Good Forgiveness - Part 1 - Following God's Character and Obedience

The Act of Forgiving and the nature of Forgiveness is both celebrated as well as misunderstood as weakness. What is the balance in forgiveness, what is good and sound, Godly forgiveness? Our series tries to grapple with these questions.

We discuss the acronym FORGIVENESS

In the first episode we discuss:

1. "F" - Following God's character and nature - 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 43:25, Jeemiah 50:20, Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 86:5, Nehemiah 9:17 and Colossians 3:13

2. "O" - Obeying the command to forgive. Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 17:3-4, Matthew 6:14-15, Epesians 4:32.

Wisdom in WISE

W - What is wisdom

I- Insights in wisdom source

S- Seeking and asking for wisdom

E - Experiencing and exercising wisdom to build

What is wisdom?

In the first of two episodes on Good Wisdom, we attempt to define wisdom in scripture, in contemporary world an finally we differentiate Godly wisdom and earthly wisdom.

Acronym "wise" helps spell out our two episodes;

W- What is wisdom - Good wisdom defined

I - Insights to getting wisdom

S - seeking wisdom and asking for wisdom

E - Experiencing and exercising wisdom to build around us in our world in our generation!

Socrates says that wisdom is a state of mind where the mind is in possession of knowledge. He notes that we keep searching, keep revising our concepts and conclusions, that all we can do to live a virtuous life is to seek wisdom "philo-sophias".

Plato considers wisdom as "the main virtue" and gives the myth of 3 metals. Souls of God - (given to rationality), souls of silver(given to spirit part) and souls of bronze (given to appetitive part). The souls of gold have the highest form and capacity to give good advice and govern/lead the "polis". Wisdom is a form of intellectual excellence.

Aristotle considers wisdom as a practical virtual accessible to all men achieved by a "contemplative life". Theoretical wisdom, (sophia), practical wisdom (phonesis) is the ability to make sound and virtuous decisions in specific changing circumstances.

God is LOVE!

We rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in Love lives in God, and God in them.

There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives away fear. (1 John 4:7-21)

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, LOVE and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7).

How does love look like?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:)

Love must be sincere, Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in LOVE! (Romans 12:9-10)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)

Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14)

Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14.)

Good balance! Godfidence, grounded in God who is in control.

Balance exists not in ourselves, but in God. Balance is moral, mental, spiritual and more. God is our truth as our foundation. Balance keeps us faithful and fruitful. B-A-L-A-N-C-E-B - BOLD - Joshua 1:9, 1 Cor 16:13. Proverbs 28:1: 2 Tim 1:7

A - Anchored - Hebrews 6:19-20, Isaiah 26:3, Jere 29:11

L - Lovely - Philippians 4:8

A - Agreement - Matthew 18:19, 1Cor 1:10, Ecc 4:9-12, Amos 3:3, 1 John 5:8,

N - Need - Phil 4:9, 2 Cor 9:8, Heb 4:16

C - Change - new creation 2 Cor 5:17, Roman 12:2, Eph 4:22-24, Isa 43:19.

E - Eternal Value - John 3:16, John 5:24, 1 John 2:17, Matt 6:19-20

Balance matters because it reflects Christ - he lived fully human and fully divine, strong yet gentle, firm yet forgiving. Christ is our balance, our foundation and rock.

Discussing FAVOR in three powerful "F"

1. Finding Favor - Jesus and Samuel found favor with God and men. Through constantly seeking wisdom, being available, willing and obedient,
   

2. Face of the Favored - the face of the favored person is that which brings glory to God. Radiates Gods favor whenever the go.
   

3. Forever Favor – Enduring Favor - God's character is enduring, so in His love we have the benefit of favor in this world and for eternity!

   
   

   Take the invitation to walk in favor now and always! AMEN,

- Hunger and Thirst has strong portrays in scripture;

- Hunger for God's Prescence and relationship - Psalms 73:25, Psalms 42:1

- Spiritual hunger for righteousness - Matthew 5:6

- Hunger for Gods word - Deuteronomy 8:3

- Hunger for compassion and justice - Isaias 58:7

Jesus is the bread of life that satisfies the hunger and thirst John 6:35

Let us strive to fight systemic hunger - Matthew 25:35

In the same way, when we recognize the hunger in our world, both physical and spiritual, we are called to act, not just our resources, but also in sharing the hope we have in Christ. We are all invited to join in this call to action, to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, just as Jesus commands.

We learned about the framework of Justice in the "cities of refuge". We learned that God is a very present help.

This episode delves deeper into the nature of God's abode, God's refuge place. How is it like just sitting in there and living there? How do we connect our daily lives with that space of peace so that we are continually connected. This episode is about living where God dwells by staying connected from the start of your day, to every mundane activity of your day. This promises us the benefit of peace and connecting with God's purpose for your life. God is an everyday moment kind of God. This will build Godfidence in our lives.