Daily Devotional: Monday, Dec 14
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Receiving Forgiveness
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong United; Joy to the World arranged by Chris Tomlin; Let Us Adore by Hillsong; Oh Come All Ye Faithful arranged by Chris Tomlin.
Read: Isaiah 30:15a; Isaiah 43:18; Hebrews 10:21-23
Think: Have you ever had the manager that after every project said, "Here are the five things you did wrong in your presentation" without commenting on the 20 other things that went well? When things like that happen, I beat myself up about the parts I missed, I worry about how to make sure it doesn't happen again but I sure wish they'd notice all that went right too.
When I take the role of "manager" of my children, the whole scenario hits too close to home. As I parent them, I find myself pointing out areas where they haven't met my expectations. I tell them "You didn't do X, you missed Y and you could have done Z better!" And then I realize I'm doing just what my boss did to me... I was never that perfect child who never made a mistake, always got straight A's and was the NCAA player of the year. So why do I get on my kids for anything short of perfection? And it becomes very clear --- I need forgiveness from them, and from the Lord for doing the very thing that has been done to me.
My parents made mistakes in raising me and unfortunately, I am making some of those same mistakes with my kids. I need to accept the way my parents raised me, forgive them for those mistakes (Isaiah 43:18) and now seek that same forgiveness from my own kids. Though I can't change how I was raised or the way I have raised my kids to this point, I CAN change what I do tomorrow.
Do: Think about someone in your life, whether it is a family member, boss, employee, neighbor or anyone who you have wronged. Accept that you cannot change the past but decide to move forward by seeking both their forgiveness and God's forgiveness. Don't go into Christmas with this weight standing in the way of you from doing what the Lord wants to accomplish through you.
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you now to forgive me and to help me not focus on what is past. I know that I cannot change what has already occurred but with your help I can change my future. Grant me a tender heart to forgive, and the humility to admit my wrongdoing so I may move forward and make a positive impact in the world for your glory. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
