Christian Reflection and Prayer

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The sky is the daily
bread of the eyes.” The sky inspires us, encouraging us
to believe in possibilities that “the sky is the limit.” The
sky is comforting, reminding us that from a higher
perspective, our problems seem oh-so-very small. The
sky reminds us that we are not alone, that there is a
heaven above and God watching over us. The sky is
food for the soul.

We have the sky for that, too. When you are weary,
look up. When you feel alone, look up. When you feel
down, look up. Look up to God and He will shine His
face down upon you!

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)

With my authority, take this message of repentance to all
the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness
of sins for all who turn to me."
Luke 24:47 NLT

More Words of Forgiveness from the Bible

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not
forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 43:25-26
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my
own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the
past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the
case for your innocence.

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be
wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old
has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Daniel 9:9
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we
have rebelled against him;

(from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation)

Scripture:

“That night all the members of the community raised their
voices and wept aloud.”—Numbers 14:1

There is a story told about the famous French emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte. He was traveling through a Jewish
town in Europe when he entered a synagogue. There he
saw men, women, and children, all sitting on the floor,
weeping and reading from ancient texts. The room was
almost completely dark and the atmosphere was gloomy.

“What great misfortune occurred?” Napoleon wanted to
know. He assumed that something terrible must have just
happened to the Jews. The Jewish officer with him knew
otherwise. He explained, “It is the ninth of Av on the
Hebrew calendar. On this day, every year, Jews around
the world gather to mourn the destruction of the Temple in
Jerusalem.” Napoleon asked, “When did that happen?”
The officer replied, “Two thousand years ago.” Napoleon
was shocked and said, “Any people that still cry for their
land and their Temple after two thousand years will surely
merit seeing both returned to them.”

Indeed, the land of Israel has been returned to the Jewish
people. But as the Temple still lies in ruins,

Friends, let’s consider what we cry about. If we whine and
complain for no good reason, it won’t go over well with God.
When we cry for good reasons, we will be rewarded. Those
who weep over the Temple will get to see it rebuilt. Those
who cry for the sake of God will see God do great things for
them.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)