Month: June 2023

June 30th – Psalm 79:9

Psalm 79:9

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake.”

When Asaph cried out to God for forgiveness, he knew God would respond. Why? For His name’s sake. Meaning God’s character and reputation are all deeply connected with His forgiveness. Throughout the Bible, God reveals Himself as a compassionate and forgiving Father. When He forgives us, it showcases His divine attributes and brings glory to His name. God’s forgiveness shows His unwavering commitment to righteousness and justice. And it proves how much the Lord desires to have a close, personal relationship with each of us. By forgiving us, God shows His boundless love and mercy, revealing His true nature to the world. Even more wonderful, when God forgives it highlights His power to transform lives and bring about spiritual restoration. Ultimately, forgiveness for His name’s sake ensures that God’s character is upheld and His glory is magnified in the process of redemption and reconciliation.

June 29th – Genesis 50:17

Genesis 50:17

This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.”

If there’s anyone who had a reason to hold a grudge and exact vengeance, it would be Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph had every right to hold bitterness in his heart against them. Yet Joseph’s response was one of forgiveness and compassion. Because he knew their actions were part of God’s greater plan. That same ability to forgive is within all of us who are rooted in deep faith and trust in God’s plan. Like Joseph, we can chose to see beyond the betrayal and harbor no bitterness in our hearts. Just as Jesus does for us, Joseph displayed empathy, understanding, and compassion. Because he knew all of us are flawed and capable of making mistakes. By extending forgiveness, Joseph embraced the opportunity for reconciliation and restoration, prioritizing love and unity over vengeance. His forgiveness is a testament to his remarkable character. And it serves as an inspiring example of the transformative power of forgiveness in our own lives.

June 28th- Luke 17:4

Luke 17:4

And if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Even the strongest of Christian can find themselves stuck in a cycle of habitual sin. A repeated pattern of sinning, repenting, and sinning again. Yet thankfully, God’s forgiveness knows no limits. His love and mercy extend beyond our failures and weaknesses. No matter how many times we stumble or fall into the same patterns, God’s grace is always available to us. He understands our struggles and is patient with our journey of transformation. So each and every time we come to Him with a repentant heart, He forgives us completely and washes away our sins. God’s desire is not to condemn but to restore us, to set us free from the chains of habitual sin. So trust in His unfailing love and lean on His grace to empower you in overcoming habitual sin. Embrace the process of growth and transformation, knowing that through God’s mercy and our willingness to surrender, healing and victory can be ours.

June 27th – Psalm 130:4

Psalm 130:4

But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You.

One of the most wonderful things about God’s forgiveness is that it’s not a one and done. Instead it’s a continual process that enables us to approach God with reverence and gratitude. Anytime, anywhere, whenever we sin, God wants us to come to Him in confession and repentance. Our heavenly Father understands our human nature and the struggles we face. And so He lovingly extends His forgiveness to us with open arms. Always inviting us to turn away from our wrongdoings and embrace a renewed relationship with Him. God’s forgiveness is a reminder that His love is greater than our failures. Because of that love, the Lord desires to see us grow and thrive in His righteousness. Through His continuous forgiveness, God offers us the opportunity to experience His transformative power and live a life filled with hope, purpose, and restoration.

June 26th – John 8:44

John 8:44

He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Two of the of the greatest weapons Satan has in his armory are guilt and shame. And he wields them generously. He whose name means Accuser does just that, whispering in our ears that we are unclean, unforgivable, unworthy, and unloved. He delights in reminding us of our past sins. Constantly he tries to inject our hearts with feelings of doubts about God’s truth and love. And when we give him even an inch of opening, he takes full advantage. He’ll turn that inch into a mile; taking up residence and building destructive strongholds in our minds. But He is a liar and not to be believed. And so we must cling to the truth of the Lord. Jesus while hanging on the Cross says with His final breath, “It is finished!” (John 19:39) Our Savior declared all of our sins, past, present, and future, paid in full; forgiven forever. Because of His shed blood we are deemed righteous, no matter what the Enemy tries to tell us.

June 25th – Luke 11:4

Luke 11:4

“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.”

Like it or not, seeking forgiveness from God and extending forgiveness to others is a package deal. You can’t have one without the other. Why? Because we are the Lord’s ambassadors on earth. And when we forgive those who have wronged us, we mirror God’s forgiveness in our own lives to a watching world. But along with that, God wants us to experience the freedom and restoration that comes from receiving and extending forgiveness. And the great blessing both bring. For as Jesus teaches, as wonderful as receiving forgiveness is, it’s an even greater blessing to give. (Acts 20:35) As Christians we receive the transformative power of God’s grace. And out of thankful hearts, we should embody that forgiving spirit towards others. God’s forgiveness goes hand in hand with forgiving others. So if we want to receive the abundance of His mercy, we need to abundantly give it to others.

June 24th – Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

One of the greatest ways God heals us is with His forgiveness. God’s forgiveness is a balm for the wounded soul. And a source of healing and restoration that surpasses all human understanding. When we come before Him with a repentant heart, confessing our sins and seeking His mercy, God extends His loving forgiveness to us. In His boundless grace, He wipes away the stains of our past, erasing the guilt and shame that weigh us down. The chains of sin are broken, and we experience a fresh start and a new identity in Christ. God’s forgiveness brings healing to our brokenness, filling the void within us with His unconditional love. And as we experience the depth of God’s forgiveness, our souls find solace and peace. Empowering us to extend that same forgiveness to others. Most wonderfully of all, through God’s forgiveness, we discover the transformative power that brings wholeness, and restores our soul to its intended purpose. A purpose rooted in God’s divine love and grace.

June 23rd – 2 Corinthians 2:10

2 Corinthians 2:10

But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,”

It’s one thing for Christians to preach about forgiveness, and quite another to actually walk the walk. As soon as we proclaim Jesus as our lord and Savior, the world watches. It waits to see how we handle conflict. Especially conflict with a fellow Believer. As followers of Jesus we are called to love one another. And to emulate the example of Christ, who forgives us unconditionally. By extending forgiveness to our fellow Christians, we reflect the redemptive power of the Gospel and the transformative work of God’s grace in our lives. Furthermore, forgiveness between brothers and sisters in Christ fosters unity, reconciliation, and the restoration of broken relationships. It allows us to uphold the Christlike values of humility, compassion, and empathy. And  serves as a mighty testimony to the world, showcasing the power of forgiveness and demonstrating the authenticity of our faith.

June 22nd – Luke 7:43

Luke 7:43

Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven. You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.”

Some hurts run deeper than others, and some wrongs harder to forget. But in His parable about the moneylender, Jesus tells us that no matter how we’ve been sinned against, great or small, we are to forgive. That’s not to say it will be easy. Forgiveness can be an uphill battle. But God knows the healing that comes along with letting go of grudges, bitterness, and resentment. And the sweet freedom it brings. Because forgiveness allows us to let go of negative emotions and liberate ourselves from the burden of the past. Forgiveness frees us from the pain of guilt. And studies have shown that holding onto anger and bitterness affects our physical and mental well being. One of the hardest things God calls us to do is forgive. Especially forgiving those who have hurt us the most. No doable in our strength. But through the strength of the Holy Spirit of God living inside of us, nothing is impossible! (Luke 1:37)

June 21st – Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

When we are wronged, betrayed, and hurt, we want swift and immediate justice. Yet in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” There isn’t anyone who was betrayed more than Jesus. Beat, tortured, spit upon, cursed, and hung on a cross of wood, Jesus could have called an army of angels to exact justice upon those who hurt Him. (Matt. 26:63) But despite being unjustly condemned, Jesus uttered the powerful words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This act of forgiveness reveals Jesus’ boundless love and mercy. And it shows that forgiveness doesn’t depend on the actions or remorse of the wrongdoer. By extending forgiveness, we not only free ourselves from the burden of anger and pain but also create an environment of healing and restoration. Through Jesus’ example, we are reminded of the power of forgiveness over justice and its ability to foster love, compassion, and reconciliation in our relationships.