He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.- Ephesians 1:7 NLT

Imagine that you are caged up like an animal. The guard is mean and doesn’t let you bathe or eat or use the washroom. Your clothes are grimy, and the smell is disgusting. The other people in the cage are angry too and fight with you constantly. Day after day, year after year, you are in despair, wishing you could get free. But you know there’s no hope of earning your freedom.

One day, a handsome king walks into the prison. You overhear him say your name to the guard and give him something. The king catches your eye and smiles reassuringly.

Reluctantly, the guard unlocks the door and motions you out. The king takes your hand and hugs you. “I paid for your freedom with the prince’s life,” he murmurs. “I want to forgive you for all you’ve done wrong and adopt you as my child. Will you accept my gift of freedom and forgiveness?”

What will you choose?

Thank you dear Lord that you paid for my freedom with your son Jesus’ blood. Help me not to take it for granted. Thank you for forgiving me for all my wrongdoing. Help me to live every day with your power.

Throughout this day: If you have never accepted the King’s wonderful gift, confess your sins to him and be set free. If you have already become a part of his family, then pray for someone who needs to be set free from sin.

https://thelife.com/devotionals/paid-by-the-prince (originally published Nov.19/25)

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Jesus loves you and has a purpose for your valuable life.

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.- Colossians 3:13 NLT

“If you give a hundred dollars, you will get a hundredfold return. God wants you and every believer to be rich!” The preacher pointed his finger then wiped his forehead.

Years ago, my husband and I met at a church that had false teaching. We didn’t know it when we joined, but God used some resources to help us recognize the errors. I felt duped and tricked. I had to start my relationship with God all over again. Some leaders had said and done things to control us which I felt were unforgivable. Of course, God convicted me to forgive them. His word tells us to forgive anyone who offends us. It was easier said than done.

The devil doesn’t want us to forgive. He wants us to hold on to resentment until it congeals into bitterness. And bitterness hurts us more than it hurts the offender. Don’t let the enemy get a foothold into your heart.

God’s word says we must forgive others, and links it with remembering how much God has forgiven us. We can’t do it in our own strength, but only by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When you forgive, you are not saying what the offender did was all right. You are letting them off your hook. You are releasing them from your vengeance. God, the perfectly righteous and just judge, is the one who will take vengeance and repay.

Lord God, help me to make allowance for other’s faults. Help me to forgive all who offend me. Thank you for forgiving me. Help me to obey you and forgive others.

Throughout this day: Ask God to help you to be willing to forgive. Ask him to help you forgive each time the negative feelings toward someone come up. Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for them. Pray for them.

Originally published November 5, 2025 on TheLife.com. https://thelife.com/devotionals/let-them-off-your-hook

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Remember Jesus loves you a lot. He can enable you to love and serve him forever.

Be Generous to the Poor

You will be paid back by God

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.- Prov 19:17 ESV

“Hey Mom! Look at this!” My son’s eyes were bright.

The cavernous room was filled with excitement and lots of new toys to be packed. My family joined with children and adults to fill boxes with Christmas gifts for local less fortunate children. Later we helped distribute them to families in an apartment complex.

You might not start a soup kitchen, but you can serve at one. You might not be setting people free from human trafficking, but you can donate money toward an organization that does.

We can’t do everything, but we can do something. We are small parts of the body of Christ but when we work together, we can accomplish great things for God. One of my favorite short prayers is “I can’t, but God, you in me can.”

Dear Lord, thank you for providing me with more than enough. Please help me to be generous to the poor today. Thank you for rewarding me in heaven.

Throughout this day: Take stock of how much you are giving to the poor. If it is some, ask God if he wants you to give or serve more. If it is nothing, ask him to direct you to the right ministries to help.

Originally published on The Life on October 25, 2025. https://thelife.com/devotionals/be-generous-to-the-poor

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