28 SEP 26 Devotional - The Grace of God

 

Day 1 — Stop Keeping Score

Scripture:

“So the last will be first, and the first last.”

— Matthew 20:16

Reflection

We are naturally inclined to keep score. We notice who got the promotion, who received the recognition, who has the bigger house, who seems to have an easier life, or whose ministry appears more successful.

Sometimes we even keep score with God. “God, I’ve served You for years. I’ve sacrificed. I’ve been faithful. Shouldn’t I have more?” The workers who had labored all day in Jesus’ parable did exactly that. They compared their work with the workers who had only worked a few hours.

Their problem wasn’t that they had been cheated. They received exactly what they had agreed to receive. Their problem was comparison. Someone else’s blessing made them question their own. Comparison can steal our gratitude because it shifts our attention from what God has given us to what God has given someone else.

God doesn’t ask us to keep score. He asks us to trust Him. You may not have everything someone else has, but you have received something you could never earn: the grace of God.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I compare my life with others. Help me stop keeping score and recognize the blessings You have already given me. Give me a grateful heart that trusts Your goodness. Amen.

Today’s Challenge

When you catch yourself comparing yourself with someone else today, stop and thank God for three things He has given you.

25 SEP 26 Devotional - Forgiveness

 

Day 5 — Manage His Mercy Well

Scripture:

“Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”

— Matthew 18:33

Reflection

The servant in Jesus’ parable had received incredible mercy. But he didn’t manage that mercy well. He had been forgiven an enormous debt, yet he refused to forgive someone who owed him a much smaller debt. His problem wasn’t that he didn’t understand mercy.

His problem was that he had received mercy without allowing it to transform him. That is the challenge for us. God has been merciful to us. Now He calls us to be merciful toward others. The question isn’t simply:

“How many times do I have to forgive?”

The better question is:

“How can I, as someone who has been forgiven so much, refuse to extend forgiveness to someone else?”

We have received God’s mercy. Now Jesus calls us to manage His mercy well. When we forgive, we become more like Christ. When we refuse bitterness, we reflect His grace. When we pursue peace, we show the world what the gospel looks like in real life.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the mercy You have shown me. Help me manage Your mercy well. Make me quick to repent, quick to apologize, quick to forgive, and eager to pursue peace. Let my life point others toward Jesus and the forgiveness found in Him. Amen.

Today’s Challenge

Ask yourself: Who do I need to forgive? What bitterness do I need to release? What step toward peace can I take? Then place that person and that situation in God’s hands.

Closing Thought

We forgive not because the wound wasn’t real, but because God’s mercy is real. We have been forgiven much. Now let us learn to forgive.

24 SEP 26 Devotional - Forgiveness

 

Day 4 — Become Like Children

Scripture:

“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 18:3

Reflection

Children can teach us something about forgiveness. They get hurt. They cry. They argue. They may even say, “I don’t want to play with you anymore!” But often, a few minutes later, they’re playing together again.

They don’t always carry yesterday’s offense into tomorrow. As adults, we can become experts at remembering. We remember what was said. We remember what they did. We remember how they made us feel. And sometimes we rehearse the offense so many times that the wound becomes part of our identity.

Jesus calls us to humility. To become like children is not to become immature. It is to become humble, dependent, teachable, and willing to let go. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is stop rehearsing the offense and start trusting God with it.

Prayer

Jesus, give me a humble heart. Help me not to carry yesterday’s offenses into today. Teach me to forgive, to let go of bitterness, and to trust You with the things I cannot change. Amen.

Today’s Challenge

When an old offense comes to mind today, don’t rehearse it. Instead, pray, “Jesus, I give this to You.”

23 SEP 26 Devotional - Forgiveness

 

Day 3 — Forgiveness Is Not Always Reconciliation

Scripture:

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

— Romans 12:18

Reflection

Forgiveness and reconciliation are closely connected, but they are not the same thing.

Forgiveness releases bitterness and personal vengeance.

Reconciliation seeks to restore a relationship.

Sometimes reconciliation happens quickly. Other times it takes time. Trust may need to be rebuilt. Repentance may need to occur. Actions may need to change.

And sometimes, because of circumstances, full reconciliation may not be possible.

But forgiveness is still possible.

Paul says, “As far as it depends on you.”

That is important.

We are responsible for our response.

We cannot control another person’s heart, attitude, or actions. But we can control whether we hold onto bitterness.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean removing every healthy boundary. It means refusing to let hatred and resentment take control of your heart.

You can forgive someone even when you cannot restore the relationship to what it once was.

Prayer

Father, give me wisdom to know the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Help me pursue peace where I can, establish healthy boundaries where necessary, and release bitterness into Your hands. Amen.

Today’s Challenge

Ask God to show you one step you can take toward peace—whether that means an apology, a conversation, a prayer, or simply releasing the situation to Him.

22 SEP 26 Devotional - Forgiveness

 

Day 2 — Stop Keeping Score

Scripture:

“Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

— Matthew 18:22

Reflection

Peter wanted a number.

“How many times do I have to forgive?”

We understand Peter because we often want the same thing.

We keep score.

“That’s the first time.”

“That’s the second time.”

“I’ve already forgiven them enough.”

But Jesus wasn’t giving Peter a number. He was teaching Peter to stop keeping score.

Forgiveness isn’t about reaching a certain number and then earning permission to become bitter.

Jesus calls us to develop a heart that is continually willing to forgive.

That doesn’t mean pretending the offense didn’t happen. It doesn’t mean ignoring sin or allowing someone to continue hurting you. It means refusing to allow another person’s actions to control your heart.

Forgiveness releases the desire for revenge and places justice in God’s hands.

We don’t forgive because the offense wasn’t serious. We forgive because God’s mercy toward us is greater.

Prayer

Lord, You know the hurts I carry. You know the people who have wounded me. Help me stop keeping score. Give me the strength to forgive and the wisdom to know how to pursue peace. Amen.

Today’s Challenge

Identify one offense you have been keeping score over. Bring it honestly before God and ask Him to begin freeing your heart from bitterness.