Tag: Gospel of Matthew

Posted in FORGIVENESS

Seventy Times Seven

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

cant forgive“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Matthew 18:22

People find it hard to forgive those who deliberately sin against them. That person (your friend, brother, sister, mother, father, colleague at work, etc) knew it was wrong yet he/she did it. In the scripture, Peter came to Jesus one day and asked him a question about the number of times he should forgive those who sin against him? He thought up to seven times were enough but Jesus replied “No, not seven times but seventy times seven”

Jesus told Peter to forgive 490 times. In other words, Jesus told him to be ready to forgive each time his brother sin against him. In Luke 17:4, Jesus added “Even if that person wrong you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive”

Someone may ask “what if that person is conscious of what he/she is doing and keeps on repeating the same mistake every day, week, month, or year. Must I forgive him/her?” The answer is Yes.

Forgiving your brother’s mistake(s) must be something you do every day because human beings are people, and they are going to hurt you in one way or the other.

Do you know that God doesn’t answer your prayer for forgiveness when you don’t forgive people who sin against you?

Jesus told his disciples in Mark 11:25 that “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive you failings and shortcomings.”

Friend true love overlooks a person’s failings and shortcomings. God shows us this kind of love daily. The scripture says while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He bought us with his precious blood and the least, I believe, you can do to show your love for him is to look around you today, pick up your phone to call the person who hurt you or  sinned against you in the past. God will bless you as you choose to forgive all who have sin against you today. The Right Time is Now!

“Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it’s personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, ‘I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4, MSG)

 

 

Posted in Uplifting Christ

Storms of Life

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

panhandle-1I am not comfortable talking about storms because they are unfriendly; they cause pains, fear, worries, etc. I have seen how storms killed many, destroyed properties, changed lives from good to bad.

In Matthew 14, Peter asked Jesus that “if it is you, tell me to you on the water”. Jesus responded “Come”. Peter walked on the water and went toward Jesus. This means that God has enabled us to do extraordinary things on earth. Peter walked on the water But he started to sink when his heart was swept away by the Storm.

When His focus was on Jesus, all was well. However, when his focus shifted to the Storm he was afraid and started going down.

Storms refer to the negative situations, fear, disappointments, challenges, etc that come our way. They refer to sicknesses, double mindedness, pains, addictions, rejections, etc that Satan throws at us each day. Storms come to distract us from reaching our divine destination. In Peter’s life, the storm came to stop him from getting to Jesus. 

Your attitude in the midst of storms is very important as it determines whether you are going to survive or sink. It is therefore necessary to  maintain positive attitude in the midst of storms.

When David faced Goliath, he didn’t focus on the giant. His focus was on God. He saw God as the only One who has Power to deliver Goliath to him. In the end, David defeated Goliath with less equipment.  Friend when the enemy attacks your family, business, happiness, etc, turn to Jesus. His strength will be your strength, and you will be able to put Satan where he belongs. Stop focusing on the storms, and start practicing the Word of God says. Jesus said in Matthew 7  that “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” 

Storms are inevitable. They are weapons Satan uses to shift our focus from Jesus so that he can attack. As a child of God, when you start to sink, cry for help. Psalm 34:17 says The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 

In Hebrews 12:2, we are advised to fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus is bigger than cancer, diseases, fear, worry, etc. Don’t cry when Satan attacks your family, school, job, etc. Look to Jesus.

When Satan attacks with his weapons, faith is what you need. In Ephesians, we are told to use the shield of Faith to quench the fiery darts of the devil. Someone once said Faith believes in advance what only makes sense in reverse. You must exercise your faith to see your victory in Christ.

Storms are not meant to destroy us, neither do they come to stay forever. When Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat according to Matthew 14,  the wind died down. This means that when you find rest in Christ, every storm will die down. When Christ is lifted above every situation, He works wonders in life.

Say this:

Jesus, You are greater than every situation that I am going through. I need you to save me now Jesus!

I thank you for taking control over my life. Amen!

Jesus Reigns!

It is well.

Posted in HOPE, SOUL FOOD, Uplifting Christ

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS (Part 3)

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord ’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT)

The devil will throw anything at you to get your attention. He will use people who are stronger than you, or more powerful than you but what you should know is the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you the victory.
When you come against giants in your world, one thing you should know is God has put them under your feet. He has equipped you for every battle. There is something on the inside of you that satan and his demons can’t stand; your faith. Your faith can move every mountain and destroy the giants that come your way.

God wants you to be strong in the midst of any difficulty. The reason being that when you are strong, you are able to act on your faith. And you don’t allow fear to stop you from moving forward. Peter sank when allowed fear to overwhelm his heart.

“…Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink…” (Matthew 14:29, 30 NIV)

I don’t know what you are going through today but what I do know is God has a better future for you. You have to move forward to possess everything God has promised you in His word. Giants may be on the way to prevent you from taking what is yours but know that God has already given you the victory. Only be strong and courageous to move forward.

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