From:   Pastor Paul Weimeschkirch
To:        heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject: Words of Encouragement (Forgiveness)



                WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

                       "FORGIVING OTHERS"


     When we look at the concept of "Forgiveness" many of us cringe at the
idea of forgiving someone who has wronged us in the past. More than any other
item, Christians seem to have the most difficulty in dealing with
"Forgiveness" than any other malidy in our lives.

     Psychiatry and Psychology today are looking hard at the concept of
forgiveness in therapy. They are learning the theraputic effects of
forgiveness and seeing amazing results.

     It is interesting that science still has not learned to turn to God's Book of
Psychiatry, "The Holy Bible." It seems as as is pointed out in 1 Corinthians
1:20 "hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world." Man seems to be
locked in the mind set that he can out smart God and has come out with egg on
his face every time he has tried.

     One of the last things Jesus said as he hung suspended between the
heavens and the earth was, "Father forgive them for they know not what they
do" Luke 25:34 Once again we can recall Peters queery "Lord, how many times
may my brother wrong me and I have to forgive him?  As many as seven?" Jesus
answered him, "I tell you, not as many as seven, but as many as seventy times
seven!"  "And be tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as Christ also has
forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NAS)  "Be gentle and ready to forgive, never
hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others"
Colossians 3:13

      In counseling, I have found Christians who seem to have problems from
time to time in having God hear their prayers. The first question I will
generally ask is, "Do you have any problem forgiving someone in your life."
The answer is usually "yes", to wit I respond with, "read Mark 11:25" "And
when ye stand praying forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father
also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."  Why do Christians
feel like "I know God forgave me of my sins, but I'm only human and I just
can't forgive that easily."

My own dear mother carried hatred for her brother-in-law for an incident
that happened in her early years of marriage to my dad.
I can remember how often she would toss my uncle's name up whenever she heard
the word "forgiveness." I always will remember how that bitterness effected
even her health from time to time. The old root of bitterness and rebellion is
one of old satans best devices. He has kept more Christians from finding that
peace and victory in their lives because of unforgiveness. UNFORGIVENESS is
SIN, we must take that old laundry before the Lord and ask his help and
forgiveness. We must bury the old trash and take on that peace that surpasses
all understanding. To do this we must forgive.

     After the process of forgiveness we may still remember, and through the
rememberance we learn not to repeat the same error that caused the event that
brought about the need to forgive. We need also remember that we must again
love the person who wronged us, and pray for them. When we can finish the old
and put on the new cloak of forgiveness, we begin to feel a new freedom, a new
peace and comfort that is hard to describe. This is all part of living in the
kingdom today and God wants you free to enjoy not carry old burdens with you.
Todey let's all repent of that unforgiveness for someone in our lives. Maybe
an old prejudice in our lives, or just some old event that happened many years
ago. As we begin to release the old hurt, I promise you will feel better.

     "Dear Lord in heaven, I pray today to release the old unforgiveness in my
life. I release it right now, and I forgive_____________today. Please Lord
forgive me for carrying this old trash around for all this time. Lord I thank
you for forgiving me, and Lord help me to love ____________again and help them
to know you in a personal way, in Jesus Name I pray AMEN.............

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your
Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven
forgive your trespasses.  Mark 11:25-26

4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to
us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.  Luke 11:4


4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a
day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.  Luke 17:4


32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Eph 4:32

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  Col 3:13

ALTARCALL MINISTRIES
Pastor Paul E. Weimeschkirch
7346 Hunters Land
San Antonio, TX  78249

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Eddie Chumney
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