Friday, October 25, 2013
Calling To Our Hearts
Each day God calls to us to get us to turn toward Him and away from those things that would distract us or keep us from Him. We are given the power to do that if we have come to grips with who we are, looked to God and asked for forgiveness of our sins, and then allowed Jesus (Yeshua) to come into our life as the Messiah. God is always willing to meet us to forgive us of our sin. He will never turn His back on us. This is a model of we are to be as well.
If someone has wronged us, then we have an opportunity to forgive them just as God has forgiven us. In Matthew 18, Peter asked Jesus (Yeshua) how many times he had to forgive someone.
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus responded seventy times seven, which is commonly interpreted as forever. Jesus goes on to tell the parable of a servant that could not repay his master. When the servant was to be sold along with his family to pay the debt, he begged his master for mercy. The master forgave the debt. This now free slave went out and demanded payment from other slaves, and did so in an unforgiving manner. When the original master heard of it, he had the unforgiving slave thrown into prison because he was forgiven much but would not forgive others. Then Jesus said about this parable,
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Today, as I reflect on this verse, and think of how God has been forgiving to me, I am more impressed than ever to forgive those that have wronged me. It is so minor a thing to do compared to the forgiveness and promise of life that God has given unto me.
Prayer
Father, You are the Mighty God, our King. Please forgive us today those things which we have done wrong, and help us to forgive those that have wronged us. Please reach out to all Your people and stir their hearts today father to have mercy on their fellow man. Please heal us Father. Please heal our land. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.