40 Day Journey - Day 32

March 23
Fast Resentment  
 
Mark 11:22-25
Have faith in God, Jesus answered, "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying if you hold anything against  anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. 

        This verse on the power of faith is well known and when well applied it is a mountain mover. Faith does little good when clouded by doubt. One needs to maintain their faith in God through all seen, and unseen, circumstances that come their way. A great exercise in faith is not just turning to God for help when a need comes up, but one must live for the glory of God every day. Many times we can cry out to God as if we believe He can, and will take care of our need, but our heart has been cold toward Him.                
        One thing is mentioned in order to gain favor with God in these verses, and that is the ability to "forgive." We know God's ability to forgive is a done deal - a cry out to Him brings forgiveness to our heart, but Jesus throws something out that we cannot ignore..."if you hold anything against ANYONE, forgive them so you can be forgiven.  
        Faith and favor will bring a divine answer to every need. Faith is the easy part and favor, (grace), is offered freely - but we must take on the character of our Heavenly Father and show others forgiveness.              
        Many times the mountain in our way is bitterness from what someone did to us. Move the mountain so you can enjoy your heavenly relationship with your "Abba" papa. God’s grace is truly amazing - live for His glory.
 
Matthew 18:21-35
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Fast Resentment today by asking God to forgive you for any anger or bitterness you carry in your heart toward another. Your reason for the emotion you carry may be warranted, but forgiveness releases justice into God’s hand and frees us from the emotions that can wreck our day or even our lives.