Good morning again! I could not start my day without my devotion with God and you so I am posting another BLOG today. It matters not what we do unless we are faithful to the Kingdom building principles outlined in the scriptures, so I am continuing my journey in Matthews 18 verses 21-35, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents (millions of dollars) was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, (about $100). He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Wow!
The act of FORGIVENESS is a BIG deal to Christ. He talks about it often and I think it is because it is the act of forgiveness that allows us to accept the gift of forgiveness from Him. Forgiving is an action word; we have to do something in order for others to perceive and receive this gift; Jesus knows how hard it is for human nature to extend this act and He knows what is required. We have to put the needs of the other person above the need we have. When we forgive our hands are open--with open hands we can then receive. The act of forgiveness is a one way street; when we walk it we walk alone and in one direction. When we walk it we can empty all that bottled up emotion that only focuses on our needs, that "me, me, me" narcissistic place we all go to hide when we "feel" someone has offended us. If we walk in faith and know the love of God; if we know the mercy of God that allowed His Son to die in our stead; if we know the Power of the Holy Spirit that guides us daily, then you know that there is RELEASE and HAPPINESS when we forgive. The burden we carry when we hold grudges will not allow us to be free. If you hold anger toward anyone, I pray that you will let it go because whatever they did to you it can't be as great as the sin that Christ covers for us DAILY! Hallelujah and amen! Be blessed today and FORGIVE yourself first and then others.
Stephanie
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