As we were driving today from Grass Lake, Michigan to Goshen, IN….
I read a devotional, out loud. It made such and impact on us that I want to share it with you:
When it comes to forgiving, you can’t say it better than Tim Stafford did: “I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.” The Bible says, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.” You don’t get to choose who you’ll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. “He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:21 NIV).
You can’t be closer to God than you are to the people you love least.
God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the past, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Take your hurt feelings to God and say, “Point out anything… that offends you:” (Psalm 139:24 NLT). It takes courage, but that’s the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God, His Spirit lives inside you. You’re no longer a slave to sin (See Romans 6:14). God knows it’s hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it. To “make allowance” means to take a charitable view and consider the extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don’t insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break!
[from The Word for You Today – Aug. 6]
The bold print in red is the statement that impacted Don and I so much. It’s a bold statement, but it is absolutely the truth. Un-forgiveness breaks our relationship with God. And the longer we hold a grudge, the further we get away from Him and the harder it is to defeat that spirit of pride and come back to Him. As Don said, “that will preach.”
I hope this encourages you as much as it has encouraged and challenged us to be obedient to His Word for it is, after all, the very best for us.
Love, hugs, grace and forgiveness in your life today from Bakers’ Blessings!!
3 comments:
THANK YOU! I needed to hear ALL of that! Last weekend was the beginning of a sort-of forgiveness in my life. With God's grace & strength, I'll get there. I'm not 100% there, but I'm trying!
You and Don always seem to know what is going on and what we need to hear. How do you do it? I know it's not just you but the Lord telling you, 'Hey, these guys need to hear this". Love you guys!
Wendy, 9 1/2 times out of 10, what we share is something that has touched our hearts and we just want to share it. We're always so thrilled and blessed when we hear it has touch and encouraged someone else. Thank you so much for commenting.
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