Thursday, August 14, 2014

How Often Lord?


Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. -Matthew 18:21

As Christians we pray very often if not everyday the Prayer that Jesus taught us, otherwise known as the Our Father. There are so many layers to this simple and quick prayer. This is often recited without peeling back the many beautiful layers that lie within it. One part of the prayer states: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others who trespass against us." Really? Do we really want the Lord to forgive us in the same manner that we do for others? If so, great. It means you're a forgiving person. If the answer is no, you must proceed with caution. So many times we ask for God's mercy and forgiveness, yet we withhold it from one another. Immediately following the verse above Jesus tells a parable. The ending of that parable has the servant being thrown in prison until his last debt was paid because he refused to offer the same forgiveness that he sought from the Master. 

As we seek forgiveness from the Lord may we too offer forgiveness to others. How often you ask? How about as often as you seek it from the Lord!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Childlike

The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. - Matthew 18:1-5

A young child is so innocent. A child is open to life, learning, and to others. A child places complete trust in the person entrusted with his care. A child has joy and a unbelievable way to comfort those hurting. This is what it means to be childlike. This is what it takes to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Are you innocent?
Are you open to life, learning, and to others?
Do you place your trust in God the same way a child places his trust in a parent?
Do you have joy?
Are you able to be compassionate to those who are hurting?

Sometimes as adults we allow the pains and struggles of the world to strangle our innocence. We begin to close ourselves off to others and think we know it all. We don't trust God because we have been let down by people who were meant to protect us. We turn from joy and live with anger and resentment. We lose our compassion for others and allow jealously to be our guide.

Don't despair for God can renew all things. The question is, will you invite God to give you new life?