Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Saturday, March 27
By Roscoe C. Word, Jr., April 2, 1976
Faith and Forgiveness
Read: Mark 11:22-26 (RSV)
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
I must have FAITH. Jesus promised in John 15:7 that if I abide in Him and His words abide in me, I can ask whatever I will and it will be done for me. What I ask MUST be according to His WILL and according to His WORDS. This means reading the gospels – absorbing the gospels – and living according to His teaching – morning, noon and night. I must FORGIVE. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matt: 5:44. St. Paul wrote, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God: for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’. No, ‘if your enemy is hungry feed him: if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head’. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:19-21.
Prayer
Lord, take my mind and think through it. Take my heart and set it on fire with love. Take my tongue and let the Holy Spirit speak through my lips. Take my prayers and let them bring the healings of Jesus to everyone for whom I pray. I thank you that in Christ I have your forgiveness and through Him I am possessed by the Holy Spirit and delivered from sin, disease, demons and fear.
