11/3/05

Encouragement for Today

"Remember When You …"

Wendy Pope, Director of Development, Author, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key Verse:

Psalm 103:12, "... as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Devotion:

The day starts off wrong. You've been there. No one wants to get out of bed. No one wants to obey. No one likes what you prepared for breakfast. Everyone has rewritten the golden rule. This kind of beginning can only lead to resentment and anger: resentment toward the husband, because he gets to work "outside" the home and doesn't have to endure "such things." Anger can begin to dictate your thoughts and actions.

The day was going by at what seemed like a snail's pace. I had been able to successfully hold it together until I noticed crackers were being eaten in the den on my newly-vacuumed carpet. Crackers: you know, one of the messy foods. I lost it. My Griffin did not even see it coming. I began to run down the laundry list of all the things he had done wrong since his eyes had seen the light of day, shouting them one right after the other at him while I was trying to clean the mess he had so carelessly made. In the middle of my rants and raves I heard his voice saying, "I'm sorry Mommy. Will you forgive me?" On my hands and knees, I looked up and saw his precious tear stained face staring at me. I realized what I had done and asked him to forgive me. We hugged as only a mommy and son can. Then he was on his way.

God convicted me to the point of tears. My heart ached because of the way I treated my little boy. The Lord reminded me that Griffin did not remember all the things he had done wrong because I had forgiven each and every offense. I had forgiven but not forgotten. He also reminded me that real love does not remember wrongs. Still on my hands and knees, I begged God to forgive me. I thanked Him for His great love, compassion and mercy on my life. I praised Him for not remembering my sins.

Isn't God's love overwhelming? He loved us enough to allow His son to come to earth and die so that we might have life eternal. And if that wasn't enough, He forgets all of the dreadful and foolish things we do just because we ask Him.

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, I am so thankful You don't remember or count my sins against me when I confess them to You. In the power of Your Name infuse me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can apply the same forgiveness and forgetfulness to those who have wronged me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Make a "tattle tale" list of offenses that have been forged against you, including the names of the offender. Kneel down and read the list aloud to the Father. Call on Him to help you in "Jesus' Name" to throw them in the "sea of forgetfulness." Thank the Father. Get up and throw the list in the trash can.

Reflection Points:

Is there someone I need to forgive?

Do I have offenses that I say I have forgiven but have not thrown into the "sea of forgetfulness"?

Have I confessed my all of my sin to God?

Have I accepted His free gift of unconditional forgiveness?

Have I accepted His free gift of eternal life?

Power Verses:

Proverbs 15:6, "A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence." (NIV)

Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:5, "It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (NIV)