February 2012
The message for this month is about forgiveness. We want to focus on Matthew chapter 6 verse 12 to bring you a word that God put in our hearts on forgiving. May God bless this message and bless those that read it.
Spirit of Forgiving
When I receive a message or an assignment from God to bring to His people, I find that it is as much for me as any one that may be reading the message.
The way we act or react to something or someone can bring us to a place of becoming bitter or we can become better by our choices and decisons.
I believe offence or rejection is one of the biggest weapons that the enemy (devil) uses as a stronghold in our lives to try and destroy us.
"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle." Proverbs 18:19 (ASV)
Scriptures on Offence
9 "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment"; 10 "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ"; 11 "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God". Philippians 1:9-11 (KJV)
10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another". Matthew 24:10 (KJV)
10 "And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred". Matthew 24:10 (Amp)
1 "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come"! 2 "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones". 3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him". 4 "And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him". Luke 17:1-4 (KJV)
Offence or Rejection
What happens when we get offended or rejected by someone by there words or actions ? what is our first reaction or thought that comes to our mind?
1. Do we get hurt, mad, angry, upset or become bitter?
2. Do we receive disappointment?
3. Do we get discouraged?
Here are a few examples of my own thoughts that woulld come to my mind when I would see the Pastor talking and hugging others especially those in leadership and he would not hug or say hi to me. Such as:
1. Wonder what I done wrong?
2.The Pastor must be mad at me.
3.I see him talking and hugging others that are in leadership, I am in leadership and he does not talk or hug me.
4.WOW I must have really messed up.
5. I just don’t understand this.
6. I’ll show them.
7. I will just miss the next church service.
8. They won’t miss me.
9. Well I am not needed here.
10. I’ll just find a new place to go next week.
11. All they care about is just my giving..
12. I’m just another number.
With these thoughts I could become offended and feel rejected causing resentment and bitterness to enter into my heart. If I am not careful I can get a critical spirit against the Pastor and those whom he talked and hugged.
Here are a few other ways that we can be get offended or rejected;
1. Maybe it was a next door neighbor.
2. Maybe someone across the street.
3. Maybe it was a family member.
4. Maybe it was a spouse.
5. Maybe someone at work or even your boss.
6. Maybe by your best friend.,
7. Our maybe it was someone you sit by in church. “I believe that is called church hurt”
Bitter or Better
When we feel we are being offended or rejected by a Pastor, friend, family member, church folk or by something else, the offense or rejection can cause much harm and cause much pain. But how we react to that situation can cause us to be bitter and have bitterness in our hearts. On the other hand we can act in a way to make the situation better and forgive and live with a joyful heart. The choice or decision is up to us.
Choices or Decisions
I heard this on the radio one day, “Before we make a decision about something, we have 100% complete control over that decision, but once we have made that decision, it has 100% control over us”.Think about this, our choices and decisions each day can make us bitter or better, will we choose to react or act.
Actions or Reactions
When we walk through what we call trials, valleys or wilderness experiences our actions or reactions, choices and decisions is what causes us most of our problems. Not all the time but sometimes.
Who do we Blame
You may have heard these words from someone or spoke them yourself “Well God must be punishing me” or “God must be mad at me”. You see, we as humans, we must put the blame on someone or something, we either blame God, the devil or someone for what goes wrong in our lives. We very seldom blame our self. Here is a demonstration: Take and point your first finger, now look at your other fingers, where are they pointing, straight back at you.
Something that I have noticed since I became a born again believer, I must take responsibility for my own actions, my choices or my decisions.
No matter how small or how big the problem is we are the ones that make daily decisions. This is what I have found out for myself. I need to pray and seek God and ask Him about every decision, every choice, my every action or reaction in my daily walk with Him.
We need to make Godly decisions and choices in our lives, I have found that seeking God through prayer, and more prayer really works.
We as God’s people need His Wisdom, Knowledge and great Understanding in all things.
In conclusion Jesus speaks about love in the following scriptures:
43"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy." 44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45 (KJV)
It is our prayer that this message of "Spirit of Forgiving"has brought not only healing but comfort, hope and help to you.
May God's riches and blessings be poured out on your life.
In His Service,
William & Susan
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked (Amp) are from The Amplified New Testament Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked (ASV) are from The Amercian Standard Version of the Bible.