FOOD FOR THOUGHT

FORGIVING

Everyone knows the Lords Prayer, I think most of us recite it often. But do you really take to heart what you speak? Let's be truthful with ourselves and examine our hearts. Reread Matthew chapter 6 verse 12-"And forgive us our debts AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS". Do we really? How many of us say "I don't hold grudges", "I don't have a mean bone in my body", or, this is one of the classics, "I like everyone", perhaps you have heard this one, "I just let it roll off my back". I think we all have heard these and probably more. But, to get serious with this, no matter what we say to people, G~d knows better. And he is the one that counts in this life and in the next life also. So, to get a bigger picture as to how serious this subject is lets finish reading what G~d has to say in his word. Read Matthew chapter 6 verses 14 and 15- "For if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" NOW THAT'S HEAVY!!

O.K., ..do you get the big picture? If we can't or won't forgive our friends/ family/ co-workers/ bosses/ next-door-neighbor/ kids-on-the-block/ the-person-that-cussed-you-when-they-cut-you-off-making-that-right-turn/ the-counterhelp-that-shortchanged-you/ and lets not forget that-teacher-who-made-you-write-"l won't throw spit-balls at Sally" 200 times and after-school-even, making you miss all that fun with your friends! The point being, we tend to forget about our unforgiveness. And what we don't realize is it hinders our prayers. Read Colossians chapter 3 verse 13- Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye". Then read Mark chapter 1 verses 25 and 26-" And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses". As we see here if G~d won't forgive us because we won't forgive mankind, then he wouldn't even hear your prayers, much less answer them. I think we all get the picture now, so, we know we need to forgive everyone for all things. But the big question is HOW? It's not as easy as it sounds, and it wasn't meant to be.

We in our sinful pride can't possibly begin to forgive in our own strength. First of all we aren't smart enough to realize all the things we have accumulated in the "spiteful closet" against our fellow man. For this reason G~d has more to say to us. Read Matthew chapter 5 verse 44-" But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and PRAY for them which despitefully use you and persecute you". The answer is PRAYER. This will be the hardest thing anyone can do, I know this for a fact! Take the most ruthless thing anyone has done to you, now every time you think about the hurt or pain they inflicted on you, don't you just want to punch their lights out? I did!!! I used to dwell on it and devised ways to get back. I mean bad thoughts.. to the point that I made myself physically sick. I couldn't eat or sleep, I was a very miserable soul. Then one day I gave up.. .I broke down, I couldn't function anymore. I had nowhere to turn but up!!

And when I looked up, G~d was looking down. I told G~d I was a horrible person and to please forgive me for all the mean and nasty thoughts I had toward this person, and to take away my hurt and give me peace. And can you believe this, G~d told me that the only way he could forgive me was for me to forgive this person. I was at a loss, here I wanted some comfort and peace and I'm told to forgive the very person that was so mean to me! All I could say was, "HOW". That's when I was directed to Matthew chapter 5 verse 44. That was hard for me to swallow, but G~d said I had to PRAY for them. So, my first prayer was short in word and thought, "BLESS THEM LORD". That's all I could say, and to tell you the truth I really didn't mean it. But every time I would think of this person, I forced myself to say out loud, "BLESS THEM LORD". And before I realized what was happening a week had gone by and my prayers for this person was lasting 5 minutes. Then another week and they were 10 minutes, until, finally, my prayer for this person was long and came from my heart and every time I would think about the person, I felt LOVE for them. So, you see, this is the great truth about G~d's word, it doesn't make much since to the human reasoning, and it's not supposed to. All we need to do is read G~d's word and as hard as it may be, apply it to our lives,G~d will do the rest!!!! HE IS THE GREAT DELIVERER.

I hope you can come to this great knowledge, and change your life around. I will guarantee you that your life will be much fuller when G~d touches your heart!

My scripture for the week is Ephesians chapter 5 verse 19, G~D BLESS YOU!!!!

[FOOD FOR THOUGHT]

Last Updated on 08-Jan-08