The First Step to Setting Things Right
Pastor Adrian Rogers
"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
The Lord Jesus said, "Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault" (Matthew 18:15). You say, "He's the one who did wrong. If he wants forgiveness, let him come and ask for it." But Jesus said, "No, you go to him." Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual.
Isn't that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve had sinned against God, and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them. "Adam, where art thou?" That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.
Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, call that person and ask his or her forgiveness. It's going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.
Falling into Crisis
Bayless Conley
In 1 Kings we have the story of the prophet Elijah. In chapter 18, we see a great victory over the priests of Baal, an incredible victory that demonstrated the power of the one true God for all to see.
In the next chapter, we see Elijah on the run (1 Kings 19:1-3),
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
How could Elijah, a prophet of God who had been used in such a powerful way, now be on the run? (He eventually even became suicidal.) While there are a number of things we could look at, I want to give you one truth today to consider.
After any great spiritual victory, it is always wise to keep your armor on. Over and over, there are examples of tremendous trials and temptations after great victories.
King David, after God had supernaturally spoken to him, fell morally, and committed adultery with Bathsheba. Or there is Samson who, after God used him to bring great deliverance, got messed up with Delilah. Then there is Jesus who, after being with the Father on the mount of transfiguration, came to the bottom of the mountain and was met by a demon-possessed boy.
Sometimes we are the most vulnerable after the highest and brightest times we have with God. So today, let me encourage you to always keep your armor on (see Ephesians 6:11).
Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
The Lord Jesus said, "Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault" (Matthew 18:15). You say, "He's the one who did wrong. If he wants forgiveness, let him come and ask for it." But Jesus said, "No, you go to him." Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual.
Isn't that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve had sinned against God, and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them. "Adam, where art thou?" That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.
Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, call that person and ask his or her forgiveness. It's going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.
Falling into Crisis
Bayless Conley
In 1 Kings we have the story of the prophet Elijah. In chapter 18, we see a great victory over the priests of Baal, an incredible victory that demonstrated the power of the one true God for all to see.
In the next chapter, we see Elijah on the run (1 Kings 19:1-3),
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
How could Elijah, a prophet of God who had been used in such a powerful way, now be on the run? (He eventually even became suicidal.) While there are a number of things we could look at, I want to give you one truth today to consider.
After any great spiritual victory, it is always wise to keep your armor on. Over and over, there are examples of tremendous trials and temptations after great victories.
King David, after God had supernaturally spoken to him, fell morally, and committed adultery with Bathsheba. Or there is Samson who, after God used him to bring great deliverance, got messed up with Delilah. Then there is Jesus who, after being with the Father on the mount of transfiguration, came to the bottom of the mountain and was met by a demon-possessed boy.
Sometimes we are the most vulnerable after the highest and brightest times we have with God. So today, let me encourage you to always keep your armor on (see Ephesians 6:11).
Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
Keep Singing - Mercy Me
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