Friday, May 13, 2022

Friday, May 13, 2022
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Mercy isn’t something that’s earned. If it was, you and I would certainly be doomed to an eternity separated from God. Mercy is a gift that demands nothing in return, and Christ offered it to everyone. In every situation we are called to show mercy, even if it isn’t asked for. Remember the mercy that you were shown by the Son of God, in that while you were still a sinner, He spilt His blood for you. We can never repay our own debts, but we can strive to forgive the debts of others.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Thursday, May 12, 2022
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

It’s easy to hold a grudge, but it can be hard to move on. Chances are you’ve had trouble forgiving someone before, or perhaps you even known someone struggling to forgive you. The reality is that nobody, whether friends, family or even a spouse, will ever have a perfect record. We will all let each other down at some point because sin is wired into our nature. It’s reacting to the sins of others with the love of Christ that separates God’s children from the rest of the world.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Some things are easier to forgive than others. People make mistakes, and oftentimes if you put yourself in their shoes, you can understand why they made the choices they did. But sometimes there is no excuse; evil exists in every corner of our fallen world, and some people’s actions can’t be defended or justified. But no matter the sin, God loves them, just as He loves you, and He wants to spend eternity with them. As a witness for Christ, you could be the one that plants the seed in their life which allows them to be saved… if you can show the same mercy Jesus did and forgive them.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”

Forgiveness has no measurement. Just as Jesus forgave all the mistakes you have ever and will ever make, He calls us to forgive others the same way. When Peter asks Jesus if forgiving his brother seven times was enough, Jesus tells him that it’s not about numbers. You shouldn’t count the times someone has done wrong to you, and you shouldn’t keep carrying the grudges you hold. True forgiveness is an act of love that contradicts everything in our broken world, and by demonstrating it, the supernatural love of the Father shines bright.

Monday, May 9, 2022

Monday, May 9, 2022
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith, and it’s one of the core concepts found in God’s Word. Since forgiveness is what has rescued us for eternity, we shouldn’t be surprised that we are also commanded to forgive during our time on earth. If Jesus could love and forgive the soldiers who nailed Him to a cross, we can also forgive those who have wronged us in our own lives. You who are born again have the Holy Spirit inside you, and with it comes the ability to love the unlovable and forgive the unforgiveable. And when forgiveness isn’t easy, remember the unknowable number of sins that were forgiven you, paid for by the blood of Christ.

Friday, May 6, 2022

Friday, May 6, 2022
Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Jesus scolded the Pharisees of His time for praying in public, not because it’s wrong to pray in front of others, but because they only prayed this way to impress people. Prayer isn’t about putting on a show for others, or garnering admiration. Prayer is about you and God, and His Word encourages you to remember this. Praying in secret means that you aren’t seeking attention or recognition for your acts; just having a personal talk with the Maker of heaven and earth.