The Uniqueness of God

~~~ Deuteronomy  3:25, 34-43 ~~~ 

~~~ Psalm 25 ~~~ Matthew 18:21-35 ~~~

The fifth book of the Bible is Deuteronomy.

It sums up many rules and laws.

It also stresses the uniqueness of God.

The uniqueness of God is made visible to us in many ways

most importantly through the life of Jesus.

God is so unique that he sent his son down

 to be a witness for us.

Jesus did not just witness to this uniqueness,

 his actions were the ultimate living proof.

But with contrite heart and humble spirit

let us be received...

During the season of Lent it is precisely 

our faith in the uniqueness of God

 that draws us to desire a contrite heart...

a time for us to practice humility before God.

So let our sacrifice be in your presence today

as we follow you unreservedly...

It is through our personal humility

 that we choose to make sacrifices before God.

Only you can decide what constitutes a sacrifice for you.

It is only with the spirit of humility 

that we can unreservedly follow the Lord.

Is it possible to be 'all in' in serving

 the Lord with your whole heart?

It is possible to hold back parts of your heart

 while unreservedly following the Lord?

And now we follow you with our whole heart,

we fear you and we pray to you.

What does it mean to you to follow God

 with your whole heart?

How do you know you are actually using your whole heart?

Using our whole heart means we must tap

 into the uniqueness of God.

The very uniqueness that invites us to forgive

 those who trespass against us no matter how many times it takes.

The very uniqueness that causes us to seek God's mercy.

...deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

Deliver us by your wonders...

Deliver us by your wonders...

brings us back to honoring and believing

 in the uniqueness of God.

It is often to our benefit that God's 

ways are not our ways.

May your Lent be blessed 

with the wonders of the uniqueness of God.

~~~ Peace ~~~

The Forgiveness Standard

~~~ Daniel 3:25, 34-43 ~~~ Psalm 25 ~~~ Matthew 18:21-35 ~~~ 

Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,

as I had pity on you?

Jesus expects us to forgive 

others just as we expect him to forgive us.

How would you feel if God took as long to forgive you

 as you took to forgive others?

Is it right to hold God to a higher standard 

than we would hold ourselves?

God never tires of forgiving us.

Even when we make less than perfect attempts

 at seeking his forgiveness...

he says okay I know you are trying.

God recognizes that we are trying to be holy...

no matter how weak we are at making progress.

...with contrite heart and humble spirit

let us be received...

It is necessary for us to come in humility

 to God when seeking his forgiveness.

It is a waste of our time and God's time 

if we are not sorry for our sins.

Being sorry does not mean that tomorrow

 you can return to business as normal...

committing the same sins over and over again. 

We must choose to follow Jesus with our whole heart.

We cannot hold back part of our heart from Jesus.

Sometimes it is beneficial to have a healthy fear of the Lord.

Fear can be a powerful motivation,

but it should not be the most important one.

Our God is slow to anger, abundant in kindness,

and eager to give us his mercy.

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Let the mercies you receive from God 

be the guide for your own degrees of mercy.

The forgiveness and mercy of God sets the standard.

God holds the bar of forgiveness high, but not unattainable.

God sustains us with his love and his grace.

Forgiveness is our life long task.

Surprise someone this Lent.

forgive them as God inspires you to forgive.

Return to God with your whole heart...

That means you do not hold back 

a piece to harbor your anger for even 

one person who has wronged you.

Now is the time to forgive.

Blessed to be freed through his mercy.

~~~Peace~~~