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John 8:4-8 - "…they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." NASU
Jesus does what He does best in these types of situations. He doesn't answer their fictitious question. He stands up (this is the meaning of the Greek word "straightened up") and says, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Will we ever be qualified to throw stones at someone because they have sinned? The answer is an emphatic "NO" and the reason is we have to be sinless to throw stones at someone. This is something no one will ever be qualified to do for we have all sinned and have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
When we extend forgiveness to those who have sinned we become more like God than we will ever realize.
Luke 18:9-14 - And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." We will never be permitted to be stone-throwers, but we are allowed to have contrite hearts. Think About This: We should forgive others as quickly as we expect God to forgive us. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word
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Gen. 42:21-22 - Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us." Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood." NASU
There had been a famine and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Little did they know their brother, Joseph, who they had sold into slavery is now in charge in Egypt. Joseph sees his brothers and he recognizes them but they don't recognize him. Joseph has them placed in prison and accuses them of being spies. He leaves them in prison for three days and tells them they must leave one of the brothers in prison, travel home and bring their younger brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to prove they are telling the truth and they are not spies.
The two best ways I know to overcome a guilty conscience if you have hurt someone:
The brothers asked Joseph for forgiveness and it was granted to them.
During those times I remind myself that I am not that person any longer. That Gary died and was buried March 2, 1975, in the watery grave of baptism. Jesus was and is the perfect sacrifice that atones for the sins of mankind. The best way to defeat your guilty conscience is to be born again. I am not perfect now but thank God I am not what I used to be nor am I what I want to be. I want to do what 2 Pet. 3:18 says, "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Like the sign says, "Under Construction: God isn't finished with me yet."
People have told you, "To let it go." You wish you could but everything you have tried isn't working. So what should be done in those situations? I would say, "You need to remember what God has done for you and He Has Forgiven You so forgive yourself."
I like this saying, "When the devil wants to remind you of your past, remind him of his future." God is going to CRUSH him one day and so it says in Romans 16:20 - "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." If you want to dwell on something dwell on what God has done for you and what He will do to the devil. Think About These: The head usher to happiness is a well-kept conscience. Your conscience is not the voice of God; it is a gift from God. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Exo. 3:11 - But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"
God has informed Moses He has chosen him to lead the children of Israel out of the Egyptian bondage. Moses is stretched out of his comfort zone with God's plan.
Moses doubts that he was the one who could be used to help free the Israelites. He says to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?" Moses doesn't realize it yet, but he is the one who God has chosen and there isn't any way God will change His plan. We probably all have been chosen by God to accomplish a task and we thought like Moses, "Who am I?" If God chooses you, God will help you to complete the task.
1. Stop Doubting Yourself. The way to accomplish this is by feeding your mind positive thoughts. You need to realize that you have been chosen by someone to complete this task. God, your boss, your close friend, your spouse or one of your children may have chosen you. The exciting thing is you have been chosen. You want to see this as an opportunity to achieve a project that you haven't done before. 2. Start Preparing Yourself. What can you do to prepare yourself to fulfill this project? Are there any books you can read, is there a website you can visit, or a YouTube to watch? Do you know someone who has done this type of job before that you can contact for some assistance?
One evening while we were working I asked him, "If he would teach me how to weld?" I grabbed a welder's hood and within a couple of hours, he had me welding. I continued to practice every day and on the next job site, I took the welder's test and passed. I was now a certified welder, thanks to Jack McAvoy. Find someone you can associate with who can teach you what it is you're trying to learn. Obtaining knowledge will help you in times when you're being stretched to accomplish a feat for which you don't feel qualified. Think on These: You must first be a believer if you would be an achiever. Today's preparation determines tomorrow's achievement. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Exo. 18:13-14 - It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. Now when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?"
Exo. 18:17-18 - Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good. "You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone"
Moses will accept the advice of his father-in-law. What about you today? Is your system geared for failure? If you have not surrounded yourself with people you can trust you have already failed as a leader. You cannot build a successful team without trust. A leader doesn't try to do it all. A leader is one who enlists the help of others and they accomplish their goals as a team. Bottom line is they trust each other. Moses still had a job that he was required to achieve.
They passed the ball 40 times and ran the ball 36 times. I'd say they accomplished their game plan. Are you a leader? Are you showing your teammates or co-workers that you trust them?
Moses had a plan but it was horrible one. Moses plan was simple to get up early and work all day while everyone else watches you. Make people stand in long lines in the heat of the day. I don't even like to stand in line at an air-conditioned grocery store. I am one of those guys that would rather go and ring up the items myself then wait in a line. Here was Moses' plan. You bring me your problems and wait your turn in this long line in the heat of the day. Jethro had a better plan for Moses and it was enlist men who can judge over a 1,000 people, 100 people, 50 people, and 10 people. If a person brings a case and they can't answer it they will bring this case to you, Moses. They will bring the hard cases to you. Jethro has a great plan for Moses and Moses is wise enough to implement it. As soon as he found some qualified men.
A Leader will have someone that will speak the truth to him, like Jethro. A Leader will listen to the one who speaks the truth to him. Moses had Jethro, a leader in his own right. He was able to read the situation and determine correctly the outcome. A man like that is extremely valuable to the team or company. Think About These: Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. - Peter F. Drucker The fellow who does things that count usually doesn't stop to count them. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Psalm 35:9 - And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;
It shall rejoice in His salvation. NKJV
I have no less than eight times looked at MapQuest to go over my planned trip route. I have been lost before and the uneasy feeling you get is not for me. I like knowing where I am and where I am going. The Psalmist knows where he is. He is in the LORD and because of this fact, he is JOYFUL. He is one who possesses salvation because of what the LORD has done for him. Please remember, the Psalmist, at this time didn't know the feeling of having his sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus.
Look at what the apostle Paul says in the book of Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christians should be constantly rejoicing in this world. Why? We have salvation IN Jesus Christ our LORD. I may get lost driving and make a wrong turn but spiritually I am on the road that leads to eternal life. I am on the straight and narrow as Jesus called it. Should we be Joyful? I would say we have the greatest reason in the world to have a smile on our faces. The Goins Brothers are a Bluegrass band that I have known for over 40 years and I remember hearing them singing the song below. I hope it will put a smile on your face today. TREASURES MONEY CAN'T BUYby: Dee Gaskin 1. While driving one day through the quiet countryside An old man was walking, so I offered a ride. His face was all wrinkled, his hair turned to gray And these are the words that he had to say: 2. I may look like a beggar but I'm rich as a king What I have in my heart gives me reason to sing I'm a joint heir with Jesus so why should I sigh. For these are the treasures that money can't buy. CHORUS: Money is worthless when a soul is at stake If gold bought redemption, how much would it take? But He loved me and saved me and I can't explain why. These are the treasures, these are the treasures that money can't buy. 3. So if you look at my garments and you notice they're torn, Well, I've a new royal garment that's never been worn. And the cabin I live in is home till I die. But I've a mansion in glory that money can't buy. CHORUS: Tag: Yes, He loved me and saved me and I can't explain why, And these are the treasures, These are the treasures that money can't buy. Think About This: If you don't enjoy what you have, how could you be happier with more? He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word |
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