. . . as we forgive

Jean Oathout- What does it take for us to see revival in our lives, churches and our countries?

   Recently, the Lord impressed me that I held something against someone for many years, and that it was the reason I could feel no love for her now. (Google image, Forgiveness)

    He had pointed out many years ago, that He couldn't forgive me for the way I felt toward my husband if I didn't forgive him. I then had to apologize for acting the way I had, (which evidently displeased the Lord). The Bible states that if we know to do good and don't do it, to us it is sin. 

   One day this week, our Madrid, NY church will be fasting and praying for the future of our outreach, children's ministries and our "stuff." We've been called to do like Ezra did in Ezra 8:21: " . . . that we might afflict (fast) ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and our little ones, and all our substance."

   We learned today in our church, that there are two kinds of sorrow: one is healing, the other leads to death, as it makes no changes, just a sadness of being caught, or of making a bad choice.

   When we know true sorrow, we'll want to please God; for our sin is against Him. (See David in Ps. 51). When we experience godly sorry, as King David did, there's a lasting effect, and tends to change everything, specifically the one repenting.

   God's will is for us to totally submit to Him through knowing Jesus, the One He sent to make a bridge between us and Himself. He wants us to radically clear ourselves from sin so as to prepare the way for His Spirit to move in and among us.

  So do we want to be revived? Let's examine ourselves to see if our hands are clean and our hearts pure and free from offenses. We are bombarded daily with opportunities to be offend, and it's up to us to follow the Spirit's nudgings to counteract them with the love of God within us.  

   A good post to check out: Offenses Will Come- By Jean Oathout

   So what should we do:

      1. Have indignation against our sin in the fear of God
      2. Have a vehement desire to change
      3. Have a zeal to be willing to change.

   Check out Psalm 139:23, 24 and make it your prayer for God to search you today, to prepare you for your time of fasting and prayer, and for Him to guide you in all that you say, do and think.

   The following is part of the Lord's prayer, given in Matthew 6:9-15:

       "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father 
       which art in heaven, Hollowed be thy name. 
       (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, 
       as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily 
       bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive 
       our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, 
       but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, 
       and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (14) 
       For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly 
       father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive 
       not men their trespasses, neither will your Father 
       forgive your trespasses."

   Did you take notice of the bold printing, how we have a part in obtaining forgiveness for holding grudges and hard feelings against others? God's interested in keeping us free from grudges against others. His desire is for an open relationship with us, so He will show us what hinders that, so we can be obedient and take care of it with His help. (See James 4:17).

Let's pray-

   Father, as we prepare to participate in a fast and prayer time, help us to be open and honest, and allow You to reveal our sinfulness in our hidden and known grudges for past hurts. We desire to have clean hands and pure hearts. Help us get ready to meet with You and others for our time of prayer and seeking Your guidance for ourselves, our church, our little ones and our "stuff."
   We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

       Prov. 3:5, 6 (NKJV) "Trust in the LORD with all your
       heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all
       your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your 
       paths."

       Ps. 139:1-5 (NKJV) "O LORD, You have searched me
       and known me. (2)You know my sitting down and my
       rising up; You understand my thought afar off. (3) You
       comprehend my path and my lying down, and are
       acquainted with all my ways. (4) For there is not a 
       word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know 
       it altogether. (5)You have hedged me behind and before,
       and laid Your hand upon me."

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

     

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Healing Thoughts and Prayers

Jean's Craft Brochure

Samples of Jean's crafts  Just to let you know, my crafts will be displayed at the Madrid Bank in Madrid, NY, again for the month of November.  I'll have them for sale on the 1st of December, 2 doors down at Anastasia's Bakery from 12 to 2!

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout  I plan to create a FaceBook page to display my crafts this week. Then you can view them individually!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage. 
Yes, I'll have some copies of my book there at the display and at my granddaughter's Bakery the 1st of December!