"Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven" Matthew 9:2(NLT)
 
"If God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it's like setting ourselves up as a higher tribunal than God." CS Lewis

Today's Prayer

“Lord, I confess that you have forgiven all my sin, all of it. On the cross you paid the highest price for the evil in my thoughts, heart, motivations, and actions. Because of your love and Jesus' sacrifice I am clean, forgiven and can at every moment live a fresh start in life. Therefore, again today, I admit all sin that I can think of, I thank you for forgiving it, and I will live today, not under the dark cloud of condemnation, rather in the cool, fresh, freeing breeze of the Holy Spirit. Amen" 

"If you don't forgive . . ."
                                      
"If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."  Matthew 6:14-15(CEV)

Do these words frighten you? They do me. What if Jesus means exactly what he says. I prefer to believe that Jesus is using hyperbole, as He often does, to say, "if you harbor unforgiveness then your heart will be unable to receive Jesus' unwithheld forgiveness." Or is that simply another way of saying the same thing?

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, in some very significant way my salvation depends on my forgiving others, including my enemies. Please, Lord, give me the grace and courage I need to act on what you command. Help me with words, attitude and behavior to withhold condemnation, even of my enemies. Amen"

"As we have forgiven"
                                      
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"
Matthew 6:12(NIV) 

As you leave for work today or take the kids to the dentist or go about your daily chores, are you aware of anyone who has wronged you? Is that person getting under your skin? Is there someone you're mad at? Do you have any unresolved grudges?

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, give me the grace today to forgive those who "owe me". Forging me cost you your life. Forgiving others will cost me too, but it will cost me a lot less than the price you paid to forgive me. Lord, help me to pay the price of forgiveness, no matter how long it takes. Amen" 

"unless you . . . .you cannot"                            

"Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,and I will raise that person at the last day.'" John 6:53-54(NLT)
  
What are you relying on to "get you into heaven?"

Trying to be a good Person? (won't work) Believing in Jesus? (even Satan believes in Jesus). Taking Communion? (no ritual will get anyone past the grave)

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, as I prepare for Communion this Sunday, I reassert that you substituted your life for mine on the cross. In that act and in that act alone I am saved. I know myself and I am not within light years of deserving what you did for me. On Sunday I will once again act out taking you into myself. Meanwhile please kill all pride and ingratitude that you find in my today. Thank you, Lord. Amen"

"If anyone eats this bread he will live forever"                                    
"I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."  John 6:48-51(NIV)
  
Where do you find your "daily bread"? Really?

The money you make? Friends? Knowing God? Getting buzzed? Prayer? Going after the "next thing"? Escape? Reading your Bible? Making a mark? Others believers? Shopping? Other? __________________________________

Today's Prayer
 
“Lord, today I seek the "bread" that sustains me in a way that lasts. Help me to reject the quick fix, temporary "bread", that beckons and promises so much, but in the end leaves me lifeless. Please grant me this success through the power of Jesus in my life. Amen"

"you want to be with me because I fed you"

"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you . . . .don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.'"
John 6:26-27(NLT) 
 
Why do you follow Christ?

For what you get out of it? Because Christianity is true? Because of what He has already done for you?

Today's Prayer

"Lord, help me today to seek your presence, guidance, strength, wisdom, courage and energy to do your will today in every task and encounter with others. This I ask because I know that you right now reign over all things and it is from you and for you that all things, myself included, exist. Today I will follow you. Amen"

Today’s Word

The following dialog has been around for many years. We actually performed during worship years ago. It’s very good. I hope you spend some time on it. I think it will help many of you to pray the Lord’s Prayer more deeply.  
God Bless! Pastor Jeff

"Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
But -- you called ME!
Called you?
No, I didn't call you..
I'm praying.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
There -- you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME.
You said,
"Our Father who art in Heaven"
Well, here I am..
What's on your mind?
But I didn't mean anything by it.
I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord's Prayer.
It makes me feel good,
Kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right.
Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name .
Hold it right there.
What do you mean by that?
By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name"?
It means, it means .. . Good grief,
I don't know what it means.
How in the world should I know?
It's just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense..
I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.
Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.
I just think it would be kind of neat if you got
Control, of everything down here like you have up
There. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know;
But, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church..
That isn't what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
You've really got a problem there, you know.
And then there's the way you spend
Your money -- all on yourself.
And what about the kind of books you read ?
Now hold on just a minute!
Stop picking on me!
I'm just as good as some of the rest
Of those People at church!
Excuse ME..
I thought you were praying
For my will to be done..
If that is to happen,
It will have to start with the ones
Who are praying for it.
Like you -- for example ....
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.
Now that you mention it,
I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven't thought about it very much until now,
But I really would like to cut out some of those things.
I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good.
Now we're getting somewhere.
We'll work together -- You and ME.
I'm proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don't mind,
I need to finish up here.
This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread..
You're overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this?
Here I was doing my religious duty,
And all of a sudden you break in
And remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing.
You just might get what you ask for.
Remember, you called ME -- and here I am.
It's too late to stop now.
Keep praying. ( pause .. . )
Well, go on.
I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you'll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it!
I knew you would bring her up!
Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.
She never paid back the money she owes me..
I've sworn to get even with her!
But -- your prayer --
What about your prayer?
I didn't -- mean it..
Well, at least you're honest.
But, it's quite a load carrying around all that
bitterness and resentment isn't it?
Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
Boy, have I got some plans for her.
She'll wish she had never been born.
No, you won't feel any better.
You'll feel worse.
Revenge isn't sweet.
You know how unhappy you are --
Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann.
Then, I'll forgive you;
And the hate and the sin,
will be Ann's problem -- not yours.
You will have settled the problem
as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you're right.
You always are.
And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh).
All right, all right . .
I forgive her.
There now!
Wonderful!
How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad.
Not bad at all!
In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight.
I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know.
But, you're not through with your prayer, are you?
Go on.
Oh, all right.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I'll do that.
Just don't put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know..
Okay.
Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory?
What would really make me happy?
No, but I'd like to know.
I want to please you now...
I've really made a mess of things.
I want to truly behave like Christ
I can see now how great that would be.
So, tell me .. . .
How do I make you happy?
YOU just did".