Tag: Forgiveness

Favorate Verses

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Favorate Verses To Leverage

This is a compilation of popular verses to leverage when facing common challenges.

Click on a topic in the table below to jump to the verses for that topic, Or scroll down to go topic by topic.

Fear

Loneliness

Temptation

Anger

Health Issues

Anxiety

Depression

Addiction

Forgiveness

Financial Issues

Worry

Self-Worth

Guilt / Shame

Relationships

Grief

Stress

Doubt

      

 

Challenge

Reference

Verse

Fear

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 23:4 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

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Anxiety

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Psalm 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

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Worry

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Matthew 6:25-26 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

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Stress

 Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
  Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
  Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
  John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

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Financial

 Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
  Matthew 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
  Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
  2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

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Anger

 James 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
  Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
  Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
  Proverbs 29:11 “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”

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Forgiveness

 Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
  Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
  Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
  Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

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Relationships

 Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
  Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
  Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

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Loneliness

 Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
  Psalm 25:16 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
  Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
  John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

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Depression

 Psalm 42:11 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
  Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
  Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
  2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

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Self-Worth

 Psalm 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
  Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
  Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
  1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

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Addiction

 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
  Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
  Romans 6:12 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
  John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

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Temptation

 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
  Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
  Hebrews 2:18 “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
  James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

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Guilt/Shame

 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
  Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
  Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.”
  Psalm 32:5 “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

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Health Issues

 James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”
  Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
  Psalm 103:2-3 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”
  3 John 1:2 “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

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Doubt

Mark 9:24 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
James 1:6 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

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Grief

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Job 12:10 “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 119:28 “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!”

Other References:

What The Bible Says About Grief and Trauma – From Foreknown Ministries < Link>

 

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Forgiveness Is Not Optional

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Forgiveness Is Not Optional

We are Called To Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us, Especially Our Enemies

We are called to forgive those who trespass against us.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) 

Jesus modeled this desired behavior by forgiving those who were in the process of crucifying him.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Forgiving those who trespass against us, especially our enemies, is both a divine command and an essential act of spiritual growth. This essay post explores what forgiveness entails, why it is necessary, and how we can practice forgiveness, particularly in the context of our adversaries.

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning someone for their wrongs, whether they have sought forgiveness or not. Forgiveness is not merely an emotional feeling or mentally forgetting an offense; it is an intentional decision to sacrifice our position in the situation, absorb what ever wrong we have suffered, and release the perpetrator from the debt of their wrongdoing.

We are to forgive others just as God forgives us.  Our forgiveness is a reflection and embodiment of God’s mercy, offered to us through Christ’s sacrifice. 

Despite mankinds rebelion and rejection of God and His commandments, God decided to send His son in the flesh to rescue us.

Jesus gave up his position in heaven and came down to earth as a baby in the flesh.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”John 1:14

He lived a sinless life and then sacrified that life to pay the price for our sins. It is a rare person who will give thier life for someone else, especially if that other person was workign against them..

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)

Forgiveness of others is required for our sins to be forgiven.Forgiveness is not optional. It is a demonstration of our understanding of the calling to love others, and our willingness to do what God asks of us. 

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15,

We are also called to love our enemies, as outlined in Luke 6:27-28, where Jesus commands, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Forgiveness is a transformative act that liberates both the forgiver and the forgiven.

Why Should We Forgive?

  1. Obedience to God’s Command:
    Forgiveness is an act of obedience. Jesus exemplified this on the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example and extend grace to others, regardless of their actions toward us.
  2. Healing and Freedom:
    Forgiveness frees us from the burden of anger, bitterness, and resentment. Unforgiveness can imprison us emotionally and spiritually, hindering our relationship with God and others. In forgiving, we experience peace and healing. As Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
  3. Reflecting God’s Character:
    Forgiveness mirrors God’s character and love. By forgiving others, especially our enemies, we bear witness to the transformative power of God’s grace. This act becomes a testimony of the gospel, showing others the possibility of reconciliation and renewal.

How Do We Forgive?

  1. Pray for Strength:
    Forgiveness, especially of enemies, often feels impossible in our human frailty. Turning to God in prayer is essential. Philippians 4:13 assures us, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Ask God to soften your heart and empower you to forgive.
  2. Remember God’s Forgiveness:
    Reflect on the depth of God’s forgiveness toward you. In Colossians 3:13, Paul exhorts believers to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” When we grasp the magnitude of God’s mercy in our lives, it becomes easier to extend that mercy to others.
  3. Act in Love:
    Forgiveness is often accompanied by acts of kindness and love. As Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Acts of love can soften hearts and pave the way for reconciliation.
  4. Leave Justice to God:
    Forgiving does not mean excusing or ignoring injustice. Instead, it involves entrusting the situation to God, who is the ultimate judge. Romans 12:19 reminds us, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

Conclusion

Forgiveness is a divine mandate and a profound act of love that reflects God’s mercy. It frees us, heals relationships, and bears witness to the gospel. By understanding what forgiveness is, why it matters, and how to practice it, we can rise above our human instincts and live in obedience to God’s call.

As we choose to forgive those who trespass against us, especially our enemies, we emulate Christ’s example, bringing glory to God and experiencing the peace that surpasses understanding. Forgiveness is not merely an act but a way of life, rooted in the unfailing love of God.

 

 

Focus Forward

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Focus Forward

Are you consumed with problems from your past? Are you overwhelmed with challenges in the present, Are you worried about the future? This little write up might just help you.

I learned several very practical a useful nuggets whle listening to Jack and Carol Webber from UVA Darden School as they taught a course called “Possiblility Thinking”.  One of the key teaching points was about posiitoning your mental framework and it was centered arounf a statement something like this:   

Always respect the past, Be brutaly honest about the present, and Be eternally optimistic about the future.

I have come to appreciate hhow will this aligns with a healthy spiritual ajenda. 

God wants you to move forward from your past. You need to acknowledge your past; You were born a sinner and need a saviour. Once you acknowledge and confess your sins and commit to turn from them, He forgives them so you do not have to dwell in the past and fret about your prior choices, they are behind you.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

You are called to deny yourself.  To turn from a focus on you and your own earthly interests and agendas, and become focused on your eternal soul and His agendas working through you. You are called to put off the old man, and put on new life through Christ. Once the earthly, flesh oriented, self has been put to death on the cross with Jesus, there is no place for guilt, condemnation or shame to take hold in you. You are free to move forward.

Be honest: Have you denied yourself? Do you worry about your earthly reputation? What people say or think about you? Are you focused on your posessions or how they can help others?  If you have not already done it, Submit yourself to Him, Get the “Old you” out of the way, let Him live through you.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

He wants you to move forward in partnership with Him. Have Faith and walk with Him.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Mathiew 6:33-34

Lord, Thank you for coming here and becoming a sacrifice for me. I submit myself to you as Lord of my life.. I was born with a sinful nature, and that has cased problems for myself and others in the past. I put my old sinful self to death on the cross with you and i am raised up with you in new life. Thank you for forgiving my sins so that i can focus forward. Your mercy and grace washes my past so i can focus forward. I am a vessel for your use; I invite you to live in me, to form in me, to flow through me,  to use me in any way you see fit. With your continued help, I will live as a beacon for your kingdom and bring you glory. I ask this in Jeuss’  name. AMEN 

 

You make a choice each day – and it matters

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

You make a choice each day – and it matters

 

You have a choice every day: choose to follow God and His commandments and receive blessings, or don’t and suffer the consequences. (Duet 30:15) This is both a threat…and a promise.

We live in a fallen world and need God’s help to get through it. You can limit God’s ability to help you by how you live your life: your thoughts, your words, your actions matter. Sin separates us from the father, His protection, and His blessings. (Isaiah 59:2)

What is He expecting ?

Love God first and foremost – He is the source of everything Good. He put you here. He loves you. He gave is only begotten son to save you. Learn about Him. Get to know Him personally. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Do what He says. Follow His commandments. Let Him lead you.

Love thy neighbor – Think of every other person on this planet as a beloved child of God, each struggling in a fallen world. Be kind, be patient, bring love and forgiveness into every situation. He put you here for reason. He wants you to be a living example…to shine as a beacon for the kingdom. Become His love in action, His arms and legs on this earth. You are the body of Christ, Let Him live through you.

Deny yourself – Remove selfish / self-serving agendas. This life is not about you, it is about how you can get over yourself and become of service to others. Put the old self behind you and put on the new self. Die to sin, be born again into life. Present yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. Focus your thoughts and actions around how to be useful to others. It is not about having things, it is about how you can use what you have can be helpful to others.

Pick up your cross. Don’t let sin against you become sin in you. Forgive them for they know not what they do. Live this life worthy of the price Jesus paid for it.

Remember you will stand before Him and be held accountable for how you chose to live this life: your thoughts, your words, your actions, how you spent your time.

How do you treat others? Do you build them up, or tear them down in your mind and through your words. Your words matter.

Do you let issues from the past linger and bog you down or do you focus on today and find ways to be a blessing to others. Forgive and forget. He forgives you so you can forgive others. Move forward!

How are you leveraging the gifts and talents He gave you, are you squandering them or nurturing them and leveraging them to help others. What you do with your life matters.

You have a choice today. Make the most of it!

My two cents for what it is worth.

Supporting scriptures:

Your actions can limit God’s ability to help you.

“How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power”. (Psalm 78: 41-43)

Sin separates you from God – and his ability to help you

“…your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

You have a choice every day – Put God first and follow His commandments or suffer the consequences

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. (Deut 30:15-18)

Put sin behind you and become a living sacrifice to God

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

You are not saved by faith alone… how you chose to live your life really matters

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 21:12)

 

Example Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank you.  You are the source of everything good in this world. I thank you for this life and for never giving up on me. Thank you for forgiving me so i can focus on the future. I thank you for filling me with your holy spirit. I thank you for fathering me, for teaching me, for coaching me. I thank you for helping me find the path you set for me. Thank you for continuing to help me remove my selfish sellf-centered agendas.  Thank you for helping me get ME out of the way so your love can flow through me. Thank you for helping me forgive others and moving forward. Thank you for helping me be a blessing to every person i come in contact with today. Thank you for helping me find more and more ways to be useful and to be of service to others.  Thank you for helping me shine in the darkness of this fallen world. AMEN.