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forgiveness

 


Just over one week away is the back2school outreach.  We will serve over 1,500 students.  Please join me and others in praying for the impact of this outreach.  Today we will also share the school supply items we are still in need of (be watching for that announcement).


This week we have been learning to pray based on the Lord’s Prayer.  This special prayer came to Scripture when one of Jesus’ disciples asked for him to teach them how to pray.  This prayer guides us how we pray as well reminds us of the importance of prayer.


Matthew 6:9-13  NASB  

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


Focus on verse 12 today.  One of the biggest issues in life and the challenges that we all face is forgiveness.  When we forgive, we are like God.  When we forgive, we free ourselves and others.  When we forgive, we are walking in faith.


The Bible has many things to say about forgiving others.  But I was reminded of this truth in the story of Peter and Jesus.  Read on and listen carefully to what is asked of Peter, and of each of us.


Matthew 18:21-22  NLT  

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?  22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!


Forgiveness is a big deal, and Peter thought he was doing good, going the extra distance by forgiving someone on 7 times.  Yet Jesus says it is much more than that.


What I learn here is that forgiveness matters.  My thinking often falls very short of God’s way.  Also when we start to complain about our rights, our hurts or get offended, often that is when we need most to forgive.


Don’t forget that many times forgiveness begins with forgiving ourselves, and then we most in to forgiving others.


Ephesians 4:32  NLT  

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.


The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to forgive in radical ways.

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