VCC Online Devotional

Often when writing devotionals, it seems like my words lack so much. Let us just read Matthew 18 together as it is written in The Message.

“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars.  He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars.  He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up.  Now!’

“The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’  But he wouldn’t do it.  He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid.  When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant!  I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy.  Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’  The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”

I am reminded of a song from several years ago that stated, “He paid a debt He did not owe.  I owed a debt I could not pay. I needed someone to wash my sins away.  And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace, since Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.” Let us forgive that we may be forgiven. The debt that we owe to God is a far greater debt than anyone could ever owe to us. Besides, forgiving others is good for our health and our well being. Forgiveness puts us in a place of being able to hear God’s voice. Our desire should always be to please Our King.

II Corinthians 12:9

I didn’t know what true freedom was
until I stepped into Your arms
Out of the world I had created
Into the one You made for me

The depth of my reality is changing day by day
The old is fading like clouds of dust
Dawning is the new and glorious days
No more do I look to the powers of sin
to fill my empty crevices with meaningless muck
But I look to the One who planned this very day before my time began

I stand before the world a new creature molded with grace
No longer do I gaze upon this earth and
its darkness with eyes filled with indifference
But I reach out with arms of mercy
To embrace the lost
With the grace of the One who planned this day
To save a life yet entangled in sin

Oh Lord, I pray …
Show me the ones that need
What You have given me to give
That You will be glorified
And they shall see
The One that truly sets us free.
And again and again this giving multiplies
As hearts are changed and lives set free
Blessed be the name of the LORD