Since 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. (Matthew 18:25 NIV) This is in the context of forgiveness. This is how seriously He takes it. Unforgiveness affects everyone. Like a ripple effect. Everyone you know. Everyone you come into contact. Is indirectly affected. There is no escaping. That is the debt that builds up. It accumulates over time. Don’t let it fester. Don’t let it grow and be a part of you. Whatever happened to you. Whatever was done to [...]

As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. (Matthew 18:24 NIV) You have His attention. He knows you. He may choose not to know all about your debts. He is the King. Whether He is your king or not. For those who profess to serve Him, He is their king. You are in His debt to whatever amount. It doesn’t matter. It will be more than you can pay back. It is accrued from the day you were born. You have added to it over the years. You are [...]

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. (Matthew 18:23 NIV) You can know His will.  You can know His forgiveness.  Let His will be real to you.  Let His forgiveness be real to you also.  This is not a suggestion.  It is a reality.  He is the King.  There is no other like Him.  A king has servants.  He also has sons and daughters.  He doesn’t need to settle accounts with them.  Jesus has settled the account.  He has paid the debt.  The Son has paid your debt to the King.  [...]

Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? (Luke 17:9) What is your motive?  Is your reasoning to create a convenient God?  One where He serves your needs and wishes? He may want to know why you think that you have a higher purpose than His.  Don’t think you can get away with halfheartedness.  For half a heart is as good as no heart.  A heart only works when all the constituents are working.  Failure of one part is usually fatal.  You are not going to function at full capacity.  This is not how you [...]

Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?  (Luke 17:8) Isn’t it our joy and privilege to serve His purposes? To wait on Him hand and foot? He is worth it.  He is so loving.  He provides all for you and me.  There is no lack with Him.  He makes your heart beat faster when you hear His voice.  He calls to you.  He loves you.  Yet we are to serve His purposes.  For the grand design.  That is all that is expected.  [...]

“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?  (Luke 17:7) We are to serve Him not ourselves.  Jesus is a servant king but He is still a King.  He is not at your disposal.  Wait on Him.  In more ways than one.  He is the King of Kings.  Of a kingdom without limit.  Greater than any kingdom on earth.  Let your service be for Him, not for yourself nor for anyone else.  Him alone.  He [...]

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18) What instructions have you had from the Father.  What has He said to you and about you.  He created you for purpose.  He gave life to you for a reason.  I suspect just working to earn money was not top of the list.  You are greater than that.  Let Him shine through you.  His life is in you.  Despite your best efforts to [...]

The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down my life —only to take it up again. (John 10:17) How much do you love? Do you love like Him? He was willing to be obedient.  Whatever it cost.  His relationship with the Father was firmly rooted in love.  This was the only motive.  The Father knew of His son’s willingness.  He knows the cost.  And He knows the final outcome.  There was no uncertainty.  Be certain of your hope.  It cannot be misplaced.  Hope in anything else is not hope.  He is Hope personified.  Your relationship with Him matters.  [...]

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16) One flock and one shepherd. Not lots of flocks and lots of shepherds. He wants people to serve His purposes together. Unity isn’t different factions working on a project together. Unity is when there are no factions and one shepherd. He wants all His people to know Him as their shepherd. There are streams, factions and denominations because of our hardness of heart. He loves all [...]

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father —and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:15) What more can He do? He has done it all for you.  A love that is absolute.  Not based on how He felt that morning.  You can draw close to Him safely.  For that is His heart.  It is also the heart of the Father.  How much more can He love you? Do you love Him?  How do you respond to His love and affection for you? Open your heart wide.  Allow His affection for you fill you.  Allow [...]