At The Movies | Tuesday
Tuesday | July 14
This Week's Focus:
Our culture often tells us, "Your past defines you." But in Christ, we are forgiven and released from our past, so we can be set free to experience real, hopeful joy grounded in the present and looking to the future.
Our culture often tells us, "Your past defines you." But in Christ, we are forgiven and released from our past, so we can be set free to experience real, hopeful joy grounded in the present and looking to the future.
Scripture
Scripture Helps Us Hear God And Live His Truth.
"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”
Psalm 30:11-12 NLT
Psalm 30:11-12 NLT
God Redeems
As we shift into this week, we look to set a foundation that we have been redeemed by God. This includes all of who we are, not just who we are becoming.
David writes today's psalm and his history is one full of tragedy and trauma. Yet he rejoices knowing God turns his "mourning into dancing!" David does not always understand why he is experiencing what he is in the moment or even long after it has passed, but he knows that God redeems all things and makes them good in His time, to His plan and purposes.
David isn't the only one who offers this perspective. Even Joseph, who was persecuted by his own family, stated to the brothers who wronged him, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive…" (Genesis 50:20). God's redemptive power is consistently on display throughout scripture.
What is your tendency when you have been wronged? Maybe you lean towards offering empty apologies or holding grudges. Perhaps you cling to a past hurt because you wanted a better outcome, or you didn't like the people involved. Remember, Jesus calls us to repent of such behavior and adopt a heart and posture that extend true forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. When we surrender those things to the Father, the door is open for His redemptive power to take the mourning in our hearts and relationships and turn it into dancing.
David writes today's psalm and his history is one full of tragedy and trauma. Yet he rejoices knowing God turns his "mourning into dancing!" David does not always understand why he is experiencing what he is in the moment or even long after it has passed, but he knows that God redeems all things and makes them good in His time, to His plan and purposes.
David isn't the only one who offers this perspective. Even Joseph, who was persecuted by his own family, stated to the brothers who wronged him, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive…" (Genesis 50:20). God's redemptive power is consistently on display throughout scripture.
What is your tendency when you have been wronged? Maybe you lean towards offering empty apologies or holding grudges. Perhaps you cling to a past hurt because you wanted a better outcome, or you didn't like the people involved. Remember, Jesus calls us to repent of such behavior and adopt a heart and posture that extend true forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. When we surrender those things to the Father, the door is open for His redemptive power to take the mourning in our hearts and relationships and turn it into dancing.
Reflection
Reflection Helps Us Pause, Listen, And Let God Speak To Our Hearts.
- Do I have a foundation of God's redemption in my life and relationships?
- Can I rejoice with praise and dancing with how God has redeemed my past?
Weekly Memory Verse
Read It Once A Day. Let It Shape How You Think And Pray This Week.
"Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends."
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Prayer
Through Prayer, We Talk To God And Listen For His Guidance.
Lord, open my heart to your redeeming power, even the part that I hold back from you. Help me to show kindness to those in my life and forgive those who have wronged me. Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me! Amen.
Come Back Tomorrow
Join us tomorrow as we explore how bitterness and forgiveness can shape our hearts.