Matthew 6 - 8.31.23
Scripture
Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Observation
Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount in this passage by teaching the people about the importance of forgiveness. We must forgive others the way our Heavenly Father forgives us…and that’s unconditionally.
Application
What if God treated us the way we treat others? 🤔
It’s a great question to ask ourselves today, especially in regards to the subject of forgiveness. The verse that stood out to me this morning talks about forgiving others the way God forgives us. And if we are unwilling to forgive those who sin against us, God will not forgive us either. But we may say, “I can’t forgive that person! You just don’t know how much they hurt me!” We may even have a list of things we deem as “unforgivable” in our book, and will never find it in our hearts to forgive someone if they cross that line. But is that what Jesus wants us to do? If we call ourselves Christ Followers shouldn’t we forgive the way Jesus did? I mean Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples, mocked, wrongfully accused, beaten, and sentenced to death. All this when He didn’t do anything wrong! But Jesus still forgave those who hurt Him.
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”-Luke 23:34a
So today let’s ask ourselves the question “Is there anyone out there I need to bury the hatchet with, and forgive?” Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anyone out there we may still be holding grudges with. Let go of that grudge, and forgive. And our Heavenly Father will be sure to forgive us too. 😊❤️
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”-C.S. Lewis
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgivenesses. You forgive me time and time again every time I mess up and fall short to Your standards. Please forgive me of my sins. Reveal in my heart anyone out there that I need to forgive. Help me to be like You and forgive unconditionally. May relationships be restored from it. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Matthew 5 - 8.30.23
Scripture
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Observation
First let me say that there is SO much in Matthew chapter 5, I could spend a whole month journaling on it!
Verse 11 says we will be blessed when people persecute us because of Jesus. So far, I have only encountered mild disdain or condescension because of my belief, but I know that could change at any time. Jesus says is saying that when we stand up for him, regardless of people’s words or actions, we will be blessed by him for that obedience.
Verse 11 spoke to me because I had to deal with an insult today. I wasn’t insulted because of Jesus, but my response was because of Jesus, and I believe he will bless us every time we are obedient to him.
Application
I received an insulting email today. I wasn’t tempted to strike back in anger, but I certainly did consider some snarky responses in my head! I sulked for a while and gave myself time to put together a polite response. But as I typed the words, I knew I really didn’t mean them – it was just what was expected of me. And I remembered my new resolve – Unless the Lord builds the house. There was no point in writing a fake response – I needed God to work in my heart and help me to truly forgive.
Later in the day, I was able to write a kind response that I truly meant. Psalms 15:1 says, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. And it did! But if it hadn’t, I would know that I had done my best to follow his command to love others.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for working in my heart today. Thank you that your promises are true! Please continue to remind me that Unless the Lord builds the house, it is in vain. I don’t want to waste my time doing things in my own strength or at my own direction – I want to be led in all I do by you.
- Debbie Dunn
Psalm 136 - 8.29.23
Scripture
Psalm 136:26 NIV
“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”
Observation
This Psalm is a call and response. A “call and response is a musical form in which a melody is stated in a phrase that is then followed by a second phrase that completes the idea. The first phrase is presented like a question, prompting the second phrase - the reply (Study.com).”
In the church world, it’s also called a call to response, such as when a Pastor says “He is Risen” and the congregation replies back with “He is Risen indeed!”
Because God is the definition of love, it motivates everything He does. The Psalmist speaks on God’s character, creation, power, strength and victories, but after every line, the response is “His love endures forever.” Love is truly at the heart of who He is.
Application
Rest in God’s love in order to share it with those around me.
Have you ever been so at peace with someone, because their love goes beyond what you do, but to actually who you are?
I admit that that is one of the many things that attracted me to my husband. I was in my 20s, had just graduated from college with a really great paying job out of college and I was well known at church because I sang on stage a lot, etc. People knew me because of my outward works, but he saw something deeper in me and said something that made me know that he loved me for more than just the girl on the outside.
That’s just a small picture of Christ’s love for me. His love saved me in ways that only He could. One thing I love about my time with Jesus is that I give myself permission to just rest in His love. I can always count on Christ’s love to carry me through whatever situation is weighing on my heart.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
I can also rely on His love to remind me who I am and what He has called me to do. When I lose focus, He reminds me why He saved me in the first place.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I just want to praise You for Your love and how it endures forever. You’ve been there for me through my lowest of lows to my highest of highs. Thank You for the many ways You have revealed and continue to reveal Your love to me. Help me to cling to Your unending love in order to reflect it to a spiritually dying world. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi