Tag Archives: fellow servant

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Forgiving is Not Excusing

Leave a comment

Max Lucado

Forgiveness is not excusing! Nor is it pretending. To forgive is to move on, not to think about the offense anymore. You don’t excuse him, endorse her, or embrace them. You just route thoughts about them through heaven. Revenge is God’s job.

By the way, how can we grace-recipients do anything less? Dare we ask God for grace when we refuse to give it? It’s a huge issue in the Bible. Jesus was tough on sinners who refused to forgive other sinners. In the final sum, we give grace because we’ve been given grace.

In the story Jesus tells in Matthew 18:32, the master calls the servant in.  “You wicked servant, he said, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? It’s a good question.  We’ve been given grace….shouldn’t we freely give it?

from Facing Your Giants

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – A Pattern for Pastors

Leave a comment

ppt_seal01

Tychicus, an Asiatic Christian, accompanied the Apostle Paul on part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem. He was with Paul in Rome, and sent by Paul to Colossae to build up and encourage the church there. He’s mentioned five times in the New Testament.

Tychicus…is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. Colossians 4:7

He stands as a shining example for ministers and pastors today. First and foremost, he was faithful and reliable in everything. Tychicus was greatly loved and returned that compassion to the Lord and His people. He was God’s servant, not exalting himself with trappings of greatness. Paul called him a “fellow” servant – his equal. Tychicus measured up to the high calling of the Lord in his life.

Is there a Tychicus in your church? A pastor who loves the Lord and His word, who holds out hands to help, who follows Jesus’ admonitions toward the poor, and seeks the lost? Is he growing in holiness? If he is, or even if he seems to fall short, pray for him – that he will have time of refreshment with the Lord daily, and that he will be steadfast to all of God’s Word. Churches will strengthen and America will be enriched as more ministers measure up to the pattern set by Tychicus.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 3:4-12

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Best Practices

Leave a comment

ppt_seal01

One of the hottest and fastest growing industries today is “service” businesses, especially those providing assistance to the aging or elderly. From grocery shopping to dog walking, private health aides to lawn service, home beauty treatments to personal readers; every necessity or convenience is for hire these days. Experts agree the key for success for these or any business is one thing … how well the customer is treated.

Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. Colossians 1:7

Today’s verse mentions one of the Bible’s many servants, recognizing his efforts…and showing the importance of service. In Scripture, there are at least 38 verses dedicated to exactly how we are to treat “one another.” They are like a “best practices” plan in managing relationships for the follower of Christ. At first glance, they seem to be reminders for simple things: love one another, encourage one another, build each other up, forgive one another. While simple in concept, many prove to be challenging in practice.

As America’s population ages, many people find themselves in need of assistance. How are you doing in loving and supporting those in your family, your circle of friends, and your neighborhood? Remember, God’s love is never seems clearer than in how you treat others.

Recommended Reading: I John 4:7-12

Uncategorized

Our Daily Bread — Bumper Cars

Leave a comment

 

Matthew 18:23-35

Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? —Matthew 18:21

Life is a lot like “bumper cars” at an amusement park. You get in your car, knowing that you will get hit . . . you just don’t know how hard. And when you get hit, you step on the gas pedal, chase the one who has hit you, and hope to bump that person harder than they have bumped you.

That may be a fun strategy for bumper cars, but it’s a terrible strategy for life. When you get bumped in life, bumping back only escalates matters and in the end everyone suffers damage.

Jesus had a better strategy: Forgive those who have “bumped” us. Like Peter, we may wonder how many times we have to forgive. When Peter asked Jesus, “Up to seven times?” Jesus answered “Up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21-22). In other words, there are no limits to grace. We should always extend a spirit of forgiveness. Why? In the story of the forgiving master, Jesus explained that we forgive not because our offenders deserve it but because we’ve been forgiven. He says, “I forgave you . . . because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (vv.32-33).

Since we are among those who’ve been forgiven much, let’s stop the damage and share that blessing with others. —Joe Stowell

Lord, remind us of how deeply we have offended You

and how often You have extended the grace of

forgiveness to us. Teach us to forgive others and to trust

You to deal with those who sin against us.

 

Forgiveness is God’s grace in action through us.