DAY 19.
FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN
“…FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS…”
Yesterday we were praying for the needs of the people around us. God wants to turn us outward to care about the people around us, right? Then we started to get into the really fun stuff; how Jesus tells us to love and pray for our enemies in Matthew 5. Today, we are praying forgive us and help us to forgive. So, were are going to look at some of the other stuff Jesus says about our enemies in Matthew 5.
‘ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
I know that weekly and daily, I fail and I need the Lords forgiveness. Today, we should ask Him for forgiveness. We should worship Him and thank Him for His forgiveness. Then ask for God’s grace and strength to forgive like He does. Jesus says that when we walk in forgiveness and love those who hurt us we are showing to be His children.
We have talked a lot about family and names over the past few weeks. We get a new identity in Jesus and now have become a part of a new family. You might have a family motto, or your family might be know for different things. For us, ‘The Sewalts’, we love bright colors. Maybe your family are a big Texas A&M family. There are things that identify your family. In God’s family our identifying factor is that we love like our Father loves. It’s a love that cant keep quiet. It’s a love that doesn’t give up. Its a love that transforms. God’s family loves like no one else.
Ask God to help you forgive. Tell Him you want to represent our family well. Tell Him you want to be like Him, and ask for His help. Maybe you can’t think of anyone to extend forgiveness and grace to right now. That’s awesome! Ask God to make you a person of grace and love, so that when you get hurt, you can keep on loving like Jesus does.
‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
‘You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ‘
Romans 5:6-8 NIV
PRAY THIS:
Father, I ask in Jesus name that you forgive me in my failings and missteps. Would you show me any area of my life that do not please you, and give me the grace to turn to your way. Jesus teach me to love like you love. Help me to walk in forgiveness like you do for me. Make me a person of grace and love. Don’t let me forget how much you love me and what you have done for me. Keep me free from bitterness and un-forgiveness. I trust you with my hurt. May I be identified as your child because I love like you do. Amen.
WORSHIP: