Forgiveness From The Heart - Part II

Forgiveness is not just saying, "I forgive you." Lets take a quick look at the life of Joseph (he was a type of Christ and savior), and how he treated his brothers who sold him into slavery. Sure he had them put in prison for a short time, but it was for a reason. He want to know something. When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brother, he embraced and kissed his brothers with tears joy in his eyes, because he saw that his brothers had changed. He even told his brothers what to tell their father, Jacob, so he would not be angry towards them, because of their betrayal. Then Joseph implored them to all come back to Egypt so that he could take care of all of them. During this time, his servants were told to leave the room so they too wouldn't know what his brothers had done to him. Joseph didn't even want the Egyptian to have bad thoughts about his brothers. Wow! Then years later, Joseph was grieved again when his brothers still thought he would take revenge. But he told his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." (Gen. 50:20) Double wow!!  

This is the true picture of total forgiveness from the heart. Do we see it happening today? How often have we told others what someone did to us? I've done it more times than I care to admit. This is why I repent a lot and try giving more grace to others who fail to do it. There may be times when giving a name may be appropriate, but we need to check our motives first. Paul warned others of a wicked man and mentioned the bad behavior of Peter. However, Jesus Christ never pointed out an individual’s sin neither did He tell others. Sometimes the Holy Spirit may reveal a certain sin of an individual to us so we will pray for them or even confront them if the Lord says to so they will repent. But it is never meant for gossip. (If we do tell others about certain situations, it’s probably best not to reveal names.)

Many people feel the world has the right to know how they have been hurt, whither it's an affair, theft, lie or some other crime. This happen way to often, and I've been guilty of this at times too, but I was wrong. Just think, how often we have hurt God, do you think He's telling others what we've done. No, of course not, unless its to a prophets like Nathan. Yet, God forgave us even before we say, "I'm sorry, I was wrong" and even when we don't. 

When we forgive a brother or sister, friend or spouse; we should also learn to go on as if nothing happened. That may be the real challenge. The pain from these experiences or situations is real, but so is the healing that comes from the heavenly Father. He too is familiar with pain from our disobedience, yet He still loves us and ours sins He doesn't remembered. If you bring them up again He would probably say, "What you talk'n about." 

I'm reminded of a situation in the story, Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, where the brother of Michael had sex with his wife, Angel, and how he reacted toward his brother. This is an awesome book and I highly recommend it. The story is even better, because a godly woman wrote it. It's a story of real love and real forgiveness.

The magnitude of true forgiveness is just like God's love. But to understand the need to forgive is so important and who benefits the most in the long run. Satan is a liar and he will do whatever he can to keep people from forgiven in order to divides people and the church. When we really understand who the real enemy is, it's easier to love and forgive others. Our enemy is not flesh and blood.

However, if we focus on our sins or others, it becomes a form of idolatry. Unless we truly receive God forgiveness it is really impossible to forgive others as hard as we might try. Jesus cried out from the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." As we have seen with Jesus example, forgiveness requires a sacrifice, sometimes a huge sacrifice. It was out of His pain and compassion He embraces us, just as we are. Now He desires that we do the same for others.

Forgiveness comes from our heavenly Father. Jesus could not have done it if he had not seen His Father do it first. We must draw our strength from Him in order to forgive others as well. It is impossible to do it on our own. The same also applies for His love. To love someone is to forgive them, it cannot be emphasized enough. In the book, The Shack, is another excellent example of total forgiveness, even for the most heinous of crimes. Jesus also forgave those who were responsible for His crucifixion and they had not had a change of heart.

Most people do not realize the unforgiveness is an evil spirit, and when it has been allowed to shrouds or enter ones life, it will affect them. Therefore, it must be cast off if they want to see true healing and restoration. That is why I believe we're going to see the greatest move of God's in this decade. Because, God will restore lives and bodies, even though there has been unforgiveness in many people. He's going to break those chains and set them free from that filthy spirit, and then the Holy Spirit will be able to do the restoration necessary. God is the God of forgiveness, it's His nature, and He wants it to be everyone's.

I know it is hard for many people to believe that pain and suffering could be from this unforgiving spirit that torture people. However, there have also been numerous testimonies over the years to prove this. For example, there was a TV evangelist who was on his way out of a building where he had been speaking, when he notice a man in a wheelchair that had been at the meeting. The Lord told the evangelist that if that man would forgive his father, God would heal him. So the evangelist went over and asked the man if he wanted to be healed and the man said, "Yes, of course I do. Then the minister told him that he would need for forgive his father. The man as shocked and then in anger said, "Never!" 

Stubbornness, pride and unforgiveness are a bad combination and because of it many continue to suffer. I have also known a number of people personally who have or had health issues, including cancer and severe back problems and even death, because of unforgivness toward their spouse, parent or even other people. 

Total forgiveness, means you hold NO past or current sins, faults or mistakes against another person regardless of how often or badly you believe they have hurt or others. Remember, what Joseph said, "God meant it for good." We may not see now or how, but God does. The Bible also says, love always forgives; it endures all and keeps no records. Love is also very patient." (1 Cor. 13) 

Heat Wave

The United States has been experiencing a lot of adverse weather lately; hurricanes, tropical storms, tornados, flooding, wild fires and extreme heat. The warmest temperatures ever recorded have been in the first six months of this year. When there are heat waves, they’re usually followed by sever thunderstorms. Such was the case in our area last week. It was over 100 degree on Sunday and by evening the storm clouds started rolling in about twenty-five miles from our home.

My wife and I sat in a lounge swing in our back yard and watch the show begin east of us. I told her I could see flashes of light and then she saw them too. Then we saw lightning bolts arc across the sky. We watched thousands of lightning flashes and bolts, but seldom heard the thunder. The storm was directly over the area where our daughter lived in a travel trailer, next to their new house that is under construction. At some moments the lightning was flashing almost every second and the storm continued to grow and spread across the whole valley.

My wife called our daughter to see if they were home from the little league playoff games. Sure enough, they were. However, she had just called her husband, who was at his mom's house, to come and get them. She had gathered the kids and went to the garage of the house, because they were afraid of the lightning and wind storm, and then the rain came pouring down. It was a short phone call, and my wife said we would pray for them and their two horses that were also afraid.

The storm continued to get larger and closer to us, but we were not afraid. We moved to the porch of the art studio for a better view. It was an incredible display of lightning flashing in every direction across the sky all around us, from cloud to cloud and down to earth. Some lightning spread like fingers on a hand, it was breath taking. Then we could hear some thunder, but not as much compared to the lightning we saw. My wife sang “How great is our God.” I praise Him, and shouted with excitement for His awesome power and this beautiful display of wonder, it was almost like the Four of July fireworks we saw just a few nights before only this time it lasted a lot longer. We watched it for nearly two hours as it slowly moved northward.

I know there were many people who were frighten, especially those driving through the storm, and others who were affected by the heavy rain and hail, we felt sorry for farmers who had hay down. In situations like this, you can see the good side and the bad. The rain kept many fires from starting and watered the dry earth, yet it also damaged some farmer crops but also helped others.  

All these storms and major wildfires are also signs. Last year the Lord told us that the fires and the heavy rains that took place in southern California were signs that a mighty move of God was going to take place in that state. Jesus even questioned the Pharisee ability to discern the signs of the time. We too must also learn to read the signs that God is sending. I assure you, something really good is about to happen.

If we are living the way we should and where we’re supposed to be, then we have nothing to worry about when the storms of life come near. God is our refuge, our strength and our protection; we can trust Him in every situation. Nothing can harm us, or the things He has given us. Its part of the Abrahamic Covenant and the Blessing; "I Am your shield, and very great reward." (Genesis 15:1)

“A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right side, but it shall not come near you, says the Lord.” (Psalms 91:7)

“And if you drink anything that is poisons it shall not harm you.” (Mark 11:18)

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (Psalms 28:7)

All these unusual weather events, makes us realize who really is in control, and where our trust needs to be. Amen!

P.S. On the following Monday, the weather service stated that there were over 6,237 lightning strikes in the Sunday evening storm that passed through Central Washington. There were thirteen fires started by lightning, but all of them were quickly contained by firefighters.

Losers

Last Friday, we went to see our grandson, Joshua, play in little league state championship playoff games, in which his dad is the assistance coach. Joshua is very good; he plays catcher and some times pitcher and rarely strikes out when batting. They had already won a game the day before and were scheduled for two games that Friday. We watched them win the first one that morning, 13 to 1 but the temperature for the next game at 5 o’clock was at 100 degrees. Before the game started, I prayed for a little relief in the weather for the kids and us. There were some small clouds over the mountains in the West, and by late afternoon they had gotten larger and eventually blocked the sun and a breeze came up. It felt at least ten degrees cooler or more, and was a relief for everyone there. I thanked God.

However, there was no relief for the young players on the other team as “our side” beat them 17 to 0 even with the relief players playing the last inning. They were ahead by more than 10 points after four innings and so the game was called.

Joshua’s team had played the same team a few weeks earlier and beat them 20 to 0. However, in the playoffs, every team is guaranteed to play at least four games even if they lost every game. It gave each team the opportunity to place at least four games before eliminations, but you could still go home, knowing that you had lost all four games. I can’t imagine how the young boys in that situation would feel having lost all four games. This is where a really good coach is needed the most.

At the end of each game the families and friends all applauded both teams efforts, but how do the kids really feel, especially the loosing team? These little boys had done their best and played their heart out, but in the sports world, there are always the winners and the losers, the cheers and the tears. Just as there was when I played in little league. But, do they see themselves as losers? I hope not! Sometimes, I think parents put too much pressure and expectations on their children when they are so young.

Joshua just turned eleven and already has won dozens of trophies and ribbons from baseball and rodeo events, but what about all the other kids in life? Even Joshua’s older brother, Austin, who doesn’t play any sports, doesn’t feel like a winner. He has some issues from early childhood that only God can heal, and we are praying for him. He doesn’t realizes how special he really is, yet. And there are many others children who probably feel the same way, like a loser, but they are not in real life.

There are also many adults who feel like losers for one reason or another, maybe a broken marriage, unemployed, or abused and that is why it is so important to know who you really are. In the Kingdom of Heaven, God sees no losers. All His children are special and have an important role in life to fulfill. The only real losers in life are those who reject the Truth.

P.S. While I was writing this article, my daughter texted that Joshua’s team won again, Saturday 13 to 1. Then Sunday they won the first game and lost the second game by two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, the director of the event said she had never seen two teams that both played so well, so for the first time, two teams are being sent to regional playoffs. So the losers are still winners. Eventually they will face some team that is a little better than them. It’s a part of life and we can accept it, if we know who we are. In the Kingdom of God there is no competition, everyone there is loved and a winner when they follow their heavenly Father’s loving plan for their life.

One of the best things I got to do thing past week was pray with Joshua the first day when we got here, and I told him that he would grow up to be like his grandfather, and he would get to know the heart of God. And he would see thing much differently than the way he does now.