Powerful Names of Jesus in Luke 1-2
The powerful names of Jesus in Luke 1-2 announcements and songs are worth meditating on. Free download of six names as wall art!
Session 1: Luke Chapters 1-2 The Light Has Come (Part 2)
The Light Has Come; the Light Shines today! Study with us the links to the Old Testament found in Luke chapters 1-2.
Session 1: Luke Chapters 1-2 The Light Has Come (Part 1)
The Light has come! Join our study as it begins in Luke chapters 1-2. The Son reveals the Father through his heart for the people.
The Son Reveals the Father through his Heart for the People - Luke Intro
It is in Luke’s gospel that we see the breadth of Jesus’ ministry to reach all people, to bring all into his arms and show them his heart for them personally. Since Christ and the Father are one (John 10:30), Luke provides the opportunity to see for ourselves how God interacts with his beloved, how he showers his beloved with goodness and mercy all of our days (Ps 23:6). And the good news is that you are his beloved! He delights in you (Zeph 3:17)!
Since Christ came to seek and to save the lost, join me in seeing how Jesus revealed the Father through his heart for the people in the book of Luke. Join our 12-week study session starting today through the end of the year.
HALF-LIE: Forgiving gives the person room to hurt me again
If you reconcile, it is wise to guard yourself. It is important to take the relationship through a process of building trust to restore the relationship, just as Joseph did with his brothers. It is important to consider boundaries or ways to protect ourselves when we continue with the relationships.
LIE: I need to tell the person I forgive them
Forgiveness is something that is between you and God, the offender has nothing to do with it. If the conversation calls for it, the person asks forgiveness or seeks to mend the relationship, it might be the right time to say that you have forgiven or do forgive someone.
LIE: If I Forgive, I have to reconcile
It comes down to reconciliation as a choice, not a must. It would seem to be easier to reconcile if the person is repentant. But in all honesty, it is not always as easy as a ‘choice’.
LIE: Forgiveness must be earned
TRUTH: Forgiveness is a free gift that helps me heal, and actually does nothing for the offender.
LIE: Forgiveness is a feeling
Forgiveness is not a miracle; it miraculously works in us. But the decision to forgive does not immediately alter everything.
LIE: Forgive = Forget
With forgiveness, we do not forget, but the memories no longer trigger pain and no longer control our actions. With forgiveness, we are cut free from the pain.
LIE: ‘It’s okay’ is a good answer to ‘I’m sorry.’
Whatever the person did, big or small, it is NOT okay that they did it. It might be that everything is okay between him/her and me, but that does not make what they did ok. So, let’s stop saying ‘it’s ok’ in response to an apology or request for forgiveness. How do we respond to ‘I’m sorry’, then? Here’s how to open the conversation
LIE: Forgiveness lets the offender off the hook
It is a common thing to hear, or think, ‘She deserves punishment, so I’m not going to forgive until she has paid.’ With forgiveness, God steps in to hold the hook on the offender.
Parable of the Talents - Matt 25:14-30
The master knows the ability of the servants and does not expect more than can be done. He also shows faith in the abilities of his servants by entrusting work to them while he is away.
Parable of the Wedding Banquet and the Ten Virgins - Matt 22:1-13 and Matt 25:1-13
The parable reminds me that perhaps we judge those around us, estimate their competency, their quality of work, but we are not able to estimate the quality of their heart. It reminds me that when I judge, I will get it wrong. Only God can judge the heart.