It is easy to say the above. It is something else to mean it and carry it out.

“⁵For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” — Matthew 9:5 (ESV)

Jesus was well aware of the ease at which one can say something that is difficult to, if not impossible to understand (unless you are of/for God). Anyone can say something, but to make it so takes another level of capability. Jesus had that capability and authority to do so.

“’⁶But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Rise, pick up your bed and go home.’” — Matthew 9:6 (ESV)

Man, those not of/for God, find it difficult to accept that which they cannot see. Jesus knew and understood this and as such, He proved himself to those looking on at the events as they unfolded. He mentioned that it was indeed easy to say that the man’s sins were forgiven and that with His authority, He meant it, but to prove to them His authority, He also healed the man of his paralysis.

Jesus has all authority to say and act as He will. He spent His time saying and acting to bring glory to God the Father and doing His work here in this world. It is a shame that as humans there is a need to require proof. As Jesus knows this, He does what is necessary to reach those which are in need. Even upon His resurrection from death, He proved His life with Thomas.

“²⁵So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’ ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ ²⁸Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ²⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” — John 20:25 & 27-29 (ESV)

Jesus did what was needed for others to believe. I like to believe that I am one of those referred to in the last part of John 20:29, “those who have not seen and yet have believed”. Jesus has forgiven my sins and for that I am grateful and devote myself to doing the work He has for me in this world.

What is your approach to believing? Are you one that requires things to be proven for you to believe? What if you were to accept Christ and the forgiveness of your sins without things being proven?

I have been perplexed by those in the world that do not take an opportunity to reciprocate. There are many times that I have witnessed the giving, or given myself and that is where it ends. There is simply the, what appears to be the empty “thank you” and no return of anything for that which was received, except for the expectations that the gifts will keep coming. This is not the approach that should be taken.

This morning I was again led to The Lord’s Prayer as I study the word “forgiven”. I was reminded that much has been given and forgiven for me and it is my duty going forward to provide the same for those in my sphere.

“¹²and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” — Matthew 6:12 (ESV)

I know that I should not be hung up on the reciprocation of others as my role is to give and serve others and my reward is from Christ in heaven. I am not to worry with the actions of others and do all that I can to provide for them. I am to give and forgive for much has been given and forgiven for me. But, that does not make is sting any less.

I should not be caught off guard by those that are self-aggrandizing and just do the work God has for me and give and forgive all. I should be working for Christ and not concern myself with others and what appears to be their lack of concern for anyone other than themselves. I have to concern myself with doing that which will bring glory to God and all else will be dealt with by God in His time and manner.

I have been forgiven by God for the sins I have committed and as such I am due to forgive those that have sinned as well. I have no debt with God as it was paid with the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross. I have a duty to forgive any debt others have with me as anything owed to me is of less importance than the debt God forgave me.

What debts or actions have you been holding on to from others? Are you looking for them to repay those debts or actions? What if you were to forgive them as God has forgive them of you?

I believe that one of the more difficult things to realize about God, salvation, and forgiveness is that all that is needed is to acknowledge sin and ask sincerely to be forgiven. I know that for me I have heard too many times, “if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is”. Well, the more one hears something, the more true it seems to become.

“⁵I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” — Psalm 32:5 (ESV)

Here are words from David, a man after God’s own heart. These show the path to forgiveness and the ease at which it is actually to achieve. Acknowledging sin to God and bringing it out into the light so that it is not hidden. God will forgive those and thankfully we are able to encounter relief. David knew that God was fully aware of his sin and the way to be forgiven of them was to confess them and get everything out in the open, acknowledging it exists so that it can now be dealt with.

Once I have acknowledged my sin, I have to be open enough to know that it is not just a one time thing. I have to revisit my sin daily in acknowledgment to be sure that I have nothing hidden and I can live openly with my relationship with God.

“¹Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. ²Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” — Psalm 32:1-2 (ESV)

With my acknowledgment of sin in my life, I am opening to have everything exposed. It is scary for sure to know that everything is out there for God to see, but, He already knows anyway so why not get it out so that I can get past the hiding and deception that all is well. In order to truly ensure that all is well with God, I have to get it out. I have written in the margin of my bible the following as I know that I have studied these verses before: “Get it out. Let God know that you are a sinner. He wants to forgive our sin.”

God wants to have the open, honest relationship with me and in order for that to be, I have to be open and honest with Him. I have to acknowledge my imperfections (that are too many to count) and allow God to forgive me for each and every one of them, even those that have yet to come.

What sin in your life have you now acknowledged? Are you hoping that God will just overlook them since you have denied that they even exist? What if you were to open up, acknowledge your sin and that you are a sinner and allowed God to forgive you?

I look out into my surroundings and those that are around me and notice that there are those that are excelling in areas I wish I was able to excel. They seem to have a knack for success in those areas, financial, relational, physical. I see them with the natural ability to and are recognized as a go to person in those areas. I find myself envious of them and want only to be like them.

“⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” — 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded that not everyone is given the same gifts. If they were, then who would excel in the other areas where work is needed for Christ. Someone has to do the other work. And God will give the gifts to those who need them to complete and excel in that work.

I think even to myself and what my gifts that are given by God and how I use them to do the work He assigns me. I am a teacher. I have been given the gift of teaching. I have been successful in leading classrooms and individuals in their growth and development, whether that is in the world, or as relates to God’s Word. I sit here this morning giving my thoughts on this subject, not only to share them, but in hopes that someone will read and be led to pick up God’s Word, study and learn more on their own. I may not see the fruit of the labor I have been doing as in keeping with my role, I only sow the seeds for Christ and allow Him to cultivate and work with that seed in the others lives.

My gifts are not to be compared to anyone’s. I have been made and grown into the person and Christ follower I am for the glory of God. He has given me a gift that will make work He has assigned for me effective in the completion of that work. I am unique in that regard and should only look to how I am able to use my given gifts for His glory and nothing else.

What comparisons are you making with your gifts to those of others? Are you looking with envy on others and what appears to come easy to them? What if you simply accepted the gifts give to you and worked to use those gifts solely for the glory of God?

Those things given by God are not for all to understand, and when not of/for God, understanding of that given by God will not happen.

“¹⁴The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

This seems a bit odd as wouldn’t it make sense for those that are seeking God to be able to understand Him and that which comes from Him. I have a friend that was open with me in their journey to salvation. Their first encounter with God’s Word was well before their acceptance of His freely given salvation. When picking up the Bible and trying to read, they admitted to me that it seemed to be in a different language and they were fully unable to understand, or even read God’s Word. They were open to exploring God’s gifts and some time later after opening their heart, they picked up God’s Word again and amazingly to them, the same Bible and the same passage were somehow now legible and they were able to begin studying.

“¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. ¹³And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” — 1 Corinthians 2:11-13 (ESV)

I can only attribute the understanding of God’s Word for my friend with their opening and acceptance to the Spirit of God that was now within them. Their opening of heart to accept God and all that He is and provides gave them the ability to understand that which is from God, namely in this case His Word.

The example, may seem extreme and somehow far fetched to some, I however fully believe. I know even for me and my family, there are a lot of things that happen or do not happen, that at first glance are difficult to understand, but as I dig in and study God’s Word and open to His and the Spirit’s guidance, they become clear and on a number of occasions lately I or Lori have mentioned that only God could have done or allowed or stopped certain things. Understanding of those things of/from God are only for those that are of/for God.

What things are you having difficulty understanding? Are those things linked to God and Christ? What if you were to open your heart to Him and approach the understanding of them by accepting God and allowing Him to guide your understanding?

I have studied and written about the Holy Spirit being provided as a watcher in this world until the return of Christ. This morning I was reminded that the Holy Spirit was given, not just provided.

“⁵and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:5 (ESV)

God “gave” the Holy Spirit with love to dwell among us until the return of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is here moving along with me as I traverse through all that I find in my path to doing the will of Christ. I have a “helper” in the Holy Spirit to lift me up and dust me off when I need it.

What I forget sometimes is that the Holy Spirit was given and I should accept that gift. I am in need and where God may not provide for all of my wants, I can rest assured that my needs will be met, including those of the internal intrinsic nature that require more comfort than those that I may feel or see in the physical. Those needs are met through the Holy Spirit who was given to pour love into my heart and provide for those internal intrinsic needs.

What are your understandings around the given Holy Spirit? Are you even aware that the Holy Spirit was given as a gift from God? How would your life or approach be different knowing that the Holy Spirit was “given” from God for the purpose of pouring love into your heart?

“²⁶John answered them, ‘I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, ²⁷even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’” — John 1:26-27 (ESV)

John the Baptist was not shy in giving glory to Jesus as Christ. He was sure to let all know that he was only here to carry out the work of Christ and give way to Him once he arrived.

“³⁰He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30 (ESV)

John knew that he was only there for the short time to prepare the way for Christ and once Christ began His work, John would fade into the background and continue to do the work assigned him through Christ. What an example of the servant part being played out, doing the work for the master, and when the master arrives, fade into doing other work.

John knew that all that he received was given to Him from God. His disciples came to him with questions about Jesus’ work if baptism and how it might be undermining the work of John.

“²⁷John answered, ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.” ²⁹The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.’” — John 3:27-29 (ESV)

John received all that he had from God. As such, he was grateful for the opportunity to be there doing the work of Christ and was living in joy because of it. John was given the chance to glorify God and in return was granted life everlasting.

“³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” — John 3:36 (ESV)

What is your approach to the receipt of everlasting life? Are you seeking it here in this world through your works and the rewards you have here? What if you gave glory to God and received it from Him as it is given to you for the work you have done for Him?

It should go without saying, Jesus was given for me. Jesus was sent to this world as a replacement to receive the consequences of sin. I am just one of those that are sinners (all of us are by the way). Jesus was the substitute for my punishment, and that punishment is great.

The compassion and unconditional love of God is shown in His giving of Jesus to be that substitute for me. I am certainly not deserving of it, but God gives anyway. Even before He was to be sacrificed for my sin, Jesus knew and accepted it. He went so far as to tell others it was going to happen and where He had the authority to stop it, Jesus willingly accepted His role in saving all of the sinners of this world. And, in His last hours, he only asked that we remember Him in His sacrifice and for that which was given.

“¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” — Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)

I can see here in the above verses that Jesus was fully committed to the act of sacrificing Himself for me. He did not shy away, and was confident in letting everyone know it was to happen and there was no stopping it. Jesus was given for me.

I have to remember that Jesus did this. Every day, I have to remember. I have to live in confidence that I will not have to suffer because He suffered for me. I have to know that whatever I consider persecution here in this world pales in comparison to what Jesus endured for me. Each morning as I study His word, I have to dive in and learn to honor Him and bring glory to His name as I owe Him for saving my life through His sacrifice. I have to accept the fact that Jesus was given for me. He willingly was given and gave His body, blood, and physical life for me.

What is your approach to the life you have? Are you aware that someone sacrificed for you? What if you accepted that Jesus was given and gave Himself for you as a substitute for your sin?

In my role as a corporate training professional I engage with adult learners each and every day. One of the things that I stress to them is to be sure and ask any questions that are “burning a hole in your skull”. I want them to feel comfortable with asking for answers to ensure that they have taken charge of their learning and that they are not hampered by the anxiety of not knowing something. I read this morning in Matthew and found where it was I get that concept to stress.

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, taught many things to the people and to me even these many years later. This one, title in my ESV bible: “Ask, and It Will Be Given”, centers around inquiring for that which is in need. Now I have to be careful and know that just asking for something is not how it all works. I have to ask in Jesus’ name and that will be given (John 15:16). But, this passage gives encouragement to ask, seek, and knock for those things which one finds are worth inquiring about.

I have to remember what it is that I teach (asking for those things that are burning a hole in the skull) and living it out in my own life. There are things that I feel are worth inquiring about and who better to ask than the only one that can supply for all of my needs, GOD.

I have to get out of my own way and seek from God for the things that He knows I need and allow Him to provide. I know what I “want”, like most everyone else in the world, but I may not know exactly what I “need” nor will I exactly recognize it when I see it. God does though and I have to remember to seek His counsel and guidance to be made aware of my needs and how it is He is supplying for them. This will assist me in asking, seeking, and knocking more for the things I need, in His Name, and therefore, I will recognize when they have been given to me.

What are some of the things that you have asked for, sought for, or knocked for? Are you looking to find those things that are “needed” or those that you are “wanting”? What if you looked to God for guidance in the area of your needs to ensure that what you were indeed asking for in His Name fell in line with “needs”?

“⁶For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

This morning as I was reading in Isaiah, I was reminded that Jesus was given to me. God gave His son to take on all for my sake.

I look at the verse above and when really breaking it down I can shift things around to show the breadth of Jesus’ role. I can remove the word “child” in the beginning of the verse and replace it with the last part of the verse to be like this: “For to us a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” And now I see the breadth of His role in this world and in my life.

I often wonder when I will be given to. I feel as though I am the one giving to others on a constant basis, with little to no appreciation for the work that I have done. I am questioned as to the reason for doing and even what seems to be put off until later and that person then introduces what I have given as their item and, not only takes the credit for it, but is rewarded and celebrated for giving such a “great” idea.

I have to remember that I am only here to do the will of God and sow the seeds He would have me sow. In this world I may not be given much in the way of monetary support, but I will and have been given Jesus to carry me through every circumstance that is presented. Jesus is given to take on the difficulties so that I do not have to. He was given to me as my “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Jesus is my all in all.

When you look into the world and your role in it, what are you expecting? Are you hoping to be given something grand to hang on to? What if you were to hang on to Jesus who is/was given for you?