Scripture:

“…if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Thought for the day:

If you have prayed the the Lord’s Prayer, you have prayed: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Do you realize that every time one prays that prayer, that person is giving God permission to withhold from that person the divine forgiveness all people desperately need for salvation? The decision to hold a grudge, to retain the sins of another against them, carries consequences.

The magnitude of that prayer continually humbles me, because I have come to realize that I am putting my own life on the line every time I pray it. So why continue to pray it? Well, my prayers for others may or may not change those whom I pray for, but my prayers will always change me. I want my heart to be renewed, I want my heart to be made whole, I want my heart to reign true in God’s love.

Let’s face it, we get no promises about this life other than “God is with us” throughout anything and everything we face. In most cases, I think we would all agree that life is uncertain. Eternity is not! The day is coming when we will stand before the Lord God Almighty and it will be determined what was required of us. Did we act justly? Did we love mercy? Did we walk humbly with our God? We will never be more like God than when we forgive.

Prayer for the day:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For your’s is Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen