How very important it is for us to forgive others.

Jesus says in Matt 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” and in Mark 11:25 Jesus says,” And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”

When we pray, we need to take a moment and think about whether we are withholding our forgiveness from someone. If so, we need to release our animosity toward them and put it in God’s hands. This may be very difficult, but it is very important for us, so that we may receive God’s forgiveness, for which we ask.

Dear Lord, we may have been hurt or treated unjustly. There may be evil people in the world that seem unforgivable. Help us, however, follow your example of giving them what may be undeserved forgiveness, just as you gave us undeserved redemption and salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

We read about the Devil also known as “the Deceiver” and his deceit many places in the Bible, including the temptation of Jesus in the desert in Matthew 4. The Devil is a crafty supernatural being described as the “ruler of this world” in Ephesians 2:2. He is like “a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour” in 1 Peter 5:8. We can only imagine how effectively he can manipulate our thoughts and perceptions with thousands of years of experience. 1 John 5:19 writes, “We know that we are children of God and all the rest of the world around us is under satan’s power and control”

But in 1 John 5:18 writes, “No one who has become a part of God’s family makes a practice of sinning, for Christ, God’s son, holds him securely and the devil cannot get his hands on him.” TLB

Although the devil may be stronger than us on our own, he is nothing compared to us with Christ. Our Faith in Jesus’ power and love is what protects us from this enemy.

Dear Lord, as we pray in the Lord’s prayer, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. When we feel “the tempter” working on us, help us have faith in you to protect us and those we love from the devil’s ways. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many people wonder, “What about people who have not heard the Gospel?”

In Romans 1:19-20 Paul writes, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

The beauty, complexity, symmetry, and order of science and nature shout that there is a Creator. Once one recognizes this, wouldn’t he or she want to learn more?

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, “…..seek and ye shall find….” and in Jeremiah 29:13 God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

We cannot know what happens to those who do not hear the Gospel message, but we know God loves us all and works on each of us to save us.

Dear Lord, you came to save us, and continue working to bring us all to you. Use us also to be the ones who help others find you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Colossians 3:23-24 is a great passage to put our work into perspective. Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae. “Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters. Remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all the He owns. He is the one you are really working for.” TLB

So if God is the one we are really working for, God is the one who decides if we are promoted, and God decides how much we are paid. We need to put our faith and trust in God. The work we are doing today is what God called us to do. We need to work like we are working for Him; which we are.

Dear Lord, Thank you that we know that you control our destiny, not people on earth. Help us glorify you by our actions, and our work, and thank you for giving us all that we need and more. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:2 Paul describes the people of the church as “living letters”. He says to them “you yourselves are our letters, written on our hearts’ known and read by everyone.” He goes on to say “you are a letter from Christ”

We need to think about that in our daily activities. We are Christ’s letter to people we encounter. Are we sending the right message?

Dear Lord, help us remember that we are your letter to the world, known and read by everyone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.