Forgive and Encourage!




 Is there someone you need to forgive in life?  Is there someone who needs your encouragement?  Maybe you need to feel the gifts of forgiveness and encouragement.  When asked how to pray, Jesus reminds us of the central importance of forgiveness.


He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation." (Luke 11: 2-4 NIV)


Saint Barnabas was an inspiring early apostle whose feast day is celebrated on June 11th.  Upon learning about Jesus, he responded with excitement and great devotion.  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36, 37 NIV)  He also took Christ’s teaching to forgive others seriously.  After Saul’s conversion to become Paul, Barnabas was one of the first to forgive Paul’s past and embrace him.  After this, Paul and Barnabas went on a mission journey with Mark.  Mark did not complete the journey, upsetting Paul.  Later, as a new mission journey was planned, Barnabas suggested bringing Mark and giving him another chance.  Paul would have none of it.  As a result, the ‘son of encouragement’ and Mark wound up going on a mission trip apart from Paul and Silas.  It seems even the apostles needed to learn powerful lessons of forgiveness.  Later, Paul wrote positively of Mark as a valuable assistant.


My friends, we all need forgiveness, encouragement, and another chance.  If not, our hearts stay locked in division, resentment, anger, and even hatred.  Real strength and power is found in listening and forgiveness, not in gotcha games and stubbornness.  Even the greatest of apostles had to learn and experience the grace of forgiveness and encouragement.  God's love never gives up on any of us!  God blesses each of our lives with another chance everyday.  Will we open our hearts to realize this?  


Today is God’s Present!


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