Making a Real Apology

My parents taught me to say, “I’m sorry” as I grew up.  Now that I’m an adult I want to know how to make a real apology when I hurt someone.  How should I apologize?

That’s a great question.  Christians should be experts at apologizing.  It will keep you humble and prevent you from doing hurtful things.

A real apology does not…

• A real apology does not blame the one you hurt.  This is not an apology: “I’m sorry my words hurt your feelings but you were really getting on my nerves.”
• A real apology does not accuse the other person of being too sensitive.  This is not an apology: “I’m sorry you were offended by my actions.”
• A real apology does not make excuses for your offense.  This is not an apology: “I’m sorry I hit you but I was tired and hungry.”
• A real apology does not make promises you cannot keep.  This is not an apology: “I’m sorry and I promise to never hurt you again.”

A real apology does...

• A real apology does admit that you were wrong.  This is a real apology: “I was wrong.”
• A real apology does accept responsibility for offending the other person.  This is a real apology: “I was wrong to treat you like I did.”
• A real apology does recognize the pain you caused the one you hurt.  This is a real apology: “I was wrong to say what I said.  I should not have hurt you like that.”
• A real apology does keep the message simple.  This is a real apology: “I was wrong to disrespect you as I did.  I must have hurt your feelings.  Will you forgive me?”

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QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Is it easy for you to say, “I was wrong”?  Why?

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Tired, Worn Out, Exhausted

Pastor Mark, I am tired of religion.  I’m worn out and exhausted trying to please God.  What can I do?

Listen to Jesus’ invitation to people like you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Jesus invites you to come to him.

Jesus invites the burdened to come to him. You come to him when you sense your spiritual sickness.  The first step to take toward Jesus Christ is a frank and humble admission that you need him.

Jesus took the burden of your sin when he died on the Cross.  If you come to him, he will give you rest — a full and free forgiveness.  You must not stumble over the simplicity of this invitation; all you need to do to receive his rest is to say, “Yes” to his invitation.

Jesus invites you to receive his yoke.

When you come to Christ, he first eases your burden and then places his tailor-made yoke on you in its place.  Receiving Christ’s yoke means you become his disciple — you must surrender your mind and will to his divine authority.

Christ’s yoke is easy because it fits you perfectly with God’s burden of love.   You will be filled with love for Jesus and the people he puts in your life.

Jesus offers the same gift through both invitations—rest for our souls.

The way to find rest is to lose your burden at the cross and then allow Christ to put his burden on you instead.

Many people make the mistake of assuming the gospel is a command rather than a free invitation.  Jesus came with an invitation not a list of religious rules and rituals.

Accepting his invitation is like traveling to a new city with a friend who knows the way.  Jesus invites you to travel with him.  He does not give you turn-by-turn directions with a map just to send you on your way with a pat on the back.  Jesus invites you to live life with him – to let him give you turn-by-turn directions right there with us!  All you need to do is line your will up with his so you turn the way he tells you to turn, go straight when he says go straight and make U-turns when he tells you need to turn around.

Jesus came into time and space with an invitation not with another list of religious rules and rituals.  He is waiting for your response — will you come to him?

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Have you said, “Yes” to Jesus’ invitation?  How did he give you rest?

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Obeying Jesus

What’s involved in obeying Jesus?

Faithfully obeying Jesus involves the following.

• Obeying Jesus is about what you DO not what you SAY.  Actions always speak louder than words.

“What do you think?  There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’  ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.  “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.  He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.  “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”  “The first,” they answered.  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:28-31)

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• Faithfully obeying Jesus is the proper response to his AUTHORITY.  It grows out of respect for and trust in him.
• Dependably obeying Jesus involves doing what he teaches regardless of what you HAVE or DON’T HAVE.  The original apostles and church members did not have computers, cell phones, airplanes or a Bible to carry.  However, they turned the Roman Empire on it’s head in less than one hundred years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Obeying Jesus is a matter of sharing what you KNOW with those who don’t KNOW.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  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.”  (Matthew 28:16-20)

• Sincerely obeying Jesus doesn’t delay but takes action NOW!
• In the case of true obedience, you can be too PREPARED.
• Real obedience knows that unanswered questions and doubts are NO EXCUSE to stay put.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What are you doing this week to obey Jesus?

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Something Important Happened Today

A few years ago, I read a post on Ordinary Attempts, by Carmen Andres, that prompted these thoughts on what is truly important.

My perspective on the important events of life is distorted.

When I hear that something important happened in the world today, I often wondered what news item I had missed.  “Was there an earthquake?  Was there a turning point in the war on terror?  Did scientists find a cure for cancer?  What big event have I failed to spot?”

God’s outlook stands in contrast to my inclination.

He looks for simple, ordinary acts of service done by His people.

• When a Christian helps a neighbor with a chore, God’s kingdom of love and grace expands.
• When one of His children takes the time to listen to someone, Jesus touches the speaker.
• When you hold the door for another person entering a store with you, the Holy Spirit is free to work in his or her life.
• When a Sunday School class prays and studies together, lives are transformed.
• When a man, woman or child turns to Jesus, the angels in heaven throw a party to celebrate.

These events seldom make the evening news, but God notices them every moment of every day.

You and I can be involved in the important happenings in the world today.

Never underestimate your simple, ordinary acts of service.  You are sharing Jesus’ love and building God’s kingdom.  We can prepare for bed each night knowing that something important happened in the world during the day because God’s love touched someone through us.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What was the last thing you did to share Jesus’ love by simply serving someone?

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Praying for Church Finances

This is one of my top 5 posts so I’ve revised and updated it.

Our church has been struggling financially.  Many of our members lost their jobs as well as their savings in this recession.  How can we pray for our church’s finances?

Here are a few suggestions based on God’s principles for finances and generosity.

Principle #1: God evaluates your giving based on your heart motives and your ability to give, not on the amount of your offering.

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(Mark 12:41—44; 2 Corinthians 8:2)

• Ask God to help your congregation’s constituents to see every tithe and gift to the Lord is important.  That way no one will miss out on a blessing by thinking his/her giving won’t be missed.
• Pray for the ability to give generously.

Principle #2: Find help and instruction to help everyone in your church to enjoy the freedom of getting out of debt.

(Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7)

• Pray that the families and individuals in your church will pay off any outstanding debts they may have in order to experience financial freedom.

Principle #3: Giving should come from the cheerful generous heart of one who loves God.

(2 Corinthians 9:6—8)

• Pray for your church members to love the Lord so much that they see giving to Him through the church as a joy and a privilege. Then, they will give generously as God enables them.

Principle #4: Give to God not only as an act of thanksgiving, but also in obedience to His command. When you obey Him, He promises to meet all your needs and to bless your lives.

(Malachi 3:6-10; Philippians 4:19)

• Ask the Lord to give each member the courage to accept God’s challenge to test Him by giving at least a tithe (10%) of his/her income, even if it seems impossible.
• Thank the Lord for honoring His promise to pour out a blessing on those who give.
• Ask that as God pours out His blessings, whether material or spiritual, the person receiving them will know them as God’s blessings sent because of their obedient giving.

Principle #5: Your tithe should be the first thing you pay.

(1 Corinthians 16:2)

• Ask the Lord give each member the courage to trust Him to meet all his or her needs as they give to Him first and then pay their bills.

Principle #6: Money can be used for good or for evil.

(1 Timothy 6:6—10, 17—19)

• Ask the Lord to give each member the sense of contentment we all need to resist greed, and the desire to “keep up with the Jones’s.”
• Pray for wisdom in how you spend and invest your money, especially so you can reap eternal dividends.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

How do you pray for your church’s finances?

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Where do Christians go when they die?

We’ve always thought Christians went to heaven to be with Jesus when they died. But my wife and I read in the Bible that Christians are asleep until Jesus returns.  Where do we go when we die?

There are differing points of view regarding this question.  Here’s what the Bible tells us.

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…. (Philippians 1:21-23)

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”  His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”  Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.  So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead….” (John 11:11-14)

Theologians cannot come to an agreement on where Christians go when they die.

Some insist that we enter heaven the moment we die.  Others say our souls are essentially “asleep” so that we don’t remember anything between when we die and when we are raised to live with Jesus forever.  Some Christians hold some variation of these two views.

I don’t believe we will know for sure until we actually experience death.  I certainly don’t think this is an issue that should divide our fellowship with each other.  One way or another, we will live with Jesus in heaven.  Whether it’s a split second after we die or after a thousand years of “sleep” we will enjoy an eternity of worshiping God in heaven.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What are you looking forward to experiencing when you see Jesus?

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Agreeing in Prayer

Jesus promised answers to prayer for those who agree in prayer.  How can we agree in prayer?

Jesus said, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

How to Agree in Prayer with a Group of Prayer Partners

• Agree that God has given you a need to pray about, as well as what your need truly is.
• Agree to seek God’s glory in your prayers.  Too often we seek answers to prayer for our own comfort and convenience.  Prayer together until you want Jesus to receive honor in and through your need.
• Agree to be unanimous when the “Amen” is stated.  Discuss and prayer until you all believe you’ve discerned the Lord’s will regarding your need.
• Agree that God will meet the need — in his way and in his time.
• Agree to persist in prayer.  Pray until something happens.
• Agree to pray even when apart.  Keep praying and seeking God’s will.

When You Agree in Prayer You Will Experience…

• An increased awareness of the Lord’s presence.  Jesus promised his presence wherever two or three gathered in his name.  As you agree in prayer it is easier to be aware of his attendance in your prayer circle.
• A clearer understanding of God’s will.  Praying and talking with others will help you discern the Lord’s plan and purpose.
• A deeper concern for each other.  Nothing strengthens empathy and shared love more than praying for one another.
• Purified motives for your prayers.  Surrendering your desire for comfort and convenience in order to seek God’s glory will make your motives more Christ-like.
• More faith and confidence with God.  As answers to your groups prayers come, you will find it increasingly easier to trust the Lord with even greater needs.
• A stronger desire to persevere.  You will draw the strength and stamina to pray until something happens from your prayer partners.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Can I get a witness?  How has God met your needs when you agreed in prayer with others?

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What will we do in heaven?

What will we do in heaven?  What does the Bible tell us about the activities there?

Meeting Jesus face to face may knock you off your feet and unto your face.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.  Revelation 1:17

The creatures and angels in heaven worship God constantly.

Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”  Revelation 4:8

For thousands of years these mighty angels have done nothing but look at our awesome, infinitely beautiful God and exclaim, “Holy!”

The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God.  He is far more awesome than those who surround his throne. Psalm 89:7

I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”  And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”  And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Revelation 5:11-13

Thousands of angels and every living thing sing the praise of Jesus.  But that’s not all.

In heaven there will be an immense multitude of appreciative disciples.

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne  and from the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7:9-12

We will spend eternity worshiping God.  There’s only one way to prepare for eternal, face to face worship.  Develop the attitudes and actions of worship here in this lifetime.

“Worship is not a style of music (or an activity for Sunday mornings).  It is living a lifestyle that pleases God” – Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Church (phrase added).

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What do you think?  Would a good loving God force someone who’d rather be golfing or shopping to spend eternity in heaven where all we’ll do is worship him?

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Top Ten Reasons to Pray

I’m on a prayer retreat with several other pastors today. Here are my Top Ten Reasons to Pray.

10. There are things I cannot do.

9. There are things you can’t do.

8. There are things we can’t do.

7. God can do all things.

6. Jesus told us to keep on praying.

5. Jesus taught us to pray.

4. Jesus prayed.

3. Jesus still prays for us.

2. God invites us to pray — to converse with him.

1. Praying connects us to our Heavenly Father.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Why do you pray?

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Praying for Revival

WHAT IS REVIVAL?

Revive Us Again

It is a manifestation of God’s holiness, sovereignty, and power.  It is a special moving of God among a group of Christians where many experience God’s life changing power, and an atmosphere of conviction and repentance takes over . . . in this atmosphere sinners are saved.

WHEN SHOULD I PRAY FOR A PERSONAL REVIVAL?

• When you sense a spiritual apathy; when you rarely hunger for more time in to read your Bible and to pray; when you seldom sense the Holy Spirit speaking to you
• When you lack real compassion for people in need; when you feel little concern for those without Christ and little sense of personal responsibility for God’s presence and blessing in your local church.
• When prayer is more of a duty than a joy; when you seldom sense God’s nearness when you pray.

WHEN SHOULD I PRAY FOR MY CHURCH’S REVIVAL?

• When group prayer is lifeless; when there are only a few half-hearted praises to God.
• When church services are seldom marked by a sense of God being present and speaking personally to people; when there is an aging congregation with an obvious lack of young married couples and youth.
• When members seem apathetic about living holy lives; when the church lacks vision and concern for bringing their community to Christ; when there is interpersonal tension or unforgiveness in the church.

HOW SHOULD I PRAY FOR REVIVAL?

• Ask God for a deep desire for revival.
• Ask God for a prayer burden for revival.
• Ask God to give you a promise to claim.
• Pray humbly and persistently.
• Ask God for a prayer partner and invite others to join you in special prayer meetings for revival.

HOW WILL I KNOW REVIVAL IS COMING?  God is sending revival…

• When people who call themselves Christians act like Christians.
• When Christians humbly admit their need for revival.
• When more and more Christians pray.
• When Christians seriously seek to meet with God in every worship service and meeting.
• When Christians repent from our own sins.
• When Christians hear God’s clear direction.
• When Christians sense forgiveness and victory over our sins and shallowness.
• When our broken land begins to heal.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Have you experienced a revival?  Please tell us about it.

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