♕ Today's Promise: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." Galatians 5:16-17
~ Kathy in Missouri
I just wanted to be obedient to the Word of God. It says we have to forgive if we want to be forgiven, and I knew my Husband well enough to know that I wanted and needed that.
So one day I was alone in my home and I just sat and told the LORD that I need Him to take my unforgiveness away for me. I told Him that I know I am not able to do it, but He is, and I am asking You to remove my bitterness and unforgiveness from me - and He did! He simply lifted it off of me, just because I asked Him too! I cried for half an hour over the relief of it, and the miracle of it! I had never experienced anything like it and it was amazing.
My tests and trials have put me in the position to choose to forgive over and over, but I remember how it felt when He set me free of my unforgiveness and so I have been determined not to carry that ever again, toward anyone. There have been days that I have said out loud, “I forgive (OW’s name),” several times in the day - because I am DETERMINED to walk in love an forgiveness. And the Spirit enables me to let go - again - every time.
Dear Sister, our flesh is screaming at us to lash out and fulfill it’s desires to hurt back. The word of God tells us that our flesh and our spirit are CONSTANTLY at war. Constantly. But freedom comes from denying our flesh and walking in obedience to God with The Spirit. I promise, the freedom of forgiveness will never disappoint. I have never regretted forgiving, but I have often regretted acting in my flesh. My pride has NEVER done me any favors. It only helped me to destroy my own house. Submit your will to Him and walk in sweet freedom. It is worth everything you will let go of to have it.
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want." Galatians 5:16-17
His Spirit guides us, enables us, fills us and empowers us to be the Brides He has called us to be. We don’t have to do anything by ourselves, in our own power.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:32-36
Without expecting to get anything back. My call to give forgiveness whether or not it’s “deserved” or even asked for has nothing to do with what the Lord calls me to do. If I want to be close to Him, I can not let the sin of unforgiveness stand between us. He died to enable me to let it go, and be able to be close to Him. He is where my joy is.
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