Tuesday, July 6, 2021

#Pray4PPL - It is not weak to extend mercy!

Life Support Prayer Calendar 

Dear Prayer Team Member,

We do no favors to others when we are soft on sin--that is--if we send the message that sin ("debt") against God is okay, particularly the shedding of innocent blood, To minimize sin is to short circuit God's process of repentance and forgiveness.

 

Yet, the picture of God the Father we see in the Matthew passage below is one of mercy, release from debt, freedom from the bondage that is deserved. Because we have been the recipients of God's mercy: We have received forgiveness of our debt to God. We have been set free from the penalty we deserve. We are in a unique position to be merciful to those who have wronged us.

 

It is wise to be honest when what has been done is wrong and a sin against God. We can say it has hurt us, and at times consequences should be applied as a matter of discipline, but we are never in a position to withhold mercy and forgiveness. To do so is to deny all that God has done for us!

July 4-10, 2021

 

1. Thank God for forgiving your sins through Jesus Christ.

 

2. Ask God to show you any persons from whom you have withheld forgiveness. Pray for courage to extend forgiveness and restore the relationship to His glory.

 

3. Pray for the PPL Board as they meet Thursday, July 8.

 

Matthew 18:23-35 (ESV)

 

 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

 

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