07/05/2009

9:45 Class - Prov 30:24. "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: 25. Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; 26. coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; 27. locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; 28. a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.

Scripture reading: #658

No Vesper’s tonight! Chris & Jene’ hosting our Ice Cream and Watermelon Social @ 5

Wednesday @ 7 – We look at Mark’s gospel (p 214 in “Desire of the Everlasting Hills”)

Power of a relationship based on repentance

Acts 3.1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. 2. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

3. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5. So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

8. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10. they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11. While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. 12. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

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.

16. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 17. "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.

18. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20. and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…”

Great, powerful, healthy relationships are based upon mutual humility. Nothing says 'humility' like repentance. Humility works with God...it works with your spouse, it works with friendships.

I heard an 'expert' on cable news this week providing 'insight' into some politician's extra-marital affair. The 'expert' said, "Anytime there are marital problems - it takes two."

She said this with a slight 'knowing' smile and an air of great insight.

That's a rather typical notion of many folks. If we are talking about reconciliation, then it does indeed 'take two.' If we are talking about wrecking a relationship, then it only takes one.

The one who is offending, and their supporters/sympathizers, want to provide some excuse for behavior by placing some of the blame on the victim. That is so upsetting.

A man who has an affair and then tries to place some of the blame on his wife is a louse and a coward. There is NO excuse for betraying the covenant and fidelity sacredly placed in a marriage.

That is not to say that there cannot be forgiveness,

• but forgiveness is predicated upon repentance
• and repentance is predicated upon humility.

If an offending husband is humble, then there is a possibility of forgiveness and perhaps a rebuilding of trust and then a relationship.

That's how it is with us and God. It's obvious from scripture that God is only impressed with a contrite heart. "Humble yourself therefore in the sight of God and in due time He will exalt you..."

The power that comes from a healthy relationship lifts one up.

• It is true of our marriage,
• it is true of our friendships,
• and it is true with God.

It is no accident that scripture says of our marriages that if we don't want our relationship with God to be hindered, we must have an open, honest, and humble relationship with our mate.

There is power in relationships based upon repentance and humility.

(Incidentally, the same thing also applies if it is the wife who has betrayed the marriage.)