OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 1 John 1 (Focus vs. 5–10)
MEMORY VERSE
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9
BACKGROUND
I frowned at my cellphone and sighed. Worry wrinkled my brow. A friend and I had had a serious disagreement over an issue with our children, and I knew I needed to call her and apologize.
I didn’t want to do it because our viewpoints were still in conflict, yet I knew I hadn’t been kind or humble the last time we discussed the matter.
Anticipating the phone call, I wondered, What if she doesn’t forgive me? What if she doesn’t want to continue our friendship?
Just then, lyrics to a song came to mind and took me back to the moment when I confessed my sin in the situation to God. I felt relief because I knew God had forgiven me and released me from guilt.
We can’t control how people will respond to us when we try to work out relational problems. As long as we own up to our part, humbly ask for forgiveness, and make any changes needed, we can let God handle the healing.
Even if we have to endure the pain of unresolved “people problems,” peace with Him is always possible.
God’s arms are open, and He is waiting to show us the grace and mercy we need. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
INSIGHT
The Greek word peripateō is used ten times in the apostle John’s three letters (1 John [5x]; 2 John [3x]; 3 John [2x]). It means “to tread all around”; “to walk”; “to conduct one’s life.”
It’s often translated as “walk” or “live”: “If we claim to have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness” (1 John 1:6); “If we walk in the light” (v. 7).
First John 2:6 succinctly describes what it means to be a believer in Jesus: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
Paul also uses this word to describe how the believer in Christ should live:
“Walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16); “Walk in the way of love” (Ephesians 5:2); “Live as children of light” (v. 8); “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” (Colossians 2:6); “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (4:5 esv).
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How does forgiveness create peace? What steps will you take in God’s power toward reconciliation with someone this week?
PR’s PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
“God’s arms are open; are yours open?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS(From Post)
We can’t control how people will respond to us when we try to work out relational problems. As long as we own up to our part, humbly ask for forgiveness, and make any changes needed, we can let God handle the healing.
PRAYER
“Dear God, remind me of Your unending grace. Help me to be more humble and to commit all my relationships to You.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FORGIVENESS” Michael West
…Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed,
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want finally set it free
Show me how to see
What your mercy sees
Help me now to give
What You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
Leviticus 4-5
Matthew 24:29-51