A fool despises his father’s instructions, but he who receives correction is prudent. Proverbs 15:5

 During my career, I became a supervisor in the last 14 years of employment. During the first part of my promotion, I had to hire someone to fill a recent vacancy. During the interview process, one candidate stood out among the rest, but my manager advised not to choose that person based on his experience. Well, I chose them and things went well at first, but several years following, that person became the thorn in my career and made life short of miserable. Looking back, I wished I had heeded my manger’s advice.

 Growing up I always heard the advice to: “listen to your elders”. Those who’ve lived much longer, have gone through the painful experiences that have given them wisdom to share with those much younger and with very little experience. What if we took their advice with all seriousness, our lives would probably be less burdensome and stressful. But, we always think we know best and have to learn the hard way.

 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. Proverbs 15:22

 Maybe you are young, coming up through the ranks in your job, or maybe you are simply a teenager or young adult learning how to navigate life. Take my advice, seek counsel on matters from those who’ve done it before you and heed their wisdom, it might just save you much grief and make life a little easier. Those seasoned people have resources available to help you grow and develop into a person of wisdom without the pain of making wrong choices. Life doesn’t give you second chances, use what God has given you through the advice of others. God bless!  

 Phillip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joesph.” And Nathanel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Phillip said, “Come and see”. John 1:45-46

 Most larger cities have neighboring towns that are small and people believe not much good comes from them, whether it’s the people, lack of businesses, or issues with crime. Many people have a prejudice towards those smaller towns without really knowing the people of those communities. Truth be told, there are probably many good people in them and their lives are much better off than those in the big cities.

 That was exactly the case in today’s verses. Prophets foretold that a Savior would come out of Nazareth, yet when Phillip told Nathanel he found Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Savior of mankind, Nathanel had doubts because of where He came from. In Nathanael’s mind, nothing good could have come from that community.

 The same could be said of some people’s view of churches and the people who attend their services.  Unchurched people have a prejudice towards church attendees because of what they’ve heard through other’s opinions, actions of those who claim to be “Christians”, or bad news published in the media about church leaders who’ve fallen prey to worldly lusts. Because of their prejudices, they don’t’ want any part of a church or the people who attend them. Sadly, this is the case for millions of people, some who live right across the street from a church. Maybe you fall into this category.

 If church attendance is not on your Sunday morning agenda, I encourage you to stop relying on your personal opinions, and be like Nathael, come see for yourself what really goes on in that church building. You might be pleasantly surprised by the love that greets you upon entry, and the sound doctrine that is preached from the pulpit. You might actually see those half-hearted Christians kneel at the altar, seeking God’s forgiveness. They are no different than yourself, people just living life in this world, trying to be better people for God to bless. Why not make plans to attend a church this Sunday and see it for yourself.

 

 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Psalm 86:5

 Back in high school, something bad happened between myself and one of my closest friends. We both went to the same church and actively involved in our youth group. Because of our spat, we didn’t talk to each other for months on end and it impacted the dynamics of our youth group. A group of us attended a Christian youth conference and at that conference God removed the hurt, resentment, and anger between us and our friendship was restored. Since that time, I have always tried to quickly settle up any disputes I have with others.

 Today’s verse provides encouragement for God’s children, as He is always ready to forgive and even forget our trespasses against Him. To be honest, there isn’t any living human being who can forgive as easily as your Creator.  

 Sadly though, there are many people today who believe God is unwilling to forgive them for the sins they’ve committed, isolating themselves from the blessings of His love, grace, and forgiveness.  Even some Christians battle with the question, how can God forgive me for disobeying Him?

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 Maybe you are one of those who struggle to understand how God could forgive you, especially if your life is a complete wreck from making poor decisions. God’s love for you goes beyond human reasoning. As proof, He came to planet earth in the form of human flesh and made things right with mankind by dying on a Roman cross, as payment for all your sins: past, present, and future. All you have to do is come to Him with a repentant heart, asking His forgiveness and know that He is ready and able to restore the wonderful relationship He longs to have with you. Confess your sins today and be free from the chains that bind you to your past. God loves you enough to forgive even the worst sin.