FORGIVENESS

Matthew 5:22-26 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, Raca(vain fellow/ contempt) will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, Raca is answerable to the Sanhedrin (council). But anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

You will have a hard time accepting the grace and forgiveness of the Lord if you haven't gotten down to forgiveness issues in your heart. You have to get out that first offense you stored up years ago, and sometimes, you will have to dig for a long time. But when you get down to that issue, the river of living water can spring back up out of you and refresh others. That is God's priority.

I personally know that there are certain issues in my life that I must deal with. Over the years I have thought that I have dealt with the issues however, they have taken a piece of me away. I need to fully give them over to Jesus and ask Him to run His living waters through all the areas in my life. In 2009 I need to work on the following so that I will not find it so hard to truly forgive people:

1) dealing with my childhood molestation
2) dealing with my teenage sexual assault during a robbery
3) the death of my father when he was only 43 years old
4) supporting and respecting my mother
5) trusting men

Lord this is my prayer tonight, these are some of the issues that have shaped my life. Please help me overcome them with You who strengthens me. For what man/ the devil meant for evil You will make good. What you have made clean O'Lord may no man call unclean. I believe O'God that You have made me clean Amen.