August 13, 2023 - Colossians 3:13
“Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.” Colossians 3:13 TPT
Lord, we are so grateful for your forgiveness. What a mind-blowing gift. One that can be so easy to receive and at times so hard to give. Help us grow in this area. Help us to be quick to extend forgiveness to those around us. Especially when we have been deeply hurt or mistreated again and again. When the person doesn’t deserve forgiveness, help us forgive even then. We deserve death and yet you forgive us again and again.
Father, I can’t even count in a day how many times I need your forgiveness for thoughts or behavior that don’t please you and bring you pain. Jesus, the price you paid to cover all our sins and give us forgiveness is so remarkable. We don’t deserve it, but you gave it anyway. Help us to be more like you and be quick to forgive. Give us your heart for the people. Teach us how to not focus on other’s faults and failures but to see them through your eyes. Help us to tolerate their weakness and failures the way you do ours. You extend love to us unconditionally. Help us learn to love like you.
Lord, help us be known for love. We don’t want to hold on to unforgiveness and allow it to fester into bitterness and other junk. Show us the places in our lives where that has happened. Help us walk through the process of getting rid of the bitterness and the mess that it leaves behind. Help us let go of the hurt and quit focusing on their wrong, so we can really forgive. Help us get to the point where we can honestly pray blessings over them. This is what will truly set us free from hurt and bitterness.
In Jesus name, amen.
