Hello Church on this beautiful Saturday of Memorial Day weekend! Be blessed and inspired by today’s Bible verse and story.
With love, Rev. Dr. Sandy Seaton-Todd
Bible Verse Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and God's righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well.
Bible Story
Matthew 27:1-10
The Power of Confessing to God and Accepting God's Forgiveness
Judas had betrayed Jesus to the authorities in order to be paid thirty pieces of silver. He knew Jesus was innocent. When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned to death, he was seized with remorse. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed an innocent man." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. He went away and hanged himself. The chief priests knew it was blood money so they took it out of the temple treasury and used it to buy land which came to be called Field of Blood.
Nothing is worth taking our life. God gave us life to enjoy and to be a blessing, not to be paralyzed with shame. There is no reason to live in guilt because God forgives.
I have a friend who served in Vietnam who has nightmares about what he saw and what he did. He writes me letters and pours out his pain. I know many people who live in shame.
Everyone does wrong and everyone needs forgiveness. Ask God to forgive, and even to take away your memories if they are crippling you. God's forgiveness heals and gives us a fresh start if we accept it and claim it as our new identity as loved and forgiven people. Dear God, forgive me. Give me a fresh start. Thank you for your healing love and forgiveness. Amen. Friends, if you prayed that and believe that, then go forth with joy and thanksgiving and live as forgiven people! I am so thankful for God's unconditional love and forgiveness. I pray everyone opens their heart to God and believes they are forgiven. It changes everything when we do.