September 28: FORGIVENESS

Believe it:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)

Live it:

We can learn three things from today’s text.
1. Forgiving is a decision. Forgiveness is not a feeling. If you wait to feel like forgiving, you probably will never do it. First you must forgive with your mind, then with your heart. This does not mean it will be easy, especially if you have been deeply wounded. Forgiveness doesn’t depend upon whether or not the other person deserves it. Decide to forgive today.
2. You must treat the person who has hurt you as if he or she is forgiven. You may have asked yourself, “How does a person forgive?” The answer is simple. Treat the other person as if you have forgiven him or her. Acts that reflect forgiveness can eventually produce feelings of forgiveness. You may feel strange as you treat with kindness one that has injured you. Don’t let it bother you. Those awkward initial feelings will be replaced later by something beautiful.
3. A forgiven person forgives. The main reason we forgive others is that God has forgiven us. Think for a moment how He has treated you. He’s patient. He holds no resentment. He gives you another chance. You can say, “That’s God.” But God is in you, through His Holy Spirit, to help you forgive. Call on that power in your life, and forgive the one who has offended you.

Share it:

·         Pray, asking God to show you someone you need to forgive.

·         Make the decision to forgive that person, and try to connect with them soon.

My prayer today: for the person in charge of the music

-Pray for their health, their family, and for their spiritual life.

-Pray that God, through their music ministry, will heal, encourage, and bring unity

from God’s City, My City