We forgive because we have been forgiven.

God expects us to show grace to others because he showed grace to us. He demonstrated his love by sending Christ to die for us, even though we were still in rebellion to him (Romans 5:8).

It’s easier sometimes to be selfish instead of gracious. You see the slow cashier at the grocery store as a five-minute interruption to your day rather than somebody who might be struggling to keep his job or just received horrible news a few minutes before.

You see someone in your family who’s struggling as a drain on you rather than seeing her hopelessness over a desperate situation. You see the person who cut you off on the freeway as a villain instead of someone in need of God’s love.

We’re all in need of God’s love. That’s why Jesus Christ came into this world. And to show people grace is to remember what God has done for us. The ultimate way God shows us grace is by forgiveness. And the ultimate way he asks us to show grace to others is also by forgiving them.

People often ask me, “How can I find the strength to forgive? I don’t have it in me.”

The truth is, I don’t have it in me, either! The only place I’ve ever found the strength to forgive is to remember how much Jesus has forgiven me. Through that reminder, he gives me the strength and grace to forgive others.

There’s a story about a woman named Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross. A friend reminded her of a particularly cruel thing somebody had done to her years before. The friend asked, “Don’t you remember?” Her famous reply was, “No, I distinctly remember forgetting it.”

What do you need to forget? Who do you need to forgive? If you don’t forgive, you won’t be able to enjoy God’s vision for the rest of your life, because you’ll be stuck in the past. But when you forgive, you’ll be able to move on with your life.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean the person who wronged you was right. And it doesn’t make what that person did okay. You can forgive, and they still can face the consequences of what happened.

When forgiving someone seems impossible, remember one thing: Jesus forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 | Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

One of the common sources of stress is a loss. You can lose your job, your health, your money, your reputation, or a loved one. During the coronavirus pandemic, stress has been amplified.

When people go through loss, there are two common reactions. One is fear, and the other is grief. Grief is good. Grief is the way we get through the transitions of life. In fact, if you don’t grieve, you get stuck! Grief will not kill you if you let it out.

Fear, on the other hand, can be a bad thing. Not once in the Bible does it say, “Grieve not,” “Sorrow not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times! Because grief doesn’t paralyze us, but fear does.

In Psalm 23:4, David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (ESV).

David knew shepherds always carried a rod and a staff to protect their sheep. And he knew God had the power to protect him. So David trusted God, even in the darkest valleys.

We, too, can choose to trust God—even in the shadows, where it doesn’t make sense and can seem like it’s a long way out of the valley.

But here’s the good news to remember about big, scary shadows. You can’t have a shadow without light. If you see a shadow, that means there is a light shining nearby.

So, when you’re going through the valley of the shadow, the key is to turn your back on the shadow and look at the light. Because as long as you keep your eyes on the light—Jesus, the Light of the World—the shadow won’t scare you.

Just like David, trust God in the dark valleys, and pray, “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn”(Psalm 142:3 NLT).

Psalm 23:4 | Even when I go through the darkest valley,23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

If you’re going to anchor your soul to something that never changes, then you need to treat God’s Word as a gift. The Bible says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession” (James 1:17-18 NLT).

James says five important things about God’s Word in this passage.

1. God’s Word is good.

It’s for your benefit. If you’re not reading the Bible, you’re missing all the promises, instruction, and benefits God wants to give you.

2. God’s Word is perfect.

It’s a “perfect gift.” If it’s perfect, it means it’s infallible. There’s no error in it. You can count on it. And, if it’s perfect, that means it’s exactly what you need.

3. God’s Word is true.

It says, “his true word.” Scripture will always tell you the right thing to do. It will never lead you in the wrong direction. It’s always correct. Its truth will set you free!

4. God’s Word is unchanging.

The Bible says God never changes, and so his Word never changes. Some of the gifts you get in life wear out—they fade, rust, and break down. You can’t always depend on them, but you can always depend on God’s Word.

5. God’s Word is life-giving.

James says, “God decided to give us life through the word of truth” (James 1:18 GW). You were made in God’s image, which means you have the ability to love God and be loved by him. God created you and gave you his Word so you can know him. This is the only way to true life.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the encouragement taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NIV). Everything in the Bible was written to give you hope, even the parts you may not understand.

The one thing you may need most right now—encouragement—is in this book.

Have you been feeling discouraged? There is great hope, and it’s at your fingertips. Just open up your Bible!

James 1:17-18 | Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Some people think faith is just a conversation. It’s an idea to be discussed or theology to be debated.

The truth is, faith is so much more than that. James teaches us that real faith transforms lives.

James 2:18 says, “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds’” (NLT). Here, James is describing the person who thinks faith can be separated from actions—how believing in God’s Word and good deeds aren’t connected. But he’s also saying he can’t see your faith if you don’t show it with your good deeds.

Because James’ life was changed by his faith, it is seen by the way he serves God and the way he serves others.

One way to explain this is to consider love. Love isn’t visible unless you are able to see it in action. In the same way, the only way you know if someone has real faith is by looking at how they live.

James is essentially saying, “If you claim to be a Christian, then I have the right to ask you to prove it through your actions.”

The point is, someone as big as God can’t possibly come into your life without changing you visibly. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT).

James 2:18 | But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” The quotation may end here or after. Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Not All Anger Is Sinful

Many people think that all anger is sinful, but that’s not true. Anger only becomes sin when it is expressed in an inappropriate way.

Sometimes the most appropriate response to a situation is anger. It can even be an expression of love. In fact, the Bible says God gets righteously angry, and the only reason you’re able to experience anger is because you’re created in his image.

But there is such a thing as sinful anger. This is when we blow up or clam up. It’s when we threaten, insult, or belittle someone.

While mismanaged anger is a sin, managed anger is an asset because it gives you a clear-headed view of the situation and allows you to respond with God’s love—even if you’ve been wronged.

Because God is for you and not against you, he gives you the ability to choose how to handle your anger. With the Holy Spirit working within you, you can choose a healthy response.

Have you ever been in a heated argument at home, and the phone rang and you answered it by sweetly saying, “Hello”? What just happened? You were able to change your tone instantly because you wanted to.

Proverbs 29:11 says, “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back” (NLT).

Choosing to get angry is just that—a choice. You’ve probably said at some point, “You make me so mad!” But nobody can control your emotions without your permission. You can decide beforehand how you will respond and manage your anger.

Your relationship with Christ will determine how well you master the anger in your life. Even in a crisis, in the most difficult of situations, you can manage your anger with God’s love inside you.

And when anger is managed wisely and appropriately, it produces great marriages, great friendships, great businesses, great leaders, and great progress.

Proverbs 29:11 | A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.