| For Your Own SakeDecember 4 2010 at 7:24 AM | Today's Word (no login) |
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TODAYS SCRIPTURE
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins
(Matthew 6:1415, NIV)
TODAYS WORD
In life, we all have unfair things that happen to us. We can choose to hold on to the hurt, become bitter and angry, and let it poison our future; or, we can choose to let it go and trust God to make it up to us. You not think that you are able to forgive because someone hurt you so badly. You might say, Joel, you dont know how I was raised. My ex-spouse caused me a lot of pain. This friend betrayed me. I just cant let it go. But realize, you dont forgive for their sake; you forgive for your own sake. When you forgive, you are taking away their power to hurt you. But if you hold on to that offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting yourself from God.
Forgiveness is like a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God cannot forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness to flow from you, then His forgiveness can flow into you. Choose to forgive and open the door to receive Gods life, peace and healing today.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for the gift of forgiveness that sets me free. Help me to truly understand what it means to forgive so I can receive Your forgiveness. Search me today and have Your way in my heart. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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| | Author | Reply | insight for living
(no login) | A Better Way | December 4 2010, 7:26 AM |
by Charles R. Swindoll
Romans 12:10-13
Yourself. Yourself. Yourself. We're up to here with self! How very different from Jesus' model and message! Instead of a "philosophy" to turn our eyes inward, He offers a fresh and much-needed invitation to our "me first" generation. There is a better way, Jesus says. "Be a servant. Give to others!" Just listen: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).
Know what all that means? Well, for starters, "nothing" means just that. Stop permitting two strong tendencies---selfishness and conceit---to control you! Let nothing either of them suggests win a hearing. Replace them with "humility of mind."
But how? By regarding others as more important than yourself.
Look for ways to support, encourage, build up, and stimulate the other person. And that requires an attitude that would rather give than receive.
"Humility of mind" is really an attitude, isn't it? It a preset mentality that determines ahead of time thoughts like this: I care about those around me. Why do I always have to be first? I'm going to help someone else win for a change. Today, it my sincere desire to curb my own fierce competitive tendencies and turn that energy into encouraging at least one other person. I willingly release my way this day. Lord, show me how You would respond to others, then help me do the same.
To get started in this unselfish lifestyle, let me suggest three basic ingredients: giving, forgiving, and forgetting.
Once we make up our minds to implement the truth of Philippians 2:3-4 (taking a special interest in others) or Galatians 5:13 (serving others in love), those three basics will begin to emerge. Instead of always thinking about receiving, we'll start looking for ways to give. Instead of holding grudges against those who have offended us, we'll be anxious to forgive. And instead of keeping a record of what we've done or who we've helped, we'll take delight in forgetting the deed(s) and being virtually unnoticed.
It is impossible to give yourself away at arm's length.
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