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FORGIVING OTHERS IS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
FORGIVING OTHERS IS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE – Andrew Wommack Ministries
Mark 11:25 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
MATTHEW 21:20-22; MARK 11:20-26
There are qualifications for believing and receiving as well as restrictions for receiving answers to prayer. Unforgiveness in our hearts will keep our prayers from being answered.
We should forgive others as quickly as it takes to make the decision to pray. The Greek word for “when” means “whenever, as soon as, or while.” When we stand praying, we must forgive if we have ought (“anything at all, the least little part; whatsoever”) against anyone.
When we are offended or hurt, we often feel justified in holding a grudge.
The Old Testament law expressed this when it stated, “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Ex. 21:23-25). Until the offense was paid, we did not feel free to forgive. However, God dealt with all men’s offenses by placing sin upon the perfect Savior who was judged in place of every sinner of all time. To demand that others must earn our forgiveness is not Christ-like. Jesus died for every man’s sins, extending forgiveness to us while we were yet sinners, and we should do the same.
It is doubtful that a person who refuses to forgive has ever experienced forgiveness himself. This is comparable to the servant that Jesus talked about in Matthew 18:23-35. He was forgiven a debt of over $3,000,000,000 and yet he refused to forgive his fellow servant who owed him $3,000. The forgiveness that we have received from the Lord is infinitely greater than any forgiveness we will ever be asked to extend to others. Freely forgive as you have been forgiven.
What Did Jesus Do…
What Did Jesus Do:
So many people say they are like Jesus because of a position they have in church or an anointing they say they have. But do we all really use Jesus as our example and follow what He did? On the cross Jesus said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Jesus disciple, Stephen said something or the same thing when he was stoned for telling people about Jesus. Stephen asked the Lord to forgive the people that was killing him. You CANNOT do that unless you are allowing yourself to be led by the Lord’s Holy Spirit. Years ago when I was in my early 20’s I was wronged and violated by a man in the worse way a man can do a woman. I had built up a lot of hatred and bitterness toward him. But I had something he didn’t, the Lord Jesus. The Lord helped me forgive this man. Later on, the Lord told me to tell this man “when you come to yourself I want you to know I forgive you”. I could not rest until I did it. The Lord was my strength and I forgave this man. A couple of years ago I was making a statement that forgiveness is not for us but for the other person. A lot you of may disagree with me. But if you really understood what forgiveness means you would think differently. Well, when I made that statement a woman who many considered a strong woman of God said in the same forum that when you forgive it’s for you. The danger in that statement is it’s a selfish statement. Before you judge what I’m saying to be wrong, 1st look at what Jesus did for us. Did He come to earth to die for us and forgive our sins for Himself or for us? That’s the same attitude we are supposed to take on forgiving someone else. It’s for that person. When I called that man he acted as though he was not moved by what I said; and at that moment he may have not been. But one day he will come to his right mind and think about what he did and need forgiveness. That forgiveness will help him forgive himself. Do you ever think about what Jesus did for you and how He took the beating on His body to the point He was unrecognizable as a man. The Bible said He flesh fell from His bones. That’s just how bad He was beat for us. He took every sin, sickness, curse on His body for us. He died a sinner’s death and He did NOTHING wrong. He did it all for us because He loves us. Again, do you think Jesus died and forgave our sins so He could benefit from it? What He did was a selfless act. Here is a scripture that will help you better understand why forgiveness is for the other person. I took away any doubt from me concerning this. I pray it does the same for you. If this isn’t for you, share it with others. Look at what Jesus did and that’s our example. Going back to Stephen, I’ve heard people say “well, I’m not Jesus”. No, we are not Jesus, but we are Christians, which are Christ like. I believe the Lord had what Stephen did recorded in the Bible to let us know what He did can be done through us also. We can do all this through Christ who strengthens us. That means forgiving the way He did. If you have been saved and are born again, then you have His Holy Spirit residing in you now. So we can do and have the power and authority to do what He did. Peace and blessings.
2 Corinthians 2:7-11; So [instead of further rebuke, now] you should rather turn and [graciously] FORGIVE AND COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE [HIM], TO KEEP HIM FROM BEING OVERWHELMED BY EXCESSIVE SORROW AND DESPAIR. I therefore beg you to reinstate him in your affections and assure him of your love for him; For this was my purpose in writing you, to test your attitude and see if you would stand the test, whether you are obedient and altogether agreeable [to following my orders] in everything. If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah), to keep satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.
The Faith To Forgive
THE FAITH TO FORGIVE- Andrew Wommack Ministries
Luke 17:5 “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”
It is very interesting to note that the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith after He spoke of forgiveness. They observed all of the wonderful miracles Jesus performed and yet that never inspired them to ask for greater faith. Truly, walking in love and forgiveness with each other takes as much faith as any miracle we will ever believe for.
The basis of forgiveness is the love and mercy of God. It is only because God first loved and forgave us that we can love and forgive others. If we aren’t walking in the forgiveness of God, we won’t minister it to others. He forgave us before we repented or asked for forgiveness.
The scriptures admonish us to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. God offered His forgiveness towards us while we were yet sinners. Therefore, forgiveness was offered to all unconditionally. But only those who receive the offered forgiveness through repentance and faith are received as sons of God.
Likewise, we are to forgive others their trespasses, just as God has forgiven us our trespasses. We forgive whether or not the other person repents or wants our forgiveness. But we cannot restore such a person to complete relationship until there is repentance on his part. Failure to distinguish between forgiveness and restoration with their different conditions, has caused some people to make themselves vulnerable to unscrupulous people and suffer tragic results. In marriage, we should forgive our mate for anything, even adultery. But If there is no true repentance on our mate’s part, it would be foolish to trust him or her in a sexually tempting situation. We should forgive a business partner for stealing from us whether or not he repents, but that doesn’t mean we ought to put ourselves in a position to let him do it again. Complete restoration is dependent on repentance. Walk in forgiveness today.
THE COST OF LIVING FOR CHRIST
Good morning all. This Word is very uplifting and encouraging. It puts things in perspective. Personally for me. When I began to receive the truth in God’s Word I had opposition. That caused me to take it personally; which caused me to get into self-pity and strife. I began to have thoughts that were against the ones I tried to minister the truth to. I took it personal because it came from people in the church. I thought if anyone would listen and receive, it would be those I knew in the church. We can’t be against even our brethren who are blind. Just like when Jesus was on the earth and there were Pharisees and Sadducees, we have them today. Putting the church and people down isn’t the answer. How I responded was wrong. It wasn’t out of love like the Lord Jesus did (and still do), but I wanted revenge because I took it personally. The Holy Spirit told me not to take it personal. Reading this Word helps me to realize the danger in taking it personal. They weren’t rejecting me. They were rejecting the Word of God; which is dangerous for them. Even this morning prior to reading this devotional I was sharing the Word with someone and was ignored in a really rude manner. I started telling the person how rude that was, but the Holy Spirit said to stop correcting them and to stop talking to them about the Word because they are rejecting it. Then He led me to pray in this manner “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”. The same prayer the Lord said. The same prayer the Lord’s disciple, Stephen said in his last breath. When they are rejecting the Word of God, they are hurting themselves more than what they think. So instead of getting angry, remember they aren’t rejecting you, they are rejecting God and that’s more dangerous. Have compassion on them and pray for them. Remember, God loves them also. Jesus died for us all, even the ones who rejected and persecuted Him. When we respond the way God tells us, it keeps self-pity, strife, ungodly anger, bitterness (ALL things from satan) from entering our hearts. Finally, don’t forget it’s a good thing to suffer for righteous sake. Rejoice… Peace and blessings to you all.
Veronica
THE COST OF LIVING FOR CHRIST – Andrew Wommack Ministries
Luke 9:58 “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
MATTHEW 8:18-22; LUKE 9:51-62
This verse has often been used to support the misconception that Jesus and His disciples lived in poverty. However, in this instance, the fact that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head was because of persecution. The Samaritans, because of a religious prejudice, had just refused Him hospitality and a place to stay as He journeyed to Jerusalem. Persecution is part of the cost of living a Christian life. Jesus was communicating to this man that not having a place to stay at times was part of that cost.
There are many forms of persecution. Having your life threatened because of your faith in Jesus is one way you can be persecuted, but it is not the most damaging. History shows that the Church has always flourished under persecution with increased numbers and zeal. During intense, life-threatening persecution, people’s priorities get straightened out and the Lord assumes His rightful place. This always works for our good, regardless of what our outward circumstances might be.
A far more deadly form of persecution is men simply speaking evil of you or separating you from their company. It’s more deadly because it’s more subtle.
Many who would never directly deny the Lord will fall into self-pity or strife because of someone’s criticism. This will render one just as ineffective as a negative reaction to having one’s life threatened would.
It helps to recognize that it is not you that they are persecuting, but rather Christ in you. You are actually becoming a partaker of His sufferings and will share His rewards. With this in mind, we can actually shout and leap for joy in persecution!
Let It Go
Let It Go – Joseph Prince
Exodus 15:26; …I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
After crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel came to a place called Marah. The waters there were bitter. That is why the place was called Marah, which means “bitter”. The Israelites could not drink any of the water, so the Lord made the bitter waters sweet. (Exodus 15:23–25) Then, He brought up the subject of the diseases of Egypt and, for the first time, revealed Himself to His people as “the Lord who heals you”.
Why did the Lord suddenly mention the diseases of the world (Egypt represents the world in the Bible) at a place called “bitter”? What do diseases have to do with bitter waters? I believe that it is because He wants His people to know that a major cause of diseases in their bodies is harboring bitterness and resentment!
Some years ago, a lady shared with me about her sister who had died of cancer at a young age. She said, “Pastor Prince, a number of years before she passed on, she went through a very bitter divorce. She was very bitter toward her ex-husband.” Then, she asked me, “Is there a relationship between her bitterness and the cancer?”
I have studied the subject of healing for many years. I have read many books. I have listened to many sermons and I have sat under many healing ministries. And they all say the same thing: If you have unforgiveness in your heart long enough, that unforgiveness can sometimes translate into a disease in your body.
So if you have been bitter about something or someone, it is time to let it go! Your health, joy and life are more important. If you are already sick and you know that bitterness has something to do with it, let it go! See Jesus as your healer. He is standing at your place of bitterness today and He is saying to you, “My child, I can make your bitter waters sweet. I am the Lord who heals you.”
My friend, let it all go and let Jesus heal not just your diseases, but your broken heart too!
Salvation: A Relationship
SALVATION: A RELATIONSHIP – Andrew Wommack Ministries
Mark 6:54, “And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,”
MARK 6:53-56
The word “know” can mean many things from as little as “to perceive with the senses or the mind” to a much deeper meaning of “a thorough experience with.”
This knowing, then, is not just intellectual, but a personal, intimate understanding. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ. Eternal life is having an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus the Son. This intimacy with God is what salvation is all about. Forgiveness of our sins is not the point of salvation. This intimacy with the Father is. Of course, Jesus did die to purchase forgiveness for our sins because unforgiven sins block us from intimacy with God. Sin was an obstacle that stood between God and us. It had to be dealt, with and it was. But anyone who views salvation as only forgiveness of sins and stops there is missing out on eternal life.
Salvation was intended to be presented as the way to come back into harmony with God. Instead, it has often been presented as the way to escape the problems of this life and later the judgment of hell. It is possible to get born again with that kind of thinking, but more often than not, people who get saved through that type of ministry view the Lord as someone to help them through times of crisis and not someone to know in an intimate way. Jesus died for us out of love (Jn. 3:16) – a love that longed to have intimate communion with man.
Most non-believers are so occupied with their “hell on earth” that they don’t really think or care about their eternal future. They are fed up with religion. They are looking for something that will fill the emptiness inside. Only an intimate relationship (eternal life) with our Father can do that. We need to tell them.
Accept the Gift of Forgiveness
I am just receiving this email this morning, but the Lord through His Holy Spirit has been teaching me about this subject. I have always looked at my sins and help myself accountable for them, which was a huge burden. I used to really beat myself up each time I sinned. Not only me, I would remember what people did wrong toward me and held that against them. My acts were evil and wrong. The Word of God says in Romans 4:8 that He will not impute (CREDIT YOU; TAKE AN INVENTORY; THINK ON) our sins. If He, who IS God, the great I AM, the ALMIGHTY, Powerful God does not think on, take an inventory of, or credit our sins then why should we. The Word of God also stays in 1 John 1:9 that if we CONFESS (admit our wrong) that He is faithful AND just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So again, why focus on our sin when He said He will cleanse us from unrighteousness. This also brings to my mind when the Lord God told me when He looks at us, He sees His Son. When we accept Jesus as Savior (see Romans 10:9) we accept He covered our sins through His blood. We are forgiven without even asking for forgiveness. That is His AWESOME free gift of Grace. We did nothing to earn it. When we accept that fact, it helps us to want to not sin. Instead of focusing on sin (in you or someone else) focus on the One (Jesus) who died for our sins. Have faith He will cleanse you and the one who did you wrong from ALL unrighteousness. This week the Lord gave me this scripture (John 9:2;And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? ). Jesus didn’t focus on the man’s sin, people did. Jesus focus on the man’s need for healing. In the next verse Jesus told them this man isn’t blind because of any sin from him or his parents. If you look at the life of Jesus while He was on earth, when people came to Him for healing He dealt with their problem and some He said to sin no more. He dealt with the problem first, then the sin. That’s His Grace. He loves us so much, He sent His ONLY Son to take our place on that cross. We were the one who deserved to die. But He loves us so much, He took our place. Lastly, earlier this year the Lord gave me a vision about His death on the cross. I pray you can see it also. There were a line of people who were chained and burdened. They had looks on them like depression, guilt, no hope, death. They looked like the living dead. They were hunched over walking. Then they came to a road that looked like a cross. The cross had a veil on the long part. As they went over that road and went through the veil the who expression changed. They had no more chains, they weren’t hunched over, they had smiles on their face, they looked peaceful. It was a 360 degree change. That’s what happens to us when we accept Jesus as Savior. As we renew our minds through His Word and His teachings, we accept His Awesome Grace and realize we are reconciled back to our Creator, our Lord God, the Great I Am. Jesus is our Redeemer and redeemed us back to our Heavenly Father. If you haven’t accepted Him, please do so. If you have an are still burdened, accept the truth of His Grace. He is not imputing your sins against you. Peace and blessings to you all.
Romans 4:8; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
1 John 1:9; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9-10; That if thou shalt CONFESS with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
ACCEPT THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS – From Andrew Wommack Ministries
Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Forgiveness of sins is one of the great themes of the Bible. There is so much that scripture says about it that it would take volumes of books to adequately deal with the subject. It will suffice to say that the blood of Jesus is what provided us with forgiveness of sins. That sacrifice was so great that it outweighed all our sins. It covered all the sins of the world-past, present, and future.
Most Christians have the concept that the sins they committed before they professed faith in Christ are forgiven at salvation, but any sins that are committed after that time are not forgiven until they repent and ask for forgiveness. This is not the case.
All our sins: past, present, and future were forgiven through the one offering of Jesus. If God can’t forgive future sins, then none of us can be saved because Jesus only died once, nearly 2,000 years ago, before we had committed any sins. All our sins have been forgiven.
The forgiveness of our sins is not the ultimate goal of our salvation. It is just a necessary step. The real goal of salvation is relationship with the Father and sin is a barrier to that relationship. So, it had to be dealt with, and it was, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who stop with the forgiveness of sins and don’t go on into eternal life are missing the heart of salvation. Our sins have been forgiven so that we may enter into intimacy with the Lord.
It is through the riches of God’s grace that we have received forgiveness for our sins. There is nothing we can do to obtain forgiveness except humble ourselves and receive forgiveness as a gift through faith in Christ.
Word for today
Count On God’s Forgiveness from our Lord Jesus given to Joseph Prince
Hebrews 10:2
2…For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
What are you more conscious of today? Your sins or the fact that you have been forgiven? My friend, don’t be conscious of your sins. Be conscious instead of Jesus and His finished work. The Lamb of God has taken away all your sins at the cross, so count on the fact that you are a forgiven child of God!
No matter what has happened or what you have done, God wants you to know that because of His Son’s finished work, He will be merciful to your unrighteousness, and your sins and lawless deeds He will remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12).
That is why you should not be conscious of your sins. In fact, when you are sin-conscious, the devil brings in condemnation, and the more you receive it and condemn yourself, the more you will find yourself unforgiving toward yourself and even others.
I was told by a pastor friend that when a lady, who had cancer on her face, asked for prayer for healing, the Lord revealed to him that it was self-hatred that was keeping her from receiving her healing. She could not forgive herself and was full of self-condemnation.
When she realized her problem, she counted on the fact that God was merciful to her unrighteousness and that she was already forgiven. She received the love of God. Then, right before the pastor’s eyes, her whole face changed—she received her healing that very moment!
Something happens when you believe that you are forgiven. That is why God says to you, “I want you to believe that all your sins I will remember no more. I want you to believe that you are My child enjoying My mercy and that you can always count on My forgiveness.”
Beloved, remember that all your sins have already been paid for by Jesus on the cross. And the more you count on the fact that you have the Father’s forgiveness and that He does not condemn you because of Jesus’ finished work, the more sin and its effects—sickness, hatred, lack and so on—will lose their grip on you. You will find yourself walking in a greater measure of God’s grace and blessings!
DIY - One Room At A Time 