Meanness at church sometimes exceeds anything that occurs in secular surroundings.

Lord, You have extended such grace to me. You have forgiven my wickedness and remembered my sins no more. (Heb. 8:12) Help me to demonstrate my gratitude by forgiving others!

I've become increasingly convinced that those we need to forgive most often grasp the least how much they've hurt us. If they understood and took responsibility, it wouldn't have taken the Cross to forgive them. It could have just happened over coffee.

Oh, God, give us a longing—not for the sin of this world to be judged—but for the sinners of this world to be forgiven.

Be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8—9

Father, You are calling upon me to be completely humble and gentle; to be patient, bearing with others in love. (Eph. 4:2) Please empower me with Your Spirit to be obedient to this command.

Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. Colossians 3:13—14

When we meet people flesh to flesh we meet people mess to mess.

Forgiveness means deferring the cause to Christ and deciding to be free of the ongoing burden of bitterness and blame.

If you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. Matthew 6:14

Thank You, Lord, for giving me the right kind of companions.

Those that we need to forgive most often grasp the least how much they've hurt us. If they understood and took responsibility, it wouldn't take the cross to forgive them. It could just happen over coffee...'Father I forgive them in Christ's name, for they don't understand what they did.