Anyone feel like they need a SECOND CHANCE?  Take a number, we all do.  This is what is beautiful and appealing about being in relationships with those who will forgive.  It’s hard to believe I have been in a relationship with one girl for 21 years, and she has given me so many chances.  What a lucky guy I am!  I love being around people who are willing to give second chances.  We have all been given at one time or another, a second chance.  In the second chance there is an incredible opportunity.  A chance to reflect the love of God.

“God never gives up on His people.”

“If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive…”  Colossians 3:13

If you have been given a second chance, then you have an incredible opportunity.  You have been given an immeasureable gift! A chance to right what was wronged. A chance to do the right thing.  A chance to redeem what is broken.  But what is most important is BEING a person who gives second chances.  Here is what I believe you should do with your #secondchance

Redeeming the Second Chance…  

#1 Learn From Your Mistakes – Repeating the same mistake over and over again leads to mistrust and deep hurt.  There must be a progression in your development.  If you want to have integrity in relationships you must be willing to change.  Teachability creates reliability.

#2 Forgive The Past – No question about it, people will hurt you, there is no stopping this.  But just like we want to be forgiven, the mark of a mature person is one who lives the narrative of forgiveness.  Don’t burn bridges, build them.

#3 Share the Mistake – If you want to be one who has credibility, start sharing your mistakes so others can learn from them.  Only a truly humble person will be willing to share their mistakes.  When other people see your vulnerability, they will translate that quality into deep character development.  Let your life be one that others learn from.

#4 Major in the Majors – Keep the main thing the main thing and let everything else go.  IN essence focus on the BIG things because no one is perfect.  Just face it, people are not going to do everything YOU want them too.  It’s ok.  Focus on what is important and realize your won’t be perfect and neither will they.  This means we can’t demand perfection in every little thing.  If you aren’t perfect, why should you demand perfection from others?  This in no way means we should lower our standards or not hold each other accountable, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, and be careful what you say yes to.

Join us for our series – Overboard – Things we say to God

     July 10 – I Don’t Agree God         July 17 – I Won’t Approve God

217church meets at 10 AM at the Hamilton AMC24 Theater  11 AM at the Robbinsville Sharon Elementary School every Sunday morning.  If it is your 1st time, we have a special gift waiting for you!

Josh is the founding pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here