MONDAY: OFFENSE
KEY PASSAGE
““Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22 NIV
DEVOTIONAL
Have you ever been in a situation where someone did something or said something that truly and deeply offended you?
The truth is: Offense is the tip of the iceberg of unforgiveness in our lives. The offense may be on the surface, but underneath, bitterness, resentment and anger begin to take up the majority of the space in our hearts.
Anything we choose to keep in the dark is allowed to grow without our knowledge. In other words, we will never realize how big, strong, or dangerous something hidden in our hearts has grown until it is finally brought to light. The more we allow these things to grow without doing something about them, the greater the damage they can do to ourselves and our relationships.
We have an opportunity to release the effect of offense and stop it from growing to an unstable state. This opportunity comes by forgiveness as Christ forgave you. The offense may have happened in a moment, but the feelings that we allow to remain are a double-edged sword, causing damage to ourselves and to others.
CHALLENGE
BRING IT TO LIGHT: Take 5 minutes to ask the Holy Spirit, “What offense am I still holding on to today?” Write down what comes to mind. Bring it to light. What gets named can get dealt with.
RELEASE THE WEIGHT: Pray this difficult yet freeing prayer - “Jesus, I choose to forgive _________. I release all bitterness, anger, and resentment as I know it does not serve me or others. Help me to see the fruit of forgiveness, and renew my mind today. Amen.”
REPLACE THE ROOT: Do one act of kindness to someone today. Buy someone’s coffee, compliment your cashier, or even, if it is appropriate, do something kind towards that person who offended you in the past.
TUESDAY: JUDGING
KEY PASSAGE
‘“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”” Luke 6:37-38 NIV
DEVOTIONAL
Have you ever heard the saying, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” Forrest Gump truly carried wisdom unlike anyone else. However, I believe it can also be true that you CAN know what you will get in life. Examine your life simply through this thought: Am I living my life in a way that is reflective of Christ? If so, we will experience something called fruitfulness. If not, we will experience fruitlessness.
When we allow ourselves to fall into the trap of judging others based on their maturity, knowledge, personality, appearance, sin and many other things, we open the door into a very fruitless result. Judging others actually puts us into a role we are not fit for; a role only meant for God. As many people would understand, the moment you point a finger at someone else, should be the moment you realize there are four more fingers pointing right back at you.
When we live our lives realizing and recognizing that we are all a work in progress, always growing and always learning, we can see how unfruitful casting judgement is and how fruitful casting compassion is. Compassion is always better than criticism. Compassion recognizes that we are all loved by God and being worked on by Him, despite our shortcomings and imperfections.
CHALLENGE
PAUSE - Before jumping to a judgmental assumption today about someone, take 10 seconds to take the thought captive and ask, “Am I seeing this person through Christ’s eyes or the eyes of my own assumptions?”
REPLACE - When a judgmental thought has been captured, replace the assumption with another thought. Ex. “They might be carrying something I don’t understand”, “God loves them just like He loves me.”, “They may be in a place of deep hurt that needs healing.”
RESTORE - Give patience and understanding towards this person. Find a way to serve them if applicable. Or even simply ask the deeper question: Is there anything you need prayer for or support in?
WEDNESDAY: FREEDOM FROM ANGER & BITTERNESS
KEY PASSAGE
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
DEVOTIONAL
There is a park with tree covered walking trails in our local area that includes various ecosystems of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 2019, there was a big problem that needed to be addressed. Many of the trees and natural habitat had been overtaken and killed by an invasive plant called wisteria. It required a plan to cut and remove the wisteria vines so that the vines did not continue to destroy this beautiful park.
This invasive vine reminds me of how destructive bitterness can be in our lives. I’ve heard it said, “harboring bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. The more I feed bitterness in my heart, the more it brings death to me.”
In Ephesians 4, Paul is addressing the church of Ephesus and teaching them that with Jesus comes a new way of living: “put off your old self….and put on the new self” (vs.22-24). And one of the areas he is encouraging them to address is the area of bitterness. He says to get rid of it!
Bitterness is not something we are born with, but as we live life with people and experience hurt or are wronged, anger or even rage will come and if we are not careful, bitterness will take root in our lives. And if we feed the bitterness as we recite the wrong, it will grow just like the wisteria vines and damage and kill many other areas of our lives.
So, Paul tells us to get rid of it, but how do we do that? He gives us direction in Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ Jesus forgave you.” He tells us to forgive the person in light of the forgiveness we have received from Christ.
CHALLENGE
Forgiveness is not about letting someone else go free; it’s about us finding freedom from carrying only what God can handle.
So today, I challenge you to:
1. Name the root of the hurt (any wrong-doing by someone else or yourself that has taken root in your heart).
2. Invite God into your hurt.
3. Repent and Release the hurt to God in prayer (forgive the person who has wronged you).
4. Seek Support from a brother or sister in Christ that can help you move forward.
THURSDAY: BOUNDARIES
KEY PASSAGE
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
DEVOTIONAL
One day we were cleaning up our yard and came across a metal stake in the ground. At first glance we were not sure what it was, but on further investigation we realized that every corner of our yard had one of these metal stakes. The original owner had a surveyor map out the confines of the property and placed official boundary stakes to define the boundaries of the property.
Many people struggle with the concept of boundaries. We feel that boundaries stand opposed to God’s instructions because a boundary line is placed to keep people out of our lives. But boundaries are not put in place to keep people out, but to define personal space and to protect us from harm. In our relationships, boundaries are communicating our expectations and implementing consequences if those expectations are not met.
We see in our key scripture that Jesus gives clear instructions in how to deal with people who have wronged us or are behaving in ways that are unhelpful to our relationship. First, we must go to them discreetly and kindly, and point out their faults. If they do not listen and respond, then we must take one or two others with us to address it. If they still refuse to listen and respond we are told to treat them like a pagan or a tax collector, meaning put up boundaries to protect yourself from continued hurt with the hopes that the person will return and make things right with you.
We are required to forgive and let go of bitterness, but it does not mean that you have to let the person back in a place of trust in your life. Setting boundaries in your relationships is an act of stewardship over your own life, time, and energy, which honors God's design for your limitations.
CHALLENGE
Take a few minutes to gauge whether or not you have healthy boundaries in place in your life:
Is my relationship with my ___________ (spouse, friend, child, coworker) draining or life giving?
Can I communicate my limitations honestly without the fear of being punished or pushed away?
Am I suffering some of the consequences of someone else’s choices more than they are?
What are some of the limitations I can place on myself to keep this person from having full access to my limited emotional and physical resources?
What will the consequences be if the limits are ignored?
If you need help with establishing healthy boundaries, invite a trusted friend in or reach out to a Pastor.
FRIDAY: PEACE WITH ALL MEN
KEY PASSAGE
“But God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
DEVOTIONAL
One of the reasons forgiveness is so difficult is because we forget that forgiveness is a GIFT and not a burden. Yes, forgiveness, especially extending forgiveness, is a difficult practice but God promises it is for our benefit— to produce righteousness, peace, strength, healing, and holiness in us. When we withhold forgiveness from others we forsake these gifts for a counterfeit version of peace and instead allow bitter roots to grow up to cause trouble.
This is why it is important to make every effort to live in peace with everyone, because not only are the gifts of righteousness, peace, strength, healing, and holiness for you, they are for everyone. God produces these things in you in order that no one falls short of His grace!
And I know what you’re thinking. “I can live at peace with most everyone, just not ______.” But this is the reality of extending forgiveness— it is your opportunity to lay the disappointment, bitterness, and revenge you feel entitled to at the feet of Jesus once and for all. To erase the records of wrong-doings and release your pain to say, “Jesus, you will do what is right with them better than I can.”
Romans 12:18-19 says:
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
God is not only a god of forgiveness, He is a god of justice. And He is asking you to exchange any un-forgiveness you have for His gifts of righteousness, peace, strength, healing and holiness. He is asking you to trust Him with the pain of your past to lead you into a better future.
CHALLENGE
As you have read about living at peace with everyone today, maybe a name came to mind of someone you have un-forgiveness towards. Take a moment to remember a time you received forgiveness from God. Ask God to help you imagine Him extending that same forgiveness to them, because He has. Ask God for the courage to release your un-forgiveness to Him, and to help you receive His righteousness, peace, strength, healing, and holiness in its place.
MONDAY: YOU ARE FORGIVEN
KEY PASSAGE
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.” Psalm 32:1-6
DEVOTIONAL
Jesus did not give his life on the cross to make our lives easier or perfect, but to provide eternal life with Him. Without His sacrifice for us, we are separated from Him, in hell. We are enemies of God without the forgiveness of God. What He chose to do through the cross was to give life to His enemies through forgiveness of their sins.
That is the good news: There is forgiveness for us! However, like David in Psalm 32, we have to come to the place where we acknowledge and confess our sin to God that we may receive His forgiveness. The reality is that we cannot cover up our sins from God because He already knows everything about us. We don’t have to live under guilt and shame anymore. We can, like David, find true freedom and then walk in that freedom which is the forgiveness of God through the confession of our sins. You are Forgiven!
CHALLENGE
In Psalm 32 we see how David was affected by the sin he kept hidden. He describes a heaviness, groaning and weakness. It was through the acknowledgment and confession of sin that David found healing and freedom. Maybe you feel a heaviness today due to secret sin, unrepentant sin, or simply sin you are not aware of. Your challenge today is to take a moment to ask God to reveal if there is unacknowledged sin in your life. Maybe you are already well aware of something you need to confess. Ask for His forgiveness. There is healing and freedom on the other side! And remember, He is eager to forgive!
TUESDAY: GRACE
KEY PASSAGE
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
DEVOTIONAL
One of the most difficult parts of receiving forgiveness is forgiving yourself. What is your response when you mess up big? How do you handle regrets from your past? Do you beat yourself up, talk down to yourself, and become your own worst enemy? Our enemy, Satan, would love for you to help him in tearing you down! Let’s not assist him! Yet we do struggle with forgiving ourselves, and allow guilt and shame to hold us captive.
Jesus can help you forgive yourself. After all, He Himself has forgiven you! He who is perfect and righteous, has forgiven even you! His grace is sufficient for you, and because He has had grace for us we can learn to have grace with ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not perfect, that is why we need our savior every moment of every day. We are all works in progress, and our heavenly Father is patient with us. What a good God we serve!
CHALLENGE
Your challenge for today is to take 2 minutes to sit and take deep breaths. Inhale, and then as you exhale speak these truths over yourself. Receive his grace today.
“Today…I am saved by God’s grace”
“Today…I am loved by Jesus”
“Today…I am forgiven by my Heavenly Father”
“Today…I am being made new”
“Today…I give grace to myself, because He has given me grace”
“Today…I receive your grace Father”
WEDNESDAY: CHILD OF GOD
KEY PASSAGE
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
DEVOTIONAL
One of the most impactful stories in the Bible is the story Jesus tells about the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). It’s a story of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. When Jesus tells this story it is extremely clear that the Father values his son and sees him as his child. Yes, the son was irresponsible, disrespectful, and headed in the wrong direction, but his actions never changed the fact that he was still his Father’s son.
This is the reality we live in with our Heavenly Father. He sees all we have thought, done, and said, but He still calls us Child. Our actions could never turn God away from us. Instead He ran to us like the Father in the story, by sending His son Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” We are children of a forgiving God, the life he wants for us is not one of bondage and bitterness, but one of freedom and joy. When you are a child of God you are no longer bound by what you have done, rather your identity comes from who God says you are. You are “Created in His image” (Genesis 1:27); “A Child of God” (1 John 3:1); “A New Creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17); “More than a Conqueror” (Romans 8:37); “A Temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19); and “Redeemed and Forgiven” (Ephesians 1:7).
CHALLENGE
What are you holding onto that you consider your identity? Have you defined your identity by something that has been done to you, or something that has happened because of you? When we belong to Jesus our OLD life is gone and the NEW life has begun.
Today - Ask God to reveal things that you have attached to your identity that don’t align with who He says you are.
THURSDAY: REPENTANCE
KEY PASSAGE
“Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
DEVOTIONAL
The world defines the word repentance as “a feeling or expression of sincere regret or remorse of one’s wrongdoing.” But the Biblical definition and expectation gives us a different picture for what repentance truly looks like. The Greek word for Repentance is the word metanoeō (pronounced met-an-o-eh-o) which means to change one’s mind for better. In our church meetings we would define the term repent as “to turn away from” or “to walk away from”.
So we move away from the world’s perspective on repentance as just an emotional decision. At times repentance can start with emotion but the follow-through of repentance truly comes when we stare our sin in the face and say “never again” and walk away. Think of it as someone who, as silly as it may seem, becomes lactose intolerant. They look dairy in the face and say “no more”. Their lifestyle changes. It is the same for us as Christ-followers. The life we lived before Jesus has no place in the life that God has for us. So we must look the ways of old in the face, do a 180 degree spin and walk away. When we turn we must lean on the Holy Spirit like it says in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
CHALLENGE
What are some things you need to “walk away” from today?
Whatever the Holy Spirit is revealing to you, no matter how hard, repent and walk away from it.
FRIDAY: CONFESSION
KEY PASSAGE
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10
DEVOTIONAL
It is easy to walk in the darkness if the darkness is familiar. Think of walking through your bedroom at night. You can make it around in complete darkness without problem because you know the layout of the room, where every object is, because it is familiar to you.
Notice in 1 John chapter 1 the comparisons of darkness with sin and light with truth. Those who walk in darkness, as John describes, are people who live in sin, or those for whom sin is a consistent pattern in life. Verse 5 tells us “God is light” and “in him there is no darkness at all” and we cannot live in “fellowship” with God unless we retreat from the darkness and come into the light.
How do we do that?
It is only through Jesus that we are forgiven of sins. His blood shed on the cross, and through his resurrection, we are made new and able to fellowship with God.
Confession is the willing act of bringing sin to the attention of God, or allowing what was hidden by darkness to be exposed by the light. Think of bedroom curtains being torn open on a bright morning, revealing a pile of clothes on the floor, clutter on the dresser. God’s light reveals our sin to ourselves, but that’s just the first step. The next step of confession is required. When we confess our sin we don’t just allow God to see it (He always could anyway), but we acknowledge our need for forgiveness. 1 John 1:8 says “if we claim to be without sin . . the truth is not in us.” Letting the light in is letting the truth in. When we confess, God forgives and purifies us from all unrighteousness(1 John 1:9).
One last aspect of confession is fellowship with each other. 1 John 1:7 tells us that if we walk in light with God, then we can have fellowship with one another as well. Confiding your struggles to someone lightens the weight you carry because you allow them to carry part of it with you. We can carry each other’s burdens. When you confess sin to someone else, you bring what was hidden into the light.
CHALLENGE
On a piece of paper, take an inventory of your last few days. When did you feel in the dark? When did you feel far from God? Is there sin that you weren’t aware of? Is there sin that’s been hidden too long?
Hold it up to God. Allow him to see you. Confess what you must to God and let him bring you into His light.
If you feel led, seek an opportunity to confess your struggles to a fellow believer who you trust.