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09-23-2007, 09:45 AM
Real Freedom
by Vonette Bright
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part” (Matthew 6:14 The Message).
Joyce had a terrible childhood filled with abuse. Emotional scars remained. The pain lingered even after she prayed to invite Christ to take over her life.
A pastor counseled her that forgiveness was the only true way to freedom. But she just couldn’t seem to do it. She would pray one day and the pain would return the next. It seemed her trouble would require a daily application of forgiveness.
Sure enough, the next time she thought about her abuser, drove by his house or saw him, she said, “I forgive you, in the name of Jesus.” Initially, the words had little meaning, but as the days went by, forgiveness and compassion became real. God honored her prayer and healed her wounds.
Friend, forgiveness is a choice. A daily choice. Begin by saying, “I forgive you, in Jesus’ name.”
by Vonette Bright
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part” (Matthew 6:14 The Message).
Joyce had a terrible childhood filled with abuse. Emotional scars remained. The pain lingered even after she prayed to invite Christ to take over her life.
A pastor counseled her that forgiveness was the only true way to freedom. But she just couldn’t seem to do it. She would pray one day and the pain would return the next. It seemed her trouble would require a daily application of forgiveness.
Sure enough, the next time she thought about her abuser, drove by his house or saw him, she said, “I forgive you, in the name of Jesus.” Initially, the words had little meaning, but as the days went by, forgiveness and compassion became real. God honored her prayer and healed her wounds.
Friend, forgiveness is a choice. A daily choice. Begin by saying, “I forgive you, in Jesus’ name.”