Seventy: As We Forgive: Prayers and Poetry

                 Seventy    

                Times seven

                Jesus said,

                must forgive from

                your heart.

            No exceptions.

                His grace is for all

                regardless of

                their response

                we are to relinquish.

                All resentment.

 Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

                

Reflection: As We Forgive: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

                1. Read Ephesians 4:30-32

                2. How can we recognize when we grieve the Holy Spirit in our thoughts and        attitude? 

                3. What are some ways we can overcome our bitterness and anger--especially when we are victims of deliberate malice?

                4. What act of kindness have you received as a response to your own anger against  someone?

Share: How have you found a way, or words, to actively forgive as Christ had forgiven us?

As We Forgive: Prayers and Poetry

 Matthew 6:12: "As we forgive them that trespass against us." (or our debts)

Absolve

Every time. Over and over. From our hearts.

Whether debts, of false accusations, or lies, or hatred, or condemnation.

In his study of parables, Herbert Lockyer shares that: "The word forgive actually means 'forth-give,' that is, to dismiss absolutely from thought."

No grudges. No retaliation. No gossip. No revenge.

One of the most detailed and well-known parable from Jesus is in His response to Peter's question as to how we must forgive another. "Up to seven times?" Seventy times seven was the answer.

Then Jesus shared the story of a man who had been forgiven an enormous debt from the king. But when released he in turn sent a fellow slave, who owed him a much smaller amount, into prison. When the king heard he became extremely angry at the man's lack of mercy and wickedness to another, and so removed his decree and sent him to the torturers. Matthew 18:21-35

In Luke 7:1-4, Jesus again reminds His disciples that repentance is ongoing and to be on guard to forgive. No matter how many times.

Lockyer also shares that: "The truth unfolded in the parable, then, is that forgiveness must be, as it is with God, a constant attitude."

Your thoughts,

Mercy: Prayers and Poetry

                 Mercy

                Sin absolved

                within and without

                when we acknowledge

                our faults--our failures

                own the iniquity.

                Love absorbs

                within and without

                whispers hope

                opens new paths

                offered through His grace.

Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Reflection: And Forgive Us: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

    1. Read Psalm 103's Praise for the Lord's Mercies.

    2. Which of these mercies have you received from a person, from the Lord?

    3. Which of these acts of forgiveness have you been able to give to your loved ones, to friends, or to strangers?

Share: How has embracing forgiveness changed your daily perception?

And Forgive Us: Prayers and Poetry

Matthew 6:12: "And forgive us our trespasses (or debts)" 

Forgive

Trespasses--sin--debts--often intertwine in the Bible verses and stories. But when Jesus gave these words to His disciples they still had no true concept of the price Jesus would pay to open the door to a forgiveness beyond any human ability.

In every aspect of our lives--from the inside out.

"He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults." Psalm 103:10

"As far as the east is from the west so far does He remove our sins." Psalm 103:12

In Ephesians Chapter 2 Paul reminds his readers that they were dead in their sins when they walked in the course of this world that desires power and personal ambition.

Many people throughout history and present times still reject this gift of life, like Saul who would not accept God's grace and looked only to human methods to attempt to gain power.

Yet the Lord offers His mercy again and again. Free will. Free choice.

We only need to accept His costly offering.

"Sin is the refusal of love, whether to give love or to receive it." Thomas Merton.

Your thoughts,