GLORIOUS GIFT of FORGIVENESS

This image was in my April 18th 📧
because in the "Jesus Always" devotional book; 
it is the devotion for that day.
Sharing part:

"... I want you to enjoy the wonder of walking through your life as My follower—totally forgiven! The best response to this wondrous gift is to live in gratitude, seeking to please Me above all else."

If you're at all familiar with Sarah Young's (1946-2023) writings, than you know that she writes as if it is Jesus/God speaking to you (as this was the biggest criticism of her writings).Critics write: "she speaks for God" or that "she hears from Jesus" and "brings His messages" to her readers.
Frankly, in my opinion, that's exactly what I appreciate when reading all her devotionals -for THAT reason. 
She takes the Word of God & speaks it to me/us.
I did not share this to debate her as an author,or against people (pastors) that criticize her.
But as I read that small boxed quote from her devotion,
I am thankful to read these words as if Jesus is saying these words to me!
It means so much more!
Sarah Young always shares what verses in the Bible 
her words are based or taken from:
(such as this one)
John 1:12: Acts 4:12 NASB; Romans 8:1-2
[and quite often those parts are in italics]

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12 NASB

"Thank Me for the glorious gift of FORGIVENESS. I am Your Savior-God, and I alone can give you this blessing. ... "

This is what's on the image (in bold) and also is the first line of the devotion & here is some more (not all, but some) in this two paragraph devotion in
"Jesus Always"
April 18

" ...  You receive FORGIVENESS and become My child by receiving Me and believing in My Name. This Name, Jesus, means the Lord saves." ... "Rejoice, beloved, for through Me the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free!"

I'd love to share the full devotion but I try not to as my way to respect the author & copyright.
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Truly
FORGIVENESS
is a 
Glorious Gift from God!
I believe my previous blog post, which links to my own writing on 
FORGIVENESS,
is a testimony to that gift in my own life from my earthly father. 
The other ones that I've written also do, but I did not re-publish all of themso I'm sure that many of them are still in draft.
Yet, once again, I'd like to state that reading the Scripture verses in God's Word and reading the devotionals that Sarah Young wrote, allow me to actually sense God comforting me through her wordsfrom His Word.
I know that her style may be controversial to somebut I, for one, benefit greatly from reading them.
Often we are encouraged to apply the Word or speak the Scripture verse as a prayer or respond to "what do you think God is saying to you?"when we are reading or discussing.
Isn't that what Sarah Young 
has so beautifully done?
[I've read the critics, now I'd like this -ism to end, as I would many -isms in our world today]
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As a NOTE, separate to this blog post, I'd like to let you know that I re-posted (which means I moved & published again) my original post from April 17th (so it's no longer there) to Fri. April 19th in order to publish it again with the links for all of the devotions by Christine Wyrtzen on Forgiveness for this past week. She may continue next week, but I'm already looking ahead to a new One Word for next week's FOCUS (on Mon.) and the ones for "Pauses for Pentecost" (on Sun. 6 pm). Rhythm for Reflection?

FORGIVENESS ...

         📧 ✉️ 📧 📨 📧 📩 📧 ✉️ 📧 📨 📧 📩 📧 ✉️ 📨

Oh my goodness. I am being bombarded this week with "FORGIVENESS" everywhere, but especially in my emails. In fact, I went back and looked at my blog posts, finding that many are in the "drafts" posts and the many times that I have written on FORGIVENESS. I thought if I chose one to publish again that it would appear here in 2024, but it didn't. So the one I opened and chose to re-publish is back (I think) where it was originally published on November 10, 2010. It's the only post that shows right now in my Archives for November of 2010 since I drafted them. 2010 was a very heavy & difficult year for me, and I don't even remember much about it. Mostly a blur for me! I was looking for FORGIVENESS blog posts, one in particular, but for now, this one will do. You need not read the entire bottom green & blue print portion, and many of the links probably won't work. S.O. stands for Stormie Omartian. I will continue looking through my drafts. This was part of a series: Secret Garden. 

Actually, I encountered one of the past ones back in 2009 that I was thinking of sharing. But it needs to remain in "draft" (sorry). I'm still looking for the other one about my father's final letter to us that included his FORGIVENESS for me. Maybe you recall that one. * I FOUND IT back in September of 2009 and republished it also.

[image credit: Bible com YV plan]

God is speaking
FORGIVENESS
to many I guess right now
The ones that I received in my emails were all wonderful but I only am directing you to the articles written so far this week by Christine Wyrtzen at "Daughters of Promise". And oh how I'd love to be able to 'borrow' her beautiful painting on April 16, 2024 with the most current devotional by her. I will only link to each one since April 10th until today, April 16th, but I think she will continue these, at least this week (so I may add those also and link to her blog).

I believe that April 10th is the best place for me to begin:

"Let Me Show You What You've Done"

{the one for April 11th is good but not actually on Forgiveness, so I'm skipping listing it}

The next one is from April 12th (which is the day that I noticed the theme of FORGIVENESS appearing) and then it continues for each day. This one caught my eye & that's what started my search through my own blog posts. Because I couldn't agree more & needed this reminder

"Forgiveness is a Gift I Give Myself"

I think it might be better to read each one separately and allow yourself time to soak in her words. If I had known, I would have posted each one as I received in my email, which gave me the opportunity to do this that way - one at a time. But if you're crunched for time just go to her blog and keep reading one after the other from the most recent, scrolling down. Or better yet just subscribe, if you haven't already. That way, you will get the future ones too.

"Forgiveness is a Gift I Give to God"

I think this is my favorite (so far):
"Forgiveness is Allowing God to be King"

UPDATE of ADDITIONAL POSTS
"Forgiveness is Not Toleration of the Offense"
"Forgiveness is Not Forgetting"
"Forgiving is Not Excusing"
April 22, 2024
Christine Wyrtzen continues posting onFORGIVENESS
"Forgiveness is not 'necessarily' Being Free of Anger"
[please continue reading these at her website]
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[image credit: Pastor Rick's Daily Hope]

Here are a couple more of the other FORGIVENESS emails that just came this week:

Daily Hope with Pastor Rick Warren "Why You Should Always Choose Forgiveness" 

Your Daily Prayer: "A Prayer for the Strength to Forgive" (there was another prayer back on April 5th too) "A Prayer for When You Don't Feel Like Forgiving"

Even my devotional book for this year:
"Jesus, Calm my Heart"
shared quite a few on
FORGIVE and FORGIVENESS

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 night 100

"...Shower us Lord with the sweetness of Your FORGIVENESS"...
"... Bring healing and FORGIVENESS..."

[image credit: winnipeg free press]

🙏

{that's my favorite!}
"... Your FORGIVENESS is
like sweet, sweet honey on my lips (yes, it is) 
Like the sound of a symphony to my ears 
It's like Holy Water"song
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One more article (from a year ago) before I go
"Lessons in Forgiveness and Flourishing"
There's so much available online about
FORGIVENESS
but this is
what
stood out in my week
besides our

Let me know if you like anything special from these
FOCUS
on
FORGIVENESS
[Lent was certainly a time when this was written about much by Living Compass]
{they started out with "The Why... & are listed on the right archive sidebar if you need help with FORGIVENESS}
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I added another post by Christine Wrytzen
(if she continues to share on FORGIVENESS I will add, so please check back)
and
* found another one of my blog posts from long ago
THE FINAL ACT & LETTER of FORGIVENESS
(about my dad's final letter)

Focus: FORGIVENESS

The Weekly One Word is:
FORGIVENESS

I love this book with just One Word a Week
and Bible Hub, which is where the link goes above 
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The book's chosen verse for "FORGIVENESS" is: 

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 ESV

By now, you must be familiar with the repeated fact that the author of FOCUS does not use verses that contain the FOCUS One Word that I am accustomed to for One Words, but her verses always go with the content of her devotional message. This is why I choose to search the One Word at Bible Hub or online or Bible Gateway or at You Version. Yet I am very thankful for the beautifully written devotionals - this time focusing on "offense" with FORGIVENESS (and that One Word of "Offense" is in the Bible verse) - 4 wonderful paragraphs that end with her FOCUS TIP (that she has each week). Her conclusion for this week stands out to me:

" This week, let's look for opportunities to forgive rather than opportunities to be offended. What a games changer that will be!"

I couldn't agree more!
The problem for me is that part on the other person,
who always believes that they are in the right.
I try to move past it, go around it, overlook it.
Even forgive it so I can go on.
Yet I'm consistently
reminded
by
that other person
of the past and offenses in the past
that I want to be done with and move on from
which is why I am so grateful that
I AM FORGIVEN
by
Jesus Christ
once I confess my sin, He is faithful & just
to forgive me from my sin & cleanse me from  all unrighteousness
(1 John 1:9)
Now that's
FORGIVENESS
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If you get a chance, follow that link to the Bible Hub and look at the definitions from Easton's Bible Dictionary and Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, or wherever you have Bible tools to look at the One Word: FORGIVENESS. 

"Jesus Christ taught that FORGIVENESS is a duty."

[further down on that page #3 from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]

under the "Teaching of Christ" & read on in the "Conditions of Forgiveness"

{I actually find all 12 parts to be a week & more worth of study & reading but worth it}

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Oh and before I leave this portion,

I'd like to add my most valuable lesson on

FORGIVENESS

"Forgiving does not mean Forgetting"

but it does mean

"letting go of the offense"

not repeatedly reminding the offender or the forgiven

and that 

"we must forgive in order to be forgiven"

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Verses given by the author, Cleere Cherry Reaves in 

FOCUS ... for the One Word FORGIVENESS

Proverbs 19:11 ESV; Matthew 18:21-22 NLT; Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV;  1 Peter 2:23 ESV; Galatians 6:1-3 ESV

I look at One Scripture from these each week day and sometimes compare in other versions.
At times, I select a few of the other verses that have the One Word
FORGIVENESS
in the verse
such as
Matthew 6:14
(but I noticed that when I looked through the verses, it most often just had FORGIVE)
So I imagine many of the verses just have some form of the One Word like FORGIVE.
{which makes my choice not a good example}

"Jesus, I let go of all my offenses & pick up Your grace instead,"
After all - it's
aMazing Grace
and
Your FORGIVENESS is just as
aMazing!!!
because
YOU ARE AMAZING!

PAUSES ... Week 3 One Words

[I just moved this week's One Words (not the entire blog post from yesterday as I mentioned I might if you read that one). If not, no problem.]

Pentecost Sunday is coming May 19, 2024.

These are the "Pauses for Pentecost"

for this week;

Third Week of Eastertide  Day 15: Put On - Colossians 3:9-10 Day 16: Hovering - Genesis 1:2 Day 17: Crafts - Exodus 35:30-33 Day 18: Where - Psalm 139:7 Day 19: Abba - Romans 8:15 Day 20: Intercedes - Romans 8:26 Day 21: Fellowship - 2 Corinthians 13:14

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and the
FOCUS
One Word for this Week:
FORGIVENESS 
(but more on that in tomorrow's blog post)
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So for today
we'll just 
PUT ON
and pause to reflect on this
One Word
in
God's Word
"... let's PUT ON the new self ..."
but in order to do that we must 
take off the old self
or we end up 
with
layers
layer upon layer
that will have to be 'peeled' off
at some point & surrendered to be able
to PUT ON new
and be renewed as we learn to 
know our Creator & become more like Him!

{these are my thoughts before reading today's devotional, I'm sure that Trevor Hudson has much more, on a deeper level. In fact, I glanced through it and saw an intriguing question: 
"Will I be dressed suitably or not?"
He was writing about what clothes we put on daily, but let's apply this to our spiritual  clothing (as he does following this)
"...Take a look at the clothes hanging in God's closet.."
and how those virtues are reflected in the gospel life of Jesus
Compassion, humility, kindness, gentleness, patience ...
so let's PUT ONall of Jesus
FORGIVENESS
and
LOVE
"which binds them all together"
🙏

ALL the PAUSES for Pentecost ... and the One Word that Got Me 4/13/24

A little late into the scheme of 50 days until Pentecost (not as of today - today, it's more like 14) from the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to His Ascension into Heaven to 10 days later to Pentecost, but I've decided that each Sunday I will only post the "Pauses for Pentecost" One Words for that week; and any other One Word(s) will be on other days in the week (probably Mon. for the FOCUS Word for the Week). Just to let you know. 😉 {actually me, to keep up}. I'm posting actually a day early (not Sunday and I think you'll understand why by the end). Then I might scratch these lines and repost this Sunday evening my regular time (6 pm). So next Sunday I'll start sharing Pauses for Pentecost on Sundays 6pm, because I'm leaving this here.

In fact, just in case you never followed the 50 days to Pentecost from Resurrection Sunday and did not (or were unable or not interested) to follow my recommendation to get your own copy of "Pauses for Pentecost..."; I will go one step further and list all 50 days of the One Words, but not the Scriptures until that week. The first 2 weeks are in my previous post here.

Pentecost Sunday will be May 19, 2024.

Third Week of Eastertide Day 15: Put On Day 16: Hovering Day 17: Craft Day 18: Where Day 19: Abba Day 20: Intercedes Day 21: Fellowship

Fourth Week of Eastertide Day 22: Counselor Day 23: Remind Day 24: Testify Day 25: Truth Day 26: Anointed Day 27: Love Day 28: Body

Fifth Week of Eastertide Day 29: Desert Day 30: Transformed Day 31: Devout Day 32: Dwell Day 33: Guide Day 34: Responsibility Day 35: Encouragement

Sixth Week of Eastertide Day 36: Power Day 37: Water Day 38: Drunk Day 39: Listen Day 40: Withdrew (Ascension) Day 41: All Day 42: Kneel

Seventh Week of Eastertide Day 43: Face Day 44: Room Day 45: Wind Day 46: Fire Day 47: Tongues Day 48: Saw Day 49: Ask Day 50: Pentecost (Pentecost Sunday)

{Sure hope that this works out on the regular calendar}

But it did not work out well for me this past week, that we just finished. Let me explain as best as I can about that One Word that got me. 

Having the One Word "Alive" last Thurs. followed by "RAISED" on last Friday were good One Words to reflect on, until I opened to the One Word for Sat. (which by coincidence was not good for me) because it was "DEATH". Only our Lord could get me through facing that One Word on this day. But you know, He knew. He certainly didn't plan it, yet He knew that April 13th was one day that I'd prefer not to look at "death" because it was my older brother's 75th birthday, the first birthday since his death last August (2023). Those of you who have lost a loved one might understand this "first" ... but I'll assume that most of you reading this that have lost "loved ones" knew that they had been walking with Jesus & surrendered their heart & life to Jesus, knowing their need of a personal Savior, etc. Yet, that's not how it is for my older brother. Of course, it's unknown and we can hope. But as far as I know he and Jesus were not close. He had no memorial service. I think he was just cremated and I have no knowledge of any more about him. He did not live in our home state, he had moved away to another state since I went to MX. He was in closer contact with my sister through these years, but even she does not know but believes the best - and that's that. Fortunately I had spoken with him quite a few times in 2023, unlike other years. Perhaps the scripture verses that annoyed him last year on his birthday card might have spoken to his heart when I couldn't. Hopefully, my prayers for him mattered. I will not know this side of Heaven and God knew that. 

Many people, probably have lost loved ones without knowing their spiritual history or condition at time of death. Many people might be reading this "Pauses for Pentecost" this year, or in previous years, I'm sure. So it's not a coincidence for others that April 13th, the One Word was "DEATH" like it was for me. It just happened, but for me, it's what I call a God-incidence. That God had a reason for me to reflect on "DEATH" on that day, his birthday, rather than the day he actually died in August. Death is final. Yes, it's said that some have died and come back to life and have "stories" to tell from stepping beyond and returning. I'm not here to debate those miracles or stories. The given verse for that day was no help. But God knew and in another reading, totally apart from this, I opened to read 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 and I kept reading in various versions. I even shared 3 pre-made verse images from Bible (dot) com - YouVersion. So God was preparing my heart the eve before with His Word.  Healing and comfort for those who know Jesus as Lord.

verse 55 

then

verse 57

But I'm left still to wonder yet not question ... and with hope believe that God is infinite and beyond all we can think, hope or imagine. I certainly don't want to box Him into my limited thinking. I think we all want to hold on to hope and God's mercy, beyond all we can possibly understand. As one grieves, or is numb to grief but laments the loss, it's difficult to grasp against what we have been taught or believe or even read, over and over - that's when hope and faith collide; and God's love shines a glimmer of even more love for anyone who's lost, that my love for a sibling, a spouse, a friend, a parent, a grandchild, any person who has not responded to the infinite, aMazing love of a Father, Son & Holy Spirit ... hoping to break the power of sin and death for each one, because it was won by Jesus; freely given so that none would perish. 

It's a daunting peril to think of anyone perishing. Yet God gives each human being a chance to choose and He already sacrificed His only begotten Son to make that possible. So what are we doing to reach that one soul that either has not chosen, or has not been given a chance because they live in a place we still have not reached, or because ... why? Why do they not choose to receive the free gift of salvation? I may never understand. However, I do know the heart of the Father, who loves so deeply! And He knows my heart & hears my 🙏

GOD ONLY KNOWS

I cannot find what I was reading when I came across my reading of the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians, because I was unaware of the importance yet my spirit knew that I needed God's Word to help me face the depths of the One Word for Saturday, April 13th and the finality of death. I wasn't searching last night for any Word of Comfort in these verses, not knowing what turning a page in a book would land me on for this day. All I do know is that God can use One Word - just One Word from His Word to breathe life and hope into a broken or hurting soul. Even before we know it, God knows, and He's there, and He's ready. 

Are you? Are you ready to allow God to use you to speak life into that one soul? It might be someone else's loved one. It might end up being their last chance. You might be that soul's hope for eternity, or for their loved one to know that they will see their loved one(s) again because of you. May God lead you and guide you to that someone, just like God led me here to prepare for this next week of Pentecost Pauses so that I might write about what's on my heart and in my mind as I recall a loved ones' death with the hope that there was one person who reached him before his death. I only share this with God, and now I've opened it up in a public blog post, hoping that God will save one more soul - somewhere.

Wishing with all of my heart that it was my someone. Praying God will give ...
CALM 
in the Storm
Serenity
that He grants
Peace & Comfort
for the souls
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May the departed
Rest in Peace
May God's perpetual Light
shine upon them with 
His mercy, forgiveness & grace
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Looking for a new 
One Word
for tomorrow!

{sorry for 2 in 1 day}