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GraceLutheraninRoyersford
Forgiveness Lenten Devotional Booklet
2019
Psalm103:1212Andasfarassunriseisfromsunset,hehasseparatedusfromoursins.TheMessageBible
Aspecialthankyoutothe40membersofGraceLutheranChurch,RoyersfordwhotooktheirImetoreflectandwriteadevoIonforthe
LentenDevoIonalBooklet2019Forgiven.Thankyouforsharingyourfaith!…Sue
LentenDevoIons2019ForgivenessForgivenessandWholenessMarch6(AshWednesday)Jeremiah31:31-34(Goddoesnotremembersins)March7 MaXhew9:1-8(forgivenessashealing)March8 2Corinthians5:17-19(God’sreconciliaIonandforgiveness)March9 Ephesians1:3-9(forgivenessofsins)March10Sunday’sgospel:Luke7:44-50(forgivenessofwomanwhoanointsJesus)March11 James5:13-16(healinginforgiveness)March12 Genesis1:26-31(madeinimageofGod,relaIonal)March13 John1:24-34(Jesustakesawaysinsofworld)March14 Proverbs17:9(forgivenessaslove)March15 Psalm130(pleaforforgiveness)March16 Isaiah53:4-6(forgiveness/healingthroughGod’sservant/Christ)UnderstandingForgivenessMarch17Sunday’sGospel:MaXhew18:15-22(processforforgiveness)March18 Joel2:12-13(needforrepentance)March19 Genesis50:15-21(Josephforgivesbrothers) March20 John8:1-11(allneedforgiveness)March21 Romans12:17-21(howtoforgive)March22 Psalm86:1-7,15(David’strustinaforgivingGod)March23 Luke6:37-38(benefitofforgiveness)TellingtheStory&NamingtheHurtMarch24Sunday’sGospel:John20:19-23(Jesusshowswounds)March25 MaXhew5:21-26(makereconciliaIonwithothers)March26 Jeremiah3:12-14(God’sforgivenessoffaithlessIsrael)March27 Ezekiel33:10-11(God’scallforrepentance)March28 Luke17:1-4(honestyofbeinghurt)March29 Psalm103:6-13(God’sradicalforgiveness)March30 Jeremiah8:18-22(acknowledgmentofpainofbetrayal)GranIngForgiveness&Renewing/ReleasingtheRelaIonshipMarch31Sunday’sGospel:Luke10:1-11(shakedustfromfeet)April1 Ephesians4:31-32(forgiveasyou’vebeenforgiven)April2 Malachi3:6-7(God’sunendingloveanddesireforrepentance)April3 Genesis33:1-11(EsauforgivesJacob)April4 Colossians3:12-17(forgiveoneanother)April5 Psalm32:1-7(blessednessinforgiveness)April6 Luke19:1-10(ZacchaeusmakesresItuIonforsins)AllCanBeForgivenApril7Sunday’sGospel:Luke23:32-43(Jesusforgivesfromcross)April8 1John1:8-9(confessionofsins)April9 Hosea2:16-20(God’sforgivenessofunfaithfulness)April10John18:15-27,John21:15-17(JesusforgivesPeter’sdenials)April11Mark2:1-12(forgivenessbeforerepentance)April12Psalm51:1-12(David’srepentance)April13MaXhew5:43-48(forgiveyourenemy)HolyWeekApril14PalmSunday’sGospel:Hebrews10:10-18(forgivenessofallsins)April15Luke15:11-32(radicalnatureofforgiveness)April16Psalm85(God’sforgiveness)April17Micah7:18-20(God’sfaithfulness)April18(MaundyThursday) MaXhew26:26-29(forgivenessthroughChrist)April19(GoodFriday)Romans3:21-26(allhavesinned,forgivenessisagif)April20Ephesians2:1-9(sinbringsdeath,Christgiveslife)
Forgivenessand
Wholeness
March6(AshWednesday)Jeremiah31:31-34(Goddoesnotremembersins)
Intheseverses,theprophetJeremiahspeakstoapeopleinexile,apeopleGodcalledtohaveaspecialrelaIonshipwithhim,andapeoplewhobrokethatrelaIonshipImeaferIme.Godguidedhispeoplethroughsigns,miracles,lawswriXenonstoneandonpapyrus,andthroughhisservantssuchasMosesandDavid.Butbeinghuman,hispeoplestrayedagainandagain.ThelessonJeremiahprovidesisthatdespitethis,GodforgivesandseeksavarietyofwaystorenewandrevitalizethespecialrelaIonshiphehaswithhispeople.Hewillalwaysforgive,nomaXerhowfarwe'vestrayed,andintheend,hewillforgoearthlytoolssuchastabletsandconnectdirectlywithhispeople'shearts.AsLutherans,wehaveaspecialconnecIonwiththismessageofhavingadirect,personalconnecIonwithGod,andreceivinggracethroughfaith,withnothingaskedinreturn.Thisiscentraltoourbeliefs.ThisisallGod’sdoing,andthroughJesusChristwearecalledintoarelaIonshipwithhimandeachother.
Prayer:
Lord,thankyouforthegraceyougive,askingonlyforourfaithinyourpromisetogatherustogetherasyourpeopleandblessus,sowecanbeablessingtoothers.Thankyoualsoforforgivingusnoma?erhowmany@meswe'vestrayed,andforfindingavarietyofwaystobringusbacktoyou,renewingandrevitalizingthespecialrela@onshipwehavewithyou.
Jack
March7 ThursdayMaXhew9:1-8(forgivenessashealing)
SomeofthepeoplegatheredsawJesusasafakebecausehewasnotGod.TheyfeltnooneotherthanGodcouldhealorforgiveanyone’ssins.Theparalyzedman’sfriendswereofahumblefaithandknewJesusChristcouldhelphim.ThosewhoyelledblasphemyathisworkingstrulydidnotknowJesus’struepurposewastosaveusfromoursins–eventuallydyingforus.
TheseversesshowthatsinistheulImatecauseofspiritualparalysis.NoworseinfecIonorillnesscanconfineus.Itwillcontrolallaspectsofourlifeandmaybeeveneternitytocome,unlessweareredeemedfromit.ThispassageconInuesthethemeofhowJesusrepeatedlygoesoutofhiswaytoforgiveusassinners.HeseeksoutwewhoareunworthyandthenHeforgivesandhealsus.WhydoesJesusdothisforus?HediditbecausehelovesusandwantsustobebeXerpeople.Wehavenowaytogetoffour"mat"withouthishelp.Wemaynotbeconfinedtoabedorinawheelchair,butofenwearesIllparalyzedbysin,andinconstantneedofhisforgiveness.
PRAYER: Lord,Itisyourgreatestinten@ontoseparateourheartsfromsin.Youhavetheperfectknowledgeofallthatwesaywithinourselves.Thereisevilinsinfulthoughtsandweknowthatitisoffensivetoyou.Helpustobebe?erandmoreaccep@ngofallofthosearoundus.Helpustogetoffour“mats”[email protected]
DavidandDebbie
March8Friday 2Corinthians5:17-19(God’sreconciliaIonandforgiveness)
ItwasthroughChrist’sdeathandresurrecIonthatGodaccomplishedthereconciliaIonoftheworldtohimself.ReconciliaIonistherestoraIonofarelaIonshipofpeace.IfwearereconciledwithGod,wevieweverythingfromtheperspecIveofGod.Wenolongerlookatpeopleaswedidbefore,wedon’tjudgeorcondemn.IfwefollowChrist,weareexpectedtocarryonChrist’sworkofreconciliaIon.OuracIonsshouldbeseenassharingtheloveandforgivenessthatreflectwhatwehavereceivedfromGod.SinbreaksourrelaIonshipwithGod.Itdestroysfamilymembers,separatesfriends,divideschurchesandnaIonsAsambassadorsofChrist,weneedtorelatethemessageofreconciliaIontoeachotherandtheworld.Weneedtoforgiveandrestorepeace.
Prayer:Godofpeace,helpmetoviewothersthroughyourlens,tocreatepeace,andtoforgivethosewhomIhaveoffended.InChrist’snamewepray,Amen.
Judy
March9Saturday
Ephesians1:3-9(forgivenessofsins)
InresearchingthispassageoftheBible,IfoundmyselfstrugglingforagoodwaytoverbalizetheverymajorpointthatPaulwasmakinginhisleXertotheEphesians.Godhadplannedwellinadvancetosendhisson,JesusChrist,todieforus.Goddidnotdecidewhowouldbelieveandwhowoulddisobey-butheDIDdeterminethatthosewhobelievewouldbesaved.ThegraceofGodisfreelygiventousandoursinsareforgiven.Howcouldwenottakeadvantageofsuchagif?
Prayer:DearLord,ThankyouforsendingyoursonJesustous.Helpustoforgiveeachotherandliveourlivesasareflec@onofyourlovetowardsus.Amen
Anne
March11Monday
James5:13-16(healinginforgiveness)
WhenweprayforforgivenessandhealingweareaskingthattheLordwillforgivealloursinsandrestoreustowholeness.ThatcouldmeanthattheLordmayhealourphysicalbodiesbutmoreimportantly,Hewillbestowspiritualwellness/wholenesstoeachofus.AsmembersofGraceweshouldprayandasktheHolySpirittobepresentwitheachotherinbothgoodanddifficultImes.GivePraisetotheLordforHisgoodnessandHishealing.GodIsGood,AlltheTime.
Prayer:DearLord,Pleasewalkcloselywitheachofourcongrega@onmembersduringthisseasonofLent.ForgivetheirsinsandRestoreSpiritualWholenesstothem.InJesusName,Amen
Connie
March12TuesdayGenesis1:26-31(madeinimageofGod,relaIonal)
Inthispassage,GodcreatedmeinHisownimage.Heblessedme.Hemademeavegan.HegavemedominionoverallofHiscreaIon.HecreatedmetohavearelaIonshipwithHimandallthatHecreated.Imustremindmyselfofenthatthisgreatpower,dominion,wasnotgiventometomeetmyownneeds.Itwasgivenasastewardship.WhenIdwellonthis,IaskGod'sforgivenessformeandallmankindfortheinjusIceswe'vedonetoHiscreaIon."Withgreatpowercomesgreatresponsibility."Prayer:HolyandgraciousGod,[email protected]?erstewardandtocon@[email protected],Amen.
Marie
March13 WednesdayJohn1:24-34(Jesustakesawaysinsofworld)
ThispassagedescribesJesusabouttobebapIzedbyJohntheBapIst.Unliketheotherthreegospels,thisonedoesnotactuallydescribethebapIsm.Instead,thewriteremphasizesthatJohnwasbapIzingwithwatertowashawaysin,butJesushascometowashawaysinwiththeHolySpirit.HeistheLambofGodandwilltakeawaythesinoftheworld.AdramaIcmomentonthebankoftheRiverJordan!John’smissionwastopointpeopleinthedirecIonofJesus.HedrawsbackthecurtainandJesustakescenterstage.Fromourearliestyearswearetaughttoforgivesins.Mothersteachusto,“Sayyou’resorry.”Ineverunderstoodwhy,itnevermademefeelanybeXer.
AsIgrewolderIthoughtofforgivenessasatwo-waystreet.Overtheyears,Ihavehadtoforgiveothersforanassortmentofissues.Ifwehangontothesinsofothers,itwillonlyfesterandcanleaveusparalyzedtoconInuearelaIonship.Thisofenhappenstothosewelovethemost.Familiesholdgrudgesthatlastfordecades.Theydon’tevenrememberwhatcausedtherif.TheothersideofforgivenesshastodowithwhenIneedtoaskforgivenessofothers.What,MEdosomethingWRONG???AlltheIme.Mymouthmovesbeforemybrain,Imakejudgementsbasedonmyownlens;thelistgoesonandon.Ifeeldisappointedinmyselfandbecomeparalyzedabouthowtomoveforward.IneedtoconInuallypracIceself-awareness.Inorderformetofeelwhole,Ineedtoownmyfaultsandnotbeafraidtoaskforgiveness.
Googlesays:Forgivenessisforourowngrowthandhappiness.Whenweholdontohurt,pain,resentment,andangeritharmsusfarmorethanitharmstheoffender.Forgivenessfreesustoliveinthepresent....Forgivenessallowsustomoveonwithoutangerorcontemptorseekingrevenge.(There’sthewholenesspart).
TheBibleiscrystalclearonforgiveness:Justdoit!JesustoldPeter70x7Forgivenessisnotafeeling,itisachoice.ChoosingforgivenesswillmeanthatyouhavetogotoGodonyourkneesforthepowertoforgive.It’schoosingnottoletthoughtsofhatredruleinyourheart.It’schoosingtogotoGodtofindhelpandcomfortinsteadofdwellingonthepast,evenwhenourfeelingswouldratherdoanythingbut.ThepowerweneedforthiswegetfromtheHolySpirit.
Prayer:LordGod:Createinmeacleanheartandrenewarightspiritwithinme.IknowI’vemademistakesinthepast,andI’mgoingtomakemistakesandcommitsinsinthefuture.AsIrejoiceinyourforgiveness,Ilongforyourguidance.InJesusname,Amen
Joy
March14ThursdayProverbs17:9(forgivenessaslove)
Forgivenessisaconceptweunderstand.ItisharderofenImestoturnthatconceptintoareality.Whenwefeelthatwehavebeenwronged;weneedtoresistthe“eyeforaneye”responseurge.
OnSundaysweconfessoursinsandpraytoGodforforgiveness.LetustrulybeasonemadeinGod’simageandforgiveothers.Itwillnotbelongbeforewewillneedthefavorreturnedinkind.
AsitisstatedinEccesiastesChapter4verse9-TwoarebeXerthanoneforiftheyfallonewilllifuptheother;butwoeisonewhoisaloneandfallsanddoesnothaveanothertohelp.
Prayer:So,prayhardforgreatcompassiontoleadtoGod’sclarity.Forgivenessandlovewillfollow.Amen
DebandJoe
March15FridayPsalm130(pleaforforgiveness)
ThePsalmsareabookofsongs.Thepsalmistin130isrepenIng.HeistellingGodthatheissorryforbreakingGod’srules.HehasreachedrockboXom.HeknowsGodisconstantlyforgivingus;whichisareasonwhyweworshipHim.WeloveHimbecausehelovesusenoughtoforgiveus.ThelastpartofthesongthepsalmistpredictsthatGodissendingtheGreatRedeemer(Jesus)whowillforgivethesinsofeveryonewholovesGod.SowhenyoufeelatyourlowestgotoPsalm130,readasaprayer,anditwillgiveyoucomfort.KnowingallwhatGodhasdone.
Prayer:Psalm130(TheMessage)Help,God—thebo?omhasfallenoutofmylife!Master,hearmycryforhelp!Listenhard!Openyourears!Listentomycriesformercy.Ifyou,God,keptrecordsonwrongdoings,whowouldstandachance?Asitturnsout,forgivenessisyourhabit,andthat’swhyyou’reworshiped.IpraytoGod—mylifeaprayer—andwaitforwhathe’llsayanddo.Mylife’sonthelinebeforeGod,myLord,wai@ngandwatching@llmorning,wai@[email protected],waitandwatchforGod—withGod’sarrivalcomeslove,withGod’[email protected]—he’llredeemIsrael,[email protected]
March16SaturdayIsaiah53:4-6(forgiveness/healingthroughGod’sservant/Christ)
Ifyoudidn’tknowthatIsaiahwasaprophetwholived800yearsbeforeJesus,thispassagesoundsstraightoutoftheNewTestament.TherearemessagesoftransgressionandredempIon–forgiveness–throughouttheBible.Howluckyforallofus–ourworldsureisfullofsheepgoingastray!ButthroughJesus’undeservedsufferingforOURsins,andthroughhisresurrecIon,weknowthatGod’spromiseofpeaceandeternallifeisreal,ifwechooseit.WeknowthatGodforgivesusanewconstantly,ifweaskit.
Prayer:
LovingFather,Thankyouforyourendlesscapacitytoforgivemyendlessstraying.Eachnewday,some@meseachnewhouroreveneachnewminute,Ifindmyselfinneedofyourforgiveness.Thankyouforthecountlessblessingsyoushoweronmedespitemycountlesstransgressions!Thankyou,Jesus,forenduringMYpunishment.PleasehelpmeseeyourightherebesidemethrougheverystepItaketoday,sothatIcanbemoreofyou,andlessofme,toallIencounteronourwalktogether.Amen.
Mindy
UnderstandingForgiveness
March18MondayJoel2:12-13(needforrepentance)
Godlovesusandisalwaysurgingustocomebacktohim.VersestwelveandthirteenareaboutrepentanceandthedesiretoreturntoGod.InversetwelvetheLordstates“Yetevennow”.TomethissaysthatnomaXerwhatwehavedone(sins)orwhereweareinourspiritualjourney,wecanalwayscomehome.Theversesalsoaskustosincerelyrecognize(withallyourheart)oursins,givethemtogod,humblyaskforgivenessandmakeanefforttoalignyouracIonswithhiswordinsteadofpayinglipservice.IamlifedupandthankfultoknowthatwehavesuchaforgivingandslowtoangerGodthataboundsinlovingkindness.
Prayer:DearHeavenlyFather,Thankyouforyourfaithfulness.Withgra@tude,Ithankyouforyourul@mategiaofloveforme,intheformofyoursonandthesacrificeofhislifeonmybehalf.Throughoutthisday,mayIbekeenlyawareofyourpresenceineverythingIdo,[email protected].
Phil
March19TuesdayGenesis50:15-21(Josephforgivesbrothers)
Understandingforgivenessisnotaneasythingtodo.Inthisstory,Josephiscertainlyamodelofforgiveness-hehastrulybeenwrongedbyhisbrothers,inareallybigway;AND,evenintheirdesiretoaskforgivenessofhim,theywronghimagainbylyingtohim.Inmymind,asIreadthisstory,Ithink-wowJosephhaseveryrighttowithholdforgiveness,toholdtheseacIonsagainsthisbrothers,maybetoletthemstarveinthefamine-theywoulddeservethat,wouldn'tthey?But,thelessonthatJosephgivesusisthatit'snotaboutthem.It'saboutJoseph,andit'saboutGod.Josephremindsus(andhisbrothers)aboutallthegoodthatGodworkedthroughJosephinEgypt.OneofmyfavoritedefiniIonsofforgivenessisofenquotedbyOprah(givenherbyaguestonhershow):"forgivenessisgivingupthehopethatthepastcouldbeanydifferent."Josephacceptsthatthisordealhehasbeenthroughasaresultofhisbrothers'acIons,hasbeenapartofhislifeexperience,andevenbeXer,seesallthegoodthathappenedasaresult.Hedoesn'tneedtowithholdforgiveness,ortakerevenge-heacceptsthatithappened,andmovesforwardwithhislife.Inourlives,it'snotalwayssoeasyasJosephmakesitlook.ButwecanuseJosephasamodelandareminderofhowwecanstrivetodowhathedid-forgive.
Prayer:God,pleasehelpmetorememberalloftheforgivenessIhavebeengiven,andhelpmetogiveitfreelytoothers.Amen.
March20WednesdayJohn8:1-11(allneedforgiveness)
Understandingforgiveness!Doweunderstandit?Wethinkwedo,andthenwedon't.WhatImeanis-----wemaysIllharborafeelingofblameorresentment.TotrulyunderstandforgivenessweneedtolooktoourSavior'sexamples.InthepassageofJohn8:1-11,HeisteachinginthetemplewhenthescribesandPhariseesbringawomanwhohasbeencaughtintheactofadultery.TheywanttoseeifHewillimposeastoningonherasMoseshadcommanded.Jesuswritessomethinginthesand.Thensays:Ifanyofyouarewithoutsin,throwthefirststone.Theyalldisappear,andHeislefwiththewomanwhoistoldtogoandsinnomore.Goodexampleofforgiveness?BeXerexampleofforgiveness:Hediedtoforgiveusofoursins!
Prayer:Fatherkeepremindingustobeforgivingbecauseweneedforgivingeveryday.AmenMartha
March21 ThursdayRomans12:17-21(howtoforgive)
InthesepassagesGodisaskingusnottorepayevilortakerevenge.Godissaying,"Itisminetoavenge;Iwillrepay.
SomeImesitisdifficulttoforgivesomeonethathascausedusadeephurt.Wewanttohavethemtohurtalso.ItbecomesheavyonourheartandwemayevenbecomebiXer.
WeneedtoremembertobeChristlikeandbeforgivingnomaXerhowdifficultthesituaIon.Godalwaysisforgivingtousandweneedtoforgivethosethathavebeenwrongfultous.
AsweprayalwaysintheLord'sPrayer;Forgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.Notalwayseasy,butwemusttry.
Prayer:DearGod,Helpustobeabletobeforgivingalwaysasyouarealwaystous,noma?erhowdifficultitmayseem.Thatourheartsmaybelight.AMEN
Sally
March22FridayPsalm86:1-7,15(David’strustinaforgivingGod)
ForgivenessisalovingresponsetonegaIveorhurwulacIon.WhenweareintroubleknowthatwecanturntotheLord.Ifthattroubleisaproblemwecanaskforhelp.Ifthattroubleissomethingwehavedonewrongweaskforforgiveness.WiththeLordseverpresentlove,Hewillalwaysforgiveus.WeputourtrustinHiscompassionandmercy.Healwaysanswersourprayerwithlove.
Prayer:DearGod,Ipraytoyouasyourservant,whenIamgrateful,andwhenIneedhelp.Iknowyoulistentomebecauseyoualwaysgivemetherightanswerandhelp.Noma?erwhatIdo,Youalwaysgivemelove,mercy,andforgivenessformysins.Thankyoufortheforgivenessyouhavegiventoyourgratefulservant.
Amen
John
March23 SaturdayLuke6:37-38(benefitofforgiveness)
Forgivenessislove.Asyougivelove(forgiveness),GodwillconInuetogiveyouHislove(forgiveness)inallthings.Godisgenerous,somuchmorethanweare.Forgivethosewhohurtyou.
Prayer:LovingGod,forgivemewhenIfailtoforgive.BeinmyheartsoIfeelyourlove(forgiveness),soImaydolikewise.InJesusname.Amen
Joe
TellingtheStoryand
NamingtheHurt
Hurt
March25 MondayMaXhew5:21-26(makereconciliaIonwithothers)
InthispassageJesusbringsafuller,deepermeaningtothesixthcommandment—goingbeyondtheliteralinterpretaIonofthelawwhichstates,“Donotmurder(kill)”.LikethePharisees,wecouldsmuglysay,“thatdoesn’tapplytome”.IthinkJesusiscallingthecrowd,hisfollowers&ustotakeadeeperlook@twoissuesthatapplyacrosstheboardtoeveryone.Thefirstisthefeelingsofanger—acommonhumanemoIon—thatnooneisexemptfrom.Fromaphysiologicalstandpoint,angerisauniversalbuilt-inresponsetodistress—physicaloremoIonal.AsahumanemoIonitisnotmorallywrong.Itisaresponsetoastressor.I’vehearditsaidthatangerisaquanItaIveissue.Soifweunwiznglywecarrymanylayersofstress/distressforanextendedperiodofImewithoutanopportunityforsomeformofreleasewecangofromcrankytoirritabletorageveryquickly—andwonderhowwegotthere.Ormaybewehavealongfusebutunconsciouslyhangontofear&negaIveemoIonsthatleadstoresentment.ButemoIondoesnotstandalone.Ourthinkingprecedesourfeelings(andouracIonsaswell)&thisis,Ithink,iswhatJesusiscallingustoexamine.Withoutawareness,aztudeshavethepotenIalforbeingabreedinggroundforanger&itsdeleteriouseffects.Whatkindofthoughtsarewecarryingaroundinourhead?Doweholdontoresentment?Canweadmitifourthoughtsarenarrow-minded,biasedordistorted?Canweadmitwhenwearewrong?ThesecondissuethatJesustalksaboutisreconciliaIon.ThedicIonarydefinesreconciliaIonasreuniIng,restoringfriendlyrelaIons,bringingbacktogether.Anger(inallitsdegrees)separates.InancientImes,ifyoucommiXedmurder,youradversarycoulddeliveryoutothejudgeforimprisonmentwhereyoumaydie.Inthesameway,onadeeperlevel,ifwearenotgrowingloveinouraztudeswewillsurelydiespiritually.Unresolvedangercouldbeoneroadblocktoourspiritualgrowth.
Prayer:Jesus,ourTeacher,ourWay-shower,[email protected]@onyouaretheul@matereconciler.Letyourspiritfilluswithyourlight.Helpustobehonestwithyouaboutourfeelings&leadsusinhealthy,lovingthoughts.HolySpirit,letusseeclearlysothatwemayauthen@callyloveothers.Teachustonotrespondreac@velywhenothersareangrywithusbuttoextendunderstanding&[email protected]
Kathy
March26TuesdayJeremiah3:12-14(God’sforgivenessoffaithlessIsrael)
GoandproclaimthesewordstowardtheNorthandsay.ReturnFaithlessIsrael,SaystheLord.Iwillnotlookonyouinanger,forIammerciful,SaystheLord.Iwillnotbeangryforever.Onlyacknowledgeyourguilt,thatyouhaverebelledagainsttheLordyourGod,andsca?eredyourfavorsamongstrangersundereverygreentree,andhavenotobeyedmyvoice,SaystheLord.ReturnO’faithlessChildren,SaystheLord.ForIamyourmaster;AndIwilltakeyou,onefromacityandtwofromafamily,andIwillbringyoutoZion.
MyThoughts:(ThemessagehereIbelieveisthatGodisaMercifulGod.Hegetsangrywithuswhenwedoourownthing,(Rebel),notobeyinghisword.Hewantsustoconfessourdisobediencelistentohisvoiceandwillforgiveourtransgressions)
ThePrayer:Father,forgivemydisobedience,helpmeFathertoobeyyourcommandsandlistentoyourvoice,guidemeinyourways.Amen!
Jim
March27 WednesdayEzekiel33:10-11(God’scallforrepentance)
Watchman-consideredasanofficialmilitaryposiIon;andbiblicallyspeaking,muchlikeashepherd.AsaChrisIan[watchman,shepherd],weareentrustedwithandaccountableforwhatweknowofGod’smessage.Sowhatdoesthisaccountabilitylooklike?Tome,thismeanstobeyourbestselfwiththehelpofGod!Beingawareofone’s“conversaIon,conduct,andcharacter”,andoffenses,sinoranythingelsethatgetsinthewayofone’srelaIonshipwiththeLord.AdemonstraIonofforgiveness,encouragement,kindness,andforbearancetowardsour“neighbors”isatruetesImonyofthelovewehaveforChristJesus.
Notlongago,Iwasdeeplyhurtbysomeoneclosetome.Iwantedtoreact“giveapieceofmymind”,ifIamgoingtobeperfectlyhonest!Instead,Itookmy“hurt”totheLordandaskedforHisperspecIve.Itdidn’ttakeHimmorethanafewminutestodownloadintomyspirit“Hemayhavedividedthefamily…butyouarecreaIngdivisioninyourheart”.Inthatmoment,Iwasbeingmadeaccountableformychoicesin“conversaIons,conduct,andcharacter”regardingthisrelaIonship.Subsequently,forgivenesswastheonlyopIonforme.Yes,it’snoteasyandthememoryhurts,someImes.However,GodknowshowtotakethesIngoutofthe“hurt”!GodhasmadeyouandIthe“watchman”–honor,love,andprotectwhatulImatelybelongstoHim!
Prayer:[email protected],thankyouforstrengtheningourfaithtoforgiveothers!InthenameofJesus,wepray.
Amen
Jan
March28ThursdayLuke17:1-4(honestyofbeinghurt)
Allofushavehadfamilymemberswhohurtusinonewayoranother.Wecannotrunawayfromthemorignorethem.Theyarefamily.Thatiswhyitisbesttoforgivethemandgoonwithourlives.Lifeissoshort.
Prayer:
DearestJehovah,Pleasegivemethestrengthnottobeangryandhurtfromthefaultsofothers.
Amen
Susan
March29FridayPsalm103:6-13(God’sradicalforgiveness)
Godislove.ThispassageisaboutGod’sloveforus.WhatGoddoesforustellsuswhatHe’sreallylike.Heiscompassionateandgracious.HelovesusuncondiIonally.Itisnothingwecanearn.Itisgiventoallwholoveandfearhim.HemadeknownhiswaystoMoses;hiddeedstothepeopleofIsrael.TimeandImeagain,thepeopleofIsraeldisobeyedGod’slawswhenthingsweregoinggood.Whentheirdisobediencecausedsuchturmoilandhardshipsintheirlives,theyrepented,beggedGod’sforgivenesswiththepromiseofobedience.TheirconstantdisobediencetoGodcausedHimgreatpain.EachImetheyrepented,asacompassionate,uncondiIonallylovingFather,Heforgavethem.IknowthatIhurtGodwhenI,liketheIsraelites,strayfromGod’slawsgivenbyMoses.
Prayer:DearGod,pleasehelpmebeobedienttoyourlaws.WhenIstray,pleasebecompassionateandgracioustome.InJesusnameIpray.Amen
Rose
March30 SaturdayJeremiah8:18-22(acknowledgmentofpainofbetrayal)
Jeremiah’sgriefwasbeyondhealing.Hehadpaininhisheartforthecrying,starvingchildren,mothers,andfathers.Goddidn’tleaveyou.Godisalwayswithall.
Prayer:
OurLordinheaven,Pleaseprayforunderprivelegedandalltheworld.Prayforfood,clothes,andlivingquarters.Collectinthechurchesandprayforhelp.TheLordisalwayswithus.Amen
Joyce
GranIngForgivenessand
Renewing/ReleasingtheRelaIonship
April1Monday Ephesians4:31-32(forgiveasyou’vebeenforgiven)
Wehaveallbeenhurtbysomeoneelse,butweshouldrememberthatmostlikelywehavehurtsomeoneourselves.WeshouldhopethatwecanforgiveandbeforgivenjustasGodhasforgivenus,andthatourrelaIonshipscanberenewedtoabeXerlevel.
Prayer:DearLordhelpustoforgiveoneanotherasyouhaveforgivenus,sothatwemayliveamoreGodlylife.Amen
Ray
April2TuesdayMalachi3:6-7(God’sunendingloveanddesireforrepentance)
God'smindisabsolutelyundivided.ThismeansthatHissovereigntycanneverbeseparatedfromHislove;HisgracecannotbeseparatedfromHisomniscience;HisjudgmentcannotbeseparatedfromeitherHismercyorHiswrath.GodisabsolutelyconstantbecauseHisfaithfulprovidencecannotbeseparatedfromanyotherofHisaXributes.Godiswholeandcomplete.Undereverycircumstance,Heisneverconfusedoruncertainaboutwhattodo.HeisalwaysheadedinthesamedirecIon,whichistocompleteHispurpose.
ItisabsolutelyimpossibleforHimtodoanythingthatisnotwiseandatthesameImeloving.ItisHewhotellsushowtoliveandhowtobelikeHim.WhatGodishasawesomeramificaIonsforusbecausewearesodifferent,andHewantsustobelikeHim,tobeonewithHim,tobewhole,tobecomplete,tobeundividedinmindlikeHim.BecomingthiswayrequiresameasureofcooperaIonfromus.ComparedtoGod,ourmindsareallovertheplace,andthuswearesoeasilydistractedfromourfocus.WeneedtocomebacktoHimandbegratefulandawareofhowblessedwearebyhisinfinitemercy.KnowthattheLordneverchangesinhisloveforus!
Prayer:Oh,Lord,pleasegiveusstrengthtotryandliveourlivesmoreinyourways.ThankyouforalwaysbeingalovingandgraciousGod.Amen
Joyce
April3Wednesday Genesis33:1-11(EsauforgivesJacob)
SomeImesyougointoasituaIonpreparedforresistancebuttheotherpersonhasalreadyforgivenyou.JacobwaspreparedtodefendhislovedonesagainstEsauandhismen.Itwasn'tanecessarystepasEsauwascomingtoJacobpreparedtoforgivehim.Esaudidn'tbelievehedeservedthegifspresentedtohimbyJacobbutbecauseheinsistedEsauaccepted.Esauthenletthewayfortheirtravel.
Prayer:DearGod,Letusforgivethosewhohavedoneuswrong.Helpguideustonotalwaysassumetheworseinpeople.Allowustoforgiveandpresentforgivenesstothosewhomwelostourtrustin.Helpusworktorenewourrela@onshipwithourpeers,family&[email protected]
BeckiandJames
April4Thursday Colossians3:12-17(forgiveoneanother)
ThisbibleversereinforcesthatweareallchildrenofGod,andassuch,weshouldbetolerantofoneanother.NomaXerourdifferences,weshoulddemonstratecompassion,humility,andforgivenessinourrelaIonshipswitheachother.Livebyexample,theexampleJesushasshownus,andunitewithoneanotherinlove.
Prayer:DearGod,Thankyouforyouruncondi@onalloveandforgiveness.Helpustoleadourlivesbyyourexampleandforgiveeachotherforourfaultssothatwemaylivetogetherinpeaceandunity.InJesusnamewepray,Amen
Tammy
April5FridayPsalm32:1-7(blessednessinforgiveness)
Transgressions,orsins,eatawayatyoufromtheinside.WhenyouhavewrongedsomeoneyouwillnotfeelbeXerunIlyouareforgiven.ConfessingyoursinsandhavingGodforgiveyourefreshesyoursoul.GoddoesnotputcondiIonsonforgiveness.Heforgivesallsins.
Prayer:
GodgrantmeforgivenessformysinsasIstrivetobeabe?erchris@anandgrowinmylifewithyou.Amen
TomandMichele
April6Saturday Luke19:1-10(ZacchaeusmakesresItuIonforsins)
Weareallsinners.Somepeoplehavesomuchandtheywillnotsharewiththosewhodonot.TheydonothaveJesusintheirlife.TheyhavetopraytogettheLordJesusintotheirlifesotheycangivefood,money,andotherthings.Theyhaveplentysotheyshouldgivetopeoplewhoareinneed.
Prayer:
DearLord,Pleasecomeintothelivesofpeoplewhohaveanexcessofeverything,andtohelpthemgiveres@[email protected].
Diane
AllCanBeForgiven
April8Monday1John1:8-9(confessionofsins)
Allcanbeforgiven.Asweaksinners,byaccepIngJesusChristasourLordandSavior,wecanaskforforgivenessofoursins.Deepwithinoursouls,wecanlivethelifeofHistruth,prayingforforgivenessofoursins,andweareforgiven.
MyPrayer:LordGod,youaremostforgivingofmysins.Thankyouforyourcompassion,forgiveness,andlove.Amen
Donna
April9Tuesday Hosea2:16-20(God’sforgivenessofunfaithfulness)
ThemessageIheardfromHosea2:16-20wasthatweareALWAYSforgiven!We,ashumanbeingswillconInuallymakemistakes.Mostofustrytobethebestversionofourselves,butunfortunatelyweseemtoalwaysfallshort.Thissaid,wemustrealizewearenotperfect!Godknowswearenotperfect,HeconInuestoforgiveusImeandImeagain,nomaXerthecircumstance.GodwillALWAYSbethereforusthroughHisWord(TheBible),andmanyImesthroughsomeoneelse!Weneedtoopenoureyesandourheartsandreceivethispricelessgif!WemustconInuetotrytobethebestversionofourselvesandrememberthatGodisALWAYSwithus,andwillforgiveus…nomaXerwhat!
Prayer:
DearLord!
PleasehelpustorememberthatGodlovesusuncondi@onally,evenwhenwefallshortofbeingthebestversionofourselves.Helpustobemorelikeyou,fullofloveandforgivenesstowardourselvesandothers.HelpustofollowyourpathusingyourWord!
InJesusChrist,
Amen!
Margie
April10Wednesday
John18:15-27,John21:15-17(JesusforgivesPeter’sdenials)
IntheseversesweseePeter’sDenialofJesusthreeImesfollowedbyJesus’forgivenessofPeteraferJesus’resurrecIon.JesuspointedlyaskedPeter,“Simon(Peter)Doyouloveme?”TowhichPeterresponds,“YesLord,YouknowthatIloveyou.”AndthequesIonpersistsforthreeImeswhichisbeginningtoagitatePetertothepointthathefeelshurtbyJesus.ItisenIrelypossiblethatJesusafertheresurrecIonissubtlyremindingPeterofhisdenialof3Imes.ButwhatisevenmoreimportantisJesusactofforgiveness.PeterdeniedJesus3ImesandJesuscamebacktohimafertheresurrecIonandaskedforhisconfirmaIonoflovetobeforgivenandJesussays,”Feedmysheep.”--WOW!HereisPeterwhoplayedaroleinJesusdeathandhehasbeenelevatedtoaroleasaprimemoverandleaderfortheChurchmovingforward.IfJesuscanforgivePeter,thinkofwhatwe(you&I)havedonethroughourlives.WehavenotcommiXedtreasonagainstthechurchorGodandhopefullywehavenotcommiXedmurderbutevenifwehave,ALLISFORGIVEN.Thatissuchafreeinganduplifingthoughttome–toknowthatwhateverIhavedone,andwhomeverIhavewrongedinmylifecanbeforgiven.Mysoullifsinpraisesaying,“ThankyouJesus!”
Prayer:DearHeavenlyFather,WhileIknowthatIamsinfulandhavecommi?edoffensesagainstyouandmyfellowbrothers&sistersinChrist,Iaskyourforgiveness.IaffirmmyloveforyouJesus,asPeterdidandIrepeat,”Lord,youknowthatthatIloveyou”.MylifewouldbenothingwithoutyouinitandItrulythankyouforyourforgivenessandthecommitmentthatyouhavemadeinme.Letmebeaninstrumentofyourloveandforgivenesstoothers,inJesusname.Amen.
Darrell
April11Thursday
Mark2:1-12(forgivenessbeforerepentance)
Mark2:1-12IllustratesJesusloveforallnomaXerwhoyouareandwhatyouhavedone.Jesuswillalwaysloveyouandforgiveyoursins.AllcanbeforgivenandweasChrisIansneedtobemoreforgivingofothersandhavecouragesimilartothefourmenthatbroughttheparalyzedmantoJesusforforgivenessandhismiracleofhealing.Bywelcomingallpeople,notjudgingandforgivingotherswewillallbecomeclosertoGodinourfaithjourney.
Prayer:DearGod,thankyouforforgivingoursinsandforguidingourfaithbringingusclosertoyou.Throughyouramazingkindnesspleasecon@nuetonurtureourfaithandhelpussharethegoodnewsbringingfriendsandcommunityclosertoyou.Thankyouforhearingourprayersandpleasehelpustoforgiveothersasallcanbeforgiven.Amen
Haveablessedday!Deb
April12FridayPsalm51:1-12(David’srepentance)
Forgivenessisofenharderthanitsounds.Itcanbedifficulttoforgiveotherswhenwefeelbetrayedandhurt,butwithGod'shelpwecandoit.Itisofenevenhardertoforgiveourselves.WhenIfirstreadthetheme-AllCanBeForgiven-itremindedmeofwhensuicidehasoccurredinourcommunity.IalwaystoldMadisonandmyGirlScoutsthatsuicideisnevertheanswer.NomaXerwhathappens,it'llneverbesobadthatGodwouldn'tforgiveyouandwewouldn'tloveyou.Somanyseemlost,IpraythattheyfindGodandthesupporttheyneed.
Prayer:DearGod,pleasehelpmetoforgiveothersandmyself.PleaseremindmethatbecauseofyourforgivenessnothingneedstoseparatemefromYou.Createinmeapureheart,OGod,andrenewasteadfastSpiritwithinme.AmenBrenda
April13SaturdayMaXhew5:43-48(forgiveyourenemy)
WhataImetoprayforforgiveness.Mostofusprayforforgivenessforourselves.Wearesinners,weknowit,Godknowsitandthat’swhywepray.InMaXhew,Jesustalksofpraying,notourselves,butforourenemies.Ourenemies?Youcan’tbeseriousJesus?Yesheis.ItisaImewhenliterally,“theenemyisatthegates”.Theenemycomesinfromthesky,theenemycomesinfromtheseaandtheenemylieswithinourownborders.Howcanwestopthis?Buildawall?Inspecteveryplaneandshipthatentersourcountry.Surewetry,butit’snotafail-safeplan.Whatweneedtodoisprayfortheirheartstochange.OnlyGodcanstopthemadnessthatexistsinourworld.Throughprayer,hopefullyhewill.
Prayer:Godwepraythatthosethatseektodestroyusrealizethatwearenottheenemy.Thattheenemyexistsintheirheartsandthatweaskthatyourepairthoseheartssothatwecanallloveoneanotherthewayyoursontaughtus.
Amen
Ken
HolyWeek
April15MondayLuke15:11-32(radicalnatureofforgiveness)
Thisisthewell-knownparableoftheprodigalson,wherebyasonwhohassquanderedmuchofwhathasbeengiventohim,leaveshomeandreturnspennilesstobewelcomedwithopenarmsbyalovingfather,notsomuchbyajealousbrother.
ThisstoryillustratestheuncondiIonalloveofaparentforachildregardlessofbehaviornotapproved………
SomeImeseasiersaidthandone!
SimilarlyitshowsGod’sabilityandwillingnesstoforgiveoursinfulnatureeachandeverydayasweareallHischildren.Hetoo,welcomesuswitharmswide!
Prayer:
DearLord,
Itissome@meseasyforustoforgivelovedonesfortheirfaults,butnototherswithwhomwehavehadproblemsordisagreements.Helpustoshowyourloveandabilitytoforgiveothersasyouloveandforgiveus.
Amen
Kurt
April16Tuesday
Psalm85(God’sforgiveness)
ThisisaPsalmofforgiveness.ItisapleafortherestoraIonofpeace.ItisaprayerthatoffersthankfulnessforwhatGodhasdone.Weareblessed,rescuedandrestored.
Itisaprayerforgraceandmercy.ItasksforsalvaIon.ThePsalmislookingforGodtoanswerourprayers,soitisalsoamessageofhope.TheLordwillprovidethatwhichisgood.
Prayer:
DearLord,wethankyoufortheforgivenessofoursins.Thankyoufortheunderstandingthatwearenotperfect.Yourmercyisgreat.Yourrescueofusgivesushope.Lordweaskthatyouempowerustofollowyourrighteousness.Giveusthestrengthentoforgiveourneighborsasyouhavedoneforus.Letusfollowyourlead,andgrantmercyontheimperfectworldinwhichwelive.Grantuspeace.Amen
Mike
April17Wednesday Micah7:18-20(God’sfaithfulness)
ThisisaBibleverseofforgiveness.Goddoesnotholdagrudge.Heknowswehaveslipped,fallen,backsliddenandfeelgreatguilt.Butweareenabledtoconfessoursinsandseekforgivenessofthem.GodreleasesHisangerandreplacesitwithloveandCompassion.OursisalovingGod.HerejoicesinthesalvaIonofthesinner.
Itisaprayerforgraceandmercy.ItasksforsalvaIon.TheversesarelookingforGodtoanswerourprayers,soitisalsoamessageofhope.TheLordwillprovidethatwhichisgood.
Prayer:“Andinthatdayyoushallsay,OLord,Iwillpraiseyou;thoughyouwereangrywithme,yourangeristurnedaway,andyoucomfortedme.”Isaiah12:1
YouaretheonlyGod.Youforgiveoursinsandofferyourlove.Youshelveyourangeranddistributeyourmercy.
Lordwethankyou.Weprayforthecouragetobelikeyou.Wewanttoforgiveourneighbor.Wenonotwanttoharboranger.Weprayforthestrengthtobekindandmerciful.
Amen
Trish
April18(MaundyThursday) MaXhew26:26-29(forgivenessthroughChrist)
Plaques,monuments,statuesareabundantthroughoutourcountry.Thesevisualsremindusofrealpeopleandwhattheydidtobringvictorytoourcountry.Sacrificesweremadetopreserveourfreedom.ThelastsupperpicturesthesacrificeJesusmadeforus.Itwouldseemthereisnothinginthebreadorwinethatforgivessins.Buttheyarenotsymbolic.Lutheransteachthattheelementsremainbreadandwine,andthroughGod'smiracle,asweconsumethem,Christisalsopresent.Christispresentforourforgiveness!
Prayer:
DearJesus,
Thankyouforyourforgiveness,loveandsacrifice.Leadmedailytoactaccordinglytoyourwill….
Dothisfortheremembranceofme.
Amen
Peg
April19(GoodFriday)Romans3:21-26(allhavesinned,forgivenessisagif)
Tome,thisbiblepassagefocusesonthethoughtofforgiveness.Itdoesn’tmaXerthecolorofyourskin.Itdoesn’tmaXeryoursexualpreference.Itdoesn’tmaXerwhereyoulive.Itdoesn’tmaXerhowmuchmoneyyouhave.Itdoesn’tmaXerwhatyourreligionis.WeareallGod’schildren.AndbeingachildofGod,wehaveallsinned.PartofHolyWeekisacknowledgingtheredempIonofoursinsbecauseGodgavehisonlysonJesusChristasasacrificeofatonement.SonomaXeryourskincolor,yoursexualpreference,whereyouliveorhowmuchmoneyyouhave,oryourreligion,ifyoubelieveinGodyoursinsareforgiven.
PRAYER:
DearLord,anotheryearhaspassedandonceagainwearepartakinginthisweekofsomberreflec@on.ThankyouforgivingyouronlySonfortheforgivenessofoursins.I’msorrythatwecon@nuetosin,butwearenotperfect.Thankyouforbeingthereforusineverystepofthewaytooureverlas@nglifewithyou.InJesus’namewepray…Amen.
DianeandRich
April20SaturdayEphesians2:1-9(sinbringsdeath,Christgiveslife)
SinceAdamandEvesinnedintheGarden,wehaveallsinned.Sinisdeath,thelossofGod!SometodayarebeingdirectedbySatan.Wehaveachoicewhomwewillfollow.Fleshbringsdeathandhell.TheSpiritbringslife.GraceisGod'sgifoflovetous.Wedon'tdeservegraceandcannotearnitbygoodworks.ChristmadeusaliveandbyGod'sgracewearesaved!Howgooditfeelstoknowweareforgiven!
Prayer:GloriousFather,ThankyouforthegiaofJesuswhodiedtosaveus!Youhaveforgivenusandsavedusbyyourgrace.LettheSpiritliveinourhearts.Guideustoliveinyourways,servingandforgivingothers.InJesus'namewepray.Amen
Rosalynn
Easter
April21,2019
