What is Love?

What is love? Good question. Everyone wants it, searches for it, lives for it, and will do anything for it and one man actually did it all.

He's our example. We are going to save the world by screaming and preaching at them. We are going to save them by living by love.

So we need to understand it before we hit the streets a blazing.

God Bless.

October 31, 2014
What Love Is

Bill Crowder

Romans 5:1-8

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8
Years ago I asked a young man who was engaged to be married, "How do you know that you love her?" It was a loaded question, intended to help him look at his heart's motives for the upcoming marriage. After several thoughtful moments, he responded, "I know I love her because I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy."

We discussed what that meant-and the price tag attached to the selflessness of constantly seeking the best for the other person, rather than putting ourselves first. Real love has a lot to do with sacrifice.

That idea is in line with the wisdom of the Bible. In the Scriptures there are several Greek words for love but the highest form is agape love-love that is defined and driven by self-sacrifice. Nowhere is this more true than in the love our heavenly Father has shown us in Christ. We are deeply valued by Him. Paul stated, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

If sacrifice is the true measure of love, there could be no more precious gift than Jesus: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16 nlt).

Amazing love!
How can it be
That Thou, my God,
Shouldst die for me? -Wesley
The measure of love is what you are willing to give up for it.

© 2014 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

First Response

What is your first response when things go haywire? Mine is to scream a little bit, throw in a good tantrum, and follow it up with dramatic tears.

Thank heavens there is a better way.

God Bless.

October 25, 2014
First Response

Cindy Hess Kasper

James 5:13-16

Be anxious for nothing, but . . . let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

When my husband, Tom, was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, I began to call family members. My sister and her husband came right away to be with me, and we prayed as we waited. Tom's sister listened to my anxious voice on the phone and immediately said, "Cindy, can I pray with you?" When my pastor and his wife arrived, he too prayed for us (James 5:13-16).

Oswald Chambers wrote: "We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all."

At its root, prayer is simply a conversation with God, spoken in the expectation that God hears and answers. Prayer should not be a last resort. In His Word, God encourages us to engage Him in prayer (Phil. 4:6). We also have His promise that when "two or three are gathered together" in His name, He will be "there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

For those who have experienced the power of the Almighty, our first inclination often will be to cry out to Him. Nineteenth-century pastor Andrew Murray said: "Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us."

When I come before His presence
In the secret place of prayer,
Do I know the wondrous greatness
Of His power to meet me there? -Hallen
Pray first!

© 2014 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Confidence in His Name

And what a name to be confident in! The Ruler of the world. The soon coming King. The great I Am.

The name above all names. Now that is something to get a hold of and get excited about! Jesus's name is everything you needs and holds your everything you will ever need.

God Bless.

Confidence in His Name

Let the name of Jesus stir new confidence in your life today. He has granted His own name as the signature, the badge of authority, the security, the guarantee of every promise offered in God’s Word. And in that name, we are to expect results—in our life, in our family, in our neighborhood, in our church, and in our world.

Yes there is the waiting of faith and the patience of hope, but people who pray in Jesus’ name can expect action. Boldly believe!

Moments with Majesty

Receive Jesus into Your Daily Life

After reading this devotional and thinking about what Joyce saying, I came to the conclusion I don't like where I am at in my walk.

This devotional shows me I still have a long way to go. I wanted to share this with you to encourage to keep running the race that is before us.

God Bless.

Receive Jesus into Your Daily Life

by Joyce Meyer

If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] 
—Galatians 5:25

We ask people all the time if they have received Jesus, without ever really thinking about what that means. If we receive Him, then what do we do with Him? We certainly don’t put Him in a little box marked “Sunday morning,” go get Him out on that day, sing a few songs to Him, talk to Him a little, then put Him back in the box until the next Sunday. If we receive Him, then we have Him with us always.

It is not pleasing to God for people to leave Him out of their daily lives, while going through religious formulas to try to get what they need. Don’t just go through the motions. Either have a real relationship with God that is alive and meaningful, or face the fact that you don’t have one at all and do whatever is needed to get one.

Ask yourself these questions, and you will discover where you are spiritually:

• Are you growing daily in your knowledge of God and His ways?
• Do you look forward to going to church, or is it something you do out of obligation? Are you waiting for it to end so you can finally go to lunch?
• Do you feel close to God?
• In your life are you manifesting the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), and self-control (see Gal. 5:22–23)?
• Do you have areas of your life that you have not let God into?

If you are not satisfied with your answers to these questions, throw your life entirely open to God and ask the Holy Spirit to get involved in every aspect of it. If you will do that in honesty and sincerity, He will begin to work in you in a powerful and exciting way.

Trust in Him: Are you just going through the motions, or have you fully committed your life to Christ, trusting Him with everything so that He can do a powerful work in you?

---

From the book Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2012 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

The Word Was Made Flesh

I really needed to hear this today! This reminder about the word who became flesh devotional came just in time and I didn't want to be selfish so I'm sharing it.

God Bless


October 23

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. – John 1:14

The most wonderful event in the history of the world was the coming of God in human flesh to dwell among men. The “Word” was in the beginning, that is, from eternity. Then in time the Word became flesh and lived among us. That is what took place that quiet night at Bethlehem when Jesus was born.

Wonderful was the life that dwelt for three and thirty years on earth. Jesus Himself interpreted it when He said, “He that hath seen the Father.” As we read the beautiful story of the life of Jesus and see His gentleness, His patience, His unselfishness, His abounding kindness, we are looking at God revealed in simple, human ways. In no other way could we ever have learned the character of the invisible God. In the incarnation He came down and lived among us, and now we know how easy it is to get to God, how loving and patient and merciful He is, and how ready He is to help us. The Christ of the Gospels is the God with whom we have to do.

Devotional provided by Morings with God

This is the closet I have come about feeling good about prayer.

I don't know about you but I have a huge problem in thinking I am not doing this right. This devotional has helped put my mind at ease.

God Bless

Simple, Believing Prayer

by Joyce Meyer

And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking…. For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
—Matthew 6:7–8

We must develop confidence in simple, believing prayer. We need the confidence that even if we simply say, “God, help me,” He hears and will answer. We can depend on God to be faithful to do what we have asked Him to do, as long as our request is in accordance with His will. We should know that He wants to help us because He is our Helper (Hebrews 13:6).

Too often we get caught up in our own works concerning prayer. Sometimes we try to pray so long, loud, and fancy that we lose sight of the fact that prayer is our conversation with God. The length or loudness or eloquence of our prayer is not the issue; it is the sincerity of our heart and the confidence we have that God hears and will answer us that is important.

Sometimes we try to sound so devout and elegant that we get lost. We don’t even know what we are trying to pray about. If we could ever get delivered from trying to impress God, we would be a lot better off.

Lord, free me from the belief that my prayers must be eloquent and just right. Keep reminding me that what You really want from me is a heartfelt conversation. Amen.

---

From the book The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Ebola

This devotional from Daughters of the King brings me peace and I wanted to share it with you. For the sign of the times a word to help calm our fears.

Ebola.

“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19

The Ebola virus has become the name that people fear most. More than cancer, HIV, or any other disease. There is a growing fear of going out into public places, fear of traveling to foreign lands, fear of gathering together in one place. Below is a prophetic word from God regarding Ebola that will help to give you His mind on the matter. Please read and take heed.

“I am going to raise up a standard against this disease like the world has never seen. It will be undeniable that I am real. The cure is faith in Me. The cure is being fully persuaded that I am Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that heals. I am Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord that protects. And though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil. For I am Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is with you. My rod and my staff comforts you. I am your shield. I am your protection. The enemy is trying to create fear of gathering together, fear of going and doing the work I have called you to do, fear of uniting together in one place. But you must not fear! You are not without hope! You have Me on your side. You must not fear. No fear! Only faith in Me and My word. Fear Me, not a disease. Fear Me, not an epidemic. Fear My name and walk in the authority I have given you to heal, deliver and set people free.” Says the Spirit of the Lord.

Prayer: Father God, You are my God and I put my faith in You and Your name. Fill me with Your Spirit and power. Fill me with wisdom and knowledge of Your will. Any disease that is trying to exalt itself higher than You must come under subjection. I activate my faith in Your supernatural ability to heal. Be my shield God. Stir up every spiritual gift You have placed in me and let me be used by You in this last day. You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. I receive soundness of mind right now on this matter and I rest in You. You are my God and my faith is in You. Be glorified in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

(Read Luke 10:19; Psalms 23:4; 2 Timothy 1:7; Mark 16:15; Hebrews 10:25; Luke 3:4-6)

God Have You Lost Your Mind?

This devotional says it like I've thought it a time or two. You can't be really human without having some thoughts that God has lost His mind when things don't go out way or when the world seems like a dark palace with very little light.

So go ahead and feel human and ask the Creator of the universe if He's lost His mind and then sit back as He shows you the wonderful plan He has for your life.

God Bless.

God, Have You Lost Your Mind?
by Marlo Schalesky, Wrestling with Wonder

God, have you lost your senses? I’ve muttered those words. Mary has too. We know, because the gospel of Mark tells us, “When his family heard . . . they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind’ ” (Mark 3:21).

God, are you crazy? There are those times when life doesn’t make sense, when all our expectations are shattered, and we wonder, we doubt, we question, we wrestle with this God who refuses to conform to who we want him to be. God, are you really out of your mind? We think so when we’ve prayed and prayed and the opposite thing happens, when we’ve trusted and obeyed and things just get worse. I’ve been there. Mary’s been there. Maybe you have too.

Have you walked that shadowed valley where truth is tainted with unmet expectations, where doubts are colored by old paradigms not yet broken, not yet remade? Perhaps you’ve read the promises and believed them. You’ve had faith, you’ve waited, you’ve trusted. And yet . . .It seems that God himself has lost his mind, because the truth you believe does not result in the life you expect.

Who is this God? And what do we do when He isn’t the God we’ve expected Him to be? Life doesn’t turn out as we expect. God doesn’t turn out as we expect. So we think He’s crazy. Maybe the Messiah has lost his mind. We need to set Him straight. We need to explain to Him the type of God He’s supposed to be. Sounds silly when we say it that way. But when our expectations are broken, we often look at God as if something’s wrong with Him. We lose faith because He hasn’t lived up to our expectations, He hasn’t conformed to our image of Him, He hasn’t acted according to our ideas of what’s right and good.

So what do we do when life as we experience it clashes with our expectation of what life should look like, how God should act on our behalf? We glimpse God’s dream for us, we surrender our own dreams, and then our expectations paint a glorious picture of everything wondrous that life will be. But it isn’t.

Wait a minute! We believed. We surrendered. We know what is true. Yet life looks nothing like we thought it would. And God looks nothing like we thought He would! What then? What do we do when experience and expectation conflict?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that God explodes expectations.

He does not conform to our view, but instead He conforms us to His. He is the God who breaks all expectations, who shatters preconceptions, who wants nothing more than to blow apart my ideas of who He is and replace them with a true vision of who He really is.

He is the God who calls us to leave our expectations at the door and come in to sit at His feet.

Excerpted with permission from Wrestling with Wonder, copyright 2014 Thomas Nelson

* * *

Your Turn

Surrender your plans and dreams to Him. Trust in His goodness. God wants to break down the walls of fear and anxiety in your life and to replace them with His peace. We would love to hear from you about how you are trusting God with your life! Come join the conversation on our blog! ~ Devotionals Daily

A People of Character

A People of Character

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 (NLT)

Our destiny is to look like Jesus on the inside and to behave like Jesus on the outside. Many of us are spiritual powerhouses, can pray the house down, sing the roof off, hang off the chandeliers when we praise the Lord, and can administrate duties with a spirit of excellence. We appear like strong mighty lions, but who are we inwardly?

Do we love just as loud? Forgive just as strong? Are we as obedient to God as our prayers are powerful?

These are things of the heart that matter most to God. The nuts and bolts of people of character is how to respond when it’s time to let go, how one behaves when one doesn’t get their way, how one acts when one gift and calling is ignored, and what one does when one's experiences failure.

Our deepest cry must be, “Lord, beautify and adorn me inwardly. Deck me out and make me to look like Your Son. Have Your way in me.” Let Him break off everything that doesn’t look like Him. The lying has to stop. The bad attitude, no more. The laziness and procrastination, no more. The unforgiveness and resentment, that’s not becoming of you. No more erotic romance novels and sexual perversion. The pride and arrogance, no ma’am.

The selfishness, not you woman of God. No more making a person your idol. Time to tell fear and timidity goodbye. You can be the the petson you know in your heart you were created to be. Let God break these things off so you can have His character. You are chosen and are predestined for a great work that will bring God great glory, but His work in you is where it all begins.

Prayer: Yes, Lord. Beautify and adorn me inwardly. Deck me out and make me to look like Your Son. Have Your way in me. Break me down and build me up into a woman of character. I know whatever You reveal to me that needs changing in my life, You will help change it. I am not alone on this journey. You are with me. Be glorified in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Ten Days of Awe Devotionals - Day 7

This devotional talks about the second half of forgiveness.  Seems to me I need to work on this side too

God Bless.

Home Holidays and Festivals Ten Days of Awe Devotionals - Day 7
Holidays and Festivals

Day 7 (10/1/14)

Let’s look at two stories about forgiveness! The first is found in the Bible and it is one of the great parables spoken by Jesus on this issue of forgiveness, which was one of His favorite topics. The second is a well-known encounter experienced between Corrie ten Boom and a German prison guard

The parable is found in the Gospel of Matthew 18:23-35 with a brief introduction to the story in verses 21-22. Take a moment and read the story – it will just take a few minutes!

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Jesus indicates that someone who receives forgiveness can forfeit that forgiveness by refusing to forgive others. Jesus makes the point clear: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (Matt. 18:35).

That was the terrible error of the unforgiving servant in Jesus’ parable (Matt. 18:23-35; see also Matt. 5:7; Mk. 11:25). He did not rightly appreciate the forgiveness given to him and was cut off from the forgiveness granted to him earlier and his debt was reinstated (Matt. 18:34). The obvious truth Jesus presents is that proof positive of being forgiven is forgiving. Please do not misunderstand the Savior! He is not suggesting that there is any other precondition upon receiving His forgiveness other than faith (Eph. 2:8-9), but true faith in Jesus comes with a sincere repentance and desire to change. This faith, which is a gift from God, turns us away from sin and towards the Lord.

Evidently, this wicked servant did not really comprehend the Master’s gift of forgiveness as he treated those who worked for him with such cruelty and ingratitude instead of how he himself was treated. Again, our salvation is not based on forgiving others, yet it is also true that citizens of the kingdom of God are marked by the ability to forgive!

The following story told by Corrie ten Boom is a magnificent illustration of our struggle to forgive.

It was in a church in Munich that I saw him, a balding heavy-set man in a gray overcoat, a brown felt hat clutched between his hands. People were filing out of the basement room where I had just spoken. It was 1947 and I had come from Holland to defeated Germany with the message that God forgives.

And that's when I saw him, working his way forward against the others. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat; the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones. It came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights, the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor, the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister's frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment skin. Betsie, how thin you were! Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland; this man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent.

"You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk," he was saying. "I was a guard in there." No, he did not remember me.

"But since that time," he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein, " his hand came out, ... "will you forgive me?"

And I stood there — I whose sins had every day to be forgiven — and could not. Betsie had died in that place — could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking? It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do. For I had to do it — I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion — I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand, I can do that much. You supply the feeling." And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!" For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.

As the Palmist concludes,

If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared (Psalm 130:3-4).

Scriptural Meditation:

The ability to forgive is a reflection of our salvation. It is not the basis but the evidence that the Holy Spirit has performed a true work of God in our hearts. Therefore, we really must view forgiveness as a spiritual duty for people of faith. This is at the heart of these Ten Days of Awe. Jewish people understand that forgiving others is not an option, but rather an obligation.

May the Lord give you the power to be like Corrie ten Boom and forgive those who perhaps have harmed you the most. Even God Himself does not “mark iniquities,” for if He did, none of us would be able to survive His judgment. Again the Psalmist writes regarding our sin,

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps.103:12).

If God removes our sins from His view, how can we not try and do the same for those who have sinned against us?

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Ten Days of Awe Devotions - Day 6

Today's devotional is about forgiveness. Something I myself needs to work on.

God Bless.

Home Holidays and Festivals Ten Days of Awe D
Home Holidays and Festivals Ten Days of Awe Devotionals - Day 6
Holidays and Festivals

Day 6 (9/30/14)

Forgiveness of sin is a major theme in the Bible. The story of the Old Testament begins with Adam and Eve sinning and destroying the perfection God originally created. Sin passed from Adam and Eve to their descendants and the remainder of the biblical story focused on the way in which God would redeem mankind and creation from the ravages of sin and disobedience.

Early biblical promises of redemption and forgiveness were first heard in the Garden of Eden in passages such as Genesis 3:15—And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. The Bible not only began to focus on redemption and deliverance, but also upon a redeemer and deliverer – a person who would be used by the Holy One to reverse the effects of the sins committed by the first man and woman.  

This hope was further outlined in Messianic prophecies throughout the Bible; Genesis 12:1-3, 49:10, Deuteronomy 18:15 ff, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, and in the magnificent servant song in chapter 53.

Ultimately, this led to the appearance on earth of this promised One who would pay the penalty for sin by giving His own perfect life in death, conquering the curse and rising from the grave to offer redemption for individuals and eventually for the all of creation marred and tainted by sin.

It is no wonder then that the Messiah Jesus often spoke of sin, forgiveness, redemption and how we can enjoy a “remembrance of the garden” and foretaste of future glory today. Issues related to sin, forgiveness and redemption were some of His favorite topics as He had come as a friend of sinners to seek and save the lost. Jesus promised an abundant life to those who followed Him (Jn. 10:10) and this abundance would include a deeper and more profound relationship with the Creator. It would also potentially transform relationships between individuals; heal marriages, families, friendships and all broken relationships according to His will.

In the well know “Lord’s Prayer,” Yeshua revealed the secret of renewed relationships to His followers as He encourages His disciples to learn the joy of forgiving others.  

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (Matt. 6:9-13).

The great theme we bear in mind as we press toward the conclusion of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur, is forgiveness–God forgiving us and our forgiving others.

What can we learn about being forgiven and forgiving others from this prayer of Yeshua? Can we be forgiven of our sins without forgiving others?

The simple answer is Yes and No!

A Definition of Forgiveness

The Bible uses many different words to describe forgiveness. It might be best to think of various words in the Bible as terms that are in the forgiveness family. There are a variety of terms translated as “forgiveness” or seemingly used as a synonym in Scripture. Propitiation, redemption and a number of illustrations, Old Testament examples and parables (the prodigal son, etc.) used to get the point across.

The Greek word used for “forgiveness” in this prayer is aphienai:  

aphienai: “to send off,” can have such varied nuances as “to release,” “to hurl,” “to let be,” “to pardon.” Aphesis, which is less common, is used for “release” (from office, obligation, debt, penalty), pariemi means “to send by” with such nuances as “to leave behind,” “leave off,” “let be,” “give up,” “remit.”1

Essentially, the word pictures forgiveness as the release from an obligation. The word used to represent the idea of sins in this prayer is “debts,” or opheilo.

Jesus often speaks about people being debtors to God (Matt. 6: 12; 18: 23 ff.; Lk. 7: 41; 17: 10), but only in Matthew 6:12 is sin specifically equated with debt. Jesus uses the illustration of debt to explain the breach in relationship to God. The debt is portrayed as so great that no amount of good deeds can offset our guilt. We are totally dependent on His divine mercy for the repayment of our “sin debt.” The amount is so vast that it is simply too large and impossible for any human to pay.

The Messiah teaches us as well that God’s gracious forgiveness imposes a corresponding obligation upon the forgiven to also forgive. In other words, we can only forgive as we have been forgiven! Once we understand God’s grace and view the sins of those who hurt us in light of God’s mercy towards us, then we can we do no more for others than what He has done for us.

Our ability to forgive others is in fact evidence that we have been forgiven. If we are incapable of forgiving others then we have either misunderstood His grace or not allowed the redemption we have through the Messiah to seep into our souls and transform even the most difficult of our relationships.

The secret to forgiveness is when we are able to view others as Jesus views us and not hold their sins against them, but to be willing to forgive as He has forgiven us. Sometimes, this is a challenge because we have not sufficiently acknowledged the depth and horror of our own sins towards God and others. We are tempted to view the sins of others as far worse than our own.

Understandably, forgiveness is harder to extend towards those who have hurt us or our loved ones more deeply. Let’s face it, forgiveness is difficult. This is why Yeshua addresses the matter in this foundational prayer, which helps directs us towards some of the most basic steps in developing our relationship with God.

The only way to really forgive others is to ask God to give us His power and do our best, through prayer, counsel and the encouragement of others and to work towards saying, “Lord, as you have forgiven me, I forgive______. Just add the name of the person who has hurt you or your loved ones the most and then leave them in God’s hands.

As Rabbi Saul of Tarsus writes,

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in the Messiah, God forgave you(Eph. 4:31-32).

Scriptural Meditation:

The above Bible verse speaks to my heart. The Apostle reminds us that we need to view ourselves as God does–both incredibly sinful, but dramatically and eternally forgiven. In turn, knowing what God has done for us, we need to now do for others. We forgive as we have been forgiven.

Would you take a moment and think about those you need to forgive during this season of repentance. I am sure you know who they are and understand that until you forgive you are vulnerable to bitterness and guilt. Perhaps today is the day when you will be able to release the anger and unforgiveness that so easily damages our soul. You might begin by thanking God for forgiving you and then extend that same forgiveness to those who have hurt you.

I know this is not easy and I hope that you will take some time to pray, reflect and ask God to give you the strength to do what seems be humanly impossible–to forgive those who have sinned against you or those you love. If you do…you will be set free!

1Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

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Mobile Version | Standard Versionevotionals - Day 6
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Day 6 (9/30/14)

Forgiveness of sin is a major theme in the Bible. The story of the Old Testament begins with Adam and Eve sinning and destroying the perfection God originally created. Sin passed from Adam and Eve to their descendants and the remainder of the biblical story focused on the way in which God would redeem mankind and creation from the ravages of sin and disobedience.

Early biblical promises of redemption and forgiveness were first heard in the Garden of Eden in passages such as Genesis 3:15—And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. The Bible not only began to focus on redemption and deliverance, but also upon a redeemer and deliverer – a person who would be used by the Holy One to reverse the effects of the sins committed by the first man and woman.  

This hope was further outlined in Messianic prophecies throughout the Bible; Genesis 12:1-3, 49:10, Deuteronomy 18:15 ff, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, and in the magnificent servant song in chapter 53.

Ultimately, this led to the appearance on earth of this promised One who would pay the penalty for sin by giving His own perfect life in death, conquering the curse and rising from the grave to offer redemption for individuals and eventually for the all of creation marred and tainted by sin.

It is no wonder then that the Messiah Jesus often spoke of sin, forgiveness, redemption and how we can enjoy a “remembrance of the garden” and foretaste of future glory today. Issues related to sin, forgiveness and redemption were some of His favorite topics as He had come as a friend of sinners to seek and save the lost. Jesus promised an abundant life to those who followed Him (Jn. 10:10) and this abundance would include a deeper and more profound relationship with the Creator. It would also potentially transform relationships between individuals; heal marriages, families, friendships and all broken relationships according to His will.

In the well know “Lord’s Prayer,” Yeshua revealed the secret of renewed relationships to His followers as He encourages His disciples to learn the joy of forgiving others.  

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (Matt. 6:9-13).

The great theme we bear in mind as we press toward the conclusion of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur, is forgiveness–God forgiving us and our forgiving others.

What can we learn about being forgiven and forgiving others from this prayer of Yeshua? Can we be forgiven of our sins without forgiving others?

The simple answer is Yes and No!

A Definition of Forgiveness

The Bible uses many different words to describe forgiveness. It might be best to think of various words in the Bible as terms that are in the forgiveness family. There are a variety of terms translated as “forgiveness” or seemingly used as a synonym in Scripture. Propitiation, redemption and a number of illustrations, Old Testament examples and parables (the prodigal son, etc.) used to get the point across.

The Greek word used for “forgiveness” in this prayer is aphienai:  

aphienai: “to send off,” can have such varied nuances as “to release,” “to hurl,” “to let be,” “to pardon.” Aphesis, which is less common, is used for “release” (from office, obligation, debt, penalty), pariemi means “to send by” with such nuances as “to leave behind,” “leave off,” “let be,” “give up,” “remit.”1

Essentially, the word pictures forgiveness as the release from an obligation. The word used to represent the idea of sins in this prayer is “debts,” or opheilo.

Jesus often speaks about people being debtors to God (Matt. 6: 12; 18: 23 ff.; Lk. 7: 41; 17: 10), but only in Matthew 6:12 is sin specifically equated with debt. Jesus uses the illustration of debt to explain the breach in relationship to God. The debt is portrayed as so great that no amount of good deeds can offset our guilt. We are totally dependent on His divine mercy for the repayment of our “sin debt.” The amount is so vast that it is simply too large and impossible for any human to pay.

The Messiah teaches us as well that God’s gracious forgiveness imposes a corresponding obligation upon the forgiven to also forgive. In other words, we can only forgive as we have been forgiven! Once we understand God’s grace and view the sins of those who hurt us in light of God’s mercy towards us, then we can we do no more for others than what He has done for us.

Our ability to forgive others is in fact evidence that we have been forgiven. If we are incapable of forgiving others then we have either misunderstood His grace or not allowed the redemption we have through the Messiah to seep into our souls and transform even the most difficult of our relationships.

The secret to forgiveness is when we are able to view others as Jesus views us and not hold their sins against them, but to be willing to forgive as He has forgiven us. Sometimes, this is a challenge because we have not sufficiently acknowledged the depth and horror of our own sins towards God and others. We are tempted to view the sins of others as far worse than our own.

Understandably, forgiveness is harder to extend towards those who have hurt us or our loved ones more deeply. Let’s face it, forgiveness is difficult. This is why Yeshua addresses the matter in this foundational prayer, which helps directs us towards some of the most basic steps in developing our relationship with God.

The only way to really forgive others is to ask God to give us His power and do our best, through prayer, counsel and the encouragement of others and to work towards saying, “Lord, as you have forgiven me, I forgive______. Just add the name of the person who has hurt you or your loved ones the most and then leave them in God’s hands.

As Rabbi Saul of Tarsus writes,

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in the Messiah, God forgave you(Eph. 4:31-32).

Scriptural Meditation:

The above Bible verse speaks to my heart. The Apostle reminds us that we need to view ourselves as God does–both incredibly sinful, but dramatically and eternally forgiven. In turn, knowing what God has done for us, we need to now do for others. We forgive as we have been forgiven.

Would you take a moment and think about those you need to forgive during this season of repentance. I am sure you know who they are and understand that until you forgive you are vulnerable to bitterness and guilt. Perhaps today is the day when you will be able to release the anger and unforgiveness that so easily damages our soul. You might begin by thanking God for forgiving you and then extend that same forgiveness to those who have hurt you.

I know this is not easy and I hope that you will take some time to pray, reflect and ask God to give you the strength to do what seems be humanly impossible–to forgive those who have sinned against you or those you love. If you do…you will be set free!

1Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

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PRESIDENT'S BLOG:

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Mobile Version | Standard Version

Infinite Wisdom

This is just part of a devotional and I love the words, the concept, and everything in between.

This is encouragement at its finest.

God Bless.

We have a Father in heaven with infinite wisdom. He knew we would be sick beyond recovery from sin, from giving in to “evil desires,” so at great cost he gave us a Savior, “Christ, a lamb without blemish,” chosen “before the creation of the world.” 

Jesus came to pay for our sin by giving his own life on a cross so that we can live now in faith, free of any worries about the outcome of our life. Because of Jesus, our “faith and hope are in God.”

Prayer:

Father, forgive us if we try to be independent from your wise counsel and care. We are blessed by your love for us from before the creation of the world. In Jesus, Amen.