Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"
"No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven! 

Matthew 18:21-22  (NLT)



It is said that a young man became very profligate. He almost broke the hearts of his parents. The mother was actually about to die from the strain. Finally, one day he acted so shamefully that his father said to him, "We have done everything in our power for you. You have disgraced the family and are killing your mother. All that we do for you is in vain. I am sorry, but I must ask you to leave our home and never return." The young man left.

The months and years went by. Finally the boy became so miserable and homesick it seemed he could not stand it. So he wrote his mother this letter: "Dear Mother: I am ashamed of my fearful conduct in the home. I can hardly stand to think I must never see you again. However, I do not know whether or not Father and you can forgive me. But I will be on train No. 2 that passes your home at 10:00 a.m. [Then he gave the day.] Now if you can forgive me and will take me back, I want you to hang a sheet out on the clothesline. I shall look as the train passes and, if I see the sheet, I will know that you will forgive me, and I will get off at the next station, just below the house, and come home."

Well, what do you think she did? Not only did she hang out one sheet, but every sheet, towel, pillowcase and everything else white that she had. The clothesline, fence, and rosebushes were covered with sheets, towels, etc. Of course he came home, and, oh, such a welcome! It was forgiveness in abundance.

— William Moses Tidwell, "Pointed Illustrations"

 

Daily Meditations by  Pat Nordman ©

 

October 9

We all have Great Expectations in life—of others. Perhaps we would be more content in life if we change that to Great Ex-ceptions. Rather than "I expect" my spouse or child to do this or that, we might say to ourselves, "I except" my spouse or child from this or that, be-cause I'm so good to myself and except myself from duties because I'm tired or pressed for time or what-ever exceptional and excep-tious excuse I can conjure up.

Of course my excuses are reasonable and should be accepted—not excepted—by my family. We demand of others and demean ourselves in the process with gripes. May God deliver us from our petty criticisms.

Pat Nordman ©

 

 

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions With links to the entire devotion
Spurgeon's Morning for October 9	Spurgeon's Evening for October 9
"Able to keep you from falling." - Jude 24	"But he answered her not a word." - Matthew 15:23
In some sense the path to heaven is very safe, but in other respects there is no road so dangerous. It is beset with difficulties. One false step (and how easy it is to take that if grace be absent), and down we go.	Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but as yet it may not have budded and blossomed into joy and peace.

 

 

October 9  Mt 21:1 - 22:46 365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

 

Current Bible Question

Who were the only two among the Corinthians to be baptised by Paul?

Previous question and Answer: Who was the Macedonian that accompanied Paul and some other prisoners to Italy on a Adramyttian ship? Aristerchus (Acts 27:2; Col 4:10)

Today's  Devotion

 

But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

Job 16:5 (NIV)

Whose the Enemy? by Cathy Vinson    "The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time." (Gen 13:7)

As enemies lurk around, Abram(ham) and Lot are realizing they have a difficulty...it is with each other! Looking back, Lot had left his homeland next to Abram without even the call being directed to him. With Abram he had relocated, faced a famine, endured risks in Egypt. Together they had worshipped God. Thoroughly bonded, Abram expressed "...we are brothers" (Gen 13:6). Because of inner tension arising among themselves, something must be done. In light of the fact that they were brothers, they would both need to cooperate to preserve the priority of their relationship. Wisely this would mean separation in order to keep honoring one another. They would still defend each other as Abram did later. In recollection, Gordon MacDonald has said that separation is better than hatred. These two brethren believed this to be so. Any other encouragements toward unity? "The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land." How could they possibly have a front before the REAL enemy when they were at odds with each other? Inward decay while enemies loomed made it expedient to begin solving the inner conflict. "Judgment begins in the house of God." "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." Do we see the "Canaanites and Perizzites"? Be quick to say "we are brothers" and find the necessary means of resolution. May it not be said one day that our lives were spent in battle, but never with the real enemy. Cathy Vinson© Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.

Because of inner tension arising among themselves, something must be done.

Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE

 

T H I N K A B O U T I T

~ A Spring ~  One of the South's leading business men relates the following as his own experience: "My father was invalid, and as his son it felt to me to manage his affairs. On one occasion I had more than the usual amount of overseeing to do, and I asked father, who was able to be about a little, if he would do the choirs around the home that day while I finished up my work on the lower farm. He assented, but when I returned late, tired and worn, he told me that he had not done what he promised to do. T he hot words were just ready to leap out, but somehow I choked them back, and said, "It's all right, father, I'm not so very tired after all," and I started off, when father called me back, and laying his hand on my head, he siad, "George, you're the best son a father ever had; God bless you." I went to my tasks and performed them. When I returned my father could not speak to me - he was done with all earthly tasks - but from that day to this, whenever the temptation to anger has come, I have felt the pressure of his hand upon my head." - The Sunday School Times Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city. Proverbs 16:32 (NCV)

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