Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd August 9th, 2024 2,638 Views 28 Comments
Then his lord called him in and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?' His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds. Matthew 18:32–35 WEB.
Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone within one's power to punish or harm. It is not punishing them, even though they deserve it, even when they have really earned it, and you now have the power to make them pay for it. It is turning the other cheek when you would like to slap theirs.
Someone once hurt me badly, and I had to forgive them every day for a few years. Anytime the incident came to mind, I prayed and forgave them again. Then one day, it no longer bothered me, and I no longer thought about it. It took a long time. Each time they came to mind, I would say, "Father, I forgive them for what they did." Eventually, it became real, and I no longer comforted myself by thinking of their demise as Esau did with Jacob (Genesis 27:42).
Sitting right on top of the Ark of the Covenant was the mercy seat (Exodus 25:21). That is where God spoke from. Mercy is a big thing to the Lord; throughout the Bible, you read about it. The Lord promises us that if we show mercy, we will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). It is an incredible promise, and it allows us to choose what will happen to us in the future. So do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Forgiveness does not make you a doormat, and repeat offenders must be dealt with peacefully. Who we allow to be a part of our lives is a choice we make, and being invited into our home is a privilege that can be taken away.
Some people belong on this side of our door, while others should be outside with it locked. Forgiveness does not mean that you are weak. It's a conscious, intelligent choice to recognize that even though someone deserves punishment, so do we.
God Almighty, who created the universe, is all-powerful. He holds our very life in His hands and can take it away instantly. He shows us mercy by forgiving us of our mistakes, but He said that we must forgive others or not be forgiven. So keep a clean slate. If you get the chance today to let someone off the hook, gladly do so. For the Lord will reward you by letting you off yours.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.
Site update #586: I completed a large update to the Audio Library on the left sidebar. There is now a live service archive of all past services, full-length in case you miss a service and want to catch up, as well as all of our original music. You can download the .mp3 files directly to your device now to listen when you don't have internet. I also added a pop-out player so you can listen without remaining on the page. Give it a try and let me know if you have any problems. 😀
Amen!
Definitely saving this one! Thank you Pastor!
Amen to today's devotional... 🙏🏼 I've been in a situation for years where someone hurt not just me, but my whole family. They are family. I've been struggling to forgive them. But, today Jesus opened my eyes with this devotional Pastor Dion... Thank you for sharing this... I've been carrying around this burden for many years and today I've just now been able to release it to our Father in heaven. After all, who am I to judge them? I feel 10 pounds lighter. I'm not going to have to struggle to avoid them during family gatherings. I've been telling myself that I forgave them, but deep down I really hadn't. Until today. What a relief I feel. Thank you Jesus for showing me the truth... 🙏🏼
Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Thank you Father, for helping me to forgive other when they have wronged me and never apologized. I know that if I do not forgive others then I will not be forgiven. Thank you for showing me this and always forgiving me!!
I just want to say to my RHM family. I've been a small part of this since 2018. I love you all and I know how blessed I am to have you. Pastor Dion and Sylvia. Thank you so much for your love and devotionals.This has been a real positive experience.
Comment from Sylvia Todd
1 year ago
We are so happy you are part of our church family, Dan 💛!
Comment from Dion Todd
1 year ago
Thank you for being a part of RHM, Dan. The Lord is building a wonderful family here 😀
Replies to this comment
1 year ago
Thank you Pastor Dion. The Lord is building a wonderful family. I agree. It's such a blessing ❤️
Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
1 year ago
Amen and Amen!!! Oh to be set free from all bitterness and anger that eats away from us like cancer, so hard for us, and yet how can we ask to be forgiven if we cannot forgive one another!! The forgetting is another story, which needs to be dealt with daily, till finally forgotten, and this only because of HIS grace!!🙏
I remember when i was young, my parents would tell me to forgive one another so my heart and mind would be free. I never really understood but was always in my head.
In 2000, I was reading my victim statement in the court to the guy that murdered my son and I told him that I FORGIVE YOU!
It set me free from anger and bitterness.
Thank you Jehovah for the ability to be free to move on and function with my daily life……..🤟🏻
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
1 year ago
Oh Debi, what a testimony, GOD bless and protect you and all of your loved ones!!! (Numbers 6:24-26) 🙏❤️🤗
AMEN Heavenly Father Please Help Me To Forgive Like You Forgave Me For All Of My Sins.Good Morning Everyone 😀
Comment from Sylvia Todd
1 year ago
Good morning, Yvette, happy Friday 💛!
Lord please give me mercy and help me be strong and forgiving enough to forgive others. Help me carry love in my heart. Help me be the kind of man that you would want me to be. Amen ❤️
Amen!
Post from Schalk de Beer
1 year ago
Yes amen my Lord.
Post from Wanda Pennington
1 year ago
Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen I needed this message today. For three weeks I've been in court with my neighbor fighting property lines. I'm so tired, but today I claim to be done and forgive, in Jesus Name I ask and pray.
Post from Scott Riegelmann
1 year ago
Amen thank you for your mercy Lord
Amen.
Lord, I've been struggling with forgiving a few that have wronged me and those that I love for a very, very long time. I no longer desire for them to feel the same pain and am trying to push it out of my mind. I've not seen or spoken to one for nearly 40 years and I'm afraid to open the lines of communication with them for the purpose of forgiving them. I am afraid I will be opening myself up to further harm. Praying to you Lord for protection and guidance.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!❤️🤟🏻
Very powerful message about forgiveness. AMEN!
We all need it and we all need to give it as well.
Post from Theresa Bright
1 year ago
Amen 🙏🏻
Yes Lord, help me to forgive promptly and fully. Amen!
Praise the Lord. Amen.🙏🙏
Post from Bella Colliander
1 year ago
Amen!🕊️
Post from Marisa Jackson
1 year ago
Amen 🙏🙏!!
Amen.
Amen
Father, Thank you for showing me Mercy and forgiving my sins! Give me the strength and the Wisdom to forgive others. In the of name Jesus, Amen!
Post from Celeste Strenn
1 year ago
Amen❣️
Amen!
Post from Kay Collinsworth
1 year ago
Amen
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
13 hours ago
Thank you so much for your Labor of Love, your faithfulness, and endless service, Pastor Dion!! What a blessing to have the Audio Library available to us!!! May the Lord bless you and Sylvia above and beyond, grant you good health and meet all of your needs!! We are, the entire RHM family, so very grateful for you, thanking the Lord for leading us to RHM!! 🙏🤗❣️
Comment from Marilyn Salter
1 day ago
Thank you
Comment from Cathy Webb
2 days ago
What a blessing, Pastor Dion! The audio library page is easy to navigate and I truly appreciate the pop-out player, as I have many tabs open during my computer sessions and this allows me to keep the music flowing. Well done! 😊🎶
Comment from Gloria Nebarez
2 days ago
Thank you
Comment from Tyler Velau
5 days ago
Thank you for your continuing work on the site and your efforts to bring the truth of the Gospels to people around the world via the internet. Your hard work and dilligence is appreciated.
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
5 days ago
Thank you so much, Pastor Dion, for all that you do, it sounds to me like non-stop "24-7"! God bless you and Sylvia abundantly, above and beyond! 🙏🤗
Comment from Nell Neathery
5 days ago
sounds great. I know that will be useful for me...need to write that down. Hope the Todd family have a blessed Saturday and Sunday. I do believe God gave us those 2 special days for His sake and our sake! Work hard or volunteer (myself) hard through the week. We get our rewards here on Earth and rewards in Heaven.
Comment from Lynn Brown
6 days ago
That sounds amazing Pastor Dion, thank you!!!