forgiveness

Did Michelle Obama and Donald Trump Voluntarily Damn Themselves?

When people don't forgive, what consequences do they suffer?

Mrs. Obama: “I’d never forgive him” (speaking of Mr. Trump).
Mr. Trump’s response: “I’ll never forgive him” (speaking of Mrs. Obama’s husband).HT: https://www.mediaite.com/tv/trump-fires-back-after-michelle-obama-says-she-wont-forgive-his-birtherism-i-wont-forgive-barack/

Last I read, both the current President and the former first lady say they are Christians.

Then they need to forgive anyone they are refusing to forgive. The Lord Jesus (the Christ in Christians, you know) commands it plainly:

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25,26).

I’m sure Michelle Obama and Donald Trump have read or quoted the Lord’s Prayer. Here’s a part that’s easy to coast over glibly, even unwittingly: Read it all

“Sin Has Consequences”

But when we insist on consequences over grace and love, we sow for a bitter harvest.

Tonight I heard that “sin has consequences.”

So do grace and love.

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).

“Love covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12).

Sin, repented of and properly dealt with, needs no further review and regurgitation.

When we insist on consequences over grace and love, we sow for a bitter harvest.

I don’t wish that harvest on anyone. Especially on myself.

So which will matter most to me in my relationships with those who fail?

Let me allow grace and love to triumph in my heart!

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

Me? Schizophrenic?

How will I sustain a miserable demeanor toward Person A while presenting a cheerful demeanor toward Person B? Who would dare try such an impossibility?!

No, I’m not schizophrenic.

Nor do I like to minimize or make light of schizophrenia by using the term carelessly or even too freely.

But the thought of switching between a positive disposition and a negative demeanor is a challenging one. And convicting, too. Read it all

The Best Eraser

Not Pink Pearl. Not…well, I don’t remember any other brands. But that’s OK since this is about God’s eraser.

I read the print version of Our Daily Bread this morning and was blessed.

So I looked up the online version and present to you the closing portion thereof:

You may not be able to forget your past. But the Lord offers to blot out, “like a thick cloud, your transgressions” (Isa. 44:22). — M.R. De Haan

The deep remorse that’s in the soul
No human eye may trace;
But Jesus sees the broken heart,
And can its woes erase. —Bosch

The best eraser is honest confession to God.

Orissa Ten Years Ago

Widow of Graham Staines: “Do not give up hope, pray for India”

10 years ago in Orissa, Hindu extremists burned alive the Christian Graham Staines and his two sons. His wife, back in India, connects the recent anti-Christian persecution to her husband. To the many recent widows of Kandhamal, she speaks of forgiveness and strength “in Christ.”

[…]

Staines says that she will always continue working to fulfil her husband’s dream to live in peace and harmony, and work together for the good of all. “I forgive the other, because I have first received forgiveness from Jesus Christ – I have encountered the presence of Jesus in my life and this is the spirit I share. When we forgive, there is no bitterness and we live our lives and continue the task entrusted to us – with His grace and peace. These Kandhamal widows have also been touched by Jesus. All Christians who have known the intervention of Jesus in their lives will have this gift to forgive and to be the witnesses of His peace and presence. Support them with your solidarity and prayers.

“To the people of the world I say, do not give up hope, pray for India.”

And all the congregation said….

Ho hum? 😯

Above all, love God!