Yesterday we talked about the command to forgive one another. Paul doubles down and says to be kind while forgiving the other. When Christ died for us, His kindness was evident through His actions. We should not consider it optional when forgiving the people who wrong us.


Questions for further thought:
1. What would forgiveness look like without kindness?

2. If you forgive without kindness, are you really letting go of a grudge?


​Challenge: Show kindness to someone who normally triggers a negative reaction. See how they change, and just as importantly, how it changes you.

Jesus taught this message to the masses that gathered to hear Him preach in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. He also mentioned this concept when He gave the disciples an example of how to pray. This teaching has both a command and a promise. We are ultimately responsible for our response when we are wronged by someone else. If we handle it properly, we will receive the same blessing from God that we give to one another.


Questions for further thought:
1. Who is someone you need to forgive?

2. How will it benefit you to forgive them?


​Challenge: Take time to let go of a grudge you are holding onto. It might not happen right away but watch how God works as the Healer.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I saw a lot of people rallying and praying for Ukraine, and rightfully so. Knowing this verse, I felt convicted in my heart to pray for Russia. Admittedly, that was tough. They were the aggressor, and the side of the conflict I did not agree with. Russian leaders were making the wrong decisions, their soldiers were being forced into the conflict, and their citizens were being fed misinformation by their government and their media. They needed (and still do) as much prayer as the Ukrainians!


Questions for further thought:
1. When have you been compelled to pray for an enemy?

2. How challenging was it to pray for that enemy?


​Challenge: Pray for your enemies today. Ask God to give you wisdom on what to pray for. 

When I was in college, a believer-friend of mine impregnated his girlfriend at the time. I, as well a few other mutual friends, had to approach him about the sin he and his girlfriend had done. He acknowledged the mistake and understood it was a life-changing circumstance. With his acknowledgement, I didn’t rebuke him anymore. I ran into him a few years back. He married his girlfriend, built his marriage, and they had 3 more children after a few more years. Now he is pastoring his own congregation.


Questions for further thought:
1. Have you ever had to rebuke another believer? How did they react?

2. Did they repent? If they repented, were you able to forgive and support him/her?


​Challenge: Next time you are in a situation where you need to rebuke another believe for a sin they made, pray with them, and consider how to proceed if they choose to repent.

In this passage, Paul acknowledges a thorn in his flesh.  We do not know exactly what the thorn is, but we all probably can identify a thorn we might carry.  Some may be physical, or some may be spiritual.  Some will even blame God for their thorn—holding a grudge that prevents them from experiencing peace and joy.  Paul did exactly the opposite.  He boasted of his weakness since He knew Christ strengthened him for the work he needed to do.  As I said, we all have thorns.  The question is whether you will let that thorn take your peace and joy away.


Questions for further thought:
1. What thorn might you be carrying?

2. How is that thorn impacting your life—negatively or positively? 


​Challenge: Ask God for the strength to live with your thorn and ask for an opportunity to bless someone despite your thorn.  (Again—key is to take action when the opportunity is given.)

In Jesus’s day, Jews and Samaritans hated each other.  However, Jesus chose to go through Samaria versus traveling around the area.  Jesus also continued to challenge the status quo by talking with a Samaritan woman at the well in Samaria.  In this passage, we see Jesus step out of the “Jewish comfort zone” and meet this Samaritan woman exactly where she is.  As a result, many lives would be changed, and the Gospel message spread to many Samaritans.  Jesus asks us to also let go of our grudges/offenses and step out of the comfort zone into a world that is hurting and is in desperate need of the Good News.  


Questions for further thought:
1. What is hindering you from stepping out of your comfort zone?

2. What opportunities have you let pass you by as a result?  


​Challenge: Take time to pray for courage and ask for an opportunity to present itself today that will cause you to take a step outside your comfort zone.  (The key here is to take the step of faith when the opportunity presents itself—as He will give you at least one.)

Whether we realize it or not, we all have biases.  Biases often feed our “grudges” or attitudes towards others.  One person’s actions might taint how you feel about a group of people.  In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus attacks the Jews’ bias toward the Samaritans.  He showed that the “despised” Samaritan ultimately was the one who truly showed love and mercy.  Letting go of our biases will help us show love and forgiveness like Jesus did.


Questions for further thought:
1. What biases might you have?

2. What impacts have your biases had on your relationships with others?


​Challenge: Ask God to help you identify and let go of the biases that are impeding your ability to show love and forgiveness to others.

In this passage, Jesus answers the question about how many times I need to forgive my brother of a sin against me.  He mentions a number, but then tells the parable of the unmerciful servant.  Setting the number aside, we need to forgive those who have wronged us as often as we want to be forgiven by God.  We are not perfect and sin often.  If we want God to forgive us, we can’t harbor unforgiveness in our heart.  We need to forgive and let it go.


Questions for further thought:
1. Who might you need to forgive?

2. What is stopping you from forgiving that person?  


​Challenge: Ask God to remove the item that is hindering you from forgiving the wrong and then take the step of forgiving the individual.

Outside the church, pastors lead a somewhat normal life, just like every other Christian. Some drive endless miles attending school events, while others workout, mow the lawn, or do other yard work. Some pastors attend races, concerts, or professional sports events; they do normal things like you and I. No matter what their preference for pastime fun, they always have one responsibility. That is the responsibility of doing God’s work and being a shepherd. Pastors have to maintain watch over their flock because the enemy is forever lurking around every corner, waiting for his chance to spread darkness. It is the duty of a pastor, or all leaders for that matter, to ensure the health and well-being of their flock. It is their duty to make sure the glory and the power of the word of God are resounding throughout His kingdom.


Questions for further thought:
1. What are some things you are doing to ensure your spiritual wellness?

2. Where are some places you can go for assistance with spiritual guidance? Is a pastor the only person you can turn to, or are there other sources available?


Challenge: We view our pastors and leaders as part of the front line against the enemy, but what other sources can you turn to for guidance? When was the last time you visited the library? Our pastors have given sermons on ways to enhance your spiritual journey through the use of items such as study Bibles, application Bibles, commentaries, and many other theological works. There have been countless study groups offered, as well as other events. Have you taken advantage of the abundance of resources? Your challenge for today is to locate an additional source and expand your guidance beyond that of your pastors. Who knows, maybe you will find out you are being called to be one of God’s shepherds.

Yet again God shows us his love through the gift of shepherds. He gives us pastors whom he has selected and modeled after his own heart. It is God’s desire for us to love and obey our pastors, just as we love and obey Him. Pastors are filled with the knowledge and understanding of God and sent for us to use as another link directly to Him.


Questions for further thought:
1. What are some things pastors do for us, which may be more complicated, or even impossible, without them?

2. How has the role of a pastor changed in relation to your faith walk? What are some differences you notice now compared to when you first gave your life to Christ?


Challenge: Pray for your pastors and other leaders on a regular basis. Make them part of your daily prayers and really focus on their needs. Think about all the times you may have gone to them for prayer. Now, think about the amount of time they spend caring for others while sacrificing their own spiritual needs. A little spiritual booster is well in order for each and every one of them. Let’s give to them by giving it all to God.