Tag Archives: forgiveness

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich” (language warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

 If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, ¹⁶ ‘The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ ¹⁷ “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ¹⁸ ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ ¹⁹ In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now,” Numbers 14:15-19.

Biblical Connection:

America has slowly become a nation where rule breakers aren’t being disciplined, held accountable or prosecuted. Instead, district attorneys and judges continue to drop charges as the accused beg, plead and promise that they will never do this again. As Erin Brockovich seeks to hold this company responsible for their pollution, one lawyer thinks a generous donation can make this all go away.

Moses reminds God of His character and nature before punishing Israel for their bad attitude, disobedience and rebellion. Sometimes people do or say the stupidest things, especially when they panic. However, as Moses pours out his heart to God, he does acknowledge that the guilty will not go unpunished. The act of sin has consequences after forgiveness, so you don’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again in life.

Closing Song:

The author of Hebrews states God disciplines those whom He loves. This is consistent with King Solomon’s teaching of training a child in the way he should go, Proverbs 22:6. Therefore, the next time you make a foolish mistake by sinning, remember the concept of forgiveness with consequences.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2017 film “The Shack”

Bible Verse of the Day:

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins, Matthew 6:12-15.

Biblical Connection:

A weekend of camping for a man and his three children turns into a living nightmare. Sam Worthington plays Mack Phillips, a grieving man who receives a mysterious invitation to meet with God. The location where God wants to me is a shack in the middle of the wilderness. Unfortunately, the shack just happens to be the place where his daughter Missy was abducted and murdered. When a root of bitterness takes hold of Mack’s heart, his ability to love is crippled.

The words of today’s featured passage come from the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. After teaching about the spiritual discipline of fasting, Jesus turns his attention toward prayer. Rather than overwhelm His audience, Jesus provides a basic outline on topics that you should cover as you pray. Immediately following this prayer, Jesus throws a curve to this crowd about forgiveness. If you don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive you. There are plenty of Mack Phillips that you’ll encounter in life, struggling to recover from a shocking trial that has shaken and tattered their faith.

Closing Song:

Bart Millard endured a rough upbringing which inspired the film I Can Only Image. May the lyrics of this song help you or someone you love who has been crippled by a devasting trial in their life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. ⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins, 1 Peter 4:1-8.

Reflection:

Two New Testament authors write about spiritual acts that cover over a multitude of sins. The first comes from a likely source, one of Jesus’ disciples, part of Jesus’ inner circle. Meanwhile, the second is one of Jesus’ earthly brothers. Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way, James 5:19-20, also covers over a multitude of sins. Both highlight the power of charity as the first act credits love while the other is love in action.

Prayerful Action:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins, Matthew 6:14-15.

Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:

The context of today’s prayerful action takes place in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. At the end of Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus commands those in attendance to love and pray for their enemies. Anyone can love those who love and are nice to you. However, Christians are called to higher standards, to embrace, endure and pray for your enemies. As God changes your heart to begin to see the back story of your enemies, why they act and behave the way they do, the power of charity becomes a reality. This is how you can love others this December and throughout 2025.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Sometimes your soul needs to hear a song of hope when you’re feeling down. May the lyrics of the Love of Christ bring back that bounce in your step, provide that spiritual spark to ignite your faith. May today’s words move you toward acts of charity this month.

by Jay Mankus