First of all, WE can't forgive to the point that we let some offense go completely.
This is something that only our Creator, Who is the Author of Forgiveness, can help us with, when we turn to Him for help.
As He made us, He knows and understands where we are in our individual relationships.
As a human, Jesus found that there are many times He could be offended daily.
One wonders how He managed to remain such a model of God's Love and grace.
It's not until we examine the Scriptures and see that He spent many times in prayer to gain His Father's perspective and find out how His Father wanted him to deal with folks.
[see Mark 6:46]
We can see how He managed to keep His determination to obey the Father's will for Him, by drawing away for prayer.
Things happened when He did. John 11:41-43; Matt. 14:19, 20
It's important that we see He needed the Father's help on a daily basis, sometimes "awhile before daybreak".
Why, do you ask, did He get alone to pray? [see Matt. 14:23] After meeting the needs of many people, He wanted to get alone with His Father to gain strength to keep ministering.
When He, or we, are alone in prayer, there is an openness with God, that doesn't seem to be present when we are with others.
Have you noticed that our thoughts are divided when we are in a group? I'm sure this is the main reason Jesus longed to get away alone to talk with the Father.
It is times like this we also will be able to concentrate on what the need is at the moment, and be more open for God's answers.
Dr. Charles Stanley tells us, "Our cry of humility conveys total helplessness and dependence upon almighty God." {In Touch July 2013 Magazine pg. 48 "The Pathway of Peace"}
God will be willing and ready to forgive us when we ask for forgiveness for our resentments and hurts.
It's then that we will be able to forgive those who've deeply hurt us in a situation.
If we will not be willing to ask Him for forgiveness, then He has no obligation to forgive us for our feelings and thoughts we have against someone, thus making it impossible for us to forgive. [see Mark 11:26]
May we remember how important prayer was for Jesus, and realize that we also need to spend quality time praying.
As we draw closer to the Lord, He will draw closer to us, revealing His will for us, so we can then pray effectively and fervently for His will to be done.
When we understand His directives, and act upon them, we will begin to see Him affect our feelings, thoughts, and actions.
Change comes within us as we learn to forgive others, as well as ourselves, for our part in the problem. We will find God's Holy Spirit will work in us as He meets us in our private times.
Let’s pray: Increase my awareness of old patters of behavior I need to loose. Increase my awareness that I can trust you with everything I let you get close to. Help me to recognize every high thing I've allowed my soul to put up between me and you, and I WILL PULL THEM ALL DOWN" Prayer excerpt from Breaking the Power [Bridge-Logos Publishing 1997]
Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."
Our quote for today: Kristy of Flying on Grace - “God forgives me long before I forgive myself. He sees what is wonderful about me, and loves me more than any human possibly could. I must give everything to him including the shame.”
Our thought today: Unforgiveness clogs up
our ability to forgive others.
Another thought today: When troubling thoughts come, get busy taking care of God’s business and He’ll take care of yours.
Today's Church Chuckle: "Emily was having a little difficulty with the Lord's prayer: 'Our father, who does art in heaven...' " [By Ellen P. Blooming/Paul Seaburn]
Tomorrow’s post: Say It! Don't Just Think It! Jill Savage
A popular post: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS The Forgiveness of Christ
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