Greetings Friends! Today is Day 1 of our 40 day countdown to Easter 2019! In the days before the crucifixion, His resurrection and ascension to Heaven, Jesus said many important things that we need to remember. Over the next few weeks of fasting and prayer, we will review many of the principles Jesus left for us. This week is about forgiveness. Better yet, I want you to dump the baggage from past hurts, failures, disappointments and injustice. This is so important because the first thing Jesus said after being crucified, in pain and anguish, is this: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
The first step to redemption of our own souls, is to unload the baggage of failure and experiences that have broken our hearts. An elderly lady was asked if anyone ever bothers her about her past. She said, "Yes" and then the man asked her what did she do about it. She said she tells the person asking to go to the East. The man said "Okay but what do you do when they come back?" She said, "I tell them to go to the west." The man wondered and said, "Then what, when they come again?" She said, "Oh, I just keep them going back and forth between the east and the west." Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Now that's how you unload, let go and let God handle the rest!
LET'S PRAY THIS PRAYER ALOUD
Lord, I place the heaviness of my heart in your hands. I unload the weight of stuff I experienced last year and before. It's hard to think about and sometimes I get angry. But today I'm kneeling at the foot of the cross. I'm giving these weights to You because You have already paid the price that I couldn't pay for myself. And in those times when I hurt others, I ask for Your forgiveness. Teach me how to apologize and show sincere repentance for those times when I have missed the mark. I am so grateful for this word of encouragement today. I am lighter and relieved. I sense your forgiveness flowing out of me and back to me. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Inspiring Hope and Seasoning Faith, Pastor Sean