Time Out! Devotions

I’ll forgive . . . but I’ll never forget. We hear that so much, it’s easy to shrug it off as “only natural.” That’s just the problem! It is the most natural response we can expect. Not supernatural. It can also have tragic consequences.

In his book Great Church Fights, Leslie Flynn tells of two unmarried sisters who lived together, but, because of an unresolved disagreement over an insignificant issue, they stopped speaking to each other (one of the inescapable results of refusing to forgive). Since they were either unable or unwilling to move out of their small house, they continued to use the same rooms, eat at the same table, use the same appliances, and sleep in the same room . . . all separately . . . without uttering one word. A chalk line divided the sleeping area into halves, separating doorways as well as the fireplace. Each would come and go, cook and eat, sew and read without ever stepping over into her sister’s territory. Through the black of night, each could hear the deep breathing of the other, but, because both were unwilling to take the first step toward forgiving and releasing whatever was the offense, they coexisted for years in grinding silence.

Refusing to forgive and cancel the debt leads to other tragedies, like monuments of spite. How many Christian organizations split (often over nitpicky issues), then spin off into another direction, fractured, splintered, and bitterly opinionated? How many families choose to hold on to memories of resentment, rather than create legacies of forgiveness? And churches can be the worst at this!

After I spoke at a summer Bible conference meeting one evening, a woman told me that she and her family had been camping across America. In their travels, they drove through a town, passing by a church with a name she said she would never forget—

THE ORIGINAL CHURCH OF GOD, NUMBER TWO.

Whether our dispute is a personal or a public matter, we quickly reveal whether we possess a servant’s heart in how we respond to those who have offended us. We always have a choice. Will we choose to hold on to the things that have hurt us until we’ve erected monuments of spite that divide our once harmonious relationships . . . or will we choose to create lasting legacies of forgiveness by forgiving those that hurt us and then releasing the offense . . . canceling the debt? Don’t miss those final words.

It isn’t enough simply to say, “Well, okay—you’re forgiven, but don’t expect me to release you!” That means we have constructed a monument of spite in our mind, which isn’t forgiveness at all.

Before I go on, let me say this: I don’t mean to imply that you forget what happened, or that you are able to erase the incident from your memory, or that you don’t hold someone responsible for abusive or criminal behavior or financial debts. We live in reality. It’s impossible for victims of rape to remove the unspeakable crime from their memory. Memories of childhood abuse cannot be wisped away like leaves falling from a tree. Scars, both physical and emotional, are lasting pictures of a terrible pain.

What I do mean is that we release people from the guilt and no longer hold the offense over their heads. When we choose to “cancel the debt,” we unshackle people from the dark emotions lurking in our hearts that say, Never. Never let this go. In fact, for those who have experienced life-altering offenses, choosing to forgive and release people can be an ongoing process. When Peter asked Jesus, “‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven’ ” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Servants must be broad-shouldered people—big enough to go on, big enough to remember the right, and big enough to forgive the wrong by releasing the offender of any guilt, pain, or grudges.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, “Creating a Legacy of Forgiveness: Cancel the Debt,” Insights (May 2004): 1, 4. Copyright © 2004, Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

1.     What a friend we have in Jesus,
	all our sins and griefs to bear!
	What a privilege to carry
	everything to God in prayer!
	O what peace we often forfeit,
	O what needless pain we bear,
	all because we do not carry
	everything to God in prayer. 

2.	Have we trials and temptations?
	Is there trouble anywhere?
	We should never be discouraged;
	take it to the Lord in prayer.
	Can we find a friend so faithful
	who will all our sorrows share?
	Jesus knows our every weakness;
	take it to the Lord in prayer. 

3.	Are we weak and heavy laden,
	cumbered with a load of care?
	Precious Savior, still our refuge;
	take it to the Lord in prayer.
	Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
	Take it to the Lord in prayer!
	In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
	thou wilt find a solace there.    AMEN!

 --- Joseph M. Scriven 1820-1886 ---

(by Charles Swindoll from Insight for Living)

Deuteronomy 5:33 (NCV)

Live the way the Lord your God has commanded you so that you may live and have what is good and have a long life in the land you will take.

Now you say, “Well, what if we find a list of do’s and don’ts in Scripture?” That is a very different issue! Any specified list in Scripture is to be obeyed without hesitation or question. That’s an inspired list for all of us to follow, not someone’s personal list. Let me encourage you to guide your life by any and all Scripture with all of your heart, regardless of how anyone else may respond. But when questionable things aren’t specified in Scripture, it then becomes a matter of one’s personal preference or convictions.

God has given His children a wonderful freedom in Christ, which means not only freedom from sin and shame but also a freedom in lifestyle, so that we can become models of His grace. Being free, enjoying your liberty, and allowing others the same enjoyment is hard to do if you’re insecure. It is especially hard to do if you were raised by legalistic parents and led by legalistic pastors with an oversensitive conscience toward pleasing everyone. Those kinds of parents and pastors can be ultra-controlling, manipulative, and judgmental. Frequently, they use the Bible as a hammer to pound folks into submission rather than as a guide to lead others into grace. Sometimes it takes years for people who have been under a legalistic cloud to finally have the courage to walk freely in the grace of God. Unfortunately, some who finally grasp this freedom go so far in it they abuse the grace of God by flaunting their liberty.

That can be just as tragic as those who don’t go far enough. To return to one of my favorite words, we need the balance.

The Grace Awakening Devotional, Charles R. Swindoll, © 2003, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

(by Pastor Jeff Schreve from Christianity.com)

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:15-16

It was second period at Bleyl Jr. High School in Houston, Texas.  I was talking to my friend, Mike, leaning back in my chair – a major “no-no” for the students.  I lost my balance at the wrong time and fell backward, right at the feet of the teacher.  She must have been having a BAD day because she freaked out and escorted me directly to the Principal, Mr. Brown.  (I did not even get to pass Go or collect my $200.)

At my school, when you got sent to the office, you typically saw one of the Assistant Principals, Mr. Sheridan or Mr. Rushing.  You NEVER saw THE Principal, Mr. Brown, unless the circumstances were severe.

Mr. Brown was very tough and intimidating.  I think his physiological make up was about 50% iron.  The stories of him giving swats were legendary.  It was basically reported that getting swats from Mr. Brown was akin to getting caned in Singapore.  Needless to say, I was scared to death as I sat in his office waiting for the hammer to fall.  Was I about to be surprised!

Mr. Brown was so nice to me.  He knew who I was and had watched me play basketball.  He was impressed with the way I could jump.  He laughed and joked with me and asked me about our team.  He was not mad at me at all.  He was gracious and compassionate.  He did not even mention swats.  I was amazed and relieved all at the same time.  I thought his office was going to be a place of judgment, but what I found was a place of grace.

GOD AND HIS THRONE

The Bible tells us that God sits on a throne of GRACE, not a throne of judgment and condemnation.  He wants to bless us, not curse us.  He is a merciful God who longs to pour out His lovingkindness on those who come to Him in humility, repentance and faith.

You know what that means?  God is a God you and I can get close to.  He wants us to draw near to Him.  He wants to help us in our time of need.  He is truly “a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24).

The big questions are these: Will you and I take Him up on His generous and amazing offer to come boldly before His throne?  Will we avail ourselves of the help and strength that He promises to give us?  Will we believe His Word, or the erroneous things we have heard about Him concerning his anger and disgust for us in our weaknesses and failures?  These are questions that NEED to be answered, and answered correctly.

In closing, do you know who is one of my dear friends today?  That’s right, Mr. Brown.  He and I still keep in touch, and he never ceases to encourage me in my preaching and ministry.  He has been a blessing to me ever since the day I fearfully entered his office over 33 years ago.

You know what?  God is inviting you to meet Him today in His office.  He doesn’t want to swat you for your failures, He wants to love on you and fill you with His strength.  The office door is open.  Will you come?

Love,

Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls. Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.