Friday July 22, 2022

Today is Friday, July 22 and we are exploring Ephesians chapter four.

As a new day dawns, I prioritize the most important activity of the entire day – time with my Heavenly Father. I seek to abide in his loving presence and receive his wise counsel.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I am here to spend time with you. I set aside my cares and concerns, quiet my endless stream of thoughts, breathe deeply and focus on your divine presence and steadfast love. Amen.

God is gracious and merciful; I praise his goodness with the words of Psalm 32.

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. Psalm 32:1-2

Pause and Pray

Forgiveness is the miracle of a fresh start, a new beginning, and a second chance. The biblical testimony reveals a merciful God who delights in forgiving sins. Because of his compassion, love and grace, God offers pardon for our transgressions through Jesus Christ. Sins are put out of sight, out of reach, out of mind and out of existence, covered by the blood sacrifice of the New Covenant and washed clean for eternity. Jesus took all my sins and nailed them to the cross. Whoever believes in Jesus and confesses their sins is declared innocent and free from evil’s controlling power. God forgives my sins, and his Word reminds me that because my life has been changed by the power of forgiveness, I must respond by holding out a hand of forgiveness to others.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 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 4:30-32

To grieve means to make sad or sorrowful. When I “grieve” the Holy Spirit, I cause sorrow, pain or distress because of my wrong thinking or negative behavior. I grieve the Holy Spirit when I succumb to bitterness or anger and allow it to escalate into words or actions that might harm other people. I grieve the Holy Spirit when I excuse my poor behavior or justify my wrong thinking or improperly use the word of God. Ephesians chapter four is ultimately concerned with my interactions with other people – especially other Christian believers. Paul instructs me to be kind and compassionate to others. I am to forgive others, just as in Christ God forgave me. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught me to pray – Lord, forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me.

Ask: Who do I need to forgive? How have I grieved the Holy Spirit?

Pause and Pray

Merciful Savior and Lord, thoroughly examine my heart and spirit. Reveal the instances where I grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Cleanse me and erase traces of bitterness, anger or malice. Fill me with kindness and give me a heart of compassion. Lead me to forgive others from the heart, just as God has so generously forgiven me because of Jesus. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 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 4:30-32

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I carefully consider the places where I might be causing sorrow or distress to the Spirit of God. Perhaps God wants to remind me of hidden emotions – suppressed anger or deep rooted bitterness. Maybe God will bring to mind how my dislike for someone led to slandering their name or sharing false information. Perhaps God wants me to recognize that I continue to hold ill-will toward someone. All these things permit an evil root to grow in my heart, this is not of God and it saddens God’s Holy Spirit living in me. Maybe God will bring to mind a person or group of people I need to forgive. I can fully rely on God to help me find forgiveness in my heart for anyone who has done wrong to me or others.

Pause and Pray

God you are a God of mercy, compassion and grace. Thank you for your steadfast love and abundant forgiveness – despite the great transgressions of my soul. Come and set me right. Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). Fill my heart with a forgiving spirit and bless me with a peaceful countenance. Amen.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

I leave this time of prayer forgiven of my trespasses through the blood of Jesus. I go earnestly seeking to forgive those who have trespassed against me.

Amen