Tag Archives: Forgiveness

2013 Day 308 – Ezekiel 31-34, Psalm 128-129

04 Monday Nov 2013

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As we continue our reading in Ezekiel, the book begins to make a switch from condemnation to painting a picture of hope. In the beginning of the book, Ezekiel told the Israelites of their destruction. Now he begins to proclaim the hope of restoration. Even though the Israelites listen to Ezekiel, they continue to live their lives as they please. We may look at the Israelites and think how foolish they are, but the truth is we often do the same thing. While we know the message of forgiveness, we still live sinful lives. Thank God for His forgiveness and grace. Let us not live lives which take it for granted.

2013 Day 270 – Jeremiah 7-9, Isaiah 13

27 Friday Sep 2013

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At the beginning of Jeremiah 9 you can feel how conflicted Jeremiah is with his people. He is angered by their sin: lying, treachery, adultery, and idolatry which had become common among them. But he also felt compassion. While he knew God had set him apart to accomplish his mission, he also knew he was one of them. Jesus had similar feelings about Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37, 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” This is a great example for us to remember. While our sins may not be the same as others, we all require God’s forgiveness. We are no better than anyone else without the grace and mercy God gave us through His Son.

2013 Day 260 – Job 25-27, Isaiah 4

17 Tuesday Sep 2013

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As we begin chapter 26, we arrive at several chapters where Job speaks his final words to his friends. Job continues to maintain his innocence to his friends and stands with a clear conscience. In Job 27:5-6 it says, 5 I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. 6 I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. Job is able to defend his integrity and maintain his innocence. We too are able to stand with a clear conscience because of the righteousness we can only receive from God. When Satan tries to remind us of our past mistakes and of our imperfection, we are able to stand on the purity we received from salvation through Jesus Christ. We do not need anything else. He is sufficient to give us the confidence we need.

2013 Day 217 – 2 Chronicles 8-11, Psalm 104:1-23

05 Monday Aug 2013

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We have talked before about the significance of seemingly minor decisions having a major impact in future events. Today, we read once again about a minor issue in the life of Solomon that would later have a major impact on his life. I am talking about his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter. While on the surface this may not register as an issue, the reality is that her presence in Solomon’s life would eventually cause him to turn away from God. Pharaoh’s daughter was not the only catalyst, but it was one of the circumstances that caused Solomon to be lost for a portion of his life. Through God’s grace he would eventually turn his life around, but not before it made a significant impact on his life. The lesson for us is to be aware of seemingly innocent decisions we make and understand the potential impact it can have on our lives. We must always have our eyes fixed on our relationship with God and allow Him and the Holy Spirit to guide us in every decision we make. He will never steer us in the wrong direction.

2013 Day 216 – 1 Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 103

04 Sunday Aug 2013

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In 2 Chronicles 16 Solomon prays a prayer of dedication for the temple. As you read the prayer you hear Solomon’s voice almost knowing the fate of the Israelites. He knows no one is perfect and they will suffer for their sins. His prayer is for the people is to remember God’s presence in the lives of the Israelites no matter how far they stray away from God. This is a great reminder for us too. No matter how far we stray from God, His presence in our lives will never be diminished; it is our focus on Him that changes. 1 Chronicles 7:14 strengths this thought as Solomon’s prayer is answered by God with these words, If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. We must humble ourselves to the point where we know we are nothing without God’s presence and leading in our lives.

2013 Day 194 – 1 Chronicles 12-14, Ecclesiastes 12

13 Saturday Jul 2013

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Today we finished the book of Ecclesiastes. While I have read this book a few times, this time it seemed to grab my attention. In the end, the last couple verses summed it up. Verses 13 and 14 say, 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. We may be successful in hiding our sin from the rest of the world, but God knows all that we have done in this life. By committing our lives to Him, we dedicate all we are to serving Him. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness, but let us not kid ourselves that He doesn’t see our sins. Let us work to live lives that honor God instead of a life that disappoints Him. Anything else we dedicate time and energy is meaningless.

2013 Day 167 – Jonah 1-4, Psalm 84

16 Sunday Jun 2013

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Today we read the story of Jonah. Jonah is very much like most of us. God has a plan and wants to use us to fulfill His plan, but many times we fight Him on it. We make excuses and find ways to avoid doing what we know He wants us to do. In the end, Jonah was finally obedient to God and when God blessed Jonah’s effort by turning the people of Nineveh from their evil way, Jonah became resentful of God for allowing the people of Nineveh to be forgiven. We can sometimes be like this too. There are people in our pasts who have hurt us or caused pain in our lives and God has blessed them. This is sometimes a hard pill to swallow, but it is God’s prerogative to forgive who he chooses to forgive. It helps to remember that God forgave us too. None of us is exempt from a sinful life and all of us need His mercy and grace to come into His presence.

We also read Psalm 84 today. The beginning of verse 10 is one of the most beautiful passages I have ever read, Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. We are nothing without God’s presence in our lives. If we could only be in God’s presence for a single moment, it would be enough. Thankfully God desires for us to be in His presence on a constant basis. It is up to us to take advantage of that desire and choose to be with Him.

2013 Day 111 – Real Beauty

21 Sunday Apr 2013

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Today, as I was searching for a video to share for our reflection day, I came across this Dove advertisement. It was one of those videos that show up before the one you selected and you have the ability to skip it after a few second. For some reason I decided to watch the whole thing. It was a powerful video about the differences in the way we view ourselves and the way others view us. It immediately made me think about how God views me in comparison to how I view myself, especially in the light of His saving grace. I challenge you to watch this video and think about how God views you. I guarantee He has a more beautiful view of you than you could ever have of yourself. It is even more powerful when you finally accept it even if you don’t fully believe it. I hope you enjoy it.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2013 Day 80 – Self Worth: Where are you?

21 Thursday Mar 2013

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Today for our reflection day, I was inspired by a friend’s blog post that I read this morning to find something that related to our story and how it relates to our relationship with God. I came across this video and thought it was worth sharing. I’ll be honest, I am not sure of its origin and I hope its OK that I have chosen to ignore it in order to look to the message it delivers. In Psalm 139:14-15 it says, 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. This is the importance of the message, that we are made for a purpose and to take part in the wonderful story of God which continues on to eternity. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please fee free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2013 Day 70 – Numbers 18-21, Psalm 33

11 Monday Mar 2013

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In Numbers 20 we see an example of how much obedience God requires of us. Even Moses, who God earlier described as someone He spoke with directly, was required to obey God fully. And even Moses, a man who exemplified a faithful servant of God, was not perfect. When Moses struck the rock, it showed how much we need God’s grace because no one is perfect. The point is not for us to reach perfection in the way we act, the point is we realize how much we depend on God for everything, especially salvation through the forgiveness of our sins. Let us be reminded that God requires a relationship with Him through trust, obedience, and faith that He is the provider of grace and, in turn, forgiveness of our sins.