Forgiveness

When you think of forgiveness, What comes to mind? What do you really think?

Ephesians 4:32 says,

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

So when you think forgiveness, do you think of a situation that has happened in your life? Maybe you are thinking.. Rose you have no idea. I had this done to me, that is just unforgivable… Jesus was whipped, he was kicked and beaten then nailed to a cross. He had a sword pierce his side. He was ridiculed and tortured. Yet one of the last things on his mind was the people that were doing this to him. He had compassion on them and said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." To love and to forgive like Jesus. That is what God asks of us. Not all of you know me or my past. I am a survivor of abuse. I did not always have the best in life. But I can say, "I forgive you".

How can that be possible you may ask? I could have decided to hurt that person right back. I mean after all was my right, they hurt me first. No I forgave them….I forgive because God forgave me. He makes it possible. Without him, I could never say I forgive you. Without him, I would be a pile of rubble. Bitter and full of hatred for these people that hurt me. I am not and it all because of God.

Have you ever herd the saying "Forgive and Forget" ??? This is far from the truth… Forgiveness is not a feeling; nor is it forgetting. It is not pretending that it never happened. It is not being able to trust that person again. It is not even reconciliation with that person. Forgiveness is something you decide to do because you want to obey God.

No one can make you forgive that person. Not even God himself can make you forgive that person. Forgiveness is a choice we have. We can chose to hang on to it and let is eat us away or we can let go and let God. It is not our job for revenge. Revenge is God’s job.

The bible is straightforward that no one should avenge himself on others.

Romans 12 :9

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

God has reserved vengeance for himself. I forgave those people that hurt me because God forgave me for the hurts that I caused him through my sins. In the end forgiveness protects the forgiver themselves. When we forgive others, it cancels the debt like Jesus canceled our debt when he died on the cross. God says, " I will do all the punishing. Now your job is to forgive." Forgiveness is not something that happens over night. It is a process. It takes time to heal. However it is an act of faith that shows God’s grace for us. When we forgive it gives God access to work directly on that other person. When we refuse to forgive, it creates a barrier between us and God. I am saying to God that what the person did to me is more important then him. I know I have totally forgiven that person when I can pray for them. Not for harm but for good. I also know I have forgiven that person when God can use me to touch the person that has wronged me. When my decisions are not controlled by what that person has done to me, and when I am free from the pain, bitterness, anger and hatred towards that person. When I am experiencing God’s peace, I know I have truly forgiven.

If you noticed when I said I was a survivor or abuse not a victim of abuse. I say this because I am no longer living in that bondage and hurt and pain. I have totally forgiven my abusers. I have given them over to God. And I can honestly say that God is the reason for me being a survivor. He has taken me from that hurt and bitter person and made me a person with confidence and peace. He has also gave me a heart of love for those that hurt me and he can do it for you too.

Maybe you need to forgive someone, Is your lack of forgiveness holding you back from what God wants for you? Ask God to show you, and for the desires to forgive also. He will give you the ability and strength to do so. All you have to do is hand it over to him.



Miracles Do Happen

    In a hospital room a mother was praying for God to not take her little girl. This little girl weighed no more then 2 pounds. Doctors had told her parents it was hopeless. This little girl would surely die. The mother had already had 12 other children, However her heart broke at the thought of loosing this one very special little girl.
 
   In a near by room was also this babies grandmother who was frail and at the end of her life. Family had decided not to tell her of her Granddaughters birth in fear that she would give up all hope. 12 hours after the birth of her granddaughters birth, she took her last breath. At this point this little girl would gain life and perk up. God had answered this mother’s prayers to keep the fight of life in this little baby. This made it the most special day and yet one of the saddest times for this family. As time went by this child was sick off and on but over all seemed to be getting stronger and healthier. Her parents believed in God and they loved God. They would take their children along every Sunday, to church. It was a family thing and very important that their children knew and loved God also.

    At a year old the mother went to get the baby from her crib, Only to discover that her head did not look right. As she picked up her daughter, she noticed that her head looked deformed. After rushing her to the hospital, The doctors had sat her parents down to inform them that this mass on her head was water. It got so big it came over and rested on her shoulder. They informed the parents that their child would probably die. They said there was no hope. The parents went home to rest. The mother decided to go to a ladies prayer meeting. They prayed for this baby at 12:00 p.m. The child’s mother felt this warm sensation come over her. She just wanted to dance. She looked at the ladies and said, "My baby she has been healed." I know she has.

    The mother rushed home to tell her husband that she was going to the hospital. Their daughter had been healed and she knew it. The father could not believe and did not want the mother to be disappointed. He sent the oldest son with her just in case. When they arrived to the hospital, she realized that she did not bring anything to keep this little girl busy, because she would need things to play with. She did want her getting board. She sent her son up to the room while she ran to the gift shop to get some stuff for her daughter. When the son got upstairs and went to check in on his sister. He discovered his sister was gone. She was nowhere to be seen. He went out and told his mother who at that time was coming up the hall. "Don’t be silly." Said the mother. She has to be here. Where else would she be. Just as they were going to reenter into the room where her daughter had been, a nurse came dancing up the hall. "Hello there, can you tell me where my daughter is?" asked the lady. The nurse turned and with tears in her eyes said, "Yes… your daughter is in X ray’s". She continued to tell the mother on how she went into the room to check on her daughter at about 12 noon. She looked at the little girl and that mass had vanished. No visual sign of it anywhere. They had her in X ray’s to see what happened to it. The mother knew instantly what had happened to it. She was overcome with emotion and thanksgiving to God for healing her daughter.

    Why do I tell you this story? I tell you this story as an encouragement to you. God answers prayers. I heard a lady once say.. ..Do you really think that God heals like he did in the bible. I am here to tell you "Yes he does". How can I be so sure you ask me.. I can be sure as that tiny baby with no hope was me. Satan tried numerous times through out my life to distroy me.

John 4: 4 "Greater is he that is in me then he that is in the world."

In the end no matter how bad things may seem, No matter how down and out you may be, Always remember God is in control. He is crazy about you and he wants the very best for you.

"ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE"