Second Chances: God Redeems Our Regrets
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Hope Comes with a Second Chance”.
Regret.
In the moment, it seemed like the right thing to do. At the time, it seemed like I had to do what my friends were doing. At the time, I didn’t realize it would make this much of a difference.
We all have events in our past that we look back and wish we could do over again. Perhaps it was a season of drinking. Perhaps it was a poor choice of relationships. Perhaps it was a pregnancy that happened all too early. Perhaps it was a moment of desperation.
You know what it was for you.
That event or events we look back and regret ever happened.
When our hearts and minds are reoriented toward the Lord, it’s much more clear the sin we committed in the past and the consequences that we perhaps still live in the present.
We wish we could go back in time and change what happened.
But we can’t.
But God can change the present by redeeming the past. What do I mean?
In this week’s message, (Click link above to listen to the whole thing) we connected with Peter and John who were given power to heal a man crippled from birth and then an opportunity to speak to a growing crowd about their spiritual condition. Here’s what Peter said:
Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
But Peter also acknowledges:
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
Were they off the hook? No. Ignorance is not bliss or an excuse. It simply means you didn’t fully know what you were doing. (Any of your regrets of the past fit into this category?) What they did was still wrong.
God doesn’t want them to live in a state of regret. He wants them to live in a state of repentance. Repentance is having your mind changed by God’s Spirit to see life and faith from God’s perspective of truth.
Here’s the amazing thing God does. He redeems the past to make it a blessing in our present:
Acts 3:18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.
God used their ignorance and sin to fulfill what he foretold through all the prophets Jesus would do.
Does that excuse the sin of the past? No, it just reminds us of how gracious God is.
So instead of living in regret, live in repentance. What has God taught you or now enabled you to do for him because of your past sins, ignorance, or bad choices? God will redeem the past as he gives us opportunity to see it now from his perspective and use it as a springboard to serve him in a renewed way in the present.
Apply: Take time to reflect on an event from the past that you regret being part of. What is the lesson God taught you through it and how can what you experienced now be a blessing to you and others?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for redeeming the sin of my past with the blood of Jesus. Thank you also for redeeming my past by allowing it to be part of the blessing of the present. Help me to always live in repentance with a clear understanding of your Word and your ways. AMEN.
Second Chances: We All Need Them!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Hope Comes with a Second Chance”.
At some point every person needs a second chance, a “do over,” … a “Mulligan.”
Life is filled with stories of second chances. You have one as well. It may have been as simple as a teacher giving you an opportunity to redo a test you failed or as significant as overcoming an addiction or a life of crime.
Second chance stories are inspirational and motivational. But for every story of second chance and dramatic change, is perhaps a story of a second chance that failed.
What makes a second chance so amazing? Many second chances come because someone sees potential in me that I’ve missed seeing in myself. Someone sees that I can do better or be better than I currently am. Someone sees that it is possible and probable that I can change given the right opportunity and information. So they are willing to invest in giving me a second chance.
But even if someone does invest in me, what will make a second chance successful? Second chances turn out well when an individual is able to reflect and evaluate what went wrong at the first attempt. When I can recognize and make the needed changes in my thinking and activity, I increase the potential for a positive outcome. If I don’t change my thinking or learn from my mistakes, a second chance will lose its value. The change must happen within first. It involves a change of heart and mind to set up what develops into different actions and behaviors. False believes have to be replaced with truth.
Second chances bring hope. They renew an outlook on life that brings stronger optimism and joy to life.
We’re not just talking about second chance stories of hope and change, but the second chance stories that happen when God’s Spirit reorients our life and our heart to the Lord and his Word.
Titus puts it this way: (3:3-7)
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
The second chance as God turns us from sin and selfishness to him and trust and faith is amazing. The difference is incredible. The impact is large and the blessing is manifold.
Jesus loves you and wants you in heaven. He has done everything to overcome what sin wrecked, so you might have life with him…now and for eternity. This week we are going to unpack the blessing of a second chance God has given to you!
Apply: Consider some of the second chances in life God has given to you. What has he taught you through them?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the second chance your grace gives to me to live for you and with you. AMEN.
Easter Certainty: What Else Do You Need?
Devotions this week based on the Easter Message: “Certain Hope for Uncertain Times”.
I have to see it for myself.
In an age where you can place Bernie Sanders sitting on a chair with his arms folded at any event in the world and show the picture to “prove” it, or place the EverGreen cargo ship blocking waterways around the world with a clip of a photo and a paste on another, it’s perhaps easy to understand why we are a bit skeptical about pictures proving a point. When it seems unbelievable, we maybe believe, it is unbelievable.
We all have an air of skepticism and doubt, because I am guessing we all have been duped before. Whether it was a convincing April Fools joke or a well-doctored picture, we have been deceived.
We don’t like to be deceived. We desire and seek the truth.
And sometimes our only truth is that what we can see, touch, and experience ourselves.
So, I can’t blame Thomas.
The news of the resurrection was too important to be duped, tricked or persuaded to believe a lie. I would guess he wanted to believe the reports of the women and the 10 other disciples…but he wanted to see Jesus, touch him and experience the risen Jesus for himself.
I’m glad he did.
More than that, I’m glad Jesus allowed him to.
Best of all, Jesus obliged him. Here’s how it went down:
John 20:26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus wanted everyone of his closest followers to be convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was alive. But more than that, he wanted Thomas to be convinced he was alive…for Thomas’ sake. He wanted to replace the doubts with certainty.
But he also did it for my sake. He wants me to “see and believe” for my sake…my salvation’s sake. But he knew I would have a doubt or two like Thomas did. By Jesus allowing Thomas to touch his hands and put his hand in his side, he allows me to do it vicariously too. It’s like I’m there having the same doubts as Thomas, and also receiving the same certainty from Jesus.
What else do I need? Nothing. I have the experiences of all the women, all the disciples, all the followers of Jesus that morning. I have the record of four witness accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. I have what I need to believe Jesus is my Savior and by believing have eternal life in his name. The Apostle John communicates this truth immediately after he wrote about Thomas:
John 20:30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The message and facts of Easter are certain. Jesus is alive…and because he lives, we also will live!
Apply: What doubts or questions do you wish you could ask Jesus? Is there a Bible account that asks or records a similar question and answer? I bet there is…if I can help, let me know! (pastor@crossandcrowntx.com)
Prayer: Jesus thank you for removing any doubt that you rose from the dead. Lead me to believe with certainty the facts and impact of your resurrection to the blessing of spending eternity with you. AMEN.
Easter Certainty: Jesus Gives Purpose
Devotions this week based on the Easter Message: “Certain Hope for Uncertain Times”.
No one gets excited to be an ambassador of lies.
If you have ever been asked to lie for someone, it’s uncomfortable. Sure you may have been duped at some point and spread a lie you didn’t realize was a lie. But it’s a rare and odd thing that someone would knowingly and willingly take what they know to be false and send others to spread the news.
When Jesus appeared to his disciples the evening of that first Easter, he didn’t have to “tell them the story” of what had happened and what he wanted them to tell others. They knew the facts. And he gives them the message…both rooted in the reality of his resurrection.
Here’s what happened in John 20:19-23
John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus showed the disciples his hands and side. The disciples knew what they were looking at and who they were looking at…the LORD! They didn’t ask if he was alive. They didn’t ask what happened. They didn’t ask what the story was. They knew. They knew it was Jesus because the SAW him nailed to the cross and pierced in his side. They knew he was dead and now without a doubt they KNEW he was alive.
The movement of Jesus would never have gained momentum if it was based on a fabricated story of a Roman crucifixion and miraculous resurrection. Jesus didn’t have to tell the disciples the story, they experienced it. So all he had to do was send them to be the messengers.
The interesting thing is that the message wasn’t to tell the world Jesus rose from the dead, but to forgive sins. What gave them authority to forgive sins was the fact Jesus was the Son of God, proven by his resurrection from the dead.
OK, maybe I’m using a bit of circular logic, but here’s why the purpose Jesus gives the disciples adds certainty to what happened. Jesus sent his disciples to proclaim forgiveness because the work that was needed to be done to be certain of forgiveness was completed in the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. If Jesus wasn’t alive, there would be no forgiveness and no purpose. The disciples would have dissipated and the history of Jesus would be a fading blip on the Jewish scene.
But forgiveness continues to be preached to the ends of the earth. Why? Because it’s a) needed and b) based on the historical fact of Jesus resurrection from the dead.
Being a sales person for a product that didn’t work or didn’t exist would soon fade. But if given a product that was real and really worked, sales take care of themselves. All you have to do is share what it is and you’re experience with it.
That’s all Jesus is inviting us to do. Share who he is and your experience with him.
Apply: Does sharing your faith become easier knowing Jesus sent you and his message is based on the facts of his resurrection?
Prayer: Lord Jesus thank you for being who you said you were and doing what you said you would do. As the Father sent you, send us with the truth of your resurrection and the power of your forgiveness. AMEN.
Easter Certainty: Jesus Explains History
Devotions this week based on the Easter Message: “Certain Hope for Uncertain Times”.
We live in a snapshot in time.
An 80 year life represents about 1% of the world’s history. So 99% of it we haven’t ever experienced, just read about. And of that 1%, it probably represents an experience with less than 1% of what the world as a whole went through in that time frame.
So when we are confused by current events, it’s not surprising. Why? Because current events are connected to past events. Without context of past events, we may not fully understand or enjoy the importance and impact of current events.
Did I lose you? I hope not.
Let me put I this way. One of the best history teachers I had was able to connect the dots from the past to the present. He made sense of the present because he made the past understandable.
He was a devout Christian and now is in heaven. But maybe he learned his methodology of teaching history by mimicking the history teaching of Jesus.
To bring clarity and certainty to the present, Jesus explains the past.
The afternoon of Jesus’ resurrection, two followers of Jesus were walking from Jerusalem to a little town of Emmaus about 7 miles from Jerusalem. Along the way they were discussing the events of the past weekend. When a supposed stranger came up to them pretending ignorance of current events. Here’s what happened (Luke 24:13-34).
Luke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
I would have loved to be a fly buzzing above this conversation. Jesus took them all the way back to the books of Moses…which covers the history of the world and God’s people since the beginning of time. What did he do? “…he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Talk about a history lesson. I wish it were recorded in detail. But impact on Jesus’ students was clear.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
An amazing history teacher just connected the dots from creation to the cross…and it all made sense.
Jesus is not just a current event in 30 AD. Jesus is the culmination and center of events throughout history!
Apply: Been a while since you studied Old Testament History? Here’s a book you might enjoy that may mirror a bit of Jesus’ history lesson to the two Emmaus disciples. “Sinai to Calvary” by John Jeske. https://online.nph.net/connecting-sinai-to-calvary.html
Prayer: Dear Jesus thank you for being part of every moment in history. Give me understanding of how the Scripture testifies about you. Open my eyes to see my place in your salvation story. Amen.