Monday Devotional: Forgiveness

by Cranston Chester

I was recently reading Genesis 37 -46:30 - the story about Joseph and what he went through from the time he was sold into slavery to the time that he saw his father (Jacob) again. I was especially moved when he first met his brothers again after they sold him into slavery and they did not recognize him. I started to think to myself. If my brothers had sold me into slavery and left me for dead would I have had tremendous hatred for them?
Sometimes we may experience broken relationships in and out of the Body of Christ that could leave us hurt, resentful, and distrusting of others. As children of God we should always forgive those who wronged us and ask forgiveness of those we wronged.

I have found that holding grudges only weighs me down while the person that offended me may be “free as a bird”.

I am reminded of what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for us on the cross at Calvary. Even though we did not deserve it, He died for our sins, and grants those that believe in Him everlasting life (John 3:16). Whenever you are wronged or wrong someone, forgive or ask for forgiveness to release that burden! Do not generalize all of your future relationships based on the bad one you had! You will be excluding yourself from the other blessings that God trying to bring into your life!

REMINDER: Man2Man Bible Study Tomorrow!

Monday Devotional: Keeping It Simple

by Cranston Chester

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

This scripture is one of my favorites in the bible because it has a way of recalibrating me whenever I am distracted or overwhelmed. Whenever I read this scripture, I am also reminded of what I must be doing as a child of God.

Am I seeking God to be blessed to show others what is going on in my life, or am I open to God’s will being done in my life so that He is glorified regardless of my situation?

If I were to look at my financial responsibilities as a husband and a father, it can be overwhelming especially during this financial season. This scripture speaks to me because I am reminded that it is God who created the earth and everything therein (Nehemiah 9:6). Because He knows what we have need of as His children, and I need to be about His business.

God has placed a lot of “talents” in our hands, let us use them to the best of our ability for His glory and honor. Whenever I get away from that and become focused on using His talents for my purpose, it becomes overwhelming and distracting. The Holy Spirit always reminds me that this is a faith walk and to keep focused on God regardless of our situation. We are only seeing the current piece in the puzzle of our life, but God sees the completed puzzle, and we know that He has nothing but good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

Whether or not you went through a setback (financially, or emotionally), please be reminded that worrying will not resolve it. Commit it into His unchanging hands. Continue to stay focus on our Heavenly Father and what He reminds us to do on a daily basis.

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”!