Forgiveness
“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign
through righteousness to bring eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:20-21
The thing about forgiveness is that it goes two, three or even four ways. First, the offender needs to seek forgiveness from God. That’s number one. Next, the offender needs to seek forgiveness from the person to whom they caused harm. That’s a given. But then, the offender, and sometimes the person harmed, needs to forgive him/herself. That is always difficult. Finally, the world (whether it’s family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or people on Facebook) needs to forgive the offender. That folks, is near impossible! Not because we’re incapable of forgiving, but because we are unwilling.Sometimes we forget that Christ was literally nailed to two posts of wood, beaten to a pulp, and had to walk dang near naked in front of EVERYONE. We forget that he was humiliated, falsely accused, cursed at, spat on, and probably worse, just so that God could forgive us and we could be reconciled to the Father. Sometimes we forget that “at just the right time, when we were still sinners, Christ died for US.” Sometimes we forget that to God sin does not have degrees; it is all just sin.
So, regardless of how bad the offense, we need to forgive one another. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” For some reason, we think kindness and compassion is only for those who are innocent. Just like we tend to think that church is only for those who are “Saved”.
Now I’m sure someone will say, “Well I can forgive, but I won’t forget.” That’s fine. You should remember so that you can learn and grow from that experience. But you still need to forgive them. And when you do, don’t bring it up at every Thanksgiving dinner, or summertime cookout. And don’t go around telling everyone you meet what happened, under the disguise of a “testimony” when your motives are not to lift up, but to tear down.
So what’s point?
Forgive your offender. Let them of the hook.
Let the issue go, and give them a chance to change.
And most importantly, give God a chance to heal them and you.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)The Word: May 17, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for the week of…
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015
(7th Sunday of Easter Ascension Sunday)
Color: White or Gold
SCRIPTURES:
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
“In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)…” [continue reading]
Psalm 1
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers…” [continue reading]
1 John 5:9-13
“We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.” [continue reading]
John 17:6-19 or Acts 1:1-11
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” [continue reading]
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” [continue reading]
Ephesians 1:15-23
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people…” [continue reading]
Luke 24:44-53
“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’” [continue reading]
The Word: May 3, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for…
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015
(5th Sunday of Easter)
Color: White or Gold
SCRIPTURES:
Acts 8:26-40
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’” [continue reading]
Psalm 22:25-31
“From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.” [continue reading]
1 John 4:7-21
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” [continue reading]
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” [continue reading]
I Need You to Survive
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”
And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
…God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
1 Corinthians 12: 21, 24b-25
Have you ever asked someone to do something for you and they said, “Sure. No problem. I’ll do it.” Then, sometime later, you ask that person to do the same thing for you and they say, “Sure. No problem. I’ll do it.” Then again, at a later date, you ask them again and they say, “Sure. No problem. I was just thinking about that. I’m going to do it today.” Finally, when you decide to simply do it yourself, the person says, “I was just about to do it.” After you give them that look (you know the one) you say, “Oh that’s alright. Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal.” Then, you vow that you will NEVER ask them to do anything for you ever again.
But God…
(Church say, “But God.”)
But God places you in a position where you need that very person again. (UGH!) When you realize it, you do EVERYTHING in your power to avoid asking them for help. But, despite your greatest effort, you must swallow your pride and break the vow you made to yourself. In agony, you ask the person for help, and this time they come through for you. Now doesn’t that make you feel better about them?
NOPE! If you’re anything like me, you’re still holding on to that first impression of them not being dependable, and that vow you made too. It’s really hard to let someone “off the hook” once you’ve nailed them up there.
So what do you do?
First, let go of that vow you made, and all those “nevers” along with it.
Next, try talking to the person before you write them off. Explain that it’s important to you that they keep their word, and that they’re honest about their ability and willingness to help. Or, at the very least, to let you know if they’re having difficulty doing what you asked. That way, you can make other arrangements if you need to, and it removes any extra pressure from them.
Finally, read 1 Corinthians 12 and remind yourself that although we don’t think we need those people who disappoint us, we really do. Remember that each person is part of the body of Christ, and is vital to His mission.
Realize that God has placed them in your life for a reason. Not just to do that one thing you can’t do for yourself, but also to remind you, as Hezekiah Walker sang, that we need each other to survive.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)He’s Preparing Me (and You Too)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Have you ever been in a place where you’re just going through a whole lot all at once? I mean, before you even have a chance to process one thing, here comes something else. Seriously.Have you sometimes felt that God is piling SO MUCH on you that you might actually, physically break?
So what do you do about it?
Probably, like many of us, you just deal with it. You take the hit and keep on movin’. After all, you’re a busy person. You have work stuff, and home stuff, and family stuff, and church stuff, and more church stuff. Not only do you not have the energy, you don’t have time to DEAL WITH IT. But eventually. (Church say “eventually”.) You will HAVE to deal with it.
Eventually, you will reach a point where you will just have to STOP. When you do, it’ll all flood you at once and you’ll have to release it. But that’s not the end. Once you’ve had your release you’ll think about EVERYTHING you’re going through and you’ll ask the magic question.
God, why?
Why are you putting me through ALL of this right now? Why do I have to go through any of this at all? Why does it seem like everything is falling apart? Why? Why? Why?
Now I won’t pretend to know what the answer is, or what God’s personal answer will be to you. What I do know is what the Word says. And despite what I feel, I MUST believe that its’ true.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
When I’m going through a whole lot all at once, here’s a song that helps me, and I pray it’ll help you too.
Listen to the song and be encouraged.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)Discover Shiloh Mobile: Events
ShilohMobile.org is the new mobile site of Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington. This site is packed full of information and features for you to explore. So much so, that we’ve decided to give you a guided tour by way of our “Tech Talk” blog posts.Today we’ll take a look at the EVENTS page of the Shiloh Mobile site.
Although the Shiloh Mobile EVENTS page has only two elements, it’s packed full of information about what’s going on at Shiloh.
So let’s start at the top.
The first and main element of the EVENTS page is Shiloh’s infamous Dashboard Display. That’s right! The same dashboard that you see in the lobby at church, and on our parent site shilohbaptist.org, is also on Shiloh Mobile.
The second element of the EVENTS page is probably the most important. Flyers! Unlike our more formal counterpart shilohbaptist.org, we’ve included the actual event flyers on the Shiloh Mobile site; and the app too.
Located below the dashboard display, is a collection of image thumbnails. Those are the flyers. By clicking on any thumbnail you can view the full flyer for that event.
Cool right!
Well that’s all for now. Be sure to continue your own exploration of ShilohMobile.org
The Circle Maker
The Circle Maker
Book Author Mark Batterson
When my big sister Daisy calls me (full of excitement) and tells me that I have to read a certain book, I go and get that book.
No questions asked.
(Contributing Writer: Thomas L. Bowen)The Word: April 12, 2015
Lectionary Scriptures for the week of…
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015
(2nd Sunday of Easter)
Color: White or Gold
SCRIPTURES:
Acts 4:32-35
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” [continue reading]
Psalm 133
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” [continue reading]
1 John 1:1-2:2
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” [continue reading]
John 20:19-31
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” [continue reading]
The Word: April 5, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for…
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2015
(Easter Sunday)
Color: White or Gold
SCRIPTURES:
Isaiah 25:6-9 or Acts 10:34-43
“On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.” [continue reading]
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” [continue reading]
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.” [continue reading]
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” [continue reading]
Watch Your Back
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your god. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Have you ever felt, or known, that someone was out to get you? That they were trying to defame your good name, ruin your reputation, conspiring against you, or at the very least, using your flaws (your humanness) to try to make themselves look just a little better than you?Whether the sabotage is taking place on your job, in your home, or at church (yes I said “at church”), it is always hurtful, and it takes a toll on you mentally and emotionally. You begin to wonder what was said about you, who is involved, how this will affect your other relationships, and what people think of you.
So how do you get through it?
If you’ve been saved and walkin’ with Jesus a while, you pray; and watch your back. If you’re a new Christian who’s still honeymooning with Jesus, you think, “Man if I wasn’t saved!” Then you pray and watch your back. If you’re on your way to the Alter but haven’t quite gotten there, you make a plan of how you’re going to curse them out and take them down before they get you. Then you remember that you’re trying this Jesus thing so you probably shouldn’t do that, so you call a church member instead. After it takes them 30 minutes to calm you down, you pray and watch your back. (Yep. You know that’s how it happens.)
I know someone, who is constantly trying to make me look bad and defame my character to make themselves look better. (Isn’t that something?) Although they’ve been doing it for years, it’s still hurtful because I’ve worked so hard to remake myself into a woman of integrity (Oh I was a big fat liar). But I want people to make their own opinion of me based on our interaction, not the opinion of someone else.
So how do I get through it?
First. I let my work, attitude, and actions speak for themselves. I am the same me at church, at work, on a job interview, at home, everywhere. My character, speech, ethics, passions, and standards are the same everywhere I go because I always try to “conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”.
Second. I have a Post-It note with a scripture like this one (Jeremiah 1:8), that reminds me:
(1) don’t be afraid;
(2) God is with me;
(3) God will strengthen me when I’m weak;
(4) He will help me when I need it;
(5) and if stuff gets sticky, and it will, God will rescue me.
Third. I pray and watch my back.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)