Greater Forgiveness Part II

This was originally posted in October, 2009 but it has such a great message so I am sharing this again. I pray that it blesses you. 
 

"I am free"

A couple of weeks ago, Senior Pastor Rich Nathan’s message was called ‘Greater Forgiveness’. The central theme of the message was that God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ is full and complete. One thing that God has laid on my heart the past several days is the problem of what Rich referred to as ‘moralism’ that is ‘when we try to straighten other people out’.

Rich stated that this has two aspects to it: ‘those who try to do this are usually caught up in the same sin’ and ‘people don’t like other people condemning them’. The passage that brings this to light is John 8:4-7

“4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." “

I have lost many who I considered to be my friends over the past two years. It hurts me that a number of them have chosen to not see the miracle of what God has done in me – taking this completely broken vessel, restoring it, and watching it blossom. And yes I can say blossom in spite of being without a job the past 10 months and other unanswered prayer. But the core of friends that I do have remained strong (including my children) and as God has added the ‘yeast’ I have seen friendships multiply. Many of them know what has transpired and many could care less. They love me and pray for me simply because of who I am – a sinner saved by Jesus Christ.

Some verses God laid on my heart this morning to share:

Psalm 62:7-8   

7 

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 

8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 63: 1-8 

1 

"1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 

3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 

4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 

5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 

6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 

7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."

Colossians 2:13-15 “13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

John 5:17 “Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." ‘

God has placed a calling on me to be reconciled with those who have chosen not to see what God has done through me. And this is solely because of what is in my heart towards them – seeking their forgiveness for anything I am harboring against them. I am going to be persistent simply because Christ demands that we be reconciled:

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 “16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Let me close with a line from a song:

“Are you free ? I am free !”

"I Am Free" by the Newsboys 

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you all hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free
Yes, I am free

I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)
Yes I am free
(I am free)

Through you the kingdom comes
Through you the battle's won
Through you I'm not afraid
Through you the price is paid
Through you there's victory
Because of you my heart sings
I am free
Yes, I am free

I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)
Yes I am free
(I am free)

Who the son sets free-is free indeed
(Who the son sets free)
Who the son sets free-is free indeed
(Who the son sets free)

I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)
Yes I am free
(I am free)

"Five Marks Of An Authentic Christian"

This is a recap of a series of messages from Pastor James McDonald that I did in October, 2009. I pray that it blesses you.

I recently listened to a sermon series by Pastor James McDonald and he stated that these are the five marks of an authentic Christian:

1. Love deeply
2.Obeying faithfully
3. Living authentically
4. Knowing completely
5. Believing confidently

The following verses sum it up so well:

" 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins." 2 Peter 1:5-9
Many thought that I would never get here - that I was too broken, that I simply could not put be back together. But God had other plans and through lots of prayer, love, and true brothers in the Lord I am not only back together but can say with confidence in my Lord Jesus that I am an 'Authentic Christian" as witnessed by family & friends.
The song ‘Complete’ by Kutless really speaks to that end – it came to help change my prayer life among other things and ties in the words from James McDonald and 2 Peter 1:5-9 so well. Below are the lyrics
What are you waiting for ? Get “Complete” in Jesus !

“Complete” by Kutless

"Incomplete it all began The broken state that I was in I wished that I was someone else Cause' I was lost inside myself I started seeing who I am The day my life with you began You clearly solved the mystery That finding you meant finding me.

God, I've fallen to my knees I'm bowing at your feet I give you all of me In you I am complete It's all because of love I'm not who I was I'm who I meant to be In you I am complete

God who doesn't need at all I heard your voice I felt your call It's echoing I cannot shake you off. The stars that shine they bear your name They sing the song that gives you praise You've captured me My heart is lifting off

God, I've fallen to my knees I'm bowing at your feet I give you all of me In you I am complete
It's all because of love I'm not who I was I'm who I meant to be In you I am complete

I've got to tell the world about the things you've done I want to shout it out, I'm gonna live it now Amazing grace is why I'm singing

God, I've fallen to my knees I'm bowing at your feet I give you all of me In you I am complete It's all because of love I'm not who I was I'm who I meant to be In you I am complete"

"Alive Again"

This post was originally from October, 2011 but I wanted to share it in thanks to God for my beautiful, precious Valerie. I pray it blesses you. 
 

Psalm 37:4

I first heard the words to this song as I left church this past Saturday and God laid them on my heart to share with my friends.

 Jesus completed the process he began of turning my life around on January 27, 2011 @ 7:08 PM when I first laid eyes on Valerie Geis now Valerie Horosz

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

 I pray that God's word from Jeremiah and the lyrics from this song will give you the encouragement that you need to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

 

"Alive Again by Matt Maher

 I woke up in darkness surrounded by silence

Oh where, where have I gone?
I woke to reality losing its grip on me
Oh where, where have I gone?

'Cause I can see the light before I see the sunrise

You called and You shouted
Broke through my deafness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

You shattered my darkness
Washed away my blindness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

Late have I loved You
You waited for me
I searched for You
What took me so long?

I was looking outside
As if love would ever want to hide
I'm finding I was wrong

'Cause I could feel the wind before it hits my skin

You called and You shouted
Broke through my deafness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

You shattered my darkness
Washed away my blindness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again, I'm alive again

'Cause I want You, yes, I want You, I need You
And I'll do whatever I have to just to get through
'Cause I love You, yeah, I love You

You called and You shouted
Broke through my deafness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

You shattered my darkness
Washed away my blindness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

 

"Greater Forgiveness" by Rich Nathan

 

This was from a sermon by Senior Pastor Rich Nathan of Vineyard Columbus in 2010. This message came at a time in my life where I really needed to hear it. It is so powerful I wanted to share it again. 

Senior Pastor Rich Nathan's message this weekend was called 'Greater Forgiveness'.

In it he outlined that 'we need to receive the fullness of Jesus forgiveness. Nowhere in the Bible does it say "All your sins are forgiven except________" ' Rich also mentioned that 'there are so many excuses DNA, genes, parents, environment, etc. but I am still a sinner.' He gave the example of an interview with Bill Clinton about Monica Lewinsky and that Bill Clinton said he could have used the 'excuses' reason but he said he did it for the the worst reason of all - "I wanted to'. We have all been there but a God has laid this on my heart and I have assumed full responsibility for my sin that has caused so much anguish - and I have already received many blessings in return.

Rich also pointed out that 'Our worst sin is the failure to believe the word of God when it comes to forgiveness'.

"Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back." Isaiah 38:17
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25
"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12
"You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19
He stated the the evidence of forgiveness is twofold" 'Your focus is on Jesus', and 'You devote everything to Jesus'.
I close with this.
""Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."" Luke 10:36-37 NIV

Go and do likewise.


"Ocean Floor" by Audio Adrenaline
"The Mistakes I've made
That cause pain I could have done without All my selfish thought All my pride The things I hide You have forgot about
Chorus
They’re all behind you They’ll never find you There on the ocean floor You sins are forgotten They’re on the bottom Of the ocean floor
My misdeeds All my greed All the things that haunt me now They’re not a pretty sight to see But they're wiped away By a mighty, mighty wave A mighty, mighty wave
Your sins are erased And they are no more They’re out on the ocean floor
Take them away To return no more Take them away To the ocean floor To the ocean floor To the ocean floor|
Your sins are erased They are no more They’re out on the ocean floor

THE HARDEST PART OF FAITH

 A devotion of encouragement from a friend:

David Wilkerson Today

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2012

THE HARDEST PART OF FAITH

by Gary Wilkerson

When I was a boy my father taught me one of the best faith-lessons I have ever

learned. “Son, the hardest part of faith is always the last half hour. When

you feel like giving up; when you feel that your life is off track; when you

don’t hear from God anymore, just hold on — because the last half hour is

the hardest part of faith.”

Have you ever driven on a long journey? You go hundreds of miles and the trip

is going just fine. Finally you see a sign that says your destination is just

30 miles down the road. That last 30 miles can seem almost as long as the 500

miles you have just traveled. The last half hour of a journey is sometimes the

hardest because you’re almost there and you have to hold on just a little

longer.

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God

you may receive what is promised” (Hebrews 10:36, ESV).

I know some of you feel like giving up but I want to encourage you to hold on

just a little longer. You feel like the dream is not going to come to reality

but God is saying to you, “Just hold on, child. Hold on, church. Hold on a

few more minutes. Hold on a few more weeks — because your victory is just

around the corner!”

I cannot tell you how many people I have met who had a word from God but the

answer was slow in coming, they abandoned hope and now are living a life of

mediocrity. If they had held on just a little longer, all the things God had

spoken would have come true. But they have withdrawn from faith; withdrawn from

valor; withdrawn from vision and purpose. They are living a life of quiet

desperation because they no longer trust God or believe Him for great things.

They are moving in their own strength without the power of God.

Do not give up hope. God is saving the best for last!

"Thank you Sergeant David Karnes"

 From the Facebook page "Thank you Sergeant David Karnes". I had the pleasure of sitting across from David in homeroom in 12th grade. A true American hero, a believer in Jesus Christ and fellow Steel Valley Class of 1976 alumni. Semper Fi David ! God Bless ! 

A remarkable man. An unsung hero in one of the darkest hours of our nation..

 Thank you Staff Sergeant Karnes.

"Description • During the 9/11 attacks, Karnes, an accountant by profession, left his office at Deloitte and Touche in Wilton, Connecticut on September 11, 2001 soon after witnessing the attacks on television. Karnes said to his co-workers, "You guys may not realize it, but we're at war right now."

 According to a Slate magazine profile, Karnes drove to a local church and asked the pastor and parishioners to ...say a prayer that God would lead him to survivors. A devout Christian, Karnes often turned to God when faced with decisions."

 Having spent 23 years in the Marine Corps infantry, he got a regulation hair cut, put on his Marine Corps camouflage utility uniform and obtained equipment that included rappelling gear. He drove from Connecticut to the World Trade Center to assist with the disaster. At the site he ran into another Marine, Jason Thomas, and walked with him into the rubble. At the time he only knew his fellow Marine as "Sgt. Thomas." His full identity was not discovered until years later.

 According to a Defense Department profile of Karnes:

 "As we were walking we were yelling at the top of our lungs 'United States Marines, can anyone hear us?'" Karnes described. “As we approached the depression of the south tower I thought I heard something. Indeed it was some muffled call for help, I ensured them that "Thomas and I were both looking for them so keep yelling so we can find you.” Karnes instructed Thomas to position himself on some high rubble for visibility and to guide any responding rescuers to the trapped men. After Karnes called his wife and sister on his cell phone with instructions to relay to the authorities his whereabouts, he and Thomas were able to find two survivors.”

 The two men found Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin, a pair of police officers buried in the rubble.

 Karnes spent a total of nine days at the site before returning to his office. Upon returning home, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and went on to serve in the Philippines and Iraq. He served for 17 months, including two tours of duty in Iraq."

The Story of A Little Girl Tied to a Tree

 

"To be delegated the authority to operate in someone else’s name is to “represent” them. But what does it actually mean to represent someone? The dictionary defines “representation” as “to present again.” Another way to say it might be “re-present” someone. A representative is one who re-presents the will of another. The dictionary also provided these meanings: “to exhibit the image and counterpart of; to speak and act with authority on the part of; to be a substitute or agent for.”

In 1976 I traveled with a team to a remote village in Guatemala, far from any modern city. There was no electrical power, no plumbing, no phones. Our purpose in being there was to build shelters for the villagers whose adobe homes had been destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 1976. It had killed 30,000 people and left 1,000,000 homeless. We had trucked in materials and were building small, one-room huts for them during the daylight hours that would keep them out of the rain and elements. In the evenings, we would hold services in the center of the village, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to them, explaining that His love was motivating us to spend our time, money, and energies helping them. The entire village would turn out.

We had been ministering for one week with only one or two people coming to Christ. The people were listening, but not responding.

I was to preach on the final night of our trip. Just as the service was about to begin a team member told me about a situation he and others had found on the far side of the village - a little girl, six or seven years old, tied to a tree.

Shocked by what they were seeing, they asked the family who lived there, “Why is this small girl tied to that tree?” It was obvious she lived there, much like a dog, in the backyard - nasty, filthy, helpless, and alone.

“She is crazy,” the parents replied. “We can’t control her. She hurts herself and others and runs away if we turn her loose. There is nothing else we can do for her, so we just have to tie her up.”

My heart broke as the team member shared what he had seen. It was on my mind as we began the service. A few minutes into my message, standing on a folding table under the stars, Holy Spirit began speaking to me.

“Tell them you are going to pray for the little insane girl across the village tied to the tree. Tell them you are going to do it in the name of this Jesus You’ve been preaching about. Tell them that through Him you are going to break the evil powers controlling her - that when she is free and normal, they can then know what you are preaching is true, that the Jesus you are preaching about is who you say He is.”

I paused in my message and responded to the voice in my heart with fear and trembling. I believe the words were something like, WHAT DID YOU SAY???

Same instructions.

Being the man of faith that I am, I replied, “What is plan B?”

“Rebellion...and failure, came the response. Remember what I said to you before the trip began? Represent Jesus to the people in Guatemala. Be His hands, feet, voice. What you know He would do, you do, in His name.”

Faith began to rise. “The focus is not on me in this situation,” I thought, “but on the One who sent me. I am simply His spokesman. I merely release what He has already done. He has finished the work of delivering this little girl; my prayers release the work, I’m only a distributor of what He has already produced. Be bold. Enforce the victory!”

With new assurance, I began informing the people about what I was planning to do. They nodded in recognition as I mentioned the girl. Expressions of intrigue turned to astonishment as they listened to my plans.

Then I prayed and in Christ’s name, broke the demonic powers controlling her. (I realize all mental disorders are not caused by demonic control. This one, however, was.)

On a moonlit night in a tiny, remote village of Guatemala with a handful of people as my audience, my life changed forever.

Jesus came out of hiding. He became alive: relevant . . . sufficient . . . available! A “hidden” Jesus emerged from the cobwebs of theology. A yesterday Jesus became a today and forever Jesus. A Galilee Jesus became a Guatemala Jesus.

And a new plan unfolded to me. A new concept emerged - Jesus through me.

For the first time, I really understood the heavenly pattern: Jesus is the Victor - we’re the enforcers; Jesus is the Redeemer - we’re the releasers; Jesus is the Head - we’re the body.

Yes, He set the little girl free.

Yes, the village turned to Christ.

Yes, Jesus prevailed through one representing Him.

This partnership is profound - God and humans. But the correct pattern is critical: Our prayers of intercession release Christ’s finished work of intercession.

His work empowers our prayers - our prayers release His work.

Ours extends His - His effectuates ours.

Ours activates His - His validates ours.

In Kingdom Enterprises we’re not in the production department. We’re in distribution . . . BIG difference. He’s the generator; we’re the distributors.

There are many wounded and hurting individuals “tied to trees” around the world. You work with some, others live across the street. One of them probably just served you in a check-out line, seated you in a restaurant, or served you food. Their chains are alcohol, drugs, abuse, broken dreams, rejection, money, lust . . . well, you get the point.

Plan A is for supernatural but ordinary people like you and me to: 1) wholeheartedly believe in the victory of Calvary - to be convinced that it was complete and final, and 2) to rise up in our role as sent ones, ambassadors, authorized representatives of the Victor. Our challenge is not so much to liberate as to believe in the Liberator; not so much to heal as to believe in the Healer.

Plan B is to waste the Cross; to leave the tormented in their torment; to scream with our silence, “There is no hope”; to hear the Father say again, “I looked, but found no one”; to hear the Son cry once more, “The laborers! Where are the laborers?”

Come on, church! Let’s untie some folks. Let’s tell them there is a God who cares. Let’s represent - let’s re-present Christ!

Pray with me:

Father, we have not done a great job representing/re-presenting You and Your will in our nation. Jesus clearly told us to command His kingdom rule into situations; to command His will to be done. He gave us His keys of authority and told us to bind and loose, forbid and allow (Matthew 16:18-19). We are maturing in our understanding of this and what it means to be Your Ekklesia (Your government in the earth).

With this understanding, we re-present Your will today that no one perish spiritually: we ask for and decree revival into the earth - 1 billion souls into Your kingdom family.

We re-present Your will that our children know and follow You; that all prodigals return to Your household of faith. We bind deception from them and break off all addictions in the name of Jesus.

We re-present Your will that the sick are healed: we release miracles, signs and

wonders into the earth. We ask for a new release of “gifts of healing” and the “workings of miracles” into and through the church - the gifts You spoke of in Corinthians.

We re-present Your will that those oppressed by demons are set free: we command a new release of delivering power into the earth in Christ’s name.

We re-present Your will that those who have been abused, wounded, rejected, and injured emotionally in other ways be healed. We release Your restorative power into this outpouring.

And finally, we re-present Your will for America. We decree over this land that we

will be a voice for the gospel to all nations. We will be a nation that models honoring You and Your ways. We will see revival. We will see a righteous government. We will see an end of abortion. We will see a return to morality. We release these things in the all-powerful name of Jesus!

Our Decree:

We decree that the church will receive a fresh revelation of their calling and authority re-presenting HIM into the earth.

Portions of today’s post were taken from my book Intercessory Prayer."
From "Give Him 15" for March 12, 2021