift their burden by being granted the opportunity to forgive.   It isn't just about our sin, but helping others recover from the impact of that sin.  The next time you feel the conviction of having done wrong, remember to confess it to the Lord and to ask for forgiveness.  Just a little advice to go!