PM#0343 Unforgiveness is a Deadly Poison - Forgive!

PM#0343

Unforgiveness is a Deadly Poison  -  Forgive

Matt 6:14

Did you know unforgiveness can be a deadly poison?

When unforgiveness is spread all over, it is like a deadly herbicide that kills the roots of trees.

A similar thing can happen when we do not forgive.  Bitterness creeps in and the love and life that was in our hearts withers away and our hearts can become as stone devoid of love.

How do we remove this poison?  In Matt 6:14, Christ instructed us to forgive.   If  there is bitterness in your heart, why not ask the Lord to help you to forgive.  Then take that action and forgive both the other person and yourself.  This forgiveness can bring life again into your heart.

Father, help us to forgive where there is deep bitterness and may that forgiveness allow life and love to enter our hearts again.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

How many times do we just brush something off, and forget about it, rather than dealing with the item and really forgiving?  

That is like sweeping something under the rug.—Yes, probably all have done that at one time or another, but we should consider that when the Lord shows us what we did—to ask His forgiveness, and to forgive the offense that did occur.

Why are we so afraid to forgive? 

Perhaps someone may wish to share how forgiveness has brought life back to them again.

PM#0050 Seven Times Seventy

PM#0050

Seven times Seventy

Matt 18: 21-22

What do you do if someone continually offends you?  When someone continually offends you, you have a difficult situation.  The answer is found in Matt 18: 21 & 22.  Jesus said to forgive seven times seventy.  That in essence means that we must continually forgive.  I know that it does not seem fair to forgive when we are the one hurt.  However, this is God’s higher way. God wants to work in our lives and unforgiveness blocks the work of God and our prayers.  Forgiveness from the heart allows God to work. 

Father, it is difficult to continually forgive when we are continually hurt.  Please help us forgive from the heart.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why is a personal hurt so hard to release—even if we go through the words saying—‘I forgive you’?

If we experienced forgiveness of our sins because of Christ’s work on Calvary—why is it hard to forgive others?  Are we holding on to something we shouldn’t by just going through the motions or words saying ‘I forgive’ but not releasing it from the heart?

Maybe some of you could share how complete forgiveness has affected you and you actions with others?

PM#0030 Misunderstanding, Forgiveness, Blessing

PM#0030

Misunderstanding, Forgiveness, Blessing

Have you ever had a misunderstanding where you honestly understood one thing that someone said, but the other party was adamant that they had said something else?  That stirs up a lot of emotion, especially when the other party does not give you some measure of grace and understanding.  How do you deal with this when your emotions are flared up?  Christ said to forgive.  But when have been wronged, it is hard to settle down and forgive. To obey Christ we must take this step.  We must forgive.  When we do it, forgiveness will help us settle down, and then we can ask a blessing for the other party once we forgive them.  Here is an idea of a blessing that could be prayed:  That the Lord will bless them with the knowledge of His grace and fullness of His love. 

Father, many of us have wronged us in the past.  Help us to forgive them and ask Your blessing for them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why does misunderstanding cause a flare up of emotion?

What does forgiveness have to do in settling emotions?

What happens when we bless others after we forgive them?

 

PM#0427 Being Thankful Luke 17 verses 12-17

PM#0427

Being Thankful

Luke 17 verses 12-17

There is an account in the Bible of ten lepers who went to Jesus and asked for healing.  Jesus honored that request and healed them.  This is found in Luke chapter 17 verses 12-17.  Only one returned to Jesus and thanked Him.  The Lord was very appreciative of the one who thanked Him, but asked the question, where are the others?

Probably all of us at one time or another have forgotten to be thankful.  Reminders such as Thanksgiving time are important to us.  They help us to take account of all that we should be really thankful for.  When we take time to thank the Lord for our blessings, Jesus really does appreciate that thankfulness.

If you haven’t taken an account of, and thanked the Lord for the blessings you have, why not take time to do so today. 

Consider a prayer like this, ‘Father, help me to be thankful for blessings.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why is it important to thank the Lord?

Why do we act as if it is not necessary to be thankful?

Have we ever taken blessings ‘for granted’?

PM#0539 Look At God's Handy Work Matthew 6 vs 28-29

PM#0359

Look at God’s Handy Work

Matthew 6:28-9

Psalms 19:1. 

When life seems routine and run down, maybe we should look around us and also look up.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:28.  Consider the lilies of the field, yet Solomon and all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Do you ever admire the beauty of flowers in a field?  Jesus did.

This glory of the flowers can dispel darkness that overwhelms us.  When everything seems to be overwhelmed by problems, and going in a way that there seems to be no hope, it is time to once again look at the glory of God and be reminded that God cares and wants to lift our hearts up.  He understands where we are at, and he knows how to encourage us. 

When times and situations are bleak, consider a brief prayer like this: ‘Father, help me to see you handiwork around me, and may it encourage me and lift my heart to give you praise.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0324 God's Help in Raising Children Prov 3 vs 5

PM#0324

Prov 3:5

God’s Help in Raising Children

There is probably not a parent around who has not experienced a child having a strong will.  Sometimes we look at a strong willed child at first as cute, but if that strong will continues and left unchecked, it could lead a child down the wrong path, and that path can have disastrous consequences.

What are we to do?  Probably the best place is to seek God’s help through prayer and not lean on our own understanding (Prov 3:5).  This invites God’s involvement and help in our family.  In addition to asking in prayer for that help, we should diligent learn what God’s word says and how it applies to raising children.  God’s word is a powerful help in guiding our activities and our prayers.

Father, may Your word teach us how to protect our children through prayer and guide our actions in raising them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why should we take time to learn what God’s word says when we ask for help from God?

Why is God’s word a powerful help in guiding our activities and our prayers?

Why is it important to have God’s help in raising children?

PM#0538 Joining Together

PM#0538

Joining Together

Matthew 18:19, Hebrews 3:13

Joining together, in prayer can accomplish much.  Christ taught on that subject in Matthew 18: 19, and in Hebrews 3:13 we have the encouragement to encourage one another daily.

Joining together and praying together go together.  Consider how the great redwood trees are able to grow 350 ft tall.  They do not stand alone.  They grow in groves and their roots are intertwined and sometimes fused together.  That gives them tremendous strength against high winds and floods.

Praying alone is needed, but joining together, encouraging one another, and supporting each other can help us stand firm in the storms of life. 

Consider this prayer.  Father, help me to join with others in prayer, and also encourage them.  In Jesus, Name, Amen.