daily pray

    Good morning! How are we faithing? On this Thanksgiving eve we ought to pause and think about thankfulness and realize that forgiveness goes hand and hand. Think about the Lord's prayer and the line that says, "forgive us our debts/ trespasses as we forgive others" translations vary but what doesn't is our forgiveness having direct correlation to God's forgiveness for us. Yes the Word says that God forgets our sins when we repent,  "as far as the east is from the west" but WE still carry them. Proof of this idea is if I run a red light and crash my car into yours, forgiveness can be had but I still have to pay for your car as I would expect you to do the same for me if it were you who ran the light. We can and should not hold a grudge but rather forgive but I'll bet you or I will pay real close attention at traffic lights from now on. It's like if our boss  messes up and is caught, he can repent and be forgiven but can he stay the boss? Is the company's reputation hurt? It may be wise to fire him for the good of the company even though no animosities are held. This is relevant in this arena because there are reports of Ministers of God sinning in the church and the decision to fire that Minister takes on a whole bunch of weird twists. Some say the congregation is judgmental if they let him go but depending on the sin his influence may be permanently scarred within the church and rend him incapable of shepherding effectively. Those situations can suck but the decisions must be made wisely. So what are we to do? Consult the Word every time. The Word says to forgive. The Word tells us our heart state is what matters. We can say we forgive but if we hold onto it in our heart even though God has forgotten it, it's still present right there in our heart, an unforgiving heart. Whether they repent or not is not your concern but God's. Now if they are unrepentant in situations like discussed earlier, certain actions may have to be taken but those things should not affect your or my forgiveness for them. Do you see? We must have a forgiving heart. We must have a repentant heart. We cultivate these things by believing the Word and putting it into practice what the Word teaches. Sometimes it's so hard when we are hurt but every time we sin we hurt God's heart and yet he forgives any of our sins when we confess and ask for forgiveness ...man...we gotta pass that on...

Gal 6:1-10
  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For every man shall bear his own burden.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

remember Pappy's Dad...remember Sam and Carey...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your grace that saves us. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins  so help me do likewise. Lord we lift up those traveling this weekend. We lift those hurting this holiday season. Lord, grant your Holy Spirit all over us. Open the eyes of your leaders and families to truth. Lord I pray for those who are deceived. Grant wisdom that opens eyes and hearts to your ways. In Jesus name, amen