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How Do We Experience Freedom? (Ephesians 4:31-32)

How do we experience freedom from resentment? We must keep practicing the instant forgiveness experiment in Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” […]

How To Let Go of Resentment Horizontally in Relationships (Ephesians 4:31-32)

How do we let go of resentment horizontally in relationships? The Apostle Paul wrote: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). First, we must pour out […]

How To Let Go of Resentment Vertically with God (Ephesians 4:31-32)

How do we let go of resentment vertically with God? We pour out the bitter (resentment) and drink in the sweet antidote: God’s restoration of forgiveness, kindness, and compassion in Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and […]

The Prison Wall of Resentment (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Jesus likened withholding forgiveness to a prison (Matthew 18:21-35). The irony is the person who will not forgive is the one locked inside the four walls. Forgive means “to let go.” In order to forgive someone who has wounded us, we must let go of four prison walls that incarcerate us in the prison of […]

The Prison Wall of Revenge Comes in Three Levels (Romans 12:17-21)

Which form of revenge do you favor? Revenge comes in three levels: (1) greater, (2) same, or (3) lesser. When our talent, treasure, or time is damaged, we are tempted to repay the offender with either greater, the same, or lesser damage to his resource of life. Revenge takes the matter into our own hands […]

The Prison Wall of Revenge and our Three Resources of Life (Matthew 5:38-42)

Often times, our first reaction to someone who wrongs us is revenge, the first prison wall of withholding forgiveness. Revenge means retaliation, or repayment. We are harmed in three ways, representing our 3 resources of life: (1) talent — the unique person God has created us to be, (2) treasure, and (3) time. Jesus addressed […]

The Prison Wall of Revenge (Matthew 18:21-35)

Have you had the opportunity to forgive someone who has wronged you? Who harmed you? Who was it? How did the act make you feel? Did you hold on or let go? Jesus likened withholding forgiveness to prison (Matthew 18:21-35). The irony is that the person who will not forgive is the one locked inside […]

What Can We Learn from Solomon? (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Life apart from God is meaningless. A divided heart led to a divided kingdom. It’s the first sin. It’s the wide gate. It’s love of the world. King Solomon pursued earthly knowledge for the sake of contentment, possessions for the sake of significance, military might for the sake of control, money for the sake of […]

Forgiveness Flows From The Heart (Matthew 6:14-15)

Are you characterized and known as a forgiver? The Bible teaches us two heart conditions exist: proud or humble. A proud heart is hard and holds on. A humble heart is soft and lets go, or forgives. When someone harms us, we either hold on or we let go. When we hold on, we remove […]

Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor (Matthew 18:21-35)

Have you had the opportunity to forgive someone who has wronged you? Jesus likened withholding forgiveness to a prison. The irony is that the person who will not forgive is the one locked inside the four walls. Forgive means “to let go.” In order to forgive someone who has wounded us, we must let go […]

Never Give Up on Each Other (Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:25)

Are you tempted to give up on someone? Has the advancement of the kingdom of God in that person skidded to what appears to be a screeching halt? Paul explained the what and why of not giving up on each other: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we […]

Never Give Up on Yourself (2 Chronicles 15:7)

When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, are you tempted to give up on yourself? After describing a season in which God’s leaders gave up, Azariah son of Oded said to King Asa of Judah: “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7). King […]

Never Give Up (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Do you ever feel like giving up? Whether we are overextended or just plain bored, how do we never give up? Amidst life’s challenges or even lack of them, we often say, “I give up.” These words weighted with finality flow from the heart. Just like a physical heart is comprised of four chambers, so […]

David Exhaled the Breath of Life to Others (Psalm 145; Psalm 78:70-72)

David yielded to God’s devising ways in him to help the banished not remain estranged from the Lord. In his crown jewel psalm, David exhaled the breath of life to others. First, David worshiped God in the presence of others (Psalm 145:1-3). Second, David exhaled God’s Word to others by writing the inspired Word. Third, […]

Exhale the Breath of Life to Others (1 Peter 3:15)

Do you secretly maintain a list of transgressions that disqualify sinners from the reach of God? Our beliefs affect our behavior, especially when encountering those who have blatantly sinned against God. Consequently, we must examine God’s passion for the lost to find life in Him and His desire to use us in the process. In […]