FORGIVE FREQUENTLY!

2-29-2010. . . .FORGIVE FREQUENTLY!

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4 NIV) The act of forgiving while challenging if one considers the frequency with which it is required, yet is rendered much easier to give when that same one considers the frequency they too must request it!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiveness in spite of the frequency of request! May our daily request diminish until they are no more. Amen!

Luke 11:4. . . .Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. NIV

WHAT GOD REQUIRES!

2-26-2010. . . .NOT WHAT WE DESIRE -WHAT'S REQUIRED!

"It was by faith that Abel obeyed God and brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain's offering did. God accepted Abel and proved it by accepting his gift; and though Abel is long dead, we can still learn lessons from him about trusting God. (Heb 11:4TLB) What we offer to God may be excellent as well as, a sacrifice. However, the question becomes, 'Is it acceptable to God.' Is it what God really wants and requires! Cain's sacrifice was more than likely an excellent one, however, Abel's sacrifice is described as 'More Excellent'! Why? It was what God required! When sacrificing to God, consider first is it what we desire or what God requires!

Prayer: Lord, may my sacrifices unto you always be what you require and let what I desire be the same. Amen.

Heb 11:4. . . .By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. KJV

SACRIFICE COST!

2-24-2010. . . .SACRIFICE COST!

“But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2 Sam 24:24 NIV) A sacrifice that cost you nothing is not a sacrifice at all. God’s sacrifice cost Him all! Should not our sacrifices the same?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. There is nothing of value I possess that is not worthy of being sacrificed to thee. Amen!

1 Chron 29:12-14. . . . Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. KJV

FORGIVE FREQUENTLY!

2-29-2010. . . .FORGIVE FREQUENTLY!

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4 NIV) The act of forgiving while challenging if one considers the frequency with which it is required, yet is rendered much easier to give when that same one considers the frequency they too must request it!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiveness in spite of the frequency of request! May our daily request diminish until they are no more. Amen!

Luke 11:4. . . .Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. NIV

DON'T BLOCK THE BLESSINGS!

2-23-2010. . . .DON’T BLOCK THE BLESSINGS!

“I, the Lord, have sworn by myself that because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son from me, I will bless you with incredible blessings and multiply your descendants into countless thousands and millions, like the stars above you in the sky, and like the sands along the seashore. They will conquer their enemies, and your offspring will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth-all because you have obeyed me." (Gen 22:16-18 TLB) The very thing in your life you are unwilling to sacrifice could also be the thing blocking you from God’s choice blessings.

Prayer: Lord, let there be nothing or no one standing between me and thee! Your thoughts for me are for good and not of evil. Therefore, I have nothing to fear. Amen!

1 Sam 15:22. . . ."Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. He is much more interested in your listening to him than in your offering the fat of rams to him. TLB

PRAISE HIM CONTINUALLY!

2-22-2010. . . .PRAISE HIM CONTINUALLY!

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Heb 13:15 NKJV) Imagine for a moment what it would be like if we were still required to bring an animal sacrifice to God to atone for our sins? If you are like me, you probably can’t even fix your mind around the thought. On the other hand, it is effortless for us to remember the atoning sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary that freed us once and for all from our sin. It’s truly a reason to offer sacrifices of praise and to have that praise, like David said, be continually in our mouth!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for your great sacrifice! I offer You praise continually for You alone are worthy! Amen.

Ps 34:1-3. . . .I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. KJV

DON'T GO ASTRAY!

2-19-2010. . . .DON’T GO ASTRAY!

“The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; he will teach the ways that are right and best to those who humbly turn to him. And when we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his loving-kindness and his truth." (Ps 25:8-10 TLB) It is easy for one to go astray when the path is unknown. There is no excuse to go astray once the path is made clear. If you’re off the path, get back in school! Let God teach you the proper path!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching us the proper path. With your guidance we will never go astray! Amen.

Ps 25:4-5. . . . Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you. TLB