The Proper Way To Smoke
Oh, don’t freak out. I don’t smoke or at least if I did, I’d do the proper preacher wife thing and keep it a deeply hidden secret.
The smoking I’m referring to are the smokin’ ‘hot coals’ Paul refers to in Romans 12:17-21 that he promises are heaped upon the heads of those people whom we repay kindness for evil. This idea is one of many in scripture that require much more than a cursory reading to understand the intent of the instruction. This is my personal ‘go to’ passage in life and ministry anytime I find myself in conflict or tempted to be unforgiving or vengeful. The inability to forgive is one of the most common subject of notes I receive from you girls who are struggling in relationships – whether they be within your church, workplace, friendships, or in your own home.
I’m telling you all of this because I’ll be sharing on this topic Tuesday, March 16, at 10 a.m. during the Woman Inspired Online Conference that is taking place all this week. For those of you unfamiliar with the format, you basically sign in to a website that enables you to hear and view audio/power point presentations from many, many speakers. If you haven’t yet registered or want to learn more, you can do so here.
Here’s a synopsis of my session. I hope you will listen in!
Heaping on Coals:
Practical Steps to Exercising Biblical Forgiveness.
Forgiveness. It’s a thing easier said than done – especially when the person who needs grace isn’t asking for it. The truth is, friends betray out of impure motives. Coworkers lie to manipulate their way into that position you’ve always wanted. Husbands and/or boyfriends leave when they aren’t ‘in love’ any more. Church members gossip about your child’s problems rather than offer support. Life hurts, people hurt, and yet we are exhorted to overcome.
What does it mean to forgive and forget? Is that even realistic? How is it fair to me if I let that person off the hook for what they have done? Will I have to be a bff to that one (or many!) who wronged me? How can I move past all this bitterness so my intimacy with God, my service to Him, and trust in others can be renewed? Join Lisa for a teaching on Romans 12:17-21 to learn practical steps towards allowing God room to mend broken hearts and relationships.
So tell me, are you struggling with unforgiveness? Feel free to share in the comments so we can pray for one another and I can hopefully present you with a teaching that will meet your needs!
I was studying a while back about when the disciples asked Jesus how many times they needed to forgive and Jesus replied with the whole 70 times 7 thing. I was looking further and loved when I read that all of the disciples would have known exactly what Jesus was referring to:
Genesis 4:24
24 If Cain is avenged seven times,
then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
The whole idea that Lamech wanted what was beyond complete revenge and Christ wsa blowing the door off of that by saying that to the extent that he wanted beyond complete revenge is the extent that we need to forgive.
Then, the whole coals thing blew me away because I thought oh yes get em God but I read that heaping coals was actually a blessing because they carried the coals in a pot type of deal on their head and to heap coals would have meant to bless them to help light their fires! whoa!
I love you sweet Lisa and I thought you were smoking for a sec! bahaha!
.-= jenny hope´s last blog ..just checking in =-.
I’ve wrestled with God over the concept of forgiveness. Ultimately, I came to see two things:
1. Christian forgiveness means the offender no longer “owes” me. They are in God’s hands completely. That could be a scary thing; God is just. But it could be their salvation; God is merciful. Either way, I am out. I no longer hold their sin as an injury against me, nor do I rehearse it in my mind. They don’t owe me. It’s incredibly freeing to leave that weight at the feet of Jesus.
2. Yes, wrong was committed against me. But if I have an attitude of bitterness and/or self-righteousness, I probably haven’t taken to heart the truths in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18). Basically, it says that my sins — though they look puny to me compared to the offense committed against me — are thousands of degrees worse to God. He doesn’t see sin as we do. He doesn’t grade offenses. We have all fallen horribly short. When I saw myself with that perspective, I was broken and humbled beyond anything I can communicate.
Forgiveness isn’t an option. It’s a requirement for a true disciple of Jesus.
.-= Kelly @ Love Well´s last blog ..Pregnancy Journal: Move Baby Move =-.
I find myself in a situation that requires I forgive myself. Even though I KNOW that God has forgiven me….I am struggling with letting myself off the hook. I KNOW this to be the devil working against me……why? Well, its after I have been engaged in an activity that can strenghten or help others that these memories/issues/doubts come flooding in. It has become clear to me that the Devil is working hard to throw stumbling blocks in my way as I try to do the Lord’s work and follow his will for my life.
Have any of you struggled in this way? Do you have any encouragement?
A recent “ah ha” moment about forgiveness: as Jesus hung on the cross in agony, he spoke forgiveness on his tormentors. “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing'” (Luke 23:34).
He didn’t wait for the pain to be over. He didn’t get over his hurt. He forgave them in the midst of His suffering. Oh, to be like Jesus! I think He’s our example on this. I have no idea how to forgive like that, but I am guessing He would be free to heal my wounds more quickly if I forgave before the pain was gone.
.-= Gail @ Pandemonium in the Parsonage´s last blog ..A change is in the air =-.
Yay, you go girl! Preach it! I need it!
Thanks for going this direction…..it seems to be a hot spot among we “humans”!
Can’t wait for the lesson!
PRAYING FOR YOU!!!!
“Oh, don’t freak out. I don’t smoke or at least if I did, I’d do the proper preacher wife thing and keep it a deeply hidden secret.”
HAAAAA-HAAAA!!! I just love you!! :D :D :D
And forgiveness is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, yet time-consuming, yet freeing PROCESSES a Christian can ever experience. I’m so glad our Abba specializes in it…
.-= Gayle @ thewestiecrew´s last blog ..Are We There Yet? How Much Longer? =-.
Thank you sooo much Lisa! I so appreciated your words this morning. Great way to start the day!!! I am thoroughly looking forward to keep these thoughts rolling thru my brain as a gentle reminder to myself. :D
Oh,THAT smoke! For a moment, I thought I was reading a cooking blog ;-)
I didn’t hear your lesson but I can answer a huge “YES” to your question. Honestly I have been avoiding the whole forgiveness thing… for over a year. I appreciate what Kelly said… something to think about. I think I’ll go read Romans 12… prayers appreciated.
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..PreK ~ March =-.