7-Sep-14

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:3-5Forgiveness is needed when the bitterness rises in my mouth, when angry words form in my mind, when the desire to hurt like I have been hurt becomes a flame in my body.Forgiveness is needed, and when I forgive others, I will be forgiven as Jesus has forgiven me.  How can this be, this ‘pay it forward’ forgiveness?  It can be when I realize the power of Jesus’ love is not just for my heart alone.For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12How difficult to remember this truth.  We are blind to those who cover our eyes to the evil just under the surface of living.  The enemy isolates and attacks and there is no place to hide.   It is not our brothers and sisters who are our enemies.  Protect each other and refrain from attacking. Spread your slice of life with love, joy, peace and kindness.I can glibly quote the Golden Rule without letting the truth of the words sink into my heart, unless I remember who holds my heart.  I forgive you in the name of Jesus.Seek God while he’s here to be found, pray to him while he’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. Isaiah 55:6-7