FORGIVENESS..how does it work?

so we're here having our first interactive session..and the issue is an important one..
FORGIVENESS.
What should be a christian's approach to forgiveness?

Man-to-man...For instance, when someone has wronged you, do you have to wait until he/she comes to beg for forgiveness before you forgive?
or you should just forgive and move on?
Do you think being easily forgiving lets people take advantage?


God and man - for instance, when we continue in wrongdoing and keep going back to God, do you think there are times He gets fedup with our constant sins and refuses to forgive us, because, afterall, we will go straight back to do that same thing..

another thing: What is the place of retribution? Scenario;if someone stole, after he has repented, does he have to give back all he stole for his forgiveness to take effect?

What about consequences..when God forgives, does He always make us suffer the consequences of our previous sins?

And lastly, when the Bible says that God will remember our sins no more, Does it really mean that God absolutely obliterates sins and it is eternally forgotten? or do the labels of those sins stil apply.

please, we look forward to a beautiful interactive session with y'all. Let's know the philosophy that guides you on this matter. let others learn from what you have to say..yes, say ur mind even if anonymously.

God bless you!!

Joy in the Morning ... After the Mourning

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)."

True, it's easy to believe the principle when we don't need it! But for heart-broken people it can seem that "joy in the morning" is a far way off.

The reality is that disappointment, heartache, grief, and sorrow come to all of us at some time or another. Sooner or later we are all going to lose an opportunity, our job, our investment portfolio, or a loved one.

And, as the poet said:
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
And the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
You have to smile but you want to cry."

It takes time to work through and resolve our grief (and we need supporting friends to help us do this). But when we do, we can come out a more understanding and caring person ... and better able to support others who are going through sad times. And, in time, joy in the morning will replace our mourning!

For whatever encouragement it may be, try to remember that no matter how disappointed you are feeling or how much you are hurting right now; know that every heartache and loss has within it the seeds of opportunity. Hidden within each disappointment is a pearl of great price, which, when found, will dwarf your problem. The greatest success stories are written by people who, against seemingly overwhelming and often insurmountable odds, have accepted their trials and turned them into opportunities for personal growth and stepping stones on their pathway to success.

With God's help you and I can do the same. Trust him and choose friends who will empower you to do so.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every disappointment, heartache, sorrow, and trial I experience, help me to always keep trusting my life to you and, in the process, will you please make something beautiful out of my life. Please do this for your glory, and thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

BE PREPARED

"Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer" (Proverbs 30:25, NIV).

Sometimes the seemingly simple things in life can teach us some of the most important lessons. Take ants for example. Even though their "brain" (central ganglion or nerve) is less than one-tenth the size of a pinhead, ants live in highly organized social colonies. Some collect food, others build the nest and keep it clean, and some look after the queen ants. Nurse ants clean and feed the larvae. Soldier ants guard and protect the food-collecting ants. No wonder the Bible says, "Go to the ant ... consider her ways and be wise (Proverbs 6:6)."

Among other lessons, the ants "who store up their food in the summer" teach us the importance of being prepared ahead of time for whatever might come our way. The Chinese proverb, "Dig your well before you're thirsty" makes the same point. Children and teenagers need to be prepared for life, for entering the work force, and for taking care of themselves. Those who are planning to be married should be prepared ahead for it; unfortunately too many aren't. And among taking care of various responsibilities, adults need to be prepared ahead for retirement and old age.

And most important of all, we need to be prepared for life after death when we will meet our Maker face to face. As God's Word says, "Prepare to meet your God (Amos 4:12)," and as Jesus taught about his return to earth, "Be ready; for when you least expect it, I will come (Matthew 24:44)." How tragic beyond all measure for those who aren't prepared for life after death. Whatever you do, don't let this happen to you.

Are Our Days on Earth Numbered?

Life is fleeting and our days on earth are limited, so we need to do the best we can with the one life we have been given.

King David prayed to God: "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." (Psalm 39:4) Furthermore, God said to Solomon in a dream, "If you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." (1 Kings 3:14) This indicates that if we live in harmony with God's Word, will, and ways (which includes healthy living habits), under normal circumstances we can lengthen our life. Also the fifth of the Ten Commandments says, "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)

On the other hand, there is no doubt that we can shorten our life by not living in harmony with God's ways, through an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, nursing grudges, an unforgiving spirit, unresolved super-charged repressed negative emotions, impaired relational conflicts, too much stress and anxiety, addictive behaviours and/or substances, and any of a score or more of other unhealthy habits and ways of living.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live in harmony with your will and the principles for healthy living as found in your Word, that my life on earth will be healthy, long, and fruitful for the glory of your Name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Seeing Beyond The Now

Look around! The lush green vegetations bathed regularly by the soothing rains; the whistling noise of cars and sirens; the houses, castles, mansions of varying sizes and shapes; the unending human traffic along the streets and market places; and the various forms of development that westernization has brought.
These are all evanescent and transient.
As we enjoy these earthly blessings, we should remember that there's more to come after this life...
Col. 3:2 says we should set our minds on things above where God's throne exists. He beckons on us to lead holy lives in the midst of a wicked and tumultous world. Standing out, shining as bright as ever, should be our aim and watchword.
Jesus is our ever perfect example. Read Hebrews 12:2. Even when He was tempted by the devil, He did not see the glories of the world as anything to hold on to.
Therefore, be strong and determined not to lose sight of what lies ahead... a shining crown on your brow as a token for a job well done and a life well lived!
Looking forward to seeing you on the other side of town! God bless you...

Waiting Upon The Lord

There are times in our lives when our God demands that we wait...to receive that perfect gift, to see His Salvation, to behold His will made manifest in our lives.
When wait, we learn perseverance, patience and faith.

Waiting is not easy..Sometimes, it gets us thinking if our God has abandoned us.Does He not see what we are going through? How the unrighteous are prospering and getting their hearts' desires? while we who claim to wait on Him are but stagnant, unable to achieve, to clinch that job, that promotion, that contract..or perhaps all around us our mates are marrying, having babies, building homes, everyone but us is achieving their heart's desires...

THE LORD SAYS WAIT:
'Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!' - Isaiah 30:1
He further assures us:



As i go through my lesson in waiting, sometimes i feel frustrated, overwhelmed, burned out, but i pray for His grace so i will have the strength still to say...

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning."- Psalm 130:5-6

Fighting Temptations

A dictionary defines to tempt as to "entice someone to do something against their better judgement".
We all face temptations in our daily lives. Scripture tells us that all that shall live godly in Christ must suffer persecution. It's important we understand that God, whose nature is holy and perfect, does not tempt us although He may allow us to face these temptations (see James 1:13). Furthermore, He always provides an escape route from all of them ( 1 Corinthians 10:13).
The writer of the book of 1 John in the 16th verse of its 2nd chapter, stated that all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life- is not of the Father. The evil one appears to tempt us through these means.
First case study- EVE. Read Genesis 3: 1-6. In the 6th verse, Eve was stated to have beheld the fruit as good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasing to the eyes (lust of the eyes) and desired to make one wise (pride of life). Sadly, she fell for it!
Second case study- JESUS. Read Matthew 4:3- 11. Satan employed the same tactics against The Chosen One, by asking him to turn stones to bread ( lust of the flesh), by showing him the glories of the mundane kingdoms (lust of the eyes) and by daring him to jump down from the summit of a temple (pride of life). Hallelujah!!! Our Lord Jesus resisted him firmly.
My beloved, whose report would u, therefore, believe? I am persuaded and convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that Jesus is the Way. We are well armoured and equipped to fight temptations and resist the evil one (James 4:7).
Let's remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.