Merry Christmas 2011!

For Unto Us A Child is Born

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The Power of Forgiveness

“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32, HCSB

When I first thought about writing a post on forgiveness I began to attempt to recall past hurts and disappointments that resulted in resentment and bitterness for me. As I tried to recall these things I realized I could only manage vague recollections of the events. Why? Because of the power of the Holy Spirit which enabled me to forgive fully and completely the heartaches and hurts of the past.

Until just a few years ago I was a person filled with repressed anger, bitterness and resentment. At that time I could give you a detailed litany of not only the wrongs I had endured but I could also list for you each person responsible and exactly what they had done that caused me pain. I was consumed and controlled by the pain of the past.

I told myself I was okay because I had forgiven everyone. After all, being a Christian for many years I was well acquainted with scripture concerning forgiveness. I could easily quote the Lord’s Prayer which includes the words, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” Matthew 6:12, HCSB.

But if I had truly forgiven everyone, then why was it that just the mention of a past hurt would cause me to suddenly become angry and upset? I came to realize I had allowed bitterness to set-up housekeeping within my soul. It became obvious to me that I had merely given lip-service to the act of forgiveness.

Bitterness results when unforgiveness has been left to sit, soak and stew. I once read bitterness is akin to taking poison and hoping someone else will die. It steals your life by robbing you of peace, comfort and happiness. Bitterness is a consuming hatred.

My so-called forgiveness had not been genuine; it lacked authenticity. In order for an act to be genuine, it must be supported by the evidence. If bitterness continues to reside within your heart you are unable to exemplify those acts which would provide evidence to support true forgiveness.

Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” Again in Matthew 15:18 Jesus says, “What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart.”

It was only when I came to true repentance in my heart that I knew how it felt to feel genuine forgiveness toward others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit was I able to forgive completely. And through the work of the Holy Spirit I was able to learn about forgiveness—what it does and what it does not do.

Forgiveness does not correct or rewrite the past; it does not condone wrong-doing or otherwise unacceptable behavior. It does not change the person who wronged you. However, forgiveness does change you and because of the restorative power of forgiveness it rewrites your future. Through the act of forgiveness you will find you are not only able to love others fully but you are also able to love yourself. Authentic forgiveness destroys the bitterness, the resentment, and the anger that poisons and cripples.

Unforgiveness robs you of fellowship with God and extinguishes spiritual growth. Repentance brings forgiveness and forgiveness brings freedom, liberty, and peace in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 61:1, also known as the Messiah’s Jubilee says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners,” HCSB. Unforgiveness is a prodigious imprisoner and it gives Satan an advantage in our lives, (2 Corinthians 2:11)!

The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:12-14, says we are to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another, just as Christ has forgiven us. And above all we are to put on love which is the perfect bond of unity.

My pastor, Dr. Richard Kaufman, says the following on a regular basis: “The biggest bottleneck to blessings and revival in the modern church is unforgiveness and the lack of repentance on the part of believers.” Further, he says everybody needs forgiveness; everybody wants it; and when you receive it, it changes everything!”

Is your life filled with the peace, power and liberty of the Holy Spirit or is your life consumed with hatred, bitterness, and anger? Make the choice today to forgive those who have wronged you, just as Christ has forgiven you. Then go to Him in prayer; He is waiting to hear from you. Remember, God does not want flowery speeches or fancy words from us but instead He desires heartfelt prayer, sincere worship and geniune devotion. Bring your offering of worship to Him today; don’t delay.

Dear Lord, I pray for clean hands and a pure heart that I may worship You in spirit and in truth. I earnestly pray You forgive me for the times I have withheld forgiveness from others—there is no excuse for withholding forgiveness. I sincerely pray that You forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me. I desire true fellowship with You O Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

God Bless!

Heaven is Real and So is Hell

The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10, 13-15, HCSB

Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Revelation 21:1-8, HCSB

Even though far more people readily acknowledge belief in heaven than hell, according to the Bible, both exist. And just as eternal life in heaven will be far better than we can imagine; eternal punishment in the lake of fire will be far worse than we can imagine.

While God is loving, merciful, and just—He is first and foremost righteous and holy (Leviticus 11:44, 45; 1 Peter 1:16). As such, He cannot tolerate sin. Habakkuk 1:13 says that God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and that He cannot tolerate sin. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and Romans 6:23 says the punishment for sin is death. Just as God is an infinite and eternal Being—the deserved punishment for our sin is eternal death.

The Good News is that God is love, (1 John 4:8), and as such has provided for us a way of escape; a way of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ His Son: For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life, John 3:16, HCSB.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, do not delay in coming to know Him. Scripture tells us in Isaiah 55:6-7, HCSB, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so He may have compassion on him and to our God, for He will freely forgive". Second Corinthians 6:2, HCSB, says, "Now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation".

God will not wait forever for you to make a decision. The Bible teaches in Romans 1, verses 24, 26, and 28, that the Lord will eventually give people over to the hardness of their own hearts. There may come a point when God no longer draws you to Him, revealing your need for a Savior, (John 6:44).

Don’t delay. Today; right now; bow your head in prayer and admit to God you’re are a sinner; repent and turn from your sin. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He came into the world to save everyone. Confess your faith in Jesus as Savior; as Lord of your life and choose to live your life for Him from this moment on.

God Bless!

NOTE: If you do know Jesus as Lord, don’t neglect to pray daily for those who are lost and dying in sin. Pray for those who minister to them; pray that as the Father draws them they have open minds and receptive hearts; and pray that you speak with complete boldness the Good News of Jesus Christ!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16, HCSB