RTW October 19
Forgive Them
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.
Luke 17:4
My Takeaways
Something Old
Respond obediently to my Shepherd’s voice. He is for me.
Something New
- Unforgiveness leaves us chained to the pain.
- Unforgiveness lets them keep the power.
- Forgiveness is for the offended more than the offender.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV) Colossians 3:13
Something to Do
Forgive them.
Thanks Wendy for today’s lesson! I really enjoyed it. It is something I needed to hear because I need to forgive this one person who said something to me that wasn’t very nice and I haven’t forgave them yet. I don’t want to have any bad feelings against them. I liked what you said about having wisdom and making sure it doesn’t happen again the same situation.
My Takeaways: Simple Stories
Something Old: Simple stories that carry much truth. Everyone is lost and in need of a savior being religious isn’t enough. Outward performance won’t save me. Its the inward reality that Jesus recognizes.
These simple but powerful stories really reached out to me today.The Lord values lost souls. Leaving me with a question to ponder. What am I doing to reach the lost?
Something Old: I read about wonderful simple stories today that Jesus told to reveal truth. The verse, “Jesus wept,” -John 11:35 – may be short, but it is very significant. This simple verse unpacks many truths about who Jesus is. I found it worthy of meditation. It shows Jesus’ humanity (while at the same time he is divine). Jesus experienced the full range of emotions that I experience. Jesus was tempted, joyful and angry. He loved. He wept. Knowing who Jesus is allows me to approach Him in any situation in my life that I might be struggling with.Jesus understands my sadness. He rejoices when I rejoice. “Jesus wept” says so much to me about who Jesus was, is, and forever will be. Jesus wept reminds me of all the blessings that I have known have only been made possible through His suffering. “Jesus wept.” Luke 17 verse 10 also spoke to me in a different way today. “In the same way, when you obey me you should say, `We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.'” I wonder if sometimes I do good works for Jesus expecting some praise or return on my works?
Obviously not a good motive. I want to be obedient to Jesus and not expect praise for my obedience – from Jesus or from others. It is simply a blessing for me to be called to Jesus’ service. That is more than enough. So many lessons were revealed to me today through the simple stories Jesus told. I think I could write an entire book on the many truths revealed to me today.
Something To Do: Let me see the world through Jesus’ eyes and not my own. Make Christ number one in my life. Value the same things that God values. Reach out to the lost.
So appreciate your meditation on “Jesus wept.” Two tiny words that are filled with so much meaning. Jesus, being fully divine but also fully human, wept! He experienced emotion just as we do. So he can fully understand our pain and our joy. Thanks for the reminder of the enormous meaning in this tiny verse.
Forgiveness. What a blessing! I am so grateful for this gift when I’m the receiver. Being the giver of forgiveness is often more difficult.
I agree with Wendy…forgiveness does not mean we condone the wrong. It just means the wrong cannot hold any power over us.
Wendy also mentioned that forgiveness may be a minute by minute choice. I’ve also thought of it as a process. It may take a while to fully forgive. If it’s very difficult for me, I’ve found it’s helpful to talk with God about the difficulty I’m having. Ask Him to please help you forgive if you are finding it difficult. It’s amazing how He can soften our hearts when we ask for His help!