I trust Your Spirit will empower me to forgive and love others how You have forgiven and love me. I choose to obey You, no matter how difficult it may be for me. I have no right to harbor unforgiveness against anyone, and as Your child, You call me to forgive others because I have been forgiven by You. If I am holding onto unforgiveness against someone who has hurt me or gravely sinned against me, I repent and forgive that person immediately. I come to You today first and foremost with a grateful heart that You would lavish Your mercy and love upon me, someone who has sinned against You, oh, Holy and righteous Creator God! Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, who stood in my place to die a death that I deserved so that I could be forgiven, justified, and restored back to You to now be called Your child. Knowing that offense will undoubtedly come, I must be quick to forgive and quick to pray for those who mistreat me. I admit that I haven’t always been able to shake off those stings from words spoken about me. Of course, there is such a thing as boundaries, but I have always tried to keep my heart free from offense. I am not one to burn bridges or cut people off. As one who is a peacekeeper by nature, I typically struggle when I know someone has a problem with me. In one of Jesus’ sermons in Luke 6, He gives great wisdom to those who are recipients of hurtful words and actions from others: “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” ( Luke 6:27-28, NIV).Ī few verses later, He simply states that one should do unto others what we would want to be done to us ( Luke 6:31). Once the shock wore off from hearing such statements said about us, I knew I was faced with two options of how to handle these accusations: allow those words to embitter me toward my former pastors or lay down my offense at the foot of the cross, forgive, and pray for them. One young lady was told that she needed to disconnect from me immediately because my husband and I were dangerous individuals…we were called “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” It turned out that word started getting around that these young ladies had been associating with me, and the pastors of this church did not approve. 17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” ( Luke 6:27-28, NIV).Ī few years ago, the Lord gave me a wonderful opportunity to mentor and disciple a few young women from a former church that my husband and I attended several years prior. 16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. Selah 14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. For the curses and lies they utter, 13 consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. 12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. In your might make them wander about, and bring them down. 11 But do not kill them, O Lord our shield, or my people will forget. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 9 O my Strength, I watch for you you, O God, are my fortress, 10 my loving God. 7 See what they spew from their mouths- they spew out swords from their lips, and they say, "Who can hear us?" 8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them you scoff at all those nations. ![]() ![]() Selah 6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. Arise to help me look on my plight! 5 O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations show no mercy to wicked traitors. 4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD. 2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. 1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God protect me from those who rise up against me. ![]() When Saul had sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him. Bible Gateway Psalm 59 :: NIV Psalm 59 1 Psalm 59 For the director of music.
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