Simon

June 16th – Luke 7:48

Luke 7:48

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

I love the quote that says we tend to look at others through a magnifying glass while looking at ourselves through rose colored glasses. When I read about Simon I immediately felt indignant at how he looked upon the woman at the feet of Jesus. I thought, “Typical Pharisee. Can’t see his own sins through his sanctimonious forest of the sins of others.” Right then and there, God laid a conviction on my heart. It turns out, Simon wasn’t so different from myself. The Lord revealed to me that all of this time, I have been looking at others through the self righteous eyes of Simon. Before if anyone had asked, I would have said that I had forgiven others for hurts of the past. And it’s true, that many times I have prayed for a heart that is free of bitterness and anger. But after some serious soul searching, I realized that although my lips said forgiveness, my heart did not. We all need to take stock of our heart attitudes and makes sure we are offering the forgiveness that the Lord so generously offers to us.

June 16th – Luke 7:48 Read More »

June 15th – Acts 8:22

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 »