Prayer and Forgiveness - Stressing the Rails - January 6, 2021, Stressing the Rails with Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. - Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr.

Prayer and Forgiveness - Stressing the Rails - January 6, 2021

January 06, 2021

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY January 6, 2021

Prayer and Forgiveness

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15

The Lord’s Prayer teaches that we should ask God to forgive us as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us (Matthew 6:12). Today’s passage expands on that idea with a warning that if we don’t pardon others, our heavenly Father won’t forgive us. This has caused some believers to wonder if they could lose their salvation by holding a grudge against someone who has hurt, mistreated, or defrauded them.

However, that is not at all what Jesus is saying. He is speaking to His disciples, drawing an analogy between God’s family and our earthly families: A parent-child relationship is not broken by the child’s unforgiving attitude, but it does cause the parent to respond with loving discipline in order to correct the disobedience. The fact that Jesus says, “your heavenly Father” clearly shows that the spiritual relationship is still intact (Matthew 6:14).

In a family, when one of the children refuses to obey, the parents don’t stop loving him or her. However, since the child is at odds with them, privileges will be lost until obedience resumes. In the same way, our heavenly Father keeps us under His discipline until we repent and forgive others.

Scripture: James 4:10

What is my focus in this scripture? Meditate

Pray in your own way; Please pray for:

Your Big Issues - Which include:

3 family members and friends that you know need to be saved or come into closer relationship with God
Pray for your own issues and needs in your life
Pray that others will catch the wave of spiritual revival that is going on in this nation and in the Church.

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About Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr.

Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. is a native of Birmingham, Alabama where he was educated in the public school system. He graduated from Tennessee State University, Nashville,Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. He received a Master’s Degree in Music Education; a Class A certification in School Principal ship and the Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, Dr. Wesley received a Bible Diploma and Bible Certification from Birmingham Baptist Bible College. He completed the Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leadership Program from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Dr. Wesley earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary in Shreveport, Louisiana May 2006.

Dr. Wesley retired in 2003 after a brilliant 26-year career as an educator in the Birmingham Public Schools. He served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal of three different schools (Powderly Elementary; Arrington Middle and was the first African American principal of Woodlawn High School). He served on the Central Office staff as Extended Day Principal and Coordinator of Safe and Drug Free Schools.

Dr. Wesley is regularly sought after to speak in both schools and churches. He has had the privilege of speaking across the nation and in several foreign countries. His spiritual gifts of teaching and preaching are well documented. He is a member of many organizations. His civic and professional associations are too numerous to mention.

Most recent is the evidence of his leadership, occurred with the completion of a multimillion dollar edifice and education facility located in the heart of the West End community.

Dr. Wesley is currently the pastor of the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in the West End community where he has given thirty years of service. He has a great love for people and for learning.

He is married to the former Venita Burkes, and is the father of two sons, Rev. Michael Wesley Jr. and James Edward, one grandson and two granddaughters.

Dr. Wesley is the author of three books, When God Changes A Church, Everybody Deserves A Good Funeral and Reaching the Unchurched_Pathway to Church Growth.

Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr.