Jesus paid the debt for sin that we could never pay ourselves. We must make the choice to receive the gift of salvation through repentance and confession to spend eternity with God. Then we are transformed in our hearts and can extend forgiveness. There is power in forgiveness!

“You, LORD, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. (Psalm 86:5).

Forgiveness at its fullest can truly be realized when both parties move toward healing and reconciliation that only comes through genuine repentance. While it does not remove the effects of great harm done, or the absolute need to be discerning in how we move forward in dealing with unhealthy relationships, we must choose to forgive to truly live. There are times when it is best to remove yourself from longterm situations of lies and deception to experience restoration and healing. 

Every situation is different! But YOU can truly be free by choosing to forgive! Every person will stand before God and give account. Give everything to God and move forward to experience healing and refreshing. 

There is great power in forgiveness.

God loves you!

His love and mine,

Deborah 

Several years ago, I was driving my car on the interstate and a rock came out of nowhere and hit the windshield–cracking it. I called the insurance company and filed the claim, and then heard this rather lengthly explanation as to why they would not and could not replace the same windshield from factory–(which would cause some of the systems not to work properly.)

Immediately, the HOLY SPIRIT put in my spirit to cast it all over on the LORD. So I told the man (very nicely) that I was simply going to turn this entire situation over to the LORD. He said, “What?” I said, “I am turning this over to the LORD” and headed to the airport for a flight to another state. The next day, I went to a lunch with a friend in the city and we walked back to her area of work–where I met a total stranger and started helping her select items and talking to her about life. Then my phone rang–and it was the car dealership telling me how much the windshield would cost me–since my insurance was not being cooperative. I told the rep at the dealership that I was highly disappointed in the insurance company (and named the company)….guess what, the total stranger that I had just met and was helping–she said, “I work for that company and my boss is the head of corporate.” She asked me to give her a few minutes. In about three minutes, she hands me her phone after speaking with her boss–I explained what was happening–and he told me that he would handle it. The check was delivered to the dealership to pay for my windshield IN FULL later that day. I was still out of state–and before I could even get my car to the dealership, It was fully covered. 

Somebody needs to hear this! Cast ALL your cares over on the LORD. If He cares enough to handle a “windshield” problem, how much more does HE CARE about the injustice, the betrayal, the cancer, the family problems, the marriage issue, the financial issue, the physical issue, or whatever you are facing? Trust the LORD today… cast all your cares over on HIM. He cares for YOU! AMEN. Do it now! (The full story and other encouraging praise reports are in God’s Priceless Treasure…my first book published by Charisma/Creation House Press 2011). God bless you!!!!

Only God can mend a broken heart. Only God can bring healing to the grieving soul. It is only God who gives us a heart soft enough to recognize our rebellion and to actually weep over it as well…and to have a heart transformation.

Take time to read 2 Samuel 12:15-24; Psalm 51; and Matthew 5:4.

The Bible gives us the account of King David who slept with the wife of a loyal commander of his, then David had him killed when she became pregnant. After his initial denial, David breaks down in anguish and grief when confronted by the prophet Nathan.

It is only God who can change the human heart and melt the heart of stone. We can reflect on King David’s life and see the heart of stone has been replaced with a heart of flesh. Now it hurts over sin and is grieved over what God is grieved about. 

The prayer of David makes it clear that he is now grief-stricken over his sin with Bathsheba, as he tells God his bones, spirit, and heart are all broken (Psalm 51:8, 17). Take the time to be still and ask the LORD to show you any area in your life or a time when God revealed to YOU the true depth of your sin and rebellion against Him. 

We can understand from Scripture that it is God who softens the heart. It is God who gives us a heart soft enough to recognize our rebellion and to weep over it (read Ezekiel 36:26). Why on earth would anyone want to hold onto a “heart of stone” and sin against God? Is there anyone particular that you know who seems highly resistant to having his or her heart broken by God to see the sin in their own heart? Pray Ezekiel 36:26 over them and intercede for them as the LORD leads you by HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

Why did God send the prophet Nathan to King David? Because God wanted David to be set free and to find forgiveness (2 Samuel 12:13). David does find forgiveness and prays that God will restore his joy of salvation (Psalm 51:12). 

We can keep on reading the later psalms of David and see the fulfillment of his petition as well. In order to arrive at this place of fullness of joy, one must first go through mourning that comes through genuine repentance. Repentance and forgiveness go hand-in-hand. Without both, there is no genuine relationship!

As the story continues….David mourns again, this time over the sick child of his union with Bathsheba, now his wife. In 2 Samuel, King David is in anguish over his child’s illness but seems to recover somewhat after the baby dies. David gave it all to God, wept and prayed. After the death of his child, David got up and washed himself, put lotions on, and changed his clothes. Then he went to the LORD’s house to worship. After that, he went home and asked for something to eat. His servants gave him some food, and he ate. 

His servants asked him why he was doing this….and David responded that he couldn’t bring him back to life but would see him again someday. Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife. (2 Samuel 12:24), which must have not been easy, as he had to be in great pain himself. But God “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort [others]” (2 Cor. 1:4). 

Glorifying God in times of pain can seem hard, but the Father God provides strength needed for whatever He asks of us. When we grieve, it can be very soothing to the soul to remember what Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). 

You may have experienced extreme grief, regret, sadness or rebellion and pain due to making a wrong choice in life. God wants to bring healing to every place that hurts! Even if God doesn’t fix earthly sorrows that come to all, the joy of salvation is always available because of JESUS! 

HIS love and mine, 

Deborah