Thursday, October 21, 2021

With Open Arms

 

Isaiah 30:18 (NET) - For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed 

The heading from this translation’s text is a great reminder.

It states that the Lord will not abandon his people.

This verse reminds us that the Lord is ready and waiting.

He is ready and waiting to show his mercy and compassion.

But what is God waiting for?

In truth, He is waiting for us.

He is waiting for us to return to Him.

Perhaps the best example of this is in a parable of Jesus.

Specifically, the parable of the Prodigal Son.

In this parable, a young man demands his share of the inheritance before his father dies.

Having received the money, the son traveled to a distant land.

He quickly spent his inheritance and then found himself in the middle of a famine.

He then took a job feeding another man’s pigs.

In desperation, he found himself longing for the food he was feeding the pigs.

The son then decided to return home and throw himself upon his father’s mercy.

He felt unworthy to be called his father’s son.

He would be happy just to be employed as a hired hand.

But Jesus tells us that something wonderful happened.

Luke 15:20 (NET) - So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.

The man’s father had been waiting for him to return.

He rushed out to greet his son and showered him with affection.

Jesus paints us a perfect picture of God waiting for us.

Waiting for us to return to Him.

God wishes to welcome us back and shower us with His affection and mercy.

Such is His grace.

So, what are we waiting for?


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 5, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, November 12, 2021


Thursday, October 7, 2021

Complete Forgiveness


Jeremiah 31:34b (NET) - “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.”

In this section of scripture, God makes a covenant with his people.

God finishes with words of forgiveness.

But God states that He will do more than forgive our sin.

He promises never to hold them against us again.

That is the mark of true and lasting forgiveness,

Paul understood this.

This is evident in Acts 10 when he visits Cornelius.

This man tells Paul about a remarkable experience he had.

As Cornelius spoke, Paul realized that God shows no favoritism.

This also prompted Paul to echo the reality of complete forgiveness.

Acts 10:43 (NET) - About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Everyone has a past.

But everyone can begin anew.

This starts when we are forgiven through Jesus Christ.

It continues because God chooses to no longer hold our sins against us.

But what is expected of us then?

What does God want from us?

Where will this hope lead us?

Only God can reveal that to us.

But shouldn’t we be forgiving of others along the way?


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 15, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, October 22, 2021