We are enjoying a nice break in the winter weather. Although we are to have some periodic snow for most of the next week and then be in the 60’s! Baseball season is only a month away. By the time we finish we “March Madness” we will be ready for the “boys of summer.”<\/p>\n
After a restful and laid back morning, I made it to the fitness center for a workout. I was surprised that my exercise bike workout went better than usual. Even though my running days are behind, I still correlate workouts to the “personal best” (PB) standard.\u00a0 I couldn’t figure out if I’m getting stronger, or if the bike I was on was not working properly. So, I will claim the former and be positive about gaining strength and my overall improvement.<\/p>\n
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. <\/strong>\u2018You worthless slave!\u2019… \u2018I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to.\u00a0 You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.\u2019\u00a0 The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount.\u201d And Jesus concluded, \u201cThat is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Matthew 18:32-25 It\u2019s the hardest thing to give away<\/em><\/p>\n And the last thing on your mind today<\/em> It\u2019s the opposite of how you feel<\/em> Forgiveness<\/em> It flies in the face of all your pride<\/em> Forgiveness, Forgiveness<\/em> Peter’s question to Jesus, “How often should I forgive a brother who sins against me?” reveals that forgiveness has been the struggle of the human condition for time on end. In answering Peter’s question Jesus tells a parable of a man who owed the King “a million dollars” (GNT) As the King was getting ready to sell the man into slavery, he came and begged for “patience.” The King had pity on the man and forgave him the debt and set him free.<\/p>\n When the forgiven man left the King he found a fellow servant who owed him, “a few dollars.” The fellow servant fell down and begged, “Be patient and I will repay you.” The forgiven servant had his fellow servant cast into the debtor\u2019s prison. When the King heard of the injustice of the forgiven servant, he punished that servant. Not because of his debt, but because of his actions…his lack of mercy and failure to show forgiveness.<\/p>\n Some things that I observe in this story…<\/p>\n 1 – God’s mercy goes beyond what we ask.<\/strong>\u00a0 The servant who owed a million dollars came to the King and asked for “more time.” Are you joking? More time, with that amount? But the King did not set up a repayment plan; he had mercy and forgave the man the debt. How often we fail to understand the magnitude of the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness. Sometime we come to God with an attitude of, “forgive me and I’ll do better next time.” That usually doesn’t happen and the Lord forgives us…again. We believe we\u00a0can earn forgiveness. We can’t its a gift.<\/p>\n 2 – Our understanding of forgiveness, impacts our ability to forgive. <\/strong>When the forgiven servant finds his fellow servant who owed him so little in comparison to the get debt he had just been forgiven of, he fails to show the kind of mercy and compassion he had just experienced. Why is that? I recall someone once pointed out, that in his mind the King gave him what he requested….more time. So he is thinking I need a million dollars and I’m going to find it ten dollars at a time. Our ability to forgive is directly related to understanding the forgiveness we have received.<\/p>\n 3 – Forgiveness is a matter of the heart –<\/strong>\u00a0 Our minds call for justice. But forgiveness must come from the heart. The hurts that call for forgiveness can be deep…and it can take time. But a failure to forgive breeds resentment and bitterness and places us in a position that belongs alone to God. God is the righteous and ultimate judge. Matthew West’s song about forgiveness says it well…<\/p>\n It\u2019ll clear the bitterness away<\/em> 4 – Forgiveness requires God’s help<\/strong> – The kind of forgiveness we are called to is not possible in our own efforts. It requires the Lord’s help and a willingness to obey and take action. It is an act of faith. It is surrender. Remember, “Surrender is giving up what I want to hold on to.” We speak of the “golden rule” as “do unto others, as you would have them do to you.” While that applies to forgiveness, what Jesus is calling us to is, “do unto others, as I<\/strong> have done for you.” The closing words of Matthew’s West song contain this prayer. It is a good place to start and a reminder that we need the Lord’s help…<\/p>\n \u00a0So show me how to see what Your mercy sees<\/em> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We are enjoying a nice break in the winter weather. Although we are to have some periodic snow for most of the next week and then be in the 60’s! Baseball season is only a month away. 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\nMatthew West sings a song, entitled, “Forgiveness”…<\/p>\n
\n It always goes to those that don\u2019t deserve;<\/em><\/p>\n
\n When the pain they caused is just too real<\/em>
\n It takes everything you have just to say the word\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n
\n Forgiveness<\/em><\/p>\n
\n It moves away the mad inside<\/em>
\n It\u2019s always anger\u2019s own worst enemy<\/em>
\nEven when the jury and the judge<\/em>
\n Say you gotta right to hold a grudge<\/em>
\n It\u2019s the whisper in your ear saying \u2018Set It Free\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n
\n Forgiveness, Forgivenes<\/em>s<\/p>\n
\n It can even set a prisoner free<\/em>
\n There is no end to what it\u2019s power can do<\/em>
\n So, let it go and be amazed<\/em>
\n By what you see through eyes of grace<\/em>
\n The prisoner that it really frees is you<\/em><\/p>\n
\n Help me now to give what You gave to me<\/em>
\n Forgiveness, Forgiveness….<\/em><\/p>\n