Category: Prayers For Forgiveness

Godly Living Alone Does Not Equate To Living Longer

On By tgifmastermindsIn Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Forgiveness, Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For Strength, Tools For Missionaries6 Comments

Perhaps you are numbered among those persons who believe that living a Christian Christlike-Life leads to a longer life existence here on earth.  And there is nothing wrong in thinking in this manner.

But, according to biblical scripture, it is an illusion.  What the word of God teaches is that, yes, he requires various distinguishing moral features to be visible in one’s character, while also allowing each of us to develop our own attitude and outlook on life.  Both of these two factors; God’s moral features plus man’s attitude towards godly living, can lead to a fruitful and productive life. Thus, the latter part of that last sentence has a profound bearing on one’s life expectancy.

Let’s discuss your attitudes towards life’s predicaments.  Do you suck on a sour lemon or do you make sweet lemonade?

Let me see…just how should I approach this situation!

Here is a hint! Ask yourself this question…”Is the life I am living now, which directs me on a path of righteousness and godly deeds (WWJD) lead me to glory, and also be acceptable in God’s sight? Or will my actions leading up to my demise bring glory to God or contribute to fuel for the eternal fire?” To find your answer, study the lives of the two thieves hanging on their crosses along side of Christ Jesus at Calvary. Consider their attitudes towards to receive or to deny what Jesus was proposing.

Both thieves were guilty of living a life of crimes that were worthy of death and were in the process of paying their debts. But according to scripture, one went on to glory and the other went to Hades. Both thieves received judgment that largely depended upon their own attitudes and outlook on life.

To Believe or not to believe…that is the question! Read the true story below.

In my early days of ministering as an international missionary, I had my doubts as to whether the Lord would provide all of my needs while on these tedious journeys to strange lands. I complained a lot. I whined about not having the necessary supplies to perform the task at hand. I harbored anger and dismay at the disorderly conduct of some of the orphan children and staff members that I had to work with. I cried at night in my pillow at how my Good Lord had allowed these helpless suffering people to survive in such deplorable conditions. (Yes, I was on a godly mission, but harbored a faithless attitude.) My faithless actions were an abomination to our Lord and Savior and His Spirit said to my spirit in a still small voice that if I didn’t get my act together, He would send me home (back to America) in a box.

I Got The Message…I made lemonade!

I subsequently got my act together and prayed this prayer: Yes…yes…yes Holy Spirit! I am so very glad that you have not abandoned me and have shown me that Jesus Christ and He alone is the One in Whom I can put my trust. Please help me to rely upon His promises and nothing less. I thank and praise you mightily that you have made my heart realize that God will never leave nor forsake me no matter what situation I find myself in. Amen

Scripture Lesson: “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

God Allows Everyone An Opportunity To Reconcile

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Forgiveness, Scriptures for Reconcilation7 Comments

                    

“Be ye Reconciled especially during this Christmas Season”

Let’s bow our heads in a formal word of prayer to Our Father Who is in Heaven before we start expounding on why we should all take advantage of opportunities to be reconciled to one another.

“Dear Heavenly Father, our fervent prayers today are being sent up to You, imploring You to make true reconciliation possible between all ethnic groups in the world and that this reconciliation will definitely endure so that Your everlasting peace will once again rule in the hearts of men.  Amen.

First off, let’s all admit that there have been moments in our lives where we have caused dissention, disagreement, discourse, defeat, discouragement, disbandment, and dissatisfaction, etc., etc., etc., to someone else.  But nevertheless, since those midlife encounters, we have neither looked back to examine our ‘triumphs’ nor repented if and/or when your conscious prompted you to do so.  (I’m not just preaching to the choir, I’m talking about myself, too.)

May I suggest, that during this sacred time of giving gifts known as the Christmas Season, you give Christ Jesus a gift of reconciliation (since, after all, it is HIS birthday and not ours).  We can physically type or write a letter of remorse for a wrong committed to someone that you will name in the letter.  Put down in writing the very words you want to say to that person you harmed that would be pleasing to God and that would free you from your stains of guilt.

Below are a few Bible verses expressing Self-remorse:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,…”  Acts 3:19
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14
 “..leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”  Matthews 5:24
 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?  Romans 11:15
“ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.  And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God was making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf:  Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Corinthians 5:18-21

A true story…

Many years ago, while teaching some clergy members, Sunday School teachers, and many other adults in a remote South Africa city called Kafue, outside of Lusaka, my lesson was taken from Matthews 5:24. I was speaking on reconciliation because since 1995, most South Africans (white and Black) annually celebrate December 16 as a special holiday called Day of Reconciliation or Day of The Vow which was the year Apartheid ended.

Although I was teaching the class in English, I had an African interpreter and translator. Seemingly, my teaching was upsetting an older sage/teacher in the audience. He had been accompanied to the class by a younger male relative who was frantically trying to calm him down. I finally had to stop teaching and I asked my interpreter to go over and ask the gentleman what was disturbing him. The translator reported that the gentleman was at a loss as to how to reconcile with his neighbor as to the atrocity he had committed against him, since he had ate ‘it’. Needing clarification, I went over to the young man and asked him to please get a better understanding from his grandfather. Finally, the young man reported to me and the class that his grandfather (who had tears in his eyes) had reported that he had stolen some chickens from his neighbor and had fed them to his family. Since he had now consumed all the meat, how could he right the wrong he had committed against his neighbor.

Boy, oh boy, I found myself speechless. So I sent up a quick prayer to Heaven and instantly the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Tell the ole gentleman that the Lord sees his heart and all is forgiven.” Hallelujah! The Lord paid it all! The young man repeated my blessing from on High and the whole class shouted with joy and broke out in singing!!!

To Be Reconciled With God…What a Time…What a Time!!

Scripture Lesson: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

God’s Aroma Of Christ Is You!

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For ForgivenessLeave a comment
My daddy, smells like Jesus.

I am sure during your lifetime, dear readers, you have heard someone use at least one of the following idioms referencing the nose:

  • Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face
  • Have Your Nose in the Air
  • It’s No Skin Off My (Your) Nose (Back)
  • Keep Your Nose Clean
  • On the Nose
  • Powder One’s Nose
  • Right Under (One’s) Nose
  • Rub Someone’s Nose in (Something)
  • Stick Your Nose into Something
  • Have a Nose for (Something)

Well, while reading and meditating over 2 Corinthians 2:1-17, the Holy Spirit allowed me to obtain a more profitable understanding of God’s holy Word as recorded by the Apostle Paul. The entire chapter demonstrates that Paul is a peace maker extraordinaire.

To briefly summaries Chapter 2…

The Apostle Paul has written a letter to the Church at Corinth, rather than making a second personal visit, suggesting (no imploring) that they consider forgiving a church member who had been spreading lies about him and the way he demonstrates his faith in Jesus Christ. The troublemaker was saying that Paul preaches out of both sides of his mouth and seemingly, the members of the Church at Corinth believed those lies and were forming negative opinions about the character of Paul.

In the letter, Paul is explaining why he has chosen not to make a second visit in person as promised, because he is still feeling some pain about how members of the Church of Corinth so readily embraced the untruths of the troublemaker. Paul also feels that perhaps the Church members may also need some space. So, Paul is explaining in his letter that he does not desire that the perpetrator be punished for his actions, and if the Church forgives the man, then Paul will also forgive him because that is exactly what Christ would do. Paul reminds the congregation that nobody wants to give Satan another opportunity to wreck havoc in the family of God.

The nose, nose…

Now this is the beautiful part of Paul’s letter. Paul explains to the Corinth Church that as we grow in grace in Jesus Christ, He matures us and gives us victory in our endeavors (battles) on His behalf. The Holy Spirit also gives us inexplicable knowledge of Himself and breathes within us an exquisite aroma that only His true followers can spread abroad. This sweet scent ascends all the way up to Glory which God recognizes and rewards with dispensing eternal life. Other brothers and sisters who are walking in the light recognize the scent, too, and rejoice. But those on the road to destruction smell the stench of a dead man walking.

What aroma is in your nostrils?…

I don’t know about you, but when I was a child, my nickname was ‘Cry Baby’, because somebody was always hurting my feelings. And I was also the last one picked on anybody’s team when my siblings and friends played games. I wanted everybody to like me, and when they didn’t, I pouted. I was also very gullible as a child and believed people when I should have been more discerning. But thanks be to God and my Sunday School teacher. They both taught me how to pray. Little by little, I learned to depend on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit did the rest. During middle school and high school I met new friends and because of my good grades, art talents and I also want to add my ‘giving’ spirit, I was well on my way to trusting and serving the Lord. I guess I just “smelled” good.

There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in the air. Where of, I am glad.

My prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your sweet presence in my life when I was lost, self-centered, and without hope. Please forgive me for my inherent ignorance of the gospel of Jesus Christ which you have written on the tablets of all of our hearts. I praise you, Holy Father, for coming into my life and opening doors that nobody can shut and for lifting me above the enemies of this world. Help me, Lord Jesus, to remember to thank you for every blessing You so willing bestow upon me and everyone who can relate to this blog revelation. For we are all so undeserving of the ultimate sacrifice you made on our behalf. We ask all of these blessings in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen and Amen.

Scripture Lesson: “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manger…Me!

God’s Laws Matter

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Forgiveness, Prayers For New Beginnings, Prayers For Spiritual Growth3 Comments

Do you believe that prayer changes things? I do! That’s why, when consoling my family members, friends or acquaintances after learning about what ails them, I often ask them that same question. Most of the time their response is, ‘yes…but’. Next, I usually hear replies, or shall I say excuses, of why things just didn’t work out.

Now, about this time, I can see that my work is cut out for me. So, I must tread lightly. Generally, I pose questions that generate a response that the person really wants my help or opinion concerning the matter they are dealing with. I might throw in a joke or two, that signals to them that together, we can come up with a workable solution. But the biggest help I depend on are the lyrics to Nina Simone’s song. Just click the website below, close your eyes, pat your foot, and enjoy the beat:

Nina Simone The High Priestess of Soul 1980s US Mini Poster For Sale

50+NOW PLAYINGMix – Nina Simone – Cum By H’ Yere (Good Lord)YouTube

After hearing Nina’s message silently in my heart, and sending up my own quick prayer, I re-introduce my ‘charge‘ to the Master of all things that seem impossible. Gently, I began to explain the obstacles that arise in our daily lives that can so easily fracture our relationship with God. I remind them that sometimes our own unconfessed or deliberate sins can build up an unimpeachable wall that can prevent a prayer from getting through. For as you know, the society that we live in today can fool a person into thinking that what actually is wrong and not pleasing to God, is right in man’s eyes. While at the same time those things that are right is foolishness and non beneficial to you. Sadly, Christians have all too often become used to this way of living.

So, if the person you are consoling is honest and agrees with your message this far, you may want to encourage them to voice out loud any areas in their immediate life where unconfessed situations have not been brought to the throne of grace. Encourage them to deal with those things first. Ask them if you can help them to pray about these conditions prior to lifting up their most recent cares to the Lord. You will want to emphasize that God’s laws and precepts do matter and that they do play an important part when expecting new mercies and new blessings. God wants us to obey his word and commandments because this type of discipline keeps us close to him.

Offer yourself to others and let them know that you are available as a support friend that they can come to for encouragement and strength without fear of condemnation. Invite them to engage in a bible study group or offer them a devotional book for spiritual instructions. Let them know that staying connected to righteous living and unwavering faith is not easy. Share some of your own missteps that will foster hope and reassurance.

In conclusion, following is a suggested prayer model: “Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive your child for becoming so accustomed to this world that unconfessed sins and misdeeds no longer seemed offensive or disturbing to You. Please, Lord, show us through Your Word and the examples of Jesus Christ, Your will for our lives. More particularly, Dear Jesus, please lead and guild ________________ during these turbulent times. I ask all these blessings in the Precious Name of Christ Jesus. Amen!”

Scripture Lesson: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!