Think a Minute:
These few thoughts about forgiveness from Stormy Omartian’s book: “The Power of a Praying Life”: One of the best ways to become a forgiving person it for you to understand and receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness is what God has chosen to give to you and He wants you to choose to give it to others. Jesus said, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). It can be more clear. Don’t be confused about God’s forgiveness. When you receive Jesus, you are completely forgiven of all sin. The slate is clean. We are in a state of God’s cleansing, forgiving power…always! But, not forgiving others is one of those self-torturing sins. It may feel good for a moment, but soon it will begin to destroy you. Don’t allow yourself to do it. Instead, obey God by letting people off the hook. Give them a chance to change and be different that what they were. That doesn’t mean you have to set yourself up to be hurt again. it means you release them into God’s hands and you get on with your life. Whenever you forgive someone, you gain greater freedom, wholeness and true success. That’s because when you forgive, you are stepping into he river of life, where you are refreshed and cleansed. When you forgive, you become more like the Lord. When you don’t forgive, unforgiveness takes over your life.
Ask God to show you anyone you need to forgive. Here is a prayer for you to pray:
Dear Lord, I thank You for forgiving me and not even remembering my sins anymore. Show me anything to confess to You today so that I can bring it before You and be set free. Convict my heart any time I stray from Your laws and commandments. I especially ask that You would reveal any place in my heart where I have not forgiven someone. I don’t want to harbor anything within me that will keep my prayers from being heard. Help me to always forgive quickly and not wait for the other person to say or do what I think they should. Take away anything of anger, bitterness in my heart, so that I can extend forgiveness freely toward others. In Jesus’ Name…Amen and Amen!
Pastor Rob Pesola