Forgiveness

June 17th – Psalm51:10

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 51:10

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

When it comes to forgiveness, I absolutely love what Pastor Joe Focht has to say. “There is no more confused message that you and I could give to a lost and dying world than to live in sin and at the same time to tell people about the transforming power of Jesus Christ. God will not use a compromised life to reach a compromised world. God will use a life that is given over to Him. That is a demonstration of the message that through the power of Jesus Christ and His love, He can transform our lives and set us free.” Everyday our lives are testimonies to the world about the love, grace, and mercy of God. And everyday it watches to see if we are practicing what we preach. We each sin daily and are in need of God’s forgiveness. And that’s exactly receive when we come before Him in true confession and repentance. He is faithful to wash away the filth in our hearts and cleanse us with His loving grace. We too should be exampling that same kind of forgiveness to a hurt and darkened world in desperate need of God’s saving grace.

June 17th – Psalm51:10 Read More »

June 15th – Acts 8:22

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Acts 8:22

“Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”

John and Peter were laying hands on believers who were receiving the Holy Spirit. A sorcerer named Simon watched from the sidelines, convinced the two disciples were using magic. But after offering to pay for the same ability, Simon received a very stern warning about mocking God. Peter warned that we can’t buy or earn God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy through material possessions or external acts. No amount of wealth, influence, or offerings can purchase absolution for our sins. Instead, God desires a genuine transformation within us, a turning away from sinful ways and a wholehearted return to Him. Forgiveness is a gift of God’s grace, freely given to those who humbly seek it. And God calls us to understand that our worthiness for forgiveness is not measured by worldly standards, but by our inner repentance and our sincere pursuit of righteousness.

June 15th – Acts 8:22 Read More »

June 14th – Ephesians 4:7

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Ephesians 4:7

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

In her book “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget”, Lysa Terkeurst writes, “Left to my own deep, deep, woundedness, forgiveness can seem offensive, impossible, and one of the quickest ways to compound the unfairness of being wronged. I cry for fairness. I want blessings for those who follow the rules of life and love. I want correction for those who break them. Is that too much to ask?” When someone hurts us it’s natural to want to see them hurt in return. After all it is “an eye for an eye” right? Not for followers of Jesus. Everyone wants justice. To see the good rewarded and the wicked punished. But who gets to decide who deserves what? God. That’s who. Only He doles out perfect justice. And speaking of justice, it do us well to remember our own guilt and the abundance of unmerited favor and mercy made available to us daily through Christ. And just as God has generously forgiven us, He calls us to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others.

June 14th – Ephesians 4:7 Read More »

June 13th – 1 Kings 8:34

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Kings 8:34

“then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.”

Many times Israel sinned against God. And just as many times God forgave them. Many too are the sins of our country. Like Israel we have disobeyed God, embraced wickedness, and turned aside from the Lord. Yet thankfully, God’s forgiveness is not limited to only the nation of Israel. It’s available to any country that humbly turns to Him, acknowledges its wrongdoings, and seeks His mercy. And our country is in desperate need of repentance and forgiveness. During the dedication of the temple, King Solomon prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness for the people of Israel when they sinned against Him. We too need to be interceding for our country. Praying our leaders make decisions based on God’s will. That her people will repent from evil, and that God will not remove His hand of blessing from us. Asking God to forgive our transgressions and guide the nation towards righteousness, unity, and peace.

June 13th – 1 Kings 8:34 Read More »

June 12th – Mark 11:25

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 11:25

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses”

Forgiveness isn’t just about letting go of hard feelings or seeking reconciliation with others. It goes deeper, reflecting a fundamental aspect of God’s character. When we forgive others, we demonstrate to the world the mercy and grace that we ourselves receive daily from God. Jesus teaches that our forgiveness from God is intertwined with our willingness to forgive others. By holding onto grudges, resentment, or refusing to forgive, we create a barrier between ourselves and God’s forgiveness. When we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts, it hinders our own spiritual growth and prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love and mercy. That’s why Jesus encourages us to cultivate a forgiving heart. A heart of Christ that lets go of bitterness, and releases others from the debts they owe us. Because in doing so we open ourselves up to receive the abundant forgiveness and grace that God offers. And receive healing, reconciliation, and a deeper connection with God and others.

June 12th – Mark 11:25 Read More »

June 11th – Matthew 12:31

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 12:31

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

When my son was little we would talk about sin and God’s forgiveness. Then as children do, he would rattle off a list of transgressions asking if God could forgive each one. Of course the answer to each was a resounding yes. Then he asked if there was anything God couldn’t forgive. And sadly the answer to that was also a resounding yes. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of God. As used in Scripture, the word “blasphemy” means expressing something disrespectful or evil about God. And the worst evil is the deliberate and willful rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit or a persistent refusal to accept God’s forgiveness and grace. This signifies a complete and conscious rebellion against our Creator, the ultimate source of love, goodness, and forgiveness. Out of His unending love and mercy, God wishes for none to perish. And so He sacrificed His own begotten Son to offer us eternal life. Only those who receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior will receive the precious gift of an eternity spent by the Father’s side.

June 11th – Matthew 12:31 Read More »

June 10th – Isaiah 55:7

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Isaiah 55:7

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

One of the greatest lies of the Enemy is that we are too lost, wicked, or unlovable for God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Because no matter who we are or what we’ve done, when we call out to Him, God can and will find us. And in His profound grace and mercy, will pick us up, clean us up, and offer His life transforming love and life saving forgiveness. We are all His children, and God longs to have a close, personal relationship with each of us. That’s why He calls us to forsake our wicked ways and come back to Him. To experience true freedom and healing that comes from the Lord alone. God’s forgiveness is a profound and transformative blessing. It’s a divine gift of love and mercy that transcends human understanding. And a gift freely given, not because we deserve it, but because of God’s infinite grace. It’s a beacon of hope that reminds us that no matter how far we’ve strayed or deeply we’ve fallen, there is always a path back to our loving Father.

 

June 10th – Isaiah 55:7 Read More »

June 9

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 103:12

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is Psalm 103:12. Because it demonstrates the limitless extent of God’s forgiveness and grace. And not only does it offer us freedom from guilt and shame, but also a path to redemption and growth. Nothing can hold us down like the regret of past mistakes. It keeps us separated from God, and living in defeat. And that’s not the life God wants for us. I love what Charles Stanley says. “When we stray from His presence, He longs for you to come back. He weeps that you are missing out on His love, protection and provision. He throws His arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home.” When we confess and repent before God, we promises to remember our sins no more. So go to Him. Receive His divine forgiveness and restoration. And watch God take you on a journey of personal transformation, characterized by love, compassion, and a renewed sense of purpose.

June 9 Read More »

June 8th – Ezekiel 18:31-32

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Ezekiel 18:31-32

“Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”

During the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah, a musical horn called a “shofar” is blown. And the sound is a wake-up call to “Teshuvah”. Teshuvah is the act of repenting and turning back to the Lord. To give up the destruction of sin and live! Of the many awesome attributes of God, one of the greatest is love. And no more is His love demonstrated than in His gift of repentance. From the beginning, it has always been God’s desire that we all practice “Teshuva” and receive His gift of forgiveness and restoration. His heart aches for the wicked to turn aside from the path of sin which leads to death, and back to Him and everlasting life. Repentance isn’t always easy, but through the power of Holy Spirit, doable. That means we have the ability to not only feel sorry for our sin but to turn aside from that sin. So wake up! The Day of the Lord is near! Blow the Shofar! Repent and Live!

June 8th – Ezekiel 18:31-32 Read More »

June 6th – Psalm 32:3

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 32:3

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.”

Admitting when we’re wrong is never easy. Pride and hurt often get in the way when it comes to confessing the truth to ourselves and God. But when we don’t, sin festers in our hearts leaving us filled with guilt; feeling weak, miserable and isolated from the Lord. That’s why confession and transparency with God are so very important. So talk to Him. Draw near to the Lord. Tell Him what you’ve done, and trust in Him to forgive and restore you. Don’t get discouraged.  When you stumble, know that God is always faithful to forgive. He knows we are weak. As James MacDonald says, “God knew we would choose the wrong, so even before we chose the wrong, He chose the right.  God’s love made a way out for us with His begotten son Jesus Christ.” By acknowledging our wrongdoings and sharing them with God and others we trust, we can experience the freedom and relief that come with unburdening our souls.

June 6th – Psalm 32:3 Read More »