February 24, 2021
Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus while in a Roman prison. Paul wrote some amazing letters while in prison. Amazingly, Paul wrote about being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, while in prison. Paul remembered how much he had been forgiven. Have we ever stopped to ponder how much God has forgiven us? Sometimes we need to be reminded how much we have been forgiven, so that we can be forgiving to others.
It can be so hard to forgive those who have offended us. Especially when it’s those we love the most. Many times it’s those we love the most, who can hurt us the most because we care for them the most.
It can be so hard sometimes to forgive - but how foolish is that? How many times has God forgiven me? I’m ashamed of how I can be unforgiving to those who have offended me, especially when I reflect on how many times I’ve been forgiven.
Matthew 18:23-35 tells a parable of an unforgiving servant who had been forgiven of much debt and yet he had a difficult time forgiving someone of a small debt. Isn’t that the way we can be? I can’t comprehend why I would not want to forgive someone who has offended me. It’s foolish. Forgiveness is for me...it sets me free from the bondage and prison of unforgiveness.
I don’t want to have a hard heart. I want to have a tender heart.
CS Lewis wrote, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
God help me to be kind, tenderhearted forgiving of others, even as God in Christ forgave me. Especially when it’s those whom I love the most.
Your brother in Christ,
- John
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus while in a Roman prison. Paul wrote some amazing letters while in prison. Amazingly, Paul wrote about being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, while in prison. Paul remembered how much he had been forgiven. Have we ever stopped to ponder how much God has forgiven us? Sometimes we need to be reminded how much we have been forgiven, so that we can be forgiving to others.
It can be so hard to forgive those who have offended us. Especially when it’s those we love the most. Many times it’s those we love the most, who can hurt us the most because we care for them the most.
It can be so hard sometimes to forgive - but how foolish is that? How many times has God forgiven me? I’m ashamed of how I can be unforgiving to those who have offended me, especially when I reflect on how many times I’ve been forgiven.
Matthew 18:23-35 tells a parable of an unforgiving servant who had been forgiven of much debt and yet he had a difficult time forgiving someone of a small debt. Isn’t that the way we can be? I can’t comprehend why I would not want to forgive someone who has offended me. It’s foolish. Forgiveness is for me...it sets me free from the bondage and prison of unforgiveness.
I don’t want to have a hard heart. I want to have a tender heart.
CS Lewis wrote, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
God help me to be kind, tenderhearted forgiving of others, even as God in Christ forgave me. Especially when it’s those whom I love the most.
Your brother in Christ,
- John
TODAY'S PRAYER REQUESTS:
Thank you for your prayers for Juliet. By God's grace her surgery went well. We're waiting for further results. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sandra L. – UPDATE: Sandra's surgery has been postponed to March 23. Please pray for peace and healing over Sandra.
Baby Ember – UPDATE: She will not be able to come home for a few more days due to her heart rate dropping overnight. Doctors want to monitor her a bit longer before releasing her. Please continue to keep Ember in prayer and also her parents, Bengie and Jackie for peace and strength. (submitted 2/23)
Many have been praying for Cathy Barrett's fight with cancer. Although she's still on this journey, her doctor recently declared her, "cancer free." Praise God! Thank you for your prayers!
Please lift up funerals that will be taking place today and Saturday, officiated by Pastor Rich and Pastor Henry. May the Lord Himself comfort lives through His Word and work of salvation.
Norah Rae - please continue to pray for this precious little one to grow who is home now with her family. May she continue to grow body, soul, and spirit. May the Lord grant wisdom, peace, and strength to her parents.
Thank you for your prayers for Juliet. By God's grace her surgery went well. We're waiting for further results. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sandra L. – UPDATE: Sandra's surgery has been postponed to March 23. Please pray for peace and healing over Sandra.
Baby Ember – UPDATE: She will not be able to come home for a few more days due to her heart rate dropping overnight. Doctors want to monitor her a bit longer before releasing her. Please continue to keep Ember in prayer and also her parents, Bengie and Jackie for peace and strength. (submitted 2/23)
Many have been praying for Cathy Barrett's fight with cancer. Although she's still on this journey, her doctor recently declared her, "cancer free." Praise God! Thank you for your prayers!
Please lift up funerals that will be taking place today and Saturday, officiated by Pastor Rich and Pastor Henry. May the Lord Himself comfort lives through His Word and work of salvation.
Norah Rae - please continue to pray for this precious little one to grow who is home now with her family. May she continue to grow body, soul, and spirit. May the Lord grant wisdom, peace, and strength to her parents.
Today at Calvary Chapel El Monte
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Men's Fellowship 7PM
Men's Fellowship 7PM