"Forgiveness is a Form of Wisdom"

DAY # 32 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs." Proverbs 19:11 NLT

NIV - "A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."
KJV - "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
NKJV - "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
MSG - "Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget."
 
The ability to forgive and forget is a tricky one because of our human instincts, our human thoughts and the desire to retaliate. We as Christians had a NEW BIRTH, and are NEW CREATIONS, so we should be trying to live by the Spirit. Forgiveness is an important part of life. We need to choose to forgive, yet we also need to choose to forget. Just as God forgives each of us (when we repent), we need to have that same genuine love for others as we forgive them. God tosses our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. "...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12 NIV)
 
Forgiveness is basically showing love. When we forgive others, it allows God to fully forgive us. Some of our sins towards God are probably bigger or more hurtful than the little sins that others do to us. We were reminded of just this fact about love & forgiveness in service on Sunday. We've also been reminded in the past that full healing cannot come until full forgiveness comes. Pure, perfect love for each other is what the Lord desires of us. God loves us unconditionally, no matter what we do, what we say, how we act -- HE LOVES US! (with a deep love). Why is it that we can allow ourselves to get entangled in things like gossip, talking behind other's backs, and other things that lead to bitterness (which certainly does not help us forget past wrongs)? Well God desires us to forgive and forget, and to go beyond bitterness and beyond envy (you can click those words to go to more devotionals). In 1 Corinthians 13 verses 4-8, you will find the best definition of 'love'. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."
 
Thankfully with God's help all things are possible to they that believe. God is willing to help us forgive and get past those feelings of betrayal, bitterness and hurt. He even reminds us that it is His place to give vengeance, if it so requires Him. So ask the Lord to help you forgive others, so that He may fully forgive all that you have done, and will probably do against Him. It does take work on our parts, and we have to fully forgive intentional and unintentional sins, and give the negative feelings to God - lay them at His feet, and He will surround you with love, peace and joy, so the only thing that will overflow from you is His love. :)
 
"Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging an injury makes you even with him; forgiving an injury sets you above him." ~Anonymous
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
 

"He Heals the Broken-Hearted"

DAY 2 -- "A Woman of Faith" Devotional

Verse: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 NLT

The first sentence of the devotional today states, 'Women of every generation have experienced adversity, and this generation is no different.' The same can be said for women, men, boy or girl. Each of us will face adversity and trials. However in the Bible it says (as we were reminded today in Sunday School), that although we may face trials or have troubles, the Lord will deliver the righteous from them all. "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken." (Psalm 34:18-20 NIV)

How do we become 'broken-hearted'? We choose the way to live, think and act, and sometimes by our own actions, we choose to live in bitterness and with broken hearts, so that we may receive sympathy from others. Some however do not choose to be broken-hearted, and are hurt by others, whom they have put their trust in. God however wants us broken... He wants us to come to Him as flawed creatures. He is able to take all those broken pieces, and form and re-shape us into NEW creations. NEW is 'new', it's not used, or 2nd hand material.

We also need to stop blaming God when troubles and trials come our way. Each adversity that we face, we are able to overcome it through the Blood of Jesus. We choose which way, which reaction that we will take. It is that choice that helps the outcome to be postive. As our verse above says, we need to 'endure testing'. To 'endure' means to;
verb (used with object)


1. to hold out against; sustain without impairment or yielding; undergo: to endure great financial pressures with equanimity.
2. to bear without resistance or with patience; tolerate: I cannot endure your insults any longer.
3. to admit of; allow; bear: His poetry is such that it will not endure a superficial reading.
verb (used without object)
4. to continue to exist; last: These words will endure as long as people live who love freedom.
5. to support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently: Even in the darkest ages humanity has endured.
6. to have or gain continued or lasting acknowledgment or recognition, as of worth, merit or greatness: His plays have endured for more than three centuries.

Continuing with yesterday's message (found here), we have to do our part to receive the blessings of God. If we patiently endure testing, we will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him. So first we have to be one of those that love Him. As we were reminded again today at Sunday School, we need to choose to be a 'whosoever' first. In John 3:16, as we can all quote I'm sure, it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

CHOOSE to be a WHOSOEVER... CHOOSE TO LOVE HIM... CHOOSE LIFE... CHOOSE BLESSINGS... CHOOSE TO RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE!

PRAY - It is THAT easy...

Remember, it's always as simple as A-B-C...
ACCEPT, BELIEVE & CONFESS...

Pray a simple prayer today, read my "Salvation Prayer" poem, and talk to God in your own words. No words that I could give you could be more powerful than you using your OWN words to describe your feelings to God.

Salvation Prayer Poem...

written by M. Hall 2010

Everyone knows "God loves you", how many believe it's true?

You want to have 'eternal life', here's what you should do...

ADMIT to God you are a sinner, 'cause all humans are.

REPENT from the sin, and turn away, you gotta' raise the bar.

(Romans 3:23)

The wages of sin, is death for sure, but God has made a way,

He sent his SON so you could live, an ETERNAL life someday.

(Romans 6:23 & John 3:16)

BELIEVE in Him, God and His Son, & Holy Spirit too,

believe that Jesus gave HIS OWN LIFE, all for me & you.

CONFESS your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your friend

The blessings you will receive & His love will never end.

(Romans 10:9&10)

But one thing you must REMEMBER, the road itself is long

There will be STORMS, & rough spots, but He will make you Strong.

(Philippians 4:13)

So finally one day, hopefully, after you've lived til' old

You can press on and win, your medal made of GOLD!

©M.H. 2010

Be blessed, and be a blessing!