Pastor Wayne and Anna Cordeiro are with us for the weekend - right here in Lompoc and what a blessing they were to us last night as they spoke to our Team of servants at TEAM LFC. We started with Mexican Style BBQ Carne Asada, Homemade Rice and Beans and all the trimmings and then we where blessed by a time of worship and teaching by Pastor Wayne. One of the themes he underscored was Gratefulness.
You see, we can never serve well until we are grateful for the one who
has served us - Jesus.
has served us - Jesus.
It is our of a heart of gratefulness that we worship, serve, give and FORGIVE.
When we realize how much we have been given by the grace, power and mercy of God - it makes us grateful. One fresh realization of the cross of Jesus and you too will be grateful again.
Pastor Wayne shared that we "never realize what we have until it is gone." In that same heart, I wonder if, this side of heaven we will ever realize how great our salvation and the power of forgiveness are.
In today's bible reading we find:
Forgiveness for the Sinner
SCRIPTURE:
2 Corinthians 2
5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
OBSERVATION and APPLICATION:
Satan's scheme is to have us live in grudge and ungratitude. To hold offense in our heart and not release others who have sinned against us or wronged us in any way. Paul is writing about the heart that can so easily judge another and bring punishment in various forms - but NOW (in this moment - as you move forward) you cannot remain as you have been and you must forgive and then bring comfort. In forgiving others we reaffirm our love for them (verse 8) and Paul reminds us if there is anything to forgive we do so in the sight of Christ...in order that Satan may not outwit us. Outwit, outlast and outplay him by living in gratitude and forgiveness.
Be blessed - be a blessing.
Live in forgiveness - forgive others.
Realize all you have and who God is - be grateful.
Have a wonderful day.
I am going to a great church - with great people - where we will worship a great God and have Pastor Wayne and Anna with us too. My grandson is coming to church too!
What a joy - I am grateful,
Pastor Bernie
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