Tag Archives: Forgiveness

January Joke #2

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Q: What often falls in the winter but never gets hurt?

A: Snow

Only God can forgive sins and when He takes them away, the Bible says He makes you whiter than snow. Isaiah 1:18 says, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the LORD:
    ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
    Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'”

To learn more about how God made a way to forgive your sins – Click HERE.

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How God Touched a Life

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“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone cry so hard.”

This past July I sat next to a 47-year old man who had attended one of our events. In the service I had shared about Jesus and Peter walking on the water.

“I just don’t know how much of that I can believe,” he said, with tears in his eyes. “I want to believe but how can I believe in a ‘good’ God when all I’ve ever seen is bad.”

He continued to tell me about his childhood and how, as an adult, he had gone to prison for attempted murder.

“I even have a 9-year old daughter that I’ve never met,” he said.

We talked. He struggled. God was moving in his heart. We talked about his life. We talked about Scripture, about how Jesus had called Peter to come and how Peter had stepped out of the boat. He didn’t need to have all the answers to simply trust.

I walked him through the plan of salvation. He asked questions and then he told me that he needed time to think. I asked if I could pray for him and as I prayed, he began to sob harder than I have ever seen anyone cry. Tears literally dripped in a stream from his face.

I gave him my phone number and told him to call and let me know how he was doing. He talked to me the next day.

“Last night,” he said, “I was washing my clothes and a pastor was there doing his laundry as well. We talked for three hours and I decided to surrender my life to Jesus Christ.”

It’s amazing how God puts people in the right place at the right time to share His love. God still changes lives!

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Written by Kolby King. © Copyright 2017 Kolby King

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Second Chances

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On New Year’s Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played UCLA in the Rose Bowl. In that game, a man named Roy Riggles recovered a fumble for UCLA. Somehow Riggles became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of his own teammates finally outdistanced him and tackled him just before he scored for the opposing team. When UCLA attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety, which was the ultimate margin of victory.

That strange play came in the first half, and everyone watching the game was asking the same question, “What will the coach do with Riggles in the second half?” The players filed off the field and went into the locker room and sat down on the benches and the floor—all but Riggles. He put a towel around his shoulders, sat down and put his face in his hands.

A coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during halftime, but that day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riggles. Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were only three minutes left till playtime. Price looked at the team and said simply, “Men, the same team that played the first half will start the second.”

The players got up and started out—all but Riggles. He didn’t budge. The coach looked back and called to him again. Still he didn’t move. Coach Price went over to where Riggles sat and said, “Roy, didn’t you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second.” Then Riggles looked up and said, “Coach, I can’t do it to save my life. I’ve ruined you. I’ve ruined the University of California. I’ve ruined myself. I couldn’t face that crowd in the stadium to save my life.”

The Coach said, “Riggles, get up and go on back. The game is only half over.” And Roy Riggles went back, and those Georgia Tech players will tell you that they never saw a man play football like Roy Riggles played in that second half. What a coach!*

Reflect

Read Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23 from your Bible.

Respond

We’ve all gone the wrong way. Sometimes these are unintentional mistakes and sometimes they are willful disobedience. But, like the coach in the story, God gives second chances.

In life, are you running the wrong way? Are you ready to turn around? Are there sins in your life that you need to turn from and from which you need to ask God’s forgiveness? How can you share God’s love and forgiveness with others?

Your thoughts?

What prayer requests do you have for yourself and others?

Remember

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

*Source Unknown

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Forgiveness

Devotions for Childrens Leaders 5, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Read:

Mary Khoury, 17 years old, Damour, Lebanon, During the Lebanese civil war, 1975-1992

Mary Khoury and her family were forced to their knees before their home. The leader of the Muslim fanatics who had raided their village waved his pistol carelessly before their faces. His hatred for Christians burned in his eyes. “If you do not become a Muslim,” he threatened, “you will be shot.”

Mary knew Jesus didn’t have to die either, but He chose the cross. So Mary said, “I was baptized as a Christian and His word came to me: ‘Don’t deny your faith.’ I will obey Him. Go ahead and shoot.” The report of a gun from behind her echoed in the valley and Mary’s body fell limply to the ground.

Two days later, the Red Cross came into her village. Of all her family, Mary was the only one still alive. But the bullet had cut her spinal cord, leaving both her arms paralyzed. They were stretched out from her body and bent at the elbows, reminiscent of Jesus at His crucifixion. She could do nothing with them.

More words from the Lord came to Mary. Even though she was now handicapped, she knew God had a plan for her life.

“Everyone has a vocation,” she said. “I can never marry or do any physical work. So I will offer my life for Muslims, like the one who cut my father’s throat, cursed my mother and stabbed her, and then tried to kill me. My life will be a prayer for them.”*

Reflect

Read 1 Peter 2:23 from your Bible.

Respond

Mary could have become bitter, but instead she let the grace of God transform what should have been hate to godly love. This can happen only when a person releases their offenders to God, for Him to deal with them according to His justice, His compassion, and His love. Vengeance is His; not yours and no man can sit on His throne to cast judgment. Has someone hurt you recently? Do you fume every time you think about them or hear their name? How do you feel and what do you think God wants you to do with this situation?

Prayerfully consider what you have read today. Then take a few moments to pray for yourself, your students, and others with whom you serve in ministry.

Remember

Forgiveness is not saying, “Oh, that’s okay.” Forgiveness says, “What you did was wrong. I know it. You know it, and God knows it. But it is not my place to sit on God’s throne and cast judgment on you. Therefore, I commit you into His hands, for Him to deal justly with you.”

“Nothing on earth consumes a person more quickly than the passion of resentment.” -Friedrich Nietzsche**

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© Copyright 2017 Kolby King

*Jesus Freak Youth Devotional, (publisher and date is unknown), p 80.
**Source of quote is unknown.

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