FRIDAY 25TH AUGUST 2017

TOPIC: YOU MUST FORGIVE THEM
TEXT: 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….”

When asked which emotions contribute most to physical illness, a group of eminent doctors said, ‘Anger and unforgiveness’. That’s because over time they release deadly toxins into your body. One doctor said, ‘It’s not what you are eating, but what’s eating you that threatens your health’ and forgiveness is that cancer that needs to be quickly attended to When someone hurts you, there are four things you should do:
1) TALK TO THEM. Now, there’s a right time, a right place, and a right way to do it. Before you say anything, ask God to guide your thoughts and words. Then say what’s in your heart in a loving, low-key, non-judgemental way. After that, leave the rest with God. He can do a better job of changing things than you can.
2) DON’T RETALIATE. When you’re tempted to lash out at someone, stop and remember the price Jesus paid to take away the sins you commit. Seeing your offender through God’s eyes will help you to forgive just about anybody.
3) LET IT GO. As long as you dwell on the issue it’ll keep hurting you. You may let someone off your hook, but that doesn’t mean they’re off God’s hook. He will deal with them the right way and bring about the right result, which is something you can’t do.
4) ASK GOD TO BLESS THEM. You may say, ‘Are you serious?’. Yes; Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you’ (Luke 6:27-28). When Jesus tells you to do something, He gives you the grace to do it. The Books of Luke 17:3-4 admonishes us strongly to watch ourselves- to forgive even before an offense comes your way. Colossians 3:13 says, we should forgive as the Lord has forgiven us on the finished work on the cross. Lastly, Prov. 19:11 says forgiving people is God’s wisdom in a person that gives him patience to over look an offense.

MEDITATION: Prov. 24:29

BIBLE STUDY
1 Sam. 17, Romans 15, Lam. 2, Ps. 33