“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22

 “I’m sorry for being mean today,”  Little One says. Sissy replies: “It’s ok. I was mean too. And I’m sorry.”

They laughed, hugged and turned to their music: “You make everything glooorious, I am Yoooours!” They sang and danced together.

Sitting at my desk and smiling ear to ear, I remember hearing God whisper:

“They bless my heart.”

That happened several years ago, but I remember it vividly. The easy way our children extended forgiveness to each other was then and is today one of the many reasons I am so proud to be their mom.

F.O.R.G.I.V.E.N.E.S.S.

Is there anything harder to break through, more difficult to master, than asking for and extending forgiveness?

I think not.

And yet, it’s evident that those who forgive have a richer, more peaceful life than those who hold grudges or are too prideful to admit when they’re wrong.

Truly, I firmly believe that forgiveness is one of the keys to an abundant life. On the other hand, lack of forgiveness is the reason behind much of people’s stress and misery. And even though unforgiveness hurts the one who does not forgive much deeper than it hurts the offender, it is certainly the natural response in the natural world.

Unforgiveness hurts the one who does not forgive much deeper than it hurts the offender. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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Take the movie industry, for example. In many movies and TV series, revenge is the central point of the plot in many blockbusters. Turning the other cheek? Nope. “Revenge belongs to ME”, the world cries out.

But what about us, Jesus followers? How do we respond to repeated offenses?

“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 

Let’s be honest. We can relate to Peter. As a matter of fact, our dear apostle thought he was being “extra spiritual” when he asked the Lord if forgiving seven times was enough. After all, he had heard Jewish rabbis teach that forgiving the same offender three times was sufficient.

Jesus exposed the true issue behind this concept: Peter was holding a forgiveness meter. His words showed that he intended to measure up the injuries done to him. When the measure was full, he would be allowed to avenge the wrongdoing. Therefore he still thought of himself as a judge somewhat, when God tells us that “there’s only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy…” James 4:12 a

“Seventy times seven”, Jesus said.

Seven. The number that represents completion. Perfection. Righteousness revealed. Indeed – is there anything more righteous than extending grace and forgiveness to the undeserving? Is there anything more Christ-like than saying: “It’s ok… I’ve been mean too. I forgive you.”

(Just as my daughter told her little sister…)

Or do we tend to behave as the slave in the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor on Matthew 18, whose huge debt was completely forgiven by his Master, and yet, was unable to extend the same forgiveness to his fellow slave? The measure of his debt couldn’t compare to the amount his friend owed him. In today’s money, his Master had forgiven him a debt equivalent to over $ 10 million dollars. A fortune! His friend owed him about $15 dollars. Still, he would not forgive him.

Sounds ridiculous, right?

And it is. Yet, Jesus’ message rings with the intensity of the meaning behind this parable: How dare we withhold a smudge of grace from our brothers and sisters, when we were lavished by grace through His precious blood?

How dare we withhold a smudge of grace from our brothers and sisters, when we were lavished by grace through His precious blood? #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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No, it’s not easy. I don’t claim it to be. But forgiveness is not an option. It’s a demand. We must forgive, lest we impair our connection with the Father. He can’t extend grace when we withhold it from our neighbor. The Bible is filled with reminders of that truth. (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Luke 6:37; Romans 12:19)

Forgiveness is not an option. It’s a demand.
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“Will you forgive AGAIN?” God may be asking you today.

Will you forgive that person who hurt you for the seventh, one-hundredth time? Will you let go of the pain that someone so deeply inflicted in your past? Will you forgive them… one more time?

What should your answer be?

A twelve-year-old’s life lesson is your answer: “Yes, I will, Father. Because I’ve been mean to others too.”

May God teach our hearts to forgive Seventy times seven… in other words, always and completely… Enough to become more like Jesus.

May God teach our hearts to forgive Seventy times seven… in other words, always and completely… Enough to become more like Jesus. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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LINKUP is open! We are called to forgive by a Father Who mercifully forgives all our sins. But some people make it hard... especially when they continually hurt us. Join the party & share your blog!
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“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

It’s the same story every January. Gyms are filled with people recommitting to exercise. Health food companies’ profits skyrocket, as dieters rush to purchase healthier food options.  We feel compelled to pledge new dedication to our goals and dreams.  The New Year seems to bring along a thread of new hope and endurance to our December-weary bodies.

As I retreated to pray about the New Year, a wave of questions danced across my mind. What would my objectives for 2019 be? How could I be more effective for God’s kingdom?

“What do You want me to focus on, Father?”

For several minutes I prayed for direction.  And as I silenced, this question popped in my mind:

“How will you look like next December?”

I knew it, instantly – the task ahead of me this year would not require more time in the gym. It would not require more writing or more serving. His main objective for my year involves transformation. Life-changing, Heaven-driven heart transformation.

It dawned on me that most people’s New Year’s resolutions (including my own) have usually little or nothing to do with God or His work. Rather, they usually focus on satisfying the imminent year with good things and betterment of self.

There is nothing wrong with seeking to improve our quality of life, the shape of our bodies, or fulfilling our dreams. However, there is a specific challenge ahead of the believer at the dawn of each day, which is often overlooked: more than looking better or accomplishing more, our main goal should be to become more like Jesus. Be His hands and feet in the world more often. Stand up and stand out more. Be bolder. Brighter. Holier.

To become more like Jesus. Now that’s a New Year’s resolution!

More than looking better or accomplishing more, our main #NewYearsgoal should be to become more like Jesus. To stand up & stand out. Be bolder. Brighter. Holier.
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Should the world… no, wait! Should all believers set this up as their highest goal for the New Year, what kind of impact would we make in society?

Choosing to offer the other cheek to the co-worker who tried to undermine your project… (Luke 6:29)

Forgiving someone who has hurt you beyond words…  (Colossians 3:13)

Watching each word of condemnation… of discouragement… or gossip… (James 3:8-11)

Waiting on God’s timing for the right relationship… (Psalm 37: 7-9)

Being watchful and reprimanding prideful thoughts and selfish ambitions… (James 3:14-16)

Choosing to trust God in the midst of each trial… (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Withholding anger… bitterness… hateful words… (Ephesians 4:29)

Ouch.  All of a sudden, hours on the treadmill and dieting seem to be an easy task, right?

Indeed, although we are fully equipped to live holier lives, we often choose not to. We may settle for old behaviors instead of relying on the transforming power of His Word. We may choose to take the reins of our lives, instead of waiting on His promises. We may choose to pay back instead of extending grace. We may decide to wave angry fists at God when things do not go as we planned, instead of trusting that His ways are higher, better and bathed in perfect love.

All along, the Holy Spirit within us cries out for MORE. More time with Yahweh.  More acts of kindness. More of His Fruit. More of Jesus’ character in us and through us.

The Holy Spirit within us cries out for MORE. More time with Yahweh. More acts of kindness. More of His Fruit. More of Jesus’ character in us and through us. #NewYearsresolutions #NewYear2019
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So I present a challenge to you today:

It’s January. We have twelve months ahead of us. More than focusing on how much better we will look or how much more accomplished we will become, how about you and I choose to walk so close to Jesus this year, that His glory will radically transform us? How about we so exercise our spiritual muscles through reading His Word, listening to His voice and obeying His will, that we will finish 2019 looking fitter, stronger and more successful than ever?

I choose Jesus as my highest pursuit this year. How about you?

He is the only goal that will certainly never disappoint… or fail us.

I choose Jesus as my highest pursuit this year. How about you? He is the only goal that will certainly never fail us. #NewYearsresolutions #NewYear2019
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