Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Feb 16

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Goodness & Faithfulness

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest College; Runby Hillsong United; To the Ends of the Earthby Hillsong United; From the Inside Outby Hillsong United; Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.

Read: Matthew 18:21-35; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 5:7

Think:This weekend at Timberlake Pastor Ben talked about our desire for the kind of love that shows consideration (gentleness). He talked about relationships being two way and valuing what is important to the other person, giving them time and being concerned about what they have to say more than what we want to have said.

When my children were young they, like many others, discovered the never-ending question: "WHY...?" Among the many times that was posed to me there was one occasion I specifically recall that I answered without thought - but I believe now it was God who answered it for me. "Why do we have two ears and only one mouth?" My reply... "So we listen twice as much as we talk" If only we all did that what a difference it would make!

Being concerned and showing true gentleness or consideration to another person (whoever they are) also means we have to forgive their failures that have affected us somehow. Often we make excuses when people disappoint us or make mistakes but in our hearts the pain and bitterness many times is still there. Colossians 3:13 tells us we need to not only forgive but do it in the same way that God forgave us... Perhaps that means giving them room in our lives to make mistakes again. This doesn't simply give them freedom to fail or succeed in the future but as we learn in Matthew 5:7, it releases us to become more who God wants us to be and allows Him to show us mercy.

Our reading passage in Matthew 18 today shows this so well. Which do we want to be?

Do: Extend a love that is gentle and considerate today by taking time to listen to someone - really listen. Give them your full attention. Perhaps now is also the day to deal with any past hurts that are holding you back from being in the place of love that God wants you to be.

Pray: Dear Lord, I want to honor You in all my relationships. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to be gentle and considerate. Give me the opportunity to improve my relationships today, help me to listen without rushing to comment or to move onto something else. Father please give me strength and peace as I deal with past hurts and I ask that You would heal the wounds carried in my heart. Amen.

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