SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH
must live out the importance of forgiving others, for Jesus said in Matt. 6:14-15: “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”.
B. By refusing to forgive, we allow the sin that was committed against us to hurt us twice. When we refuse to forgive the bitterness grows like a cancer in us and it eats away at us, causing stress, illness and great lack of joy. For this reason, Peter asked Jesus in Matt. 18:21: “Lord, how often shall my brother’s sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” But Jesus took that to “infinity” using the 10th Power saying in v. 22 “Not up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” To illustrate this truth, Jesus then shared an important story in Matt. 18: 23-35. Turn and read it! Is there someone who you need to forgive? Is there someone who you haven’t talked to in a long time because of what they did? Its time to move forward!
C. By choosing to live in forgiveness, we cancel out the fear & fruit of the past (Gen. 50:22). Living in forgiveness, Joseph enjoyed 70 more years of life! Such was the case of a couple married for 15 years, having more than usual disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed for one month to drop slips in each other’s "Fault" box (opened at month end) to let the other know of daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her written criticisms: "leaving jelly top off the jar."
"wet towels on shower floor," "dirty socks not in hamper," etc. After dinner, at month end, they exchanged boxes. The husband read out loud and silently reflected on what he had done wrong. The wife opened her box and began reading his slips for her that had same message over and over, "I love you!" “I love you!” That’s God’s message He extends right now. In spite of what you’ve done, God is saying ”I love you, I love you!” Isn’t it time we choose to LIVE IN FORGIVENESS and fourthly…
IV. DEAL WITH DEPRESSION & EMOTIONAL SCARS
When we are low in protein by improper eating habits or lack of sleep…depression level can be high. Other causes of depression come from deep hurt, anger, injustice, disappointment or loss. This Bible is filled with stories of people who suffered for decades before seeing how faithful God could be. We enjoy the success stories of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Elijah & Job.
A. From the story of Job, we can know that God sees your faith and knows all you have sacrificed for Him. You may be suffering and feel it is all unfair. Job lost all his earthly possessions, all ten of his children, and then his health failed. His physical ailments were so painful, he used broken pottery as instruments for his homemade surgery (Job 2:7). In Job’s heart-breaking experience we learn that choosing to HOPE in God in the midst of suffering may not eliminate the pain but it will get the attention & help of God. Many of the Psalmist David’s Psalms come straight out of his season of suffering and renewal in HOPE.