Archive for April 2008

If I don’t forgive, Will God Forgive?

18. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

I know I said that today we were going to put it all together and go back to “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. But as I was studying this morning, I came across a familiar text.  We call it the Lord ’s Prayer.    Let’s revisit it.     

The context:  The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray as John taught his disciples and Jesus responded with: 

Matthew 6:9-15 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV) 

Look at those last two verses, “14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  

Again, I want you to see how our forgiving others is tied into God forgiving us.   All I want you to do again is focus in on forgiving others, and letting go this week. 

Saturday and Sunday are our memory verses day and Monday, we will conclude this study on mercy, reconciliation and forgiveness and we will bring all the scriptures together and deal with what really happens according to the scriptures when we refuse to forgive and show mercy.   

Make it a great day and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.    

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

How Do I Reconcile/Forgive?

17. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Okay, One more story and then tomorrow, we will return to “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy” and we will put all these stories together. 

Today, I want to talk about the proper way as Christians to handle conflict or disputes between each other.  This particular story refers to conflicts among believers and not with non-believers. 

This teaching is design to reconcile conflicts among “the body of Christ” so that as believers, we can live together in unity.     Jesus tells the following story concerning this issue. 

Matthew 18:15 ”If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 ”I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 ”Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Step #1      Try to settle the dispute among yourselves privately.  When someone wrongs us, we should go to that person in private no matter how difficult it may be and we should try to work out the issues.  Yes, I know this is not easy.  Often times we isolate ourselves, or become bitter, or start gossiping about the situation, which only causes us to hold on to the hurt that was created which eventually ends up hindering us in our walk with God and in our own personal development.  A lot of times, we don’t feel that we should be the one to reach out in an attempt to reconcile because “they wronged us.”   We feel like they should come to us and apologize.  SORRY!!!!!   The scriptures teach that we are to go to them and show them what they did to us.  Sometimes people have offended us and they may not even know that we were hurt by something they did or said.   If we feel as if we have been wronged, we are the ones that should initiate the “reconciliation” efforts, even if we have done nothing wrong. 

Step #2      if they do not hear us, then we are to take one or two people with us and go to that person again in an attempt to reconcile the matter.  Sometimes, it is difficult for people to forgive and reconcile especially if both parties think they were right in the matter.  Sometimes we need an objective ear to go with us that will listen to both sides and guide us according to the word of God and help to reconcile the issue. 

 Step #3      If the party still refuses to submit to the principles of reconciliation according to the word, then Jesus says we should now expose it to the church.  Yes, we tried to handle it on our own, now we should take it to the proper “authorities “ in the church to help you reconcile with your sister or brother in Christ. 

Step #4      If none of the above works, then it is off of you.  That is all that Jesus requires of us is that we make an honest effort to reconcile.  We can’t force anyone to do the right thing, we can only obey God’s word and leave the rest in the hands of God.  Once you have honestly (from the heart) attempted to reconcile your relationship and all attempts fail, you can let it go and move on.   Many of us have moved on and never attempted to mend our relationships.  We have just counted them as losses.  Many times our attitude is:  “I wasn’t the one that did anything wrong, so they should come to me and ask for forgiveness.

NOW!!!!!  The next issue is; “How often should we forgive someone who offends us.”  Well the disciples asked Jesus this same question, let’s look at the text. 

Verse 21: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

The phrase but seventy seven times does not mean that you actually keep track of how many times you have forgiven a person, it is simply an expression that means as many times as they sincerely come to you and ask for forgiveness.  The heart should never shut down on a person that is sincerely trying to make things right with someone that they have wronged.  Okay, I know I gave you a lot to think about today.  On tomorrow, we’ll put everything together.Make it a great day, don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Other Acts of Mercy

16. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

There are other acts of mercy, other than those issued to people who have wrongfully offended us.  There are also acts of mercy distributed towards people whose condition is one of helplessness or extreme need.  Sometimes this condition is self induced or sometimes caused by external circumstances out of one’s control.  Today, I want us to focus on this particular story of a man who did not issue mercy and the consequences.  The narrative is one told from Jesus.  Luke 16:19 ”There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.

20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 ”The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 ”But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 ”He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,

28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 ”Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 ”‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 ”He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Tomorrow, we’ll continue with this issue. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.
 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Lord Have Mercy

15. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Today, I simply want you to read this story from Jesus with me.  Think about it and tomorrow we will answer some really “tough” questions concerning it.  Read it several times and let it speak to you concerning your situation.  I think you’ll understand where I’m going with this 

 Matthew 18:23 ”Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.

25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 ”The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 ”But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 ”His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

30 ”But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 ”Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  

33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’

34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 ”This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (NIV)

Could it be that things are being held up for us because of our stubborness to not forgive.  Could it be that mercy  from God is not being released in our lives because of our unwillingness to show mercy towards people who have truely wronged us.  Could it be that we are a major problem in a lot of our blessings not being released simply because we want to hold on to past hurt and pain in our attempt to make someone feel guilty for the suffering that they have caused us.  COULD IT BE?    Join me tomorrow, for what Jesus  has to say concerning these issues…..

 Make it a great day and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Mercy

14. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” This is our fifth beatitude.  Did you notice how the first four dealt with our inward part concerning our state of emotions, mind, will, intellect, thinking, etc, which are all inner developments. 

Today’s beatitude deals with people.  Before I get into the heart of this beatitude, I want to focus today’s lesson on defining mercy.   Many people get grace and mercy confused or view them as synonymous.    Grace is unmerited favor.  What I mean by unmerited is that you didn’t do anything to deserve it.  You didn’t earn it or work for it.  It was just issued to you without meeting any particular criteria.  It is favor.   

Mercy presupposes guilt.  What I mean by that is when a person needs mercy, they have all ready been declared guilty of some act or crime and they are asking for leniency in the punishment or sentencing.   With all that in mind, you can see that over the next few days, we are going to be dealing with people who have actually wronged us.     

This sometimes is the most difficult one to do.  It is difficult to begin letting go of the hurt and pain of those who “legitimately” have wronged us.  All I want you to do for today is simply to get those people in your mind.  Make a list should you desire of people who you have not forgiven and hurts you have been holding on to from those people.    

YES!!!!!!!  It’s time to deal with it.   I know it’s painful, but it plays a major part in helping us to reach those levels of happiness that Jesus taught. Make it a great day and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

“A Time of Refreshing”

13. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning.   It’s Sunday.  This is my absolute favorite day of the week. I just love gathering together in the “house of God” to worship, hear the word and fellowship. 

I spend the entire day with my family and friends, it is so refreshing.    

So with that in mind, I wanted to encourage you with;  

Proverbs 11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” 

Continue to be kind and generous, your refreshing will come!!!!!!!!  God Bless you!!!!!   Enjoy church today, I know I will. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.   

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

It’s the Weekend

12. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning 

It’s Saturday and because many of you have stated that sometimes you forget to log in on the weekend, we will be changing the format just a little for the daily devotional.  Monday-Friday, we will do new lessons and on the weekend, we will review for the week or just do a memory verse. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Shall Be filled

11. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (KJV) Yesterday, we talked about the hunger and thirst part of this scripture.  Today, we want to deal with the last part; “for they shall be filled.”   

We talked about the continuous action of hungering and thirst, how it is a way of life and not just a one time event.   As we hunger and thirst, we shall be filled.  The more we hunger and thirst, the more we shall be filled.  

What I love about this Christian life is that we will never reach a stage where we “have arrived” or a state of perfection.  There are always higher levels to achieve.  We go faith to faith and glory to glory.  How awesome.    

Sanctification is a process. We do not accept or rest at the level that we’re on.   So as we hunger and thirst, we shall be filled and the more we hunger and thirst, we shall be filled.  It goes on and on, hungering, thirsting, yet filled and satisfied, but longing for more, never having enough.

 

WOW!!!!!!!  We can be fully satisfied, yet longing for more of HIM.  OHHHHHHHHH , I just LOVE GOD!!!!!!!   

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Hunger and Thirst

10. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (KJV) 

1.    The word hunger means; to suffer want, to be needy, to crave ardently, or to seek with eager desire (Strong’s Concordance)

2.    Figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened.  (Strong’s Concordance)

The words hunger and thirst speak to desperate means.  This is not just a casual “I’m hungry” or “I’m thirsty”, but this is a craving, a starving.  The starving person will do anything to get their needs met. 

When it comes to God, we must be willing to do whatever it takes to pursue HIM.  While this is easier said than done, sometimes it requires letting go of certain relationships or friends that have proven to be unhealthy, not putting ourselves in situations that constantly provide no source of encouragement or strengthening, not engaging in conversations that are not edifying, and the list goes on and on and on. 

Each one of us knows what’s hindering our relationship with God and what’s blocking us from “entering into his presence.”   For some reason, holding on to things and accepting life as it is has become a norm, but the benefits in “breaking out” and changing are so much more rewarding.    

Remember, a starving person will do anything to get fed.  If you look up these two words in the original Greek, you will see that the tense of these words are in what is called the “present participle.”  This is a continuous action.  It speaks of one who is hungering and thirsting, not just a one time action but as a lifestyle. 

Then look what the object of our hungering and thirst should be; “righteousness”.  We are to hunger and thirst for integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking and feeling, etc, which are all attributes of righteousness.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about “being filled.”  Let’s do an honest analysis of our life.  What are the things that make us happy, what are the things that make us depressed, what friends improve our life or add to it, what friends constantly hold us back or hanging around them always leave us depressed or frustrated, or in a worst condition than we were.  What conversations do we need to stop having because they only lead to emotions that are not healthy for our mental state?  What things are we holding on to that we know we just need to let go. 

Are you at a state where you just want to “please “God?  Is your heart aching for the things of God?  Do you have a desire to go further, Are you ready for change.

Join me tomorrow!!!!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Blessed Are the Meek for they Shall Inherit the Earth

9. April 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the earth. 

The Last Couple of days we’ve been studying this scripture.  First, we studied the concept of meekness, then we studied the concept of inheriting the earth.   Following is a list of the Strong’s Concordance definition for inherit:

  1. to receive a lot, receive by lot

a.    esp. to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance b.    to be an heir, to inherit

  1. to receive the portion assigned to one, receive an allotted portion, receive as one’s own or as a possession
  2. to become partaker of, to obtain
 

In simple terms, being meek means to “relax” , don’t panic, don’t get upset with people’s level of progress verses yours.  Don’t envy others accomplishments, dreams, visions and lifestyles.   Don’t fret because of evil doers.  Don’t get discouraged because you’re trying to do the right thing and others who aren’t trying to live right just seem to be flourishing in all areas of their lives. 

Meekness is acceptance that God is in control.  God knows what is going on with you.  The enemy can’t get to you unless God allowed it, and whatever is happening to you, we must learn from it because God is teaching us something in all things. 

Okay, at this point, let me clarify some things.  I am in no way, saying to just “shut down” and stop working on your goals, dreams, and desires and God will make a way without you doing anything.  This concept of meekness is accepting that things are going to happen outside of your control and that even when you have done the very best that you can, things still can go really wrong. 

Meekness is an attitude of submission, that God will work it out for my good and for His glory and that in our trials and tribulations, God will bring us out and we will be stronger for having “gone through.” 

In the concept of “inheriting the earth” , it means that we will reign over our circumstances and situations through the power of the “Holy Spirit.” 

We do not have to worry or be afraid of our circumstances or anyone because God is in control and we will get what is promised to us.  We will inherit what belongs to us, what has been alloted to us, what we are an heir to in God.   For the meek shall “inherit the earth”. 

So Hold on and don’t let go, In due season, we shall reap if we faint not.  

Make it a great day and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

« Previous Entries | Next Entries »