Forgiveness--What it is and how to do it!

In his little book, Winning Spiritual Warfare: Steps to Freedom in Christ, Neil T. Anderson gives a list of things to help someone forgive. (Pages 28-31) The following is my para-phrased list from Mr. Anderson--

• Forgiveness is not forgetting. The only ony one who can truly forgive and forget is Adonai, the Almighty God.
• Forgiveness is a choice.
• Forgivenes is agreeing to live with another person's sin. The following is a quote from Mr. Anderson's book--"All true forgivenss is substitutionary, because no one really forgives without bearing the consequences of another person's sin." (Page 30)
• You must decide to not use the negative information or experience against the other person in the future.
• You must acknowledge the hurt and the hate that you feel.
• You cannot wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving. Feelings take time to heal. In forgiveness, you are seeking freedom from bitterness and resentment, not the restoration immediately of good feelings. However, after true forgiveness, your feelings will heal.

Another quote from Mr. Anderson's book is "Forgiveness is dealing with your pain and leaving the other person to God." (Page 31) Mr. Anderson suggests praying the following prayer--"Lord, I forgive (name the person) for (verbally share every hurt and pain the Lord brings to your mind and how it made you feel)." (Page 31) Pray this prayer over every person that you need to forgive.

Mr. Anderson continues with this prayer: "Lord, I release all these people to you and my right to seek revenge. I choose not to hold on to my bitterness and anger, and I ask You to heal my damaged emotions. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen" (Page 31)

As you can see, Neil Anderson gives good advice. If you follow these steps sincerely, I am sure you will find that soon you will have more joy and peace than you have experienced previously.

October 15--Sweetest Day & Grouch Day

Today, October 15, is both Sweetest Day and Grouch Day, according to the calendar on a website that I recently visited. These two concepts seem to be diametrically opposed to one another. You certainly do not want to be grouchy with someone that you are “sweet on”, especially in a relationship that is just blooming. However, in a relationship, you need to be honest and real. So if you are feeling grouchy, shouldn’t you let your better half know? And shouldn’t they understand?

All relationships go through sweet times and grouchy times. The strong ones are those who have learned to weather the “grouchy” times and to savor the “sweet” times. It is important in any relationship to give love, forgiveness, and space when needed.

Today you may be feeling sweet, but your partner may be grouchy. So today is your giving day. However tomorrow the roles may be reversed and you may be in need of the love, forgiveness, understanding, and space that you have given on other days.

Therefore, having Sweetest Day and Grouch Day on the same date may not seem so odd afterall. It is just an expression of life that all of you “sweeties” and “grouchies” are learning to balance.

10-15-05 Romans 12:9

Romans 12:9 (KJ21)
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:9 (NAS)
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9 (NIVUS)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9 (NRSV)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

Romans 12:9 (NLT)
Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.

Many in today's world have a misconceived idea of what love really is, believing that love is conditional. Even Christian believers are confused at times. A common thought pattern of our society is "I will love you as long as you are making me happy." However, if someone fails to meet expectations, then "we are out of there."

The love that Adonai, the Almighty God, gives you is the type of love that He expects you to show to others. Although affection is a part of love, the emotional side of love is not the most important aspect. God's love gives kindness and mercy to even those who do not deserve it. The warm feeling that you have toward someone, although valid in themselves, do no prove your love.

Being good to others, as a deliberate act of your will, is the best proof that you love someone. Even as God gave His Son Jesus to the world to show His love, sometimes you must give what is the best and most precious, including your time, your resources, or your own wishes and desires. Also you should not reserve your love for only those with whom you have close relationships, but you should express love for the welfare of friend or stranger alike. Your expressions should be sincere, unfeigned, and without pretense.

Anything that is evil or hurtful to others is totally contrary to God's character. The Bible says that as He is so are you in this world. Therefore, you cannot walk in love with others if you are behaving viciously or maliciously. Anything that causes grief or harm to another does not originate from Adonai, your God. You should abhor, detest, and hate such things. In fact, to even think on anything evil or wicked should cause you to shudder.

On the other hand, you should hold fast and stick like glue to anything that is good and beneficial to others. If you have it within your power to help someone, you should do so without delay. Being good and kind to others should be your habitual practice.

Pastor/Clergy Appreciation Month & Boss' Day Oct16th

October is Pastor/Clergy Appreciation Month

October 16th is Boss's Day

10-14-05 Psalms 130:7

Psalms 130:7 (KJ21)
Let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.

Psalms 130:7 (NAS)
O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.

Psalms 130:7 (NIVUS)
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

Psalms 130:7 (NRSV)
O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

Psalms 130:7 (NLT)
O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love and an overflowing supply of salvation.

As a child of God, a member of Adonai's chosen family, you have the strength and power of the Almighty at your disposal. He has given you the power and authority of a prince in His Kingdom and through these, you prevail against your enemies.

Because you are born again of the Spirit of God, you are now becoming progressively more like the Lord Jesus Christ, who as the Lamb of God, had the might to defeat the kingdom of darkness. As a ram drives its enemies away with force and heavy blows, so Yeshua battered down the gates of hell. Now, you, as a member of Christ's church, know that the gates of hell cannot prevail against you.

However, as a human being, your strength is not unlimited. You need to take time for refreshing. Waiting patiently on God, tarrying in His presence, is the best way to experience this renewal. As you wait, you will find that the Lord will renew your strength. He will take your weakness and exchange it for His power.

When you maintain your hope and trust in the Lord Jehovah, He continues to extend His kindness, favor, and mercy to you. The Lord your God sees you as equal to His Son through the finished work of the cross; you are a joint heir with Jesus. In your humanity, you are still an inferior creation, but spiritually you are on the same level as your Savior. However, because of your human weakness, the Lord God daily bestows His grace and mercy on you.

Through Him, you have received deliverance and redemption from sin. Now it is God's will to give you increase and abundance in every respect. He always sees you enlarged and excelling. He desires to fill every area of lack, for He has heaps of treasures stored up for you alone. His exceeding riches are at your disposal, to multiply and nourish you. He wants you to have more than enough to supply your needs and to share with others.

Autumn

Time for pumpkins

A nip in the air

Brightly colored leaves falling from the trees.

10-13-05 Job 4:6

Job 4:6 (KJ21)
Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?

Job 4:6 (NAS)
Is not your fear of God your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?

Job 4:6 (NIVUS)
Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

Job 4:6 (NRSV)
Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

Job 4:6 (NLT)
Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn’t you believe that God will care for those who are upright?

There are many things in this world that can cause you to fear. Recently the headlines have been filled with the death and destruction, which occurred through natural disasters. In the not too distant past, we were all touched with the evil of terrorism. Daily there are reports of murders, rapes, muggings, and robberies. There are wars and rumors of war. All of these can fill you with terror and dread.

However, there is only One that we should fear. You know that Adonai, the Most High God, is the One who deserves your fear, reverence, and respect. Because you already honor and revere the Lord your God, you do not need to be afraid of Him. You know that you are safe and secure in His hands. You can confidently place your trust in Him, for He has you covered from every angle.

The sinner, the man who does not fear the Lord, thinks your decision is foolish and silly. He does not realize that the Bible says it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. He has no place to put his trust, except in himself and other men. That, however, is a shaky prospect at best. Unlike our perfect God, man is far from being infallible. The sinful man does not understand that if he chooses to fear Adonai, he will not have to be afraid of natural disasters, terrorists, or war. He does not know that God could be his refuge and strength.

Unlike the sinner, you have come to understand the complete truth, found in Jesus Christ, God's Son. Through Him, you are made innocent, perfect, and complete. You are now upright, clean, and whole. No longer is your life a waste, but it is prosperous and full, for you strive to walk in the integrity of God's Truth. You allow God's word and His Spirit to guide you toward and into Adonai's will. You are always filled with the expectation and hope of the good things that your Father God has planned for you. You know that things you long and believe for will come to pass because your hope and faith is in the Lord.

10-12-05 2 Thessalonians 2:13

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJ21)
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you for salvation, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NAS)
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIVUS)
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NRSV)
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT)
As for us, we always thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation, a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and by your belief in the truth.

Many times Christian believers will light-heartedly tell their brothers or sisters in the Lord that they "have to" love them. Of course, the other believer agrees. However, neither fully understands the meaning behind those teasing words.

According to Adonai, the Lord God Almighty, you are under obligation to your brothers and sisters. In fact, the Lord sets a very high standard in how you treat fellow believers. One thing that He stresses is that you should be grateful for and express that gratitude to your brethren. You should always give them favor and be kind. It is also important that you freely forgive and pardon them for any trespasses against you. This is not merely a suggestion; the Lord emphasizes that you need to treat this as a debt that you owe.

Jesus, our Lord and Master, holds every believer with high regard. In His heart, the Lord has a personal affection for you and is fond of you. He deliberately set His will to love you, choosing to make you His friend. He is passionate about you, but also has thorough knowledge and understanding of who you are. Although He sees your imperfections, He continues to love you with His perfect, unconditional love.

From the very beginning of time, Adonai chose you, taking you for Himself. Because He prefers to have a relationship with you, He lifted you out of the sin that engulfed you, the sin that wanted to pull you down. He loosened the hold that evil had on you, removing you from the sin and guilt. He rescued and delivered you, taking you to a place of safety.

Now He is bringing you through a process of consecration and purification. The Lord has separated you from profane things and has cleansed and is renewing your soul. In response, you have dedicated yourself to God. You are becoming holy, even as the Lord your God is holy. As the Spirit of God brings you into more revelation of the word of God and convicts you of the truth it contains, you learn to listen to and comply with God's will. Your trust and confidence increases as you obey and yield to Him.

10-11-05 Proverbs 14:32

Proverbs 14:32 (KJ21)
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Proverbs 14:32 (NAS)
The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.

Proverbs 14:32 (NIVUS)
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

Proverbs 14:32 (NRSV)
The wicked are overthrown by their evil-doing, but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.

Proverbs 14:32 (NLT)
The wicked are crushed by their sins, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

When you look at those who do not practice any faith, it might look as if they are still living blessed lives. They seem to be happy and prosperous. You see them committing sin and yet you do not see them showing any guilt for their actions. They act wickedly and do not realize that what they are doing is actually condemning them. They are hostile towards God and their fellow man.

These, who practice wickedness and evil, do not realize that their rebellion is pushing them further and further away from God. The bad seeds that they have sown actually become a malignancy within them. Like a fast growing cancer, their sin violently drives them into more pain, misery, and distress. Outwardly they may appear happy and carefree, but inwardly they are full of unhappiness and sadness. They have no hope.

You, however, have been made righteous, through the blood of the Lamb of God. Yeshua's blood has cleansed you from the sin in your life and you are no longer driven by its evil force. The Lord your God has vindicated, justified, and saved you.

Now you can seek refuge and flee for protection to Adonai, the Lord Most High. Unlike the wicked, you have placed your trust and confidence in Him and He gives you hope for your future. Even if death confronts you, you need not fear, for God is your refuge and your strength. You know that you will not perish, for Jesus Christ has paid the penalty of your sin. You can be at peace because you have placed your life in the hands of the Lord. And there is no safer place to be.

10-10-05 Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21 (KJ21)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 18:21 (NAS)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIVUS)
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 (NRSV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.

You may feel like you have no power, but God's word tells us that there is a power that every man, woman, and child has. Therefore, you do have power and strength and that lies in your tongue. With your tongue and the words that you speak, you are able to bring life or death to any situation.

Through premeditated thought or in the heat of an argument, you can say things that could kill or slander a person's self image or dreams. You become an executioner, who takes away another's life and vitality, through accusations and lies. This is a very unwise way to use the power that your tongue contains.

A much better use of your words is to bless others, speaking those things that are in alignment with God's word. Words of blessing cause life to flow and bring freshness into those who hear. Life-filled words allow others to receive all of the abundance and fulfillment that Adonai, the Almighty God, has planned for them. It gives them the power to accomplish and complete their missions.

When you bless those you meet and care about, you add to their health and prosperity. You give them new hope and courage, so they do not faint through discouragement and despair. They will be restored, revived, and preserved through your good words.

Soon you will find out that if you speak kind and loving words to others, that you will be nourished as well. As you plant good seeds into your fellow men, your own life will become more fruitful and productive. You will be rewarded and blessed.

10-09-05 Psalms 78:7

Psalms 78:7 (KJ21)
That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;

Psalms 78:7 (NAS)
That they should put their confidence in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,

Psalms 78:7 (NIVUS)
Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalms 78:7 (NRSV)
so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

Psalms 78:7 (NLT)
So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Many things throughout the land are shaking and people are looking for stability, peace, and safety. You have found what others are seeking, for you have set your confidence and trust in Adonai, the Almighty God. You have experienced His transforming power, for He has taken your old, messed-up life and fashioned it into one of beauty and power. God has extended His compassion to you and has appointed and ordained you to have a good future and a hope that others are missing.

The Lord God has strengthened your flanks. He goes before you and is also your rear guard. He leads you into places or situations that others see as foolish or stupid. However, God has a wonderful plan for your life--a plan to build His Kingdom and to bring Him glory. Therefore, do not lose your hope and confidence when the circumstances that you are in seem impossible, for the Lord will not let the enemy over-run your flanks. You are safe in God's hands.

Do not forget nor ignore everything that the One True God has done for you. He sent His Only Begotten Son to redeem you from the pit and destruction. Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, became the Lamb of God, who was sacrificed in your place. He took your sin to the cross and gave you His righteousness instead.

Continue to guard and keep watch over God's commandments, for in them you find the code of wisdom for your life. Keep His commission and charges to you close to your heart. Always care about what the Lord your God tells you. Do your best to carry out His wishes and His desires. Your hope and confidence in the Lord are strengthened through your faithful obedience. The more that you walk in obedience the more of God's wonderful works you will see.