March 15

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:9-11 (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

God's love for us sent His Son "to be" the "propitiation" for our sins.  'To be' is a third person singular present indicative of IS.  The word "propitiation" defined is "a means of appeasing" or "to bring to a state of peace, quiet or calm; to satisfy, or relieve."  So the amplified reading of this portion of scripture says this:  "His Son IS the means of appeasing for our sins."  This significance of this is not to give us an authorization to continue to sin, but it is an inclination to do the opposite!  Remember this, "each time we sin, we crucify Jesus again".  If we call ourselves Christians and we do not love one another, we sin!  How can we love God whom we have not seen and not love our brothers/sisters/children whom we have seen?  1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar." 

What does this have to do with praying for our children?  Just like a husband, who does not honour his wife, will have his prayers hindered; so will a parent who does not love his/her brothers and sisters.  OUCH!!!  This cuts me today as  I'm struggling to deal with an estranged sibling who I feel has been very cold to me.  But the fact of the matter is, it's not about me...it's about Jesus!  I dare not crucify Him again and I dare not sacrifice my children over foolish misunderstandings and failing to forgive.

Father, thank you for allowing us another chance to get it right today!  Thank you for showing us in your word that we are called to a higher standard if we say that we love you.  We can not ignore our neighbor and expect You to move on our behalf.  We can not hold grudges with our baby daddy/momma and come to You for forgiveness.  We can not judge someone elses' shortcomings, when we have sin (gossip, bitterness, disobedience etc) in our lives.  Help us get our act together, love one another and love our children...our very lives depend on it!  In Jesus name, Amen!