Verse of the Day: I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!—Psalm 119:30-31
Memory of the month: Isaiah 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Today's reading: EXODUS 19-20 MATTHEW 18:21-35
If God We Trust
He was the child of farmers and good people. As a child he was like a lot of children trying to keep all the toys to himself and always trying to be the center of attention. As he grew he learned how to make a living and provide for himself and then for his family.
A divorce brought much sorrow and the man never remarried. He could never trust again. He kept all his belongings close but still tried to be the center of attention when among friends. This man clung to all his stuff.
Unfortunately, his stuff included bad feelings and an unforgiving heart and an unwillingness to learn from his pain. So, the pain grew and so did his attitude toward forgiving until even what we would consider the slightest wrong against him was built into a major sin.
Relationships crumbled and disappeared-even with his closest family.
This sad life is not uncommon-such tragedy.
Matthew 18:21 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?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
verse 35 "...forgive your brother from your heart.”
No matter how bad it is, we must forgive, but from the heart. So, how do we get from 'young angry' to 'old angry' and then learn to forgive from the heart? 'Old angry' is really hard but, with God, nothing is impossible. 'Young angry' needs to be stopped before it takes root.
But then there are those who just hold on to one thing-something from long ago.
No matter the age or how hard we have become-it is time to get in front of God with it all. Pretend no longer. Let God break your heart to let it go and forgive from your heart. We must not allow bitterness to carry us to our graves.
There is freedom in obedience. Yes, there is joy and peace for our hearts-if we trust God.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for holding on to grudges and not forgiving.
Show me that if You can forgive me, I can forgive anyone. Humble my heart...thank You for forgiving me as I forgive.
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