The Houtz House Party: In The Word Wednesday

Today is our twin boys 2^nd birthday.

Elijah and Jacob I am so blessed to be your mama. I am so proud of the little people you are.

As I go through Scripture this week I can’t help but look at my reading in reference to things I want to ensure you know from God’s word.

Elijah & Jacob, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). I pray you never waiver.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Love people and be kind my sweet boys. You have no idea what is going on in someone else’s life. I know sometimes it’s hard to do even when you don’t agree with that person or that person has hurt you but I promise you when you look back at your life you will be happy you did those things. I pray you learn that lesson earlier in life than I did. And don’t forget that even if someone wrongs you are commanded by God to forgive them the wrong.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²²Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^[g]

²³“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold^[h] was brought to him. ²⁵Since 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.

²⁶“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’²⁷The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

²⁸“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.^[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

²⁹“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

³⁰“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

³²“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

³⁵“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” – Matthew 18: 21-35

Elijah and Jacob lastly, today I encourage you to use the talents God gave you to serve people in LOVE for that is what we are called to do in Galatians 5:13.

Remember boys…

How much do I love you?