Forgiveness Leads to JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  As you drink in your JOY from the Lord, ask Him to give you a forgiving heart.

            In Matthew 6 we find the model prayer…often called the Lord’s Prayer.  In verse 12, Jesus says that we should pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”   We all desire to be forgiven. But do you want to be forgiven AS WE forgive others?  Have you totally forgiven everyone who has hurt you, sinned against you in the past?

            It’s our nature to want to retaliate when someone offends us…to get even.  There’s a new TV show called “Revenge” and it’s successful because many people can identify!  But be assured that NOTHING works out JOYfully when you are determined to get revenge!   Romans 12:19 tells us “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

            When we harbor unforgiveness in our heart, we become bitter. When we become bitter, we become judgmental. When we become judgmental, then we’re vulnerable to hate. And then we build walls that cut us off from other people, even the ones we love. It actually takes a physical toll on our health; and the anger, bitterness & stress can age us more quickly! Now, that’s not a joyful thought!  

             As we pray the “Lord’s Prayer”, let’s pray with genuine forgiveness so that our lives may be filled with the JOY that comes from being totally forgiven by our Lord.