Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming and exhausting work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to overcome a bitter heart toward others is to actively love and serve them in ways that bless their lives, as we ask God to help us forgive them. If we can't do this because it's hard to feel like it is the right thing to do, let's do it because we know God and want to please him. After all, Jesus said that how we let go of the sins and grudges we have toward others is how God will choose to deal with our sins and failures (Matthew 6:14-15). So, dear brother or sister in Christ, let's forgive because we have been blessed with mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). When we love others, we find the Spirit empowering us to become ever more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), our Lord and Savior!
We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:
Father of light, love, and mercy, please remove from my heart any cynicism toward others who dislike me or hurt me. Please remove any delight in seeing others around me fail when they have wanted me to fail. Instead, please use me as a friend rather than an enemy, a helper rather than a detractor, a person who forgives rather than one who holds a grudge. I want your grace to be seen in my friendships and the way I let go of offenses committed against me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayers for Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to help@heartlight.org.
"What must be the apostate professor's doom when his naked soul appears before God? How will he bear that voice, "Depart, ye cursed; thou hast rejected..." — Read Full Devo
"Dear Beloved Child of God, I love Peter's statement about the apostle Paul's writings:And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be..." — Read Full Devo
This devotional was sent to devotionals@avisitwithjesus.com, who has been receiving it since 23 Aug 2024 06:13.
HOW DO I LEAVE? Click this link to be removed.
STILL HAVING TROUBLE? If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you, send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? It's FREE! Visit Heartlight.org to subscribe to our devotionals.
© 1996-2026, Heartlight Inc. PO Box 7044 Abilene, TX, USA 79608
