Forgiveness 1.1

The following is an article that I've written for a newsletter.

Good News: Forgiveness

by Pastor Jonathan Daniels

            Praise the Lord, readers! I wanted to share some good news today, something that I’ve personally experienced and grown in recently – forgiveness. Now, I know that this topic –forgiveness – may not be the most exhilarating or soul-stirring one to discuss, but God recently revealed to me a new understanding of the power and freedom that comes with forgiveness.

            Recently, I had somewhat of a confrontation with someone close to me. In the heat of our “spirited” discourse, the other individual spoke some things contrary to what God had spoken to me regarding my ministry and my life.

After that meeting, I felt indignation rising up from within – this person said some hurtful things to me.  The enemy almost immediately tried to flood my mind with thoughts of doubt regarding my ministry, my place in Anointed Word Fellowship, my direction in life, and even my relationship with God. So, I was alternately indignant and warring with the words spoken to me/over me.

Whenever I have a mental tug-of-war, I go into my prayer closet with my Bible; this time was no exception. While in the midst of prayer, God spoke to me in a small, still voice - “Use your weapons. Forgiveness is a weapon.”

Forgiveness, a weapon? But then I remembered II Corinthians 10:3-4:

³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

And I realized that, in my flesh, I wanted to give somebody a piece of my mind. Just as they had come up against me with words, I wanted to really respond to them in kind. But, the above scripture let me know that I can’t respond carnally, because I’m in the middle of a spiritual war; I have to use spiritual weapons to win my battles.

Then, the Spirit led me to another scripture – Luke 23:34:

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” This is, of course, a familiar passage of scripture to many believers, including myself. But, this time, I saw it with new eyes. I realized that Jesus had an understanding of the spiritual ignorance of his enemies better than the average Christian. He realized that they really didn’t understand what they were doing. In their minds, they felt perfectly justified in the judgment levied against Jesus Christ. They really didn’t understand that the devil was using them against Jesus! They didn’t understand what was going on spiritually! So, Jesus, right there on the cross and with this understanding, was able to pray for forgiveness of his enemies in his weakest moment.

Likewise with my situation – that other person thought that they were expressing themselves. They didn’t realize that the devil was using them to try to cast a shadow of doubt over all that God has done and is doing in my life. They didn’t realize that they could have potentially veered me from my God-given destiny, my “expected end”.  So, just as my Lord and Savior understood the spiritual ignorance of his enemies and forgave, I also forgave.

In forgiving, I was freed from indignation, anger, and doubt. I was instantly reassured of God’s plan and purpose for my life. I was able to pray for the spiritual scales to be removed from that individual’s eyes. And most of all, I received forgiveness from God.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:14-15)

Thankful

I just wanted to share a piece of my evening on this blog...

Tonight, we had a dinner at church to celebrate Co-Pastor Booker's birthday. Usually we have Intercessory Prayer Service on Saturday evenings, but tonight we had a big seafood dinner (Co-Pastor LOVES seafood).

After eating all that lobster, shrimp, crab, tilapia, and other stuff, we took a few moments to sing praises unto God; it's always appropriate to lift him up in his house.

But Bishop Booker spoke something today that really connected with me. He spoke about being thankful and reminded us to be thankful for all that God has done for us. As he talked, I reflected upon 2011, and I started to cry as I reminded myself of just how good God has been to me.
I mean, he's provided my basic needs - shelter, food, employment (well, an unemployment check for the moment), clothes. I also have a cell and Internet at home. My brother is back home after four years, serving God and  attending college. I'm walking in my call to ministry (as hard as it is at times, but that's #TheLifeOfAnAssistantPastor). My bills are paid and my refrigerator is full. I'm healthy. I'm on top of the dirt instead of the dirt being on top of me.

I write this because I was feeling a little frustrated and restless in life. Sometimes, we as people look so hard at what we don't have that we overlook all that we have before us. I was feeling like that earlier, but God reminded me again of just how good he's been to me.

I also want to encourage anyone that may be reading this blog. God's been good to you as well. The fact that you're reading this blog says a lot - you can read, you have access to a computer/Internet, you're alive... . God has been good to you and I!

Well, that's my "off the dome" thought for the moment. I'll holla!

Stand Alone

 Right now, the above song (Jai "Stand Alone") is one of my favorite songs (and her "Culture Shock" album is the "Flavor of the Month", so to speak). Not just the slow groove or the catchy chorus, but the relevance of the lyrics is probably what is catching my attention.

I was also touched by what Jai said in her interview with ugospel when asked what was her favorite song on the Culture Shock album and why-

"Stand Alone", because it was that pivotal moment in my life when I realized that everyone that started with me won't necessarily finish with me. It also reminded me of my purpose and that the one that gave it to me will NEVER leave me!


Of course, this made me think of the blog I did several weeks ago called "Lost Soldiers, Fallen Soldiers".

Also, the song, as well as that part of Jail's interview, gives me some solace in knowing that sometimes, we just have to stand alone, particularly dealing in the area of ministry. Sometimes, it's hard being an assistant pastor to such a charismatic and spiritually bold leader, which is my situation. I'm laid-back, easy going, and comical, and it's hard to be bold and confrontational sometimes. But, to uphold God's standard and to stay faithful to the work in which he has put in my hand to do, I have to just do it... even if, even for a moment, I have to stand alone.

I haven't really talked a lot about being Assistant Pastor or me in ministry - it all seems new still. I've only been Assistant Pastor for  5 1/2 months (although I've been minister/elder since January 2009). It's most definitely been a learning experience. For one, I can't say the first thing that comes to mind. I can't always crack jokes. And, if anything goes wrong or if somebody cuts up when Bishop is absent, I'm the one that gets rebuked behind the scenes (and having Bishop David J. Booker "go in" on you is NOT fun). Before, I was in the background. Now, I'm up front and seen (and accountable) - no hiding.
I know that God has called me to this though. I was content to just being "Elder Daniels", and working in the church (with some occassional preaching and teaching thrown into the mix). All in all, it's amazing to see what God is doing with me and through me, despite the growing pains, despite the moments of loneliness (like now). God is being glorified by my life and by the situation - and that's what it's about anyway.


*********************************************************************************

• Got a few changes on the horizon - my youngest brother (maternally) will be here within 40 hours. That's gonna be a real-live adjustment. I've been in my apartment alone for two years, and now I have to adjust for a season. But, I praise God for his provision, and enabling me to be a blessing and a help to others.
•  My Deacon (dfiggures) gave me a camera so that I wouldn't have to continue to make bootleg videos (using my phone). But, I can't figure this thing out, and I don't think it has a microphone in it. So, I may have to resort back to the bootleg setup, until I get a cam.
•  There's a few things that I'm thinking about blogging about soon - the volume of poetry that I'm working on, my musical endeavors, a couple of Bible studies I'm working on (and may post here)... we'll see.
• I'm also playing with the idea of doing a blog entry once a month entitled "The Life of an Assistant Pastor", which will serve to 1) give whomever is reading a glimpse of what it's like (ministry/assistant pastor's role/position), and 2) to "vent".

Well, I'm done. Until next time... laton.