Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Forgiveness Scripture Reading for the day: Matthew 18:23-35 Scripture Quote: “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB) There are Scripture verses like these that many of us would often like to overlook. We can be mean or dishonest and find a rationalization for our behavior, but let a brother act the same way and we become angry with him. Anger loves to get a foothold in the Christian’s heart because it is from the evil one and God does not like it. What better way to get a believer to become alienated to both his brother and his God? God wants us to be forgiving and it is often very hard for us to truly forgive. We get so puffed up with ourselves and choke on words of apology or forgiveness. But forgiveness is mandatory in the Christian’s life, there is no denying that. God forgives us everything. How can we possibly think we have the right to hold a grudge against anyone after we have been forgiven for every sin in our life? We must change our selfish perspective and submit to God’s decree to forgive because he demands that we do. Today’s meditation: Pray that God softens your hard heart and gives you the compassion you will need to forgive others their sins against you. Memory Verse: “ If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (NASB) “Wait, we can not break bread with you. You have taken the land which is rightfully ours. Years from now my people will be forced to live in mobile homes on reservations. Your people will wear cardigans, and drink highballs. We will sell our bracelets by the road sides, and you will play golf, and eat hot h'ors d'ourves. My people will have pain and degradation. Your people will have stick shifts. The gods of my tribe have spoken. They said do not trust the pilgrims, especially Sarah Miller. And for all of these reasons I have decided to scalp you and burn your village to the ground.”
― Paul Rudnick Number 88 John 3:17: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him
Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Follow In His Steps Scripture Reading for the day: Philippians 2:1-13 Scripture Quote: “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” I Peter 2:21 (NASB) We can walk with Christ each day, following His example of obedience to the Father. The more we think about emulating Jesus, the more our new disposition develops. Our path is joyful, full of love, which is all born from obedience. We demonstrate all this as our actions are a witness to all around us. It is the attitudes of our mind that can change our behavior and thinking. Are we concerned for others and do we want to share the gospel as the gift of good news it really is? Can we help shine light into the darkness? We must have a heart that is willing to examine itself and make changes as the Holy Spirit leads us. We all struggle with sin and pride and many past mistakes that can often make us feel broken inside. All these things can be relieved by simply turning them over to God. Trust deeply and drink deeply of the Living Waters - Following more closely in Jesus steps will become a permanant goal. Meditation for the day: “The gospel is like fish. It must be caught fresh every day.” John Hall Memory Verse: “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” Luke 18:14 (NASB) “The Christian who walks with the Lord and keeps constant communion with Him will see many reason for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.”
― Warren W. Wiersbe The bible says that the person who is faithful in small things will be faithful in large things. In a marriage, faithfulness is the cornerstone of the relationship. When thinking of trust and honesty, how does your fiancé score? Is he or she always truthful to you and others? Do you feel he or she may have secret areas they keep hidden from you? Do they occasionally say they went one place, but you later discover they were somewhere else? A marriage is built most fundamentally on trust. If there are areas where this trust has been compromised, it is critical to address them before you say “I do,” not after.
Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Deep and Eternal Peace Scripture Reading for the day: John 15:18 – 16:15 Scripture Quote: “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away but I will come back to you again. If you really love me you will be really happy for me, because now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that you will believe when they do happen.” John 14:27-29 The peace of the Holy Spirit is not the absence of conflict but a deep and eternal peace that gives us confident assurance in all circumstances. We will face further persecution, Jesus said as much Himself. But the peace He has left us will make us able to press on. We are to take courage in spite of the inevitable struggles we face as Christians because we are never truly alone anymore. Jesus will never abandon us. If we can keep an eternal perspective, we can claim the peace of the Holy Spirit in the very worst of times. Meditation for the day: As Christians, we should expect continuous tension with an unbelieving, hostile world. Memory Verse: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 |
For God so loved the world…..and especially youMinister
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