In life we should never have a holier than thou attitude towards our fellow man. We can't see ourselves as superior to another no matter what our reasoning may be because in God's sight we are all sinners in need of the same Savior. We have all fallen short at one time or another and sinned against Almighty God and for us to believe that we are better than another is a trap that will lead our life in the wrong direction. Instead we are to put on love and charity and see the best in others despite their flaws just as God does towards all of humanity including you and I. Just as we have sought forgiveness for our many sins against the Lord, so must we also forgive the offenses of others towards us. We must have a forgiving heart because the Lord Jesus commands us to forgive others their trespasses so that our Heavenly Father will forgive us of our trespasses against Him. (Romans 3:23) (Matthew 6:14-15)

If you have been struggling with forgiving someone else for something they did to you, I encourage you to think about your own life. How many times have you done something wrong and asked the Lord for forgiveness? Mine are too many to count and if you are being honest with yourself, yours are as well. We are a fallen creation. Nobody is perfect. None of us could measure up to God's standards because they are perfect, but thankfully the Lord Jesus Christ made a way for us to be reconciled with the Lord. It was through His sacrificial death on the Cross that you and I could be made righteous before God the Father. The Lord Jesus shed His blood for our salvation and because of that great sacrifice, we can ask for forgiveness and know that we will receive forgiveness not because we are good, but because the Lord Jesus was good for us. (Mark 11:25-26) (Matthew 18:21-35)

Just as we have received grace, so must we also offer grace. Don't go through your life holding a grudge. You will only be hurting yourself because any hatred that is internal will only eat away at you and poison your own life. Instead let it go, forgive, reconcile, love, lift up and live a joy filled life. Tomorrow is promised to no man and before we know it we will be giving an account to the Lord for how we lived our life on the earth. Let us be eternity minded so that when we do stand before God Almighty we will have a good report and with our life's testimony we will hear the Lord say “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” (Romans 5:8) (Matthew 25:23)

I hope this message encourages your heart to forgive every offense and seek forgiveness for your offenses so that you may live a free and victorious life.


TEACH ME TO FORGIVE

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

“Lord...You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - - - Teach me To Forgive.”

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

Have you ever told a lie, he asked?

The man answered - - - yes Lord.

Have you ever been given to much change and kept it?

The man answered yes Lord. And the man sobbed more and more.

Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours, Jesus asked?

And the man answered yes Lord.

Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?

The man, crying more, answered yes Lord.

As Jesus asked many more times, “Have you ever?” The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer yes Lord.

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.

Author Unknown


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Galatians 5:22-26 “...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

1 John 4:10-12 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.”

Matthew 5:5-9 Jesus declares “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today's Selected Poem: HE GATHERS EVERY TEAR
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem98.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: HE HAS A PURPOSE FOR US
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony153.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry