Forgiving
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hard-hearted person? In other words, no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out. If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hard-hearted toward us, instead He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDER-HEARTED Lord we have! And this is important – in Ephesians 4:32 He commands us to be like Him – kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You for being TENDER-HEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us faithfully follow You and forgive others as You have forgiven us.
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A Perfect Storm
Schools are closing. College students are returning home to study online. Moms, dads, grandparents are working from home. Or, not working and worried about how they’ll make ends meet. Close quarters. High emotions. Worries about tomorrow. Some not feeling well or downright sick. The perfect storm for crosswords, eruptions, blame, and emotional distancing. How can we wisely relate to one another? With forgiveness. We can pattern ourselves after Jesus who comes to us in the storm. We can pattern ourselves after our Heavenly Father who forgives us even though we miss the mark with Him. First John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That is wonderful news. It’s also an example for us to follow. He tells us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ has forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:32. Just as. In other words, we repent and tell God we’re sorry when we mess up. We extend mercy and forgive others. We show grace even when it’s not returned. We choose love. How can we do this? We can’t. It is only possible when we receive Christ into our life, our storm, and asked Him to fill us, take control of us, and live His life through us. A storm is a perfect opportunity for those closest to us to see Jesus – maybe for the first time or in a new way.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You come to us in the storms of life. Thank You that You forgive us when we miss the mark. Thank You for showing us how to forgive others. Fill us. Live Your life through us so others see and believe in You.
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hard-hearted person? In other words, no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out? If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hard-hearted toward us, instead He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDER-HEARTED Lord we have! And this is important – in Ephesians 4:32 He commands us to be like Him – kind, tender-hearted, forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this Thanksgiving season would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You for being TENDER-HEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us faithfully follow You and forgive others as You have forgiven us.
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hardhearted person? It seemed no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out? If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hardhearted toward us when we sin, instead, He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDERHEARTED Lord we have! And, this is important – in Ephesians 4:32, He commands us to be like Him – kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this Thanksgiving season would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You for being TENDERHEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us faithfully follow You and forgive others as You have forgiven us.
A Perfect Storm
Schools are closing. College students are returning home to study online. Moms, dads, grandparents are working from home. Or, not working and worried about how they’ll make ends meet. Close quarters. High emotions. Worries about tomorrow. Some not feeling well or down right sick. The perfect storm for cross words, eruptions, blame, and emotional distancing. How can we wisely relate to one another? With forgiveness. We can pattern ourselves after Jesus who comes to us in the storm. We can pattern ourselves after our Heavenly Father who forgives us even though we miss the mark with Him. First John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That is wonderful news. It’s also an example for us to follow. He tells us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ has forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:32. Just as. In other words we repent and tell God we’re sorry when we mess up. We extend mercy and forgive others. We show grace even when it’s not returned. We choose love. How can we do this? We can’t. It is only possible when we receive Christ into our life, our storm, and asked Him to fill us, take control of us, and live His life through us. A storm is the perfect opportunity for those closest to us to see Jesus – maybe for the first time or in a new way.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You come to us in the storms of life. Thank You that You forgive us when we miss the mark. Thank You for showing us how to forgive others. Fill us. Live Your life through us so others see and believe in You.
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hardhearted person? It seemed no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out? If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hardhearted toward us when we sin, instead, He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDERHEARTED Lord we have! And, this is important – in Ephesians 4:32, He commands us to be like Him – kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this Thanksgiving season would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You that You’re TENDERHEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us follow You and be obedient to forgive others as You have forgiven us.
What Makes My Heart Sing
Of all the ways that God is described, FORGIVING, is one of God’s character traits that I most appreciate. It’s His character trait that makes my heart sing. Why? Maybe because I’m so mindful of my sins. Maybe because no matter my intent, no matter how hard I try, I fail every day. Maybe because I’m aware of those who aren’t forgiving; who pridefully stand in judgement of the one who sins and points out the error of their ways. I’m blessed to have a husband who reflects Jesus’s heart of love and forgiveness. But, I know some wives and husbands who don’t forgive. There are some parents and children who don’t forgive. Some friends don’t forgive. First John 1:9 states it, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to FORGIVE us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That is good news to which we can cling. And, it’s an example He tells us to follow.
Lord Jesus, thank You for FORGIVING us. We pray we not take Your forgiveness lightly, but rather, commit to live more fully for You.
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hardhearted person? It seemed no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out? If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hardhearted toward us when we sin, instead, He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDERHEARTED Lord we have! And, this is important – in Ephesians 4:32, He commands us to be like Him – kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this Thanksgiving season would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You that You’re TENDERHEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us follow You and be obedient to forgive others as You have forgiven us.
Thank you, FORGIVING LORD
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to FORGIVE us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
What would you do if God wasn’t forgiving? Would you sin less? Or, would you quit trying to “be good” knowing it was impossible? Would you throw all attempts of righteousness out the door and be as sinfully indulgent as you wanted? But God is forgiving. So, what does that mean for us? Does it cause us to want to live a less sinful life; one more pleasing to God? Does the awareness of all the “overs” God gives us create a deep sense of gratitude evidenced by us being less sinful and more like Jesus? God FORGIVES US. What does that mean to us?
Lord Jesus, thank You for FORGIVING our sins. We pray we not take Your forgiveness lightly, but rather, commit to live more fully for You.
Praise to our TENDERHEARTED Lord
“Be kind to one another, TENDERHEARTED, forgiving each other, JUST AS GOD in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Have you ever known a hardhearted person? It seemed no matter how much you try, they shut you out. If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord God. Although He could have every reason to be hardhearted toward us when we sin, instead, He pursues us and forgives us. What a TENDERHEARTED Lord we have! And, this is important – He commands us to be like Him – tenderhearted and forgiving.
Lord Jesus, we praise You that You’re TENDERHEARTED. How blessed we are to have You, a forgiving Lord! Help us be like You, forgiving toward others.