FORGIVE...

Do you have someone in your life you need to forgive? How difficult a task that can truly be in one's life. Often we even hear "I will forgive him but not forget". As Christians we need to truly be a forgiving people. I was sitting with a client in a counseling session at the college this past
week and he was really having a rough time with forgiving his father. His father has treated him in an unloving way all his life. As we talked of how this was such a burden in his life, we eventually
spoke of how forgiveness seemed the best remedy for bringing about change. You know we all do and
say things sometimes we do not mean to..or even have unjust things done to us. I liken it to Paul who said (paraphrased)"I do things I should not and not do things I should"..and Jesus who said, "they persecute me- they will persecute you"...

Thank you God for your grace, mercy and forgiveness. ..Thank you Jesus for your strength, courage and forgiving heart. For without these, we would have no HOPE...And Oh what examples we have... can't you just see Stephen? Act 7:60 "Lord, do not charge them with this sin"...and Jesus?
Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

It is important to be forgiving. It cures a diseased and unloving heart. It is also crucial to our salvation. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt. 6:14-15 It helped me with my earthly father. And, I am sure it helped in liberating him from the sinful
alcohol problem which God helped him overcome. Forgiveness has that type of power...liberates me/liberates them.

Who do you need to forgive?...whether they deserve it or not... And how many times Lord should I forgive them?..."70x7 "...WOW! It starts within your own HEART.
—Gary Rivers