A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Reflecting on Psalm 96:1-4, Judy Mandl reminds us that the more we focus on God’s greatness as we praise Him, the more the world around us and the problems we’re facing come into clearer perspective.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: How Often Should I Forgive Others?By Dr. Rick Mandl, October 2, 2020Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family. I’ve got a question for you. And the question is “How Often Should I Forgive Others?” While you’re thinking about that, let me ask you . . . Did you hear about the man who was sitting in a coffee shop, across from a woman who was engrossed in her newspaper. One of the headlines of the paper she was reading blared: “12 Brazilian Soldiers Killed.” “12 Brazilian Soldiers Killed.” She looked at the headline. She sighed. And she shook her head at the sad news. Then, turning to the man, she quizzically asked, “How many is a Brazilian?” If you don’t get this joke, here’s a hint. Brazilian is not a number!
Her misunderstanding reminds me of another numerical misunderstanding in the Bible. In Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT). says, “Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” Peter thought that suggesting the number seven was demonstrating a charitable attitude. It seemed like a more than reasonable number. It seemed like a generous reaction to being wronged. Peter knew that in Jewish law, you had to forgive a person three times, and after you’d forgiven them three times, that was it. You didn’t have to forgive them anymore.
So Peter was probably thinking… “The law says three times. How about if I double it, and add in one for good measure? Seven times? (Jesus will be really impressed with this!)” And Jesus says, “Wrong! Peter. You’re not even close! How about 70 times seven!” He’s saying you have to just keep on forgiving. You just keep on forgiving and forgiving and forgiving. You give up your right to get even. You choose to bless those who hurt you. You pray God’s blessings on their life — not because they deserve it. They probably don’t. But then, you and I don’t deserve God’s blessings either.
You may say, “I don’t feel like forgiving.” Who does? Nobody ever feels like forgiving. You do it because it’s the right thing to do, and you do it to get on with your life. Someone once said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.’ This weekend we’ll be looking at what God’s Word says about forgiveness. We’ll also be coming to the Lord’s Table, and remembering that although forgiveness is free to you and me it was purchased at an incredibly high price. I hope you can join us.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Raquel Blanchard reflects on Jesus’ words from John 10:27-28 and reminds us that while it’s important to tell the people closest to us that we love them, there is something else we can tell them them that is even more important.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: Love Doesn’t Keep ScoreBy Dr. Rick Mandl, October 1, 2020 at Eagle Rock Baptist ChurchRecorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family. One of the best definitions of love that you can find is the one given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 and verses 4 through 8. There Paul writes, “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. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Within that description, the phrase I want to zero in on today is that one in verse 5, where it says, “Love keeps no record of wrongs.” That phrase begs the question for us as Christians, as to how we deal with the hurts we suffer, without “keeping a record of wrongs?”
I was recently reminded of the analogy of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown and encouraging him to run up and kick it. That particular comic seems to be a classic, that shows up every football season. Charlie Brown practicing his place kicking, and Lucy holding the football. And if you’re familiar with the comic strip, you know how it goes . . . Every time Lucy held the ball for Charlie Brown the same thing would happen. Charlie Brown would approach the ball, and with all his might was ready to kick the ball to the end of the field. But at the exact moment, the point of no return, Lucy would pick up the ball. Charlie would kick with all his might, and his unchecked momentum would cause him to fall flat on his back. As I said, it was a classic, so you’d see the scenario repeated year after year.
One strip opened with Lucy holding the ball, but Charlie Brown refusing to kick it. Lucy begged. But Charlie Brown was adamant in his refusal. Charlie Brown said, “Every time I try to kick the ball you move it and I fall on my back.” The next few frames had them going back and forth for the longest time. Finally Lucy broke down in tears and confessed, “Charlie Brown I have been so terrible to you over the years, picking up the football like I have. I have played so many cruel tricks on you, but I’ve seen the error of my ways! I’ve seen the hurt look in your eyes, when I’ve deceived you. I’ve been wrong, so wrong. Won’t you give a poor penitent girl another chance?” And as you’d expect, Charlie Brown was touched by her apparent sincerity, and moved by her display of sorrow. “Of course,” said Charlie Brown, “I’ll give you another chance.” So Charlie Brown steps back. Lucy holds the ball. And Charlie Brown ran, ready to kick with all his might. Once again, at the last possible moment, Lucy picked up the ball and Charlie Brown fell flat on his back.
In the final frame the Peanuts creator, Charles Schulz, has Lucy saying, “Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things, Charlie Brown!” In that scenario, that I described, “Everybody in the world knows that Lucy is going to move the football away at the last second. . . Everybody, that is, except for one person — Charlie Brown. He forgives Lucy every time. He continues to believe in her. And as a result he continues to place himself in a position to be hurt.” So what is Charlie Brown and the rest of us to do? How do we deal with the reality of others’ hurtful actions and yet practice 1 Corinthians 13:5, of love not keeping score?
Let me suggest three things. (1) Love doesn’t minimize the seriousness of sin. It’s not saying, “Oh, it was no big deal. It really didn’t hurt. Forget it.” On the contrary, sin hurts. When we are wounded by the wrong doings of others, it is disingenuous to say, “no problem.” Sin should be admitted. Corrected. And repented of. Love doesn’t overlook, whitewash, or diminish others trespasses against us. (2) Love isn’t resuming a relationship without changes. Forgiveness is not the same as restoring a relationship. Forgiveness ought to be instant. But trust – – – Trust is something that needs to be built over a long period of time. Forgiveness is a salve to begin healing, but it doesn’t remove the scars. Nor does it demand that we continue to allow ourselves to be hurt again and again.
For instance, a treasurer who embezzles money from the church treasury, could genuinely repent of sin, ask forgiveness and be restored to fellowship. However, that church would find another Treasurer. (3) Love isn’t forgetting what happened. We’ve all heard the cliche’ “forgive and forget.” That’s the “dumb thing Christians say” that we’ll be looking at this weekend. But to forgive and forget isn’t really possible. Did you ever try to forget something? When you are trying to forget it, what are you focusing on? You’re focusing on the very thing you’re trying to forget!
This weekend we’ll see that we are commanded to forgive. But we’re not commanded to forget. Forgiveness is a non-negotiable. Trust has to be earned. In some cases a restoration of the relationship is possible In other’s it’s not. Charlie Brown can apply 1 Corinthians 13:5 without becoming bitter.. Without holding a grudge… And without seeking to even the score. But he doesn’t have to allow Lucy to hold the football next year. That’s not keeping a record of wrongs, that’s recognizing someone you can’t trust. Praying that we would have the wisdom and grace to know the difference. Amen.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Karen Crum reflects on Hebrews 10:23-25 and reminds us that our hope in Christ provides an anchor for us amidst the challenges of life. Even when we’re faithless, God remains faithful, and will work in and through us to fulfill the promises he has made. Karen shares practical steps we can take to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us who are hurting.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Continuing his journey through the book of Philippians, Pastor Andrew looks at Philippians 3:1-2 and reminds us how we, like Paul’s readers, can make the choice to rejoice, even in the face of adversity.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Helen Goodridge reflects on Proverbs 3:5-6 and shares a lesson learned on a road-trip as a reminder of the importance of trusting our navigator as we travel the roads of life.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: Jesus Never Said It Would Be EasyDevotional by Dr. Rick Mandl, Eagle Rock Baptist Church, September 29, 2020Recordedin Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family, this week I came across an African proverb that says, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Have you ever thought of life in that way? Given the choice, I believe that all of us would want our lives, our work, our relationships with one another, and our finances to be smooth sailing all the time, but life just doesn’t work that way. There will be good times, but there will also be times that are difficult and challenging. Like the times we’re going through right now.
Jesus never said that this life would be easy. In fact what he actually said was the exact opposite. In John 16 and verse 33. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But thankfully, He didn’t stop there. He went on and said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” I want to share with you a truth from God’s Word, that you may not want to hear, and it’s simply this… There are some things that God cannot accomplish in our lives apart from suffering. Just to make sure you get that, I’ll say it again… There are some things that God cannot accomplish in our lives apart from suffering.
Do you remember the story of the Paul’s conversion in the book of Acts? Paul had been a persecutor of Christians, an enemy of the church, and then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and Paul becomes a Christian. And then shortly after that Jesus appeared to another disciple named Ananias and said to him these words, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Now don’t miss this next part… “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Paul was being informed in advance, that he was going to have to suffer. And this was not because God was out to get Paul. It was rather because Paul’s accomplishments and his suffering couldn’t be separated. His sufferings shaped his ministry in incredible ways. And what was true for Paul, will be true for you and me as well. You and I are going to suffer.
Why is it important for us to understand this? It’s important because many of us would like to do the kinds of things that Paul did without having to go through the kinds of things that Paul did. But the reality is… we can’t. If you and I want to be used greatly by God we need to realize God has a blessing in store for those who persevere in the face of suffering. James 1:12 gives us this promise… “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
In this world we will have trouble. That is a certainty. The choice that God gives us, is whether we want to try and tackle that trouble on our own. Or walk with Him through it. If we do that, he gives us the promise that just as He has overcome the world, we can be overcomers as well. Amen.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Raquel looks at the parable of the sower and the soils from Luke 8:5-13 and encourages us to examine it in order to see which kind of soil our heart most closely resembles.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: Trust The EngineerDevotional by Dr. Rick Mandl, Monday, September 28, 2020.Recorded at Eagle Rock Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family. Earlier this month we passed a date that marked two anniversaries. Not the kind of anniversaries you celebrate, but rather the kind of anniversaries you wish you could forget. September 11th was the 19th anniversary of that horrible day in 2001 when four jet-liners were hijacked and turned into missiles pointed at American targets. Two months after that terrible morning, then President George W. Bush said, “Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.”
September 11th marked another anniversary. And that is that it was 6 months from the day that the World Health Organization officially declared COVID 19 to be a pandemic. On March 11, the date of that declaration, there were over 118,000 cases of coronavirus around the world. Six months later, that number stands at more than 28 million, with global deaths exceeding 960,000.
At times like this it is good to remember the promises of God. Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” We need to remind ourselves that His word assures us that, “Yet what we suffer now…[Although it’s real, and although it’s painful…] is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later” (Romans 8:18 NLT). We need to remember that His Word tells us that, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). And if you feel like, you know that that is true, but it still seems a long way off… In the meantime… God invites us “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Thinking about what we’re going through right now, reminded me of the words of Corrie Ten Boom who said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” If Corrie Ten Boom, a person who survived the horrors of the Holocaust, including watching her own sister die in a concentration camp, could trust the Engineer… Well my prayer is that you and I can as well. Amen.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
