Text 290, 102 rader
Skriven 2005-04-08 03:55:48 av Bob Hoffman (8:8/2)
Ärende: Preserved to Work's End
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From: "Bob Hoffman" <bhoffman@fmlynet.org>

      Faith's Checkbook - Powered by InJesus

      Friday 04-08 / Preserved to Work's End
      Robert Prodoehl
      Apr 7, 2005


Preserved to Work's End

"The LORD stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast
testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome" (Acts
23:11).

Are you a witness for the LORD, and are you just now in danger? Then remember
that you are immortal till your work is done. If the LORD has more witness for
you to bear, you will live to bear it. Who is he that can break the vessel
which the LORD intends again to use? If there is no more work for you to do for
your Master, it cannot distress you that He is about to take you home and put
you where you will be beyond the reach of adversaries. Your witness-bearing for
Jesus is your chief concern, and you cannot be stopped in it till it is
finished: therefore, be at peace. Cruel slander, wicked misrepresentation,
desertion of friends, betrayal by the most trusted one, and whatever else may
come cannot hinder the LORD's purpose concerning you. The LORD stands by you in
the night of your sorrow, and He says, "Thou must yet bear witness for me." Be
calm; be filled with joy in the LORD. If you do not need this promise just now,
you may very soon. Treasure it up. Remember also to pray for missionaries and
all persecuted ones, that the LORD would preserve them even to the completion
of their lifework.

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The Four Promises Of Forgiveness Apply To You, Too!

I once heard a joke that described a frequent failure in forgiving. A woman
went to her pastor for advice on improving her marriage. When the pastor asked
what her greatest complaint was, she replied, "Every time we get into a fight,
my husband gets historical." When her pastor said, "You must mean hysterical,"
she responded, "I mean exactly what I said; he keeps a mental record of
everything I've done wrong, and whenever he's mad, I get a history lesson!"
Food for Thought: Take a moment today to remember the Four Promises of
Forgiveness:

1. I will not dwell on this incident. 2. I will not bring up this incident
again and use it against you. 3. I will not talk to others about this incident.
4. I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal
relationship.

Then take a moment to remember something else: This is the way God forgives
you.

It's natural for us to read the Four Promises of Forgiveness as another set of
laws to which we're presently failing to live up; however, the gospel reminds
us that they should be read first and foremost as God's commitment to us
because of the sacrifice of his son. That commitment says that he will never
"get historical" in bringing up sins for which we have been forgiven!

Is there an area in life where you feel condemned even though you've genuinely
repented before God? Take a moment to hear God speaking the Four Promises of
Forgiveness to you with regard to that particular issue. As you read them
again, try adding your name to the beginning of each promise as a reminder that
God speaks them personally to you. Remember Romans 8:1 applies to you, not just
other Christians: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus"!

When you accept this and apply it to your own life, prepare to be pleasantly
surprised how much easier it will become to apply the Four Promises of
Forgiveness to others who have hurt you! Adapted from The Peacemaker: A
Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition
(Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 207.

Resources to Help You Respond to Conflict Biblically Would you like to have an
inexpensive tool for introducing people to biblical peacemaking, teaching basic
peacemaking principles, or counseling others? The Peacemaker Brochure is just
that tool. This resource summarizes the key biblical peacemaking principles
described in The Peacemaker, including the Peacemaker's Pledge, the Slippery
Slope, the Seven A's of Confession, the Four Promises of Forgiveness, and the
PAUSE Principle. Order the Peacemaker Brochure through our online bookstore or
by calling our Resource line at 800-711-7118.

PeaceMeal is a weekly e-publication of Peacemaker Ministries
(www.Peacemaker.net). All Rights Reserved. Don't forget to pass the peace! If
you found this PeaceMeal helpful, please forward it on to friends. If you'd
like to reprint PeaceMeal in your church bulletin or newsletter each week,
click here for guidelines.

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