Tag: Forgiveness

Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

No Greater Love

“Ya see, God loves this world so much, that He gave His one and only Son to die, so that every man, woman, boy and girl who believes in Him will not die, but will be a-livin’ forever” John 3:16 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

It’s one thing for a man to offer up his life on behalf of others. Some through history have done that. Given the right circumstance, you or I might be willing. In fact, Jesus at one point told His disciples “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

But, to give up one’s own son? Now that’s an altogether different thing. I might be willing to lay down my life, but to voluntarily lay down the life of my son for the sake of others, even perhaps for my enemies; that would be a difficult, maybe even an impossible choice.

There is one who from ancient Biblical history knew about such a choice. On Mt. Moriah, Abraham placed his son on an altar, his son of promise. And within a millisecond of fatally plunging a knife into Issac, God stayed his hand and offered-up a substitute instead.

Years later, on another mount, outside the city of Jerusalem, A Father stood by as His only Son was nailed to a cross as a sacrifice for all mankind. This time the sacrificial hand was not stayed. But sin, death and Satan were allowed to do their worst to the Son of God so that the best might be done for us.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

Painting by Jeff Segler

An Appointment to Keep

“Jesus figured it was gettin’ ‘bout time to move on to Galilee. So He cleared on out of Judea for the time bein’. He was of a mind to follow the trail through Samaria, so they lit out” John 4:3-4 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

When Jesus and His disciples left Judea to travel to Galilee, John made this interesting note of His traveling plans: “He was of a mind to follow the trail through Samaria.” The KJV has it, “He must needs go through Samaria.”

There were other routes to Galilee other than through Samaria, But Jesus determined, “He must needs go through Samaria.” Some orthodox Jews determined not to go through Samaria. But Jesus, Himself being a Jew had no such reservations. He said, “I must needs go through Samaria.”

But why go through Samaria? Well, the simple answer is, Jesus had an appointment to keep; an appointment that was made in eternity past, even before the foundations of the world were laid. She didn’t know it, but Jesus did. He must go through Samaria,  meet with a woman at an ancient well and offer her the gift of a lifetime, “Living Water” so she would never thirst again.

Did you know that Jesus has made an appointment with you? And like with the woman of Samaria, He offers you the most wonderful gift of all, “A well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:10).

And here is the amazing thing. He makes the appointment. He must needs find you. The woman of Samaria was at a well. I was in my backyard. It really doesn’t matter where you are. With overwhelming love He searches for you and finds you. And like with the “Woman of Samaria,” He offers to you the gift of eternal life.

Yam Sing, when presenting himself for membership in a Bible believing Church was asked by the Pastor, “How did you find Jesus?” Answered in his broken English, “I no find Jesus at all, He find Me.”

Fence Post Devotional “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

The Lamb of God

“He looked up, ya see, and there was Jesus walkin’ past at that very minute. ‘Look yonder!’ said John. ‘The very Lamb of God Himself!’ John’s men (called dee-sie-puls); well they knew exactly what John was a sayin’. They lit out after Jesus” John 1:36-37 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

When John called Jesus the “Lamb of God,” well he plumb said a mouthful. You see, there were some fellows years before in the Old Testament, like the prophet Isaiah who referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” In fact, something like 700-years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Isaiah had this to say about Jesus . . .

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

And generations before that, when Issac was climbing Mt. Moriah,carrying with him all the necessary ingredients for a sacrifice; everything except the sacrificial animal, he asked his father, Abraham, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:7-8). And sure enough God did provide the sacrificial animal (a ram caught in a thicket) in place of Issac.

But the ultimate answer to Issac’s question happened on another mountain years later when God provided the Lamb, His very own dear Son to die on an old rugged cross as the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of all mankind.

You see, John was absolutely right that day, when standing with his disciples, he pointed to Jesus and proclaimed for folks of all generations, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

And because of the sacrifice of that one true Lamb of God, we will join the chorus of saints as we gather around the throne some future day in heaven and with loud voice proclaim . . . 

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

How do I Forgive Someone who has Hurt Me?

The other day I felt like I had been terribly wronged by a friend. I felt betrayed, let down and hurt. I wish that I had left it at just feeling hurt, but I didn’t. After I had thought a while about his actions and his words, my feelings turned from hurt to anger. “Why did he do that?” Why did he say what he did?” “Why did he hurt me?” But most of all, why was I so angry?

That night I went to bed angry. Yeah, as a Christian I know we are not supposed to. Paul says Ephesians 4:26 “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” But I did and I didn’t sleep a wink all night.

Next morning I knew that I needed to do something about this and the thing I needed to do was to forgive him. No matter how wronged by him I felt and no matter how hurt, the thing I needed to do for my own physical, mental Continue reading “How do I Forgive Someone who has Hurt Me?”

Forgiven

Forgive and you will be Forgiven

Two women with a long-standing friendship had a serious falling out. As a result, for the next several years they refused to speak to one another. Ultimately one of the women became severely ill. Remembering her old friend, she invited her to her bedside and there they made amends. They buried the hatchet and forgave each other. It was a joyous reunion.

But when the visiting woman was leaving the sick woman said to her re-united friend, “I want you to know that today, I did forgive you, but should I Continue reading “Forgiven”