Quiet Times Search

1. How were you powerless when Christ died for you?
2. What proves God's incredible love for you?

1. Why do we need to be reminded about our old way of life?
2. What did you do to earn God's forgiveness?
3. How should you respond to the grace of God?
4. Describe how you can be self-controlled and eager to do good works.

Summary

In Gerar Abraham said, "Sarah is my sister." King Abimelech took her but God warned him in a dream. He restored Sarah to Abraham.

Observations

Genesis 20:3 - You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken
God's anger was revealed here once again. King Abimelech had no idea that he was sinning. However, just because we are not aware does not mean were without sin.  In fact, we may have sinned serveral time already today without knowing or being aware. We need just Jesus so much. Wheather it is for the strength to be righteous or the forgiveness of a mulitude of sins.

Genesis 20:6 - I know that you have done this with a clear conscience
God considers our lives and our hearts when he judges. Our hearts are central to our connection with God. King Abimelech had no intention to take a married woman to be his wife, he did it with a clear conscience. God provided a way out way out for him as he does for all those who are tempted. [1 Corinthians 10:13].

Personal Application

I usually don't have an issue with knowing right from wrong. It is usually that I am not aware of what I am doing. I am either not paying attention or not focused. I need to watch my life closely so I will be righteous in God's eyes and so others can be saved because of it [1 Timothy 4:16].

• Pray for an understanding of God's forgiveness: study the psalms and see David's trust in God.
• Believe that God has a plan for your life: be confident in his love.
• Build great relationships with other Christians who can bolster your faith.

1. Love learning
2. Never quit (emotionally or spiritually)
3. Sacrifice of time and resources entrusts my heart to God

1. Pray through my dream list at least twice a week
2. Learn to stop trying to be perfect and be grateful for his grace

Those who humbel themselves will be exalted - Luke 18:14

We need a regular spiritual checkups to assess our relationship with God

Jesus told a story of self-righteous Pharisee who had no idea of his desparate spiritual sickness and the tax collector who, after some painful soul-searching found himself in desparate need of mercy and forgiveness

True confession before God means being honest enough to admit who you really are and humble enough to understand you can never earn God's forgiveness

I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway - Romans 7:19

Paul found himself unable to always do what he knew was right. He was equally unable to always avoid doing what he knew was wrong

Paul reveled his genuine conflict over his desire to obey God perfectly and his inability to do so 

What Paul wanted more than anything was to have vicotry over sin

We are sinners who must daily tap into God's grace and forgiveness

You will find consistent success in avoiding sin only as you walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind and he went away, weeping bitterly - Matthew 26:75

God offers forgiveness for even the worst of sins and the worst of sinners

Peter learned this firsthand

Theories abound as to why Judas' motivation for betraying Jesus, but for Peter it was clear, he was afraid

Judas and Peter both:

• Failed Jesus miserably
• Knew immediately they had done wrong
• Felt the guilt

Two remorseful sinners but only one turned back to the Lord

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus - Philemon 1:10

Philemon, an apparently wealth and influential believer, faced the same decision we face when some wrongs us

Do we forgive and restore or we withhold forgiveness and let the relationship die?

Onesimus had been Philemon's slave, stolen from Philemon, deserted him, and ran away

The question wasn't wheather Philemon had been wronged but what he was going to do about it

Understanding God's grace and forgiveness is the key to forgiving those who have hurt us

Now it is time to forgive and comfort him - 2 Corinthians 2:7

Paul told the Corinthian Christians to forgive a man who had caused him and the church a lot of trouble

God's purpose for discipline is to forgive and restore, not to condemn and reject

Paul apparently shared these believers' sense of injury but he eagerly extended forgiveness and restoration to give the man some hope and encouragement

Who in your life needs that kind of forgiveness and encouragement?

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west - Psalm 103:12

Men who follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly often see more clearly how they have been forgiven

David had plenty in his life for which he needed forgiveness

He knew when he failed God, God's love would never fail him

David did not choose his words randomly

If get in a plane and head east and unlimited fuel you never stop heading east - endless love

You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing youe unfailing love - Micah 7:18

The Bible is largely a book about finding balance - between God's hattred for sin and his desire to completely forgive the sinner

Micah understood this balance

Challenges:

• Called for repentance
• Against false prophets, political corruption, and spiritual apostasy
• Preached against greed, selfishness, and explitation

Opportunites:

• God's promises of blessing and forgiveness
• God longs to do good to those who forsake their sin and return to him

Repentant hearers had hope for better things ahead

Are there people in your life who need to see both sides of God's nature?

I am sending him back to you and with him comes my own heart - Philemon 1:12

Onesimus had dessert his master, Philemon, and headed home to find anonymity

While there, he met Paul, who probably brought him to faith in Christ

Now Onesimus made a tough decision: return back to his master despite his fears

It would have been easier to stay in Rome but he knew that God wanted him to return to Philemon and make amends for his actions

God always honors you when you go out of your way to seek another's forgiveness

He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree beside the road where Jesus would pass by - Luke 19:4

Zacchaeus understood his wretched condition well

He understood more than anyone how despartely he needed forgiveness

Zacchaeus sensed he obtain forgiveness by making contact with Jesus

Many of us would have given up and gone home but Zacchaeus found a way

Jesus recongnized Zacchaeus' willingness and desparation and his life changed forever

How uncomfortable are you willing to be to spend time with Jesus?

Jesus' love was boundless, foreign to his being

He expected others to not have boundries on their love either

When Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and how many times to forgive, Peter suggested seven (twice as many as most liberal rabbis)

Jesus blew Peter's mind and said to not set limits. There are no boundries in love.

Love is not a calculation, Mathmatics is foreign to affection

Jesus knew the blessedness of forgiving heart

He himself was always forgiving without grudges, retaliations, revenges

His heart was the most discerning that ever existed. He hated sin like no one else but loved the people like no one else

No better example: on the cross with so much pain and through his love his heart was to love and forgive.

Included in the greatest commandment is: love the Lord with all of your MIND

Belief is both a matter of faith but also of will

Sometimes we just want things to be true - this could be said for both Christian (something to rely on) and non-believer (changes in life required)
Why would someone not want the free gift of forgiveness? Sometime that decision would require change in their lives

There is a difference between proving and accepting Christianity
If someone could show Christianity to be most probable, would you accept it? It is evidence issue or are you in the way?

The point of open mindedness is to find the truth when it comes along; 
The point is not to be indecisive when evidence is beyond a reasonable doubt comes along
That indecisiveness is empty-mindedness

God has given us enough evidence to see him without comprising our faith or our free will