Matthew 6:14-15, “For ifyou forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

To forgive
is to live

To withhold
Is to turn cold

How calloused our hearts become
When we hold ought against someone

We cannot forgive and forget
Instead we just uncover it

Our wounds run deep
Our hearts just seep

It spews the hurt, the hate within
Until to us, it becomes our sin

The remedy is found in Christ our Lord
To forgive others and harbor no more

We must release the past
We must do it fast

Before our own soul
Becomes more like a black hole

To forgive
is to live

Showing Mercy brings grace
To show mercy is the only way

-Danny Cheney-

 

 

 

If you notice me getting taller, you will know that God answers prayer.  Apparently, Hannah is concerned that I am too short.  We have had a few conversations about my being short and my desire to be taller.  I have told her that when I get to Heaven I will be 6 foot 3 inches.

During Sunday School, Hannah requested prayer for me.  Her request was that God would make me taller.  She was specific, 6 feet 40 inches.  Folks that is over 9 foot.  We’ll see about the faith of a child:)

Has your integrity ever been tested?

I used to love to play golf.  Golf was always a way for me to enjoy life a little more and also to help me control my anger.  You see golf is exhilarating as well as a test of character.

A few years ago, a friend and I were playing a round at Bayou Din Golf Course and I was having a decent game (low 100′s) but I sure could use some extra help on my score.  On the back nine we happened to pick up two guys to play with us for the last nine holes.  We all hit from the tee box and we went to our respective balls.  Mine usually ends up in the water or near the water.

One of the gentlemen we were with said he had found my ball right next to the water but it was dry.  Which amazed me…rarely do they end up dry.  He asked me if I was playing with a Pinnacle and he pointed to the ball.  I told him no and that I was playing with a Strata.  He laughed and said, “Oh, I was just checking to see if you would lie about it.”  My ball had indeed gone into the water, and I could have claimed the one that was dry.

A test of integrity.  Next hole he asks, “So what do you do for a living?”  I said, “I am a pastor.”  He replied, “I am glad you didn’t lie about the ball.”  The other guy said, “So that explains your golf game.”

We never know when our integrity is going to be tested.  Our lives are on display all of the time, regardless of whether we are a pastor or a layperson, we all fall under the label CHRISTian.  We are representatives of Christ.  Paul said that we are to be imitators of Christ.  How we live is how people will view Christ!

How is your integrity level?  Do you strive your hardest to live a life of character and represent Christ well?  In every area of our lives we must evaluate and see where we have made small compromises.  Adjust those areas and allow God to work those things out.

The book of Hebrews says that He will give us grace to live holy.  Rely on God’s grace to help you live a life of integrity.  You never know when you will be tested.

Seated around a conference table in a dimly lit room, were gather several men.  All of them were there for the same purpose.  The leader of the meeting was assessing each person’s worth.  On the table in front of each man was an application and a spreadsheet with many calculations.  Each paper was different.  Each man flipped through his paperwork as the “boss” discussed an all-important subject: Worth.  What was each man worth?

The thing I noticed about each man was that they were all about my age.  They were in the same age bracket I was.  As each of us looked at our spreadsheets and figures calculating our worth I noticed that most of us had the same figures.  Basically the same worth.  Yet, among our group, was one man who stood out.  When I noticed His paperwork, it far over-shadowed each of the other men.  One’s worth recorded 92,000, while another was 111,000.  I wasn’t allowed to see my own figures but I noticed the other man’s.  The boss was looking at his figures.  17,000,000.

I thought to myself, “He’s the same age as I am.  How could he have built up such a figure in his short life?  What investments did he make?  WHat did he do that I didn’t and what could I do to be where he is at?”  Then I noticed his spreadsheets.  Where most of ours had a few pages of investments made, his read like a book.  Page after page of investments.

It was then I noticed the heading above our figures.  It wasn’t how much money we were worth.  The heading read simply, “Spiritual Life”.  This man was rich spiritually and we were lagging way behind.  As soon as I noticed the heading on each of the papers, I awoke from my dream.

Instantly, the Scripture came to mind, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2

I asked myself the question as I awoke, “If I prospered as much as my soul did, how much would I be worth?”  I believe it was intentional that I was not able to see the figures on my “spiritual life” chart.  Perhaps it was the mercy of God saving me from the shock of deficiency.  Or maybe God was just speaking to me about the pursuit my life should be taking.  If this text of Scripture is interpreted correctly, prosperity is linked to my soul’s prosperity.  You can be wealthy financially and be spiritually bankrupt.  You can have a nice home with all amenities while your spiritual house is crumbling.

What matters at the end of the day is not how much we have in the bank but rather what spiritual investments we have made.  So often, we are adamant to make investments that will ensure us financial security, but forget about the investments that will help our soul to prosper.I am stirred that my life must have investments of prayer, God’s Word, sharing Christ and serving Him fully.  Yielding in obedience.  When the “boss” looks over my spreadsheet of investments, I want it to read like a book.

One last note: the fact that everyone in the dream was my same age, reveals that spiritual life is not reserved for those who are older in the faith.  It all has to do with how we invest in God’s Kingdom.  No matter our age, our soul can be as prosperous as a saint who has walked with God for 50 years.  It is all about the investment.

What are you worth spiritually?

I just got back from a hospital visit and while out I noticed how warm it was.  Let me re-phrase that. I noticed how HOT it was.  As I was walking in the hospital I thought to myself, “Is it really this hot or is it just the reflection off the windows and heat from the concrete?”

When I returned to my office, I noticed the weatherbug on my desktop.  115 degrees.  That’s only 97 degrees from boiling. It’s hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!