Standing on God's Word: April 2018

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Week #8 CONCLUSION:

Bible Study: "The Seven Habits of a godly life."

(By Dr. Charles Stanley)

This has been a great study! The life of a Christian and the life style and ways that would please a righteous God starts with a prayer life that gains a relationship with the Father. Prayer is connection with God, communicating with Him daily, getting to know Him through prayer. My life has changed because I truly believe in praying to the Father every chance I get; while riding in my car or just setting in meditation. When you pray your faith grows into trust. The situation that has come into my life has built up my faith in God. I hate these times, but I know if I didn't have situations, trials, or tribulation then I would not trust God as I do today. These times cause me to pray more because I need God to help me. But not only through bad times, but good times too. My good time has brought praises to my heart and I just worship Him in praise with crying tears. Oh what a blessed time! I have learn that the bad times can too, because then you can get closer to God through prayer and communicating through the Holy Spirit, whom I have learn to depend on. Sometimes I set and just meditate and the Holy Spirit would bring the bad times to my remembrance of how God brought me through. He has let me know that I have not been alone. All the Prayer Focus came from the book by Sarah Young "Jesus Calling." This book speaks to my heart from the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful that God blesses me with a daily quiet time with Him, so I can grow more spiritually and trust Him in my heart more.

Personally, I get so down in my spirit, but God's Holy Spirit remind me to trust in God always.

A life that trusts God is a life of prayer! Having faith, if only as a mustard seed brings a godly life; but it do take more to live a godly life to God Almighty. We surely need communication with the Father, so He can talk with Him and His Holy Spirit for guidance; I read this once, guidance means "God U and I dance," what a beautiful interpretation of this word! Imagine you and God so close that it only takes a whisper to Him. When I was a teenager I would whisper in my dance partner's ear thing I didn't want others to hear. That was so sweet then! This is how it is with God and you in meditation. When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit we are prompted in a whisper in our hearts to God. And, this is done through meditation in God's Word. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter! He comforts us in this world today. He helps us live a godly life, so we can please God daily. Remember God's Spirit always works through His Word. Meditation on God's Word daily is a godly habit to live by.

The leaders of the early church relied on the Holy Spirit to give them this kind of specific personal guidance, and we are wise to do likewise. In studying the whole Bible you can find that God's nature and characteristic is generosity! He has promised us this nature too. We have God's life, nature, and ability in us to do what pleases God and to live a godly life.

Hebrews' Reading Assignment:

This book touch my heart so much, especially reading it during the Passover Week; I saw so much more then than I have ever saw in this book concerning the Atonement and Christ as our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. My prayer is that every Christian read this book in the fullness. I felt lead to give a summer of this book as a conclusion for our study.

Although some include the Book of Hebrews among the apostle Paul's writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. Missing is Paul's customary salutation common to his other works. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eye-witnesses of Christ Jesus (2:3) makes Pauline authorship doubtful. Some attribute Luke as its writer; others suggest Hebrews may have been written by Apollos, Barnabas, Silas, Philip, or Aquila and Priscilla. Regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the Holy Spirit of God is the divine author of all Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16); therefore, Hebrews speaks with the same canonical authority as the other sixty-five books of the Bible.

Date of Writing: The early church father Clement quoted from the Book of Hebrews in A.D. 95. However, internal evidence such as the fact that Timothy was alive at the time the epistle was written and the absence of any evidence showing the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system that occurred with Jerusalem's destruction in A.D. 70 indicates the book was written around A.D. 65.

Purpose of Writing: The late Dr. Walter Martin, founder of the Christian Research Institute and writer of the best-selling book Kingdom of the Cults, quipped in his usual tongue-in-cheek manner that the Book of Hebrews was written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews. In truth, many of the early Jewish believers were slipping back into the rites and rituals of Judaism in order to escape the mounting persecution. This letter, then, is an exhortation for those persecuted believers to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Key Verses: Hebrews 1:1-2: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."

Hebrews 2:3: "How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation…"

Hebrews 4:14-16: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Brief Summary: The Book of Hebrews addresses three separate groups: believers in Christ, unbelievers who had knowledge of and an intellectual acceptance of the facts of Christ, and unbelievers who were attracted to Christ, but who rejected Him ultimately. It's important to understand which group is being addressed in which passage. To fail to do so can cause us to draw conclusions inconsistent with the rest of Scripture.

The writer of Hebrews continually makes mention of the superiority of Christ in both His personage and in His ministering work. In the writings of the Old Testament, we understand the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism symbolically pointed to the coming of Messiah. In other words, the rites of Judaism were but shadows of things to come. Hebrews tells us that Christ Jesus is better than anything mere religion has to offer. All the pomp and circumstances of religion pales in comparison to the person, work, and ministry of Christ Jesus! It is the superiority of our Lord Jesus, then, that remains the theme of this eloquently written letter.

Connections: Perhaps nowhere in the New Testament does the Old Testament come into focus more than in the Book of Hebrews, which has as its foundation the Levitical priesthood. The writer to the Hebrews constantly compares the inadequacies of the Old Testament sacrificial system to the perfection and completion in Christ. Where the Old Covenant required continual sacrifices and a once-a-year atonement for sin offered by a human priest, the New Covenant provides a once-for-all sacrifice through Christ (Hebrews 10:10) and direct access to the throne of God for all who are in Him.

Practical Application: Rich in foundational Christian doctrine, the Epistle to the Hebrews also gives us encouraging examples of God's "faith heroes" who persevered in spite of great difficulties and adverse circumstances (Hebrews 11). These members of God's Hall of Faith provide overwhelming evidence as to the unconditional surety and absolute reliability of God. Likewise, we can maintain perfect confidence in God's rich promises, regardless of our circumstances, by meditating upon the rock-solid faithfulness of God's workings in the lives of His Old Testament saints.

The writer of Hebrews gives ample encouragement to believers, but there are five solemn warnings we must heed. There is the danger of neglect (Hebrews 2:1-4), the danger of unbelief (Hebrews 3:7–4:13), the danger of spiritual immaturity (Hebrews 5:11–6:20), the danger of failing to endure (Hebrews 10:26-39), and the inherent danger of refusing God (Hebrews 12:25-29). And so we find in this crowning masterpiece a great wealth of doctrine, a refreshing spring of encouragement, and a source of sound, practical warnings against slothfulness in our Christian walk. But there is still more in Hebrews we find a magnificently rendered portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ—the Author and Finisher of our great salvation (Hebrews 12:2).

Deuteronomy 27:10:

"Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day."

Deuteronomy 28:1:

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:"

Psalm 37:1:

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."

Psalm 37:7-8:

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

Psalm 63:6-8:

"When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.⁷Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.⁸My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."

More Reading Material:

Psalm 103:19:

Psalm 119:133

Proverbs 3:5-6,

Mark 1:35-37,

Luke 4:42-48;

Luke 6:38;

Luke 11:1;

Luke 24:49,

2 Corinthians 9:7

Ephesians 1:13;

Ephesians 4:26-32;

Ephesians 5:18

It has been very rewarding to me during this study, because I have been in a trial through it. Prayer has become more and more a needful tool. When God want you to trust Him more, things will begin to happen. I have been praying more, trusting God more, meditating more on His Word, and yes, obeying Him, depending more on the Holy Spirit, giving God' His time, giving others more compassion, and in this trial I have had to forgive those who have wronged me too. God require this of us if we truly and sincerely want to live the Seven Habits of a godly life before Him, and others. Glory Hallelujah; Thank You Jesus, Praise Your holy Name, You are worthy of all praises, glory, and honor. I worship You, Lord!

Closing Prayers:

Week # 1 Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for caring so much about us. We put all our fears and worries in Your hands and receive Your strength. Thank You for giving us a prayerful life. AMEN.

Week # 2 Closing Prayer:

Lord, I choose to trust You in every situation, though I may feel insecure or fearful. Help me/us to obey You completely. Lord God, may the harvest You're cultivating right now grow and flourish, even if I don't see it in this lifetime. Please help us to trust You with our faith totally in You. AMEN.

Week # 3 Closing Prayer:

Lord, I want to know You better. Teach me to hear Your voice and take joy in listening to Your heart. I desire to set aside time to spend with You daily. Lord, thank You for the wonderful things You're doing for me behind the scenes. You are an awesome God, who reign from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love, and I want to experience that as I set in Your presence. Lord God, help us to be willing to heed Your instruction. We have much to give and much to learn from the Holy Spirit. Give us an opportunity each day to come into Your presence. Grant that to us all in Jesus' name. AMEN.

Week # 4 Closing Prayer:

Jesus, my Lord and Savior, help us to become obedient and be like a child so we might enter into You Kingdom. As we study these lessons help us to be obedient to Your Word we study in these lessons. Jesus, come what may, help us to never leave Your love. Give us the child-like trust to keep ourselves in Your love. Obedience is better than all sacrifices as we read in Your Word. Father, we are praying for all Prayer Warriors, and others in our circle of family or friends to choose to live in obedience to the Word...Help them be those who faithfully obey You. May they/we desire to obey You and what You ask of us in Your Word as an expression of our love for Jesus. Your Word says we are slaves to what we obey, so I ask You to help them/me become slaves to obedience, the obedience that leads to right living and holiness. (Deuteronomy 28:11a; John 14:15; Romans 6:16, 18, 19b) Open our eyes to see the wonderful truths of the Bible, and teach us to choose the way of truth, setting our hearts to live as You say we should live. May we be eager to learn what You want us to do, for You have set our hearts free! (Psalm 119:18, 30, 32) Teach us to follow Your commands; help us to understand them. Give us the desire to obey You with all our hearts. Take away our foolish desires. (Psalm 119:33–34, 37) May we love You and follow Your commands, for they'll not too difficult. In every weakness, Christ, who was obedient even to death, is their strength! And You are faithful to bring us through every temptation;(1 John 5:2; Philippians 4:13; 2:8b; 1 Corinthians 10:13). In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Week # 5 Closing Prayer:

Lord God, I want to do thing Your way. Give me/us Your wisdom so that I/we can make the most of every opportunity. Lord, in our trials and tribulations help us to depend upon Your Holy Spirit to comfort us and live a joyful life unto You. Lord, we spend most of our time looking for things. From the lofty (meaning, purpose, security) to the mundane (bargains, missing earrings, mislaid phones), we are always seeking. Help us remember, Holy Spirit, that nothing matters more than to seek the face of God. In Your presence all is well; all is beautiful. We long for intimacy with You, Lord Jesus. We depend upon You always and forever; AMEN.

Week # 6 Closing Prayer:

Lord, how freely You're given everything to me-to Your people. Use us to lavish Your good gifts on others today. Lord, thank You for the incredible blessings You've lavished on us. Make us a continuous blessing to Your people. AMEN.

Week # 7 Closing Prayer:

Lord God, let the fruit of Your Spirit characterize our words and actions, and bring life to others. Heavenly Father, I confess my sins to You now, those known and unknown. Help me and others to believe that You really do blot out the things that we would like to forget too! We want to walk in the freedom of knowing that we are saved by Your grace and in the confidence that You will always show us mercy and grace. For it is all Your Kingdom, Your power, and all the glory be Yours forever and ever. AMEN.

Closing Prayer for this Study:

Lord God, we praise You for Your grace and mercy today. Thank You for Your love. It is because of You we can live a forgiven life. This study has bless our hearts and we glorify You. As You have taught us, please now, Lord help us to live this for Your glory. AMEN.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Week # 7

Weekly reading assignments: (Hebrews 13)

I have read the book of Hebrews our reading assignment for this study!

A Devotional on Forgiveness

Week # 7

Have you ever been wronged by someone? I mean really hurt to the core? It's probably happened to all of us a time or two in our lives. The pain is worsened when someone close to us does it, such as family, friends or fellow Christians.

Natural human reactions can be revenge, anger, bitterness, or even disillusionment. We often protect ourselves by drawing away from the offender. This may lead to isolation from everyone into a self-imposed exile of loneliness.

Waiting for the offender to make things right is usually futile. The offender either doesn't realize the damage they've done through their words or actions, or they just don't care. Your suffering means nothing to the offender. They couldn't care less! The injured one carries the hurt.

The Lord Jesus showed us a higher way. He taught us by example to forgive. He said, as He hung on the cross dying,

"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NLT)

I've had to forgive on occasion. When I was a young minister living on faith, my prescription glasses were stolen from the dashboard of my vehicle. I believed it was done by some neighborhood teens though I couldn't be sure. The loss hurt me badly. I asked myself, "Why'd they steal my prescription glasses? They're no good to anybody but me, and I need them to drive."

The more I thought about it the angrier I got. I couldn't replace them at the time so it began to eat at me on the inside. Finally, I took it to the Lord. He told me in my Spirit that I must forgive them.

"Forgive them? I asked. They haven't asked my forgiveness." On that day I learned how forgiveness is a one-way street. When Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, they had not asked for forgiveness. Jesus would have never forgiven them if their asking were the prerequisite.

No. Not only did He forgive them, He also did not hold it to their account.

So, I had to forgive those boys. I prayed from my heart for Father to forgive them, and then I took the extra step as led by the Spirit.

I prayed, "Father, I give my glasses to those boys. The glasses now belong to them. They can't steal their own glasses, so Father don't hold it to their account."

As I released the glasses to them, forgiveness was released, and a remarkable thing happened. The hurt, anger, and bitterness, from which I suffered, were released as well. I was freed from the hurt that was eating me up. Though they never asked my forgiveness and never knew I had forgiven them, in God's eyes it was official. They were forgiven and I was free! I released the grudge I was carrying.

So if you should find yourself walking down Bitterness Road, or Betrayal Lane, having been wronged, stop and turn right on Forgiveness Way. It will lead you away from the Angry Acres gated community, to the land of peace.

Remember, there is no going back because Forgiveness is a one-way street!

Weekly Prayer Focus:

Speak Lord Jesus

When your sins weigh heavily upon you, come to Me. Confess your wrongdoing, which I know all about before you say a word. Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing, and healing. Remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness, so nothing can separate you from Me. Whenever you stumble or fall, I am there to help you up.

Man's tendency is to hide from his sin, seeking refuge in the darkness. There he indulges in self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, and hatred. But I am the Light of the world, and My illumination decimates the darkness. Come close to Me and let My Light envelope you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace.

Read: 1 John 1:17; Isaiah 61:10; John 8:12

Weekly Life Principle:

Five Steps to Forgiveness

Step 1: Recognize we've been totally forgiven. Once we understand the depth of our sin and the distance it placed between us and God—and once we get a glimpse of the sacrifice He made to restore fellowship with us—we should not hesitate to forgive. If we comprehend God's forgiveness toward us but refuse to forgive those who've wronged us, then we're like the wicked, ungrateful slave Jesus described in Matthew 18:23-34. Although his huge debt was forgiven, the slave immediately demanded repayment of a trifling amount someone owed him. Realizing God has totally forgiven us of a debt we can never repay helps us learn the importance of forgiving others.

Step 2: Release the offender from the debt we feel is owed to us. This involves mentally bundling all of our hostile feelings and surrendering them to Christ.

We can accomplish this by meeting face-to-face with the person who wronged us or by using an alternate approach. In cases where this person lives far away, has died, or is totally unapproachable, it may be necessary to use the "chair substitution" method. Sit facing an empty chair, imagining the other individual seated across from you. Then, confess your resentment. You can also use this technique when you want to practice confessing a wrong attitude before attempting it in person.

Step 3: Accept people as they are and release them from any responsibility to meet our needs. We all know someone who blames feelings of acceptance or rejection on others. You may even be like that yourself. Certain individuals can make or break your day, depending on the amount of attention they pay you. This is a common trait in those who are unable or unwilling to forgive. However, when we decide to forgive as an act of the will, we absolve others of any responsibility to meet our needs.

Step 4: View those we've forgiven as tools in our lives. The Lord uses situations and people to help us grow in our understanding of His grace. Joseph certainly grasped this principle. He saw his brothers as instruments God used to place him in a position to save his family during famine. His brothers feared what he might do to get even, but he responded, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive" (Genesis. 50:20).

Step 5: Make reconciliation. We are to re-establish contact with estranged friends, former co-workers, or family members—and an apology is a good place to start. We should do our part to restore fellowship with those who've hurt us. Once forgiveness is complete, reconciliation will be much easier.

After completing the five steps to forgiveness, pray this simple prayer:

Lord, I forgive (name of person) for (name the specifics). I claim authority over the enemy and take back the ground I've allowed Satan to gain because of my attitude toward (the person). I give this area of my life back to the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this in His name and in the power of His Holy Spirit.

Remember, forgiveness is for our benefit. The other person's behavior may never change. It's up to God—not us—to change others. Our responsibility is to be set free from the pressure and weight of an unforgiving attitude. Whatever our pain or situation, we cannot afford to hold on to an unforgiving spirit. We must get involved in the process of releasing others from the debts we feel they owe us. If we keep our eyes on the One who forgave us, it will be a liberating force like nothing we've ever experienced.

Weekly Stay Focus:

Forgiving Others

"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

Ever known someone who simply refused to forgive? It's one thing to cling to past hurts because you're unable to let go; it's another to do so out of spite. There are no stipulations on forgiveness. We must forgive, regardless of what has been done to us. If you are struggling to release someone who has hurt you, ask the Lord to help you. A miracle of joy will take place as you release your grip.

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1). What is forgiving to you?

Forgiveness to me is letting go of grudges and bitterness. When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.

2). Read Mark 11:23; Explain.

Jesus tells us that faith can move mountains. This is not a teaching for us to explain away or for us to drown under a thousand qualifications. Instead, it serves to confront our unbelief and encourage stronger faith in us. It enables us to attempt new things, attain greater heights, and stretch our imagination. We must not shun or deny this faith. Our faith is our greatest power!

3). When it comes to forgiveness, who is God protecting?

God's people are the ones who God is trying to protect. We are the ones who receive the most benefit from forgiveness, not the other person. God is protecting our hearts!

4). When we have unforgiving in our heart, what do it do to our hearts?

A spirit of unforgiveness complicates and compromises our daily walk with God.

5). Read 1 John 4:9-10, explain.

As grateful followers of Jesus, we are told to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). When we represent Him to other people in word and deed, they should see love, in the name of Christ. God is telling us to love others as He has loved us. God love us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins in this world.

6). Read Colossians 3:13, explain.

I really believe that is self-explanatory! "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." We must forgive in order to be forgiven, amen.

7). Forgiving starts as a decision of what, and an act of what?

Forgiving others often starts as a decision of surrender-an act of our will.

8). God can work better in us when we do what?

We talk about healing and this is something that God can do better if we forgive others, and have no unforgiveness in our hearts.

9). Forgiving others makes a way for our own what?

This makes a sure way for our own healing in our bodies every time when we forgive.

10). If you need help in forgiving pray the ending prayer.

"Father God, I need your help and your insights. Today I have gained a better understanding of forgiving others and with your help, I fully forgive from my heart. Just as you have freely forgiven me, I forgive them. Father, I ask you to forgive me for hurting others out of my own hurt and to heal my relationships with others. I pray all of this in Jesus' precious name and by whom all forgiveness and healing was made possible. Thank you for loving me in ways I'll never comprehend. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Bible Study: "The Seven Habits of a godly Life" Week # 7

(By Dr. Charles Stanley)

Prayer:

Father God in heaven, we hollow Your wonderful Name. We just had a remembrance of what Your Son Jesus did for us on the cross thousands of years ago, and it is still the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for a person. We are so grateful, Lord Jesus. Forgiveness is the next awesome thing, and we thank You for forgiving us today for our sins through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now that we have been forgiven, Lord, please help us to forgive others in our lives. Forgiving can be hard, but as Your Word says, "We can do all thing through our Lord Jesus Christ." Bless our hearts to always forgive others who have wronged us, not matter what. Father, forgive us as we forgive others in Jesus' name. AMEN.

Subject Lesson: Forgiving other people.

Let's recap and then study more on

Forgiveness may not be easy, but it's what the Lord commands (Eph. 4:32). Even if someone betrays us, we must forgive and trust God to take care of the situation

Forgiving Others - Direction from God:

Forgiving others may seem to be a choice, and in one sense it is a choice, but God has been very clear about forgiveness. He has given us specific direction in numerous Scriptures, all of which can be summed up in just one word -- forgive! God's Word says, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25). "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).

God is saying that it is in our own best interest to forgive! He is not talking about what is in the best interest of the person who needs to be forgiven. We are the ones who God is trying to protect. We are the ones who receive the most benefit from forgiveness, not the other person. A spirit of unforgiveness complicates and compromises our daily walk with God. Forgiving others releases us from anger and allows us to receive the healing we need. The whole reason God has given us specific direction is because He does not want anything to stand between us and Him. God's love for us is beyond our comprehension. Forgiving others spares us from the consequences of living out of an unforgiving heart.

Forgiving others does not carry with it a single decision that we need to ponder. God has not qualified one sin as being more grievous to Him than another and He has not qualified one sin committed against us as warranting forgiveness and another not. For example, God is not saying, "If a person lies to you or steals from you, you should forgive him, but if they abuse you or harm your child, you can hold them in unforgiveness." He is saying to forgive everyone, always, and do it immediately.

Forgiving Others - A Personal Story:

Forgiving others often takes time. Amy was no longer living with her alcoholic and abusive husband Tim, but she had not been able to forgive him for the 32 years of abuse that she had experienced. She knew she should forgive him, but she could not bring herself to do it. She did not feel he deserved her forgiveness. This went on for several years until one day in a counseling session with Amy, I asked her to listen with her heart and be open to anything the Lord might say to her. During that quiet time, the Lord helped Amy see that He loved Tim, while disapproving of Tim's actions. The Lord made it clear to Amy that the abuse was not her fault. As she looked up from her quiet posture, she related how all of the reasons why she should not forgive were no longer valid. I asked if she was ready to forgive and she said yes.

Amy's recognition that the Lord truly loved Tim, while disapproving his actions, caused her to have a change of heart. When she made the choice to forgive Tim, the feelings that had been compromising her life-anger, resentment, fear, misunderstanding, and confusion-left her heart. Forgiving Tim brought peace to Amy's heart.

Forgiving Others - The Divine Example:

We have a divine example for forgiving others! God knew that man needed forgiveness, so He sent His Son Jesus to deliver all of mankind from the eternal consequences of their sins (1 John 4:9-10). Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Jesus not only had the power to forgive, but to grant us the ability to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

Forgiving Others - Personal Action:

Forgiving others often starts as a decision of surrender-an act of our will. This surrender invites God to begin working in our lives in a deeper level, allowing God to heal us. Just as with Amy, we can ask God to enlighten us with the understanding that we need to fully forgive from our hearts. We simply need to make the choice to be open to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Remember, forgiveness does not justify the deed or the person, it does not provide God's forgiveness for their actions, because only God can do that. While nothing can undo the past, we can do something about the condition of our own present and future. Forgiving others makes a way for our own healing to begin.

If you are willing to forgive, but you are unsure how, consider the prayer below:

Father God, I need your help and your insights. Today I have gained a better understanding of forgiving others and with your help, I fully forgive from my heart. Just as you have freely forgiven me, I forgive them. Father, I ask you to forgive me for hurting others out of my own hurt and to heal my relationships with others. I pray all of this in Jesus' precious name and by whom all forgiveness and healing was made possible. Thank you for loving me in ways I'll never comprehend. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Week #7

Questions: