My Bible reading today:
1 Chronicles 23; 1 Peter 4; Micah 2; Luke 11
I like using various translations to do my daily Bible readings as it keeps the words fresh for me. This year I have been reading through the English Standard Version (ESV). As I said, it keeps the Word fresh, hearing it in a different voice-and sometimes a very familiar passage will catch my attention in a surprising way. It is like when we are trying to learn something new, sometimes you need to hear it from more than one teacher to really understand-they are saying the same thing, but one has a way of relating the information to you that allows you to really grasp the idea. And so I came to the Lord's prayer today.
I have been reciting this prayer since I was a child, let's just say for 50 some years now.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
It is that forgiveness line that I want to focus on this morning. Over the course of my life I have been in churches where it is recited as sins, trespasses, and debts-one is never sure which version will be recited when worshiping in a new place. The ESV says it this way, "and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." (Luke 11:2-4) Got that? We forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Well, I just have to stop right there and consider today whether that is really true of me. Have I forgiven everyone who has sinned against me? Might there be some that I deep down feel do not deserve my forgiveness? That is a very troubling thought!
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Debra
1 Chronicles 23; 1 Peter 4; Micah 2; Luke 11
I like using various translations to do my daily Bible readings as it keeps the words fresh for me. This year I have been reading through the English Standard Version (ESV). As I said, it keeps the Word fresh, hearing it in a different voice-and sometimes a very familiar passage will catch my attention in a surprising way. It is like when we are trying to learn something new, sometimes you need to hear it from more than one teacher to really understand-they are saying the same thing, but one has a way of relating the information to you that allows you to really grasp the idea. And so I came to the Lord's prayer today.
I have been reciting this prayer since I was a child, let's just say for 50 some years now.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
It is that forgiveness line that I want to focus on this morning. Over the course of my life I have been in churches where it is recited as sins, trespasses, and debts-one is never sure which version will be recited when worshiping in a new place. The ESV says it this way, "and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." (Luke 11:2-4) Got that? We forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Well, I just have to stop right there and consider today whether that is really true of me. Have I forgiven everyone who has sinned against me? Might there be some that I deep down feel do not deserve my forgiveness? That is a very troubling thought!
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Debra
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