Forgiveness

Today, October 30th, is National Forgiveness Day in the United States.  Forgiveness is such a powerful characteristic of God, and healing tooling, that Jesus teaches about this phenominal concept during His first public sermon – The Sermon on the Mount.

In the Book of Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus gives us outline, example and pattern for prayer.  Two thousand-plus years later, we still refer to it as “The Lord’s Prayer” (6:9-13).  Immediately afterwards, beginning in verse 10, Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson about the act of forgiveness:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye frogive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (KJV)

We live in a country that acknowledges the power of forgiveness by setting aside this day annually.  Use this day for that purpose – forgive someone  for their act of indescretion against you.  It could be that they were just having a bad day – it may not have been a deliberate act.  You will experience a lifted burden off of your shoulders through the act of forgiveness.  After you have done so, go forward with the attitude, fortitude and enthusiasm to make this world a better place.

“This is the day which the LORD was made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV

 

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Pastoral Care Week

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

James 5:16 – KJV

Did you know that someone near and dear to your heart prays for you consistently?  Do you wonder why blessings constantly through and to you?  Well, think about the one who ministers to you weekly from the pulpit, through small groups, and/or by personal counseling sessions – your pastor.

October 24 -30 is known as “Pastoral Care Week.” For the next several days, I encourage you to take time out to thank your pastor for their servant heart.  Tell them that you love them and that you will pray for them, their family, the church, and their ministry.  While our pastors are meticulously in a state of prayer over our lives and well-being, return the blessings through a kind deed on their behalf.  Don’t let the week pass without doing so!

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The Glory of the Lord

“May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.” – Psalm 104:31

Referenced over 500 times in the Scripture, glory is a word that describes the beauty, magnificence, splendor and majesty of our Heavenly Father.  It literary means ‘to honor’ or ‘renown.’

Psalm 104 is reminicient of creation throughout its 35 chapters.  In the first verse of Psalm 104, it reads “Bless the LORD, O my soul, O LORD my God, thou are very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”  As we meditate upon this book of the Bible, we see vivid descriptions of heaven, the mountains, clouds, water, animals, and the glory of the LORD (verse 31) – all created by God for our enjoyment!  Our Heavenly Father even addresses that sinners will be consumed (destroyed) out of the earth (verse 31). Near the end of this chapter, verse 34 reads – “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.”

Together, let’s Give God the Glory is every phase of our lives.  In doing so, God will be glorified through our good works.

“This is the day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad it!” – Psalm 118:24.  Enjoy today and everyday.

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