Did you blow it yesterday? Did sin raise it’s ugly head in you again? Did something you thought you had mastered, master you? Didn’t we just talk about fearing God yesterday on this page? Are you disappointed in yourself? Friend, it’s a great date for a clean slate. And this day IS a clean slate,Continue reading “Did you fall to sin yesterday?”
Tag Archives: forgiveness
Don’t fall for the lie that you are defined by your past.
Yesterday, I wrote briefly about how sometimes our hearts, and the enemy, condemn us for things God has already forgiven but that God is greater than our hearts (from 1 John 3:20). The evil one is masterful at deceiving even God’s children into believing God can’t possibly forgive them and that they will always beContinue reading “Don’t fall for the lie that you are defined by your past.”
God is BIGGER than our feelings!
God is bigger than our feelings! We’ve been talking about asking the Lord to show us sin; but sometimes, some of us, can take this too far. Our hearts condemn us when they shouldn’t. Sometimes, we feel guilty and ashamed not because of unconfessed sin, but for sins God has forgiven, or because we haveContinue reading “God is BIGGER than our feelings!”
Loving & Forgiving Others is part of Following
John says if you don’t practice righteousness, you’re not a child of God. He then goes on to say in that same verse “nor is he who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10) John is emphasizing that loving others is an absolute basic characteristic of a Christ follower (1 John 3:11). He pointsContinue reading “Loving & Forgiving Others is part of Following”
Were your feelings hurt this Christmas?
Did you get your feelings hurt at Christmas? Was an expectation unmet? Did someone let you down? Did someone not treat your kid or grandkid how you wish they had? Gathering with others just seems to present all kinds of opportunities for hurts to happen. Are you still thinking about it? Is it starting toContinue reading “Were your feelings hurt this Christmas?”
Alarm clocks and eyeballs
We jokingly call it the “family curse”. Like my dad was, most mornings I’m up around 5am without an alarm clock, and one of my kids is just like me. It’s been great to help me get in the Word; but this morning, I was fast asleep when I heard an alarm clock going off,Continue reading “Alarm clocks and eyeballs”
Keep giving what’s hard to give.
In this hard world, we’ve got to keep giving what’s hard to give. Jesus had just spoken of those who love to be seen and revered by others when He notices a poor widow quietly giving all of the little she had. (Luke 21) He contrasts how she gave all she had out of herContinue reading “Keep giving what’s hard to give.”
Palm Sunday
With smiles on their faces and exuberant expectation, the crowds waved the palm branches shouting, “Hosanna” which literally means, “Save Please!” and then, just a while later, that same crowd would scream, “Crucify Him!” And we question, how could they so quickly change? How could they question the famous one, the Miracle Maker, who hadContinue reading “Palm Sunday”
Did you blow it? Another reason to celebrate Easter!
Did you blow it yesterday? Did sin raise it’s ugly head in you again? Did something you thought you had mastered, master you? Are you disappointed in yourself? Friend, it’s a great date for a clean slate. And this day IS a clean slate, brand new, a blank page, a total do-over for those whoContinue reading “Did you blow it? Another reason to celebrate Easter!”
Overcoming Guilt and Shame
Yesterday, in preparing our hearts for Easter, I shared about identifying sin in our lives; but remember, the evil one who tempted and rejoiced when you fell to sin wants you to hold you down with guilt and shame. And keep you there. The evil one is masterful at deceiving, even God’s children, into believingContinue reading “Overcoming Guilt and Shame”
An invitation to reflect and confess and prepare our hearts for Easter
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Cor 3:16-17) If you are a Christian, you (fill in your name)Continue reading “An invitation to reflect and confess and prepare our hearts for Easter”
Not just some of me. All of me.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits! (Psalm 103:1-2) Oh my soul.Bless HIS Holy Name with ALL that is within me. Not just some of me.All of me. But all of me is prone toContinue reading “Not just some of me. All of me.”
Many people who truly feel sorry for their sins never come to God and ask for forgiveness
Is Judas in heaven or hell? There has been much debate over the actions of Judas in Matthew 27:3-5. He throws the thirty pieces of silver at the temple then goes and hangs himself. At the very least, Judas realized those thirty pieces of silver, his idea of the better way, was far from better.Continue reading “Many people who truly feel sorry for their sins never come to God and ask for forgiveness”
It’s a wound that cuts so deep…
If you’ve ever felt betrayed by a friend you know that’s a wound that cuts deep. Jesus said it would happen to Him.And it did. “All the disciples forsook Him and fled.” (Matt 26:56) Prophecy was fulfilled. He was on His way to the Cross. He went alone. He stood alone. His friends deserted Him.Continue reading “It’s a wound that cuts so deep…”
A BRUTAL indictment.
Matthew 23 is nothing short of a brutal indictment of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus calls them hypocrites and fools. He says they do what they do to be seen by others. He says they put heavy burdens on others that they themselves do not follow. Jesus says, they look good on the outside butContinue reading “A BRUTAL indictment.”
Undo YEARS of pain and problems.
As we hear the news of the atrocities committed in Israel, it’s hard for me to think about something like forgiveness. But, I know, it is historically true that unforgiveness that has grown and multiplied, and been passed from one generation to the next, has played a role in these horrific events. For the peaceContinue reading “Undo YEARS of pain and problems.”
Are you tortured by emotions while those who hurt you just move on.
Dealing with people is hard. We will eventually be offended, hurt and feel all the emotions of being sinned against. And this will come from those we love—family, friends, coworkers and fellow believers. But we can’t read Matthew 18:21-35 and think we have any loophole to hold on to unforgiveness. The debtor in this passageContinue reading “Are you tortured by emotions while those who hurt you just move on.”
I‘m so thankful for pastors who lead their churches to do this…
Matthew 18:15-20 is incredible instruction in dealing with those who have sinned against us. Furthermore, it is the gold standard for the process of church discipline of which the goal is always to be the restoration of someone walking in sin. We are to break fellowship with the goal of causing the other person toContinue reading “I‘m so thankful for pastors who lead their churches to do this…”
No one has out-sinned Jesus’ ability to forgive!
John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus asking why they and the Pharisees fast but Jesus’s disciples do not. (Matt 9:14-17) The Pharisees fasted for religious show (which is never the right reason). John’s disciples fasted to draw near to God, but Jesus explains in verse 15 that there was no need for His disciplesContinue reading “No one has out-sinned Jesus’ ability to forgive!”
When God repeats Himself
Jesus finished His famous instruction on prayer with “Amen” but then emphasizes, again, the importance of forgiveness. (Matt 6:14-15) Friends, when the God of the universe repeats Himself we need to pay attention! If we want to pray effectively and walk in freedom, if we want our Father to forgive us, we absolutely must forgiveContinue reading “When God repeats Himself”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 