risingwiththeson

The Not So Know-It-All

When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?” (Matthew 22:34-36 MSG) I remember my time in teachers college. IContinueContinue reading “The Not So Know-It-All”

Receiving Healing

I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” (Psalm 41:4 NIV) Did you know that some sicknesses are as a result of sin? After healing the man who had been crippled for thirty-eight years, Jesus warned him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse mayContinueContinue reading “Receiving Healing”

Seek God’s Pardon First

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.”(Luke 15:18 NIV) Over the years, my prayers of confession have come to resemble that of the son in today’s passage. Even though he had sinned against his father, the prodigal son acknowledged that his sin was pre-eminently against God. When King David confessed his sin withContinueContinue reading “Seek God’s Pardon First”

They Don’t Know What They’re Doing

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV) I’ve come to the realization that oftentimes, people who hurt us really don’t know what they’re doing. I believe that for the most part, they’re truly acting in ignorance. Realizing this truth will help us to forgive thoseContinueContinue reading “They Don’t Know What They’re Doing”

Let It Go

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 NIV) Once, two kindergarten students were fighting over a toy. “Let it go!” yelled one of them. “Let it go!” shouted the other, and soon, the whole class was singingContinueContinue reading “Let It Go”

Confess Your Mess

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV) After a discussion on the topic of sin, a student determined that she wasn’t going to sin once she left the classroom. The teacher reminded her that it wouldContinueContinue reading “Confess Your Mess”

Forgive and Forget?

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”(Hebrews 10:17 NIV) God says He’ll remember our sins “no more,” which means that God will never use the past against us (Psalm 103:12), not that He’ll forget our sins because God doesn’t forget. Similarly, we can’t forget the wrong that was done to us, evenContinueContinue reading “Forgive and Forget?”

Choose to Forgive

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?But with you there is forgiveness; so that we can, with reverence, serve you. (Psalm 130:3-4 NIV) One of the many wonderful attributes of God is His forgiveness. He always stands ready to forgive, and He does so freely. The Bible tells us, “asContinueContinue reading “Choose to Forgive”

A True Friend

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severelyContinueContinue reading “A True Friend”

Restored Relationships

Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left,ContinueContinue reading “Restored Relationships”