"GIVE YOURSELF A GIFT"

Good Evening to All!

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

The Amplified Version words it like this: Become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

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Have you ever waited for a prayer to be answered, and waited, and waited, only to
wonder if it was ever going to happen? Well, I have two ideas about that. First, all prayers are answered by God. The answer may be no, or wait, it's not time yet, you aren't ready yet, but they are always answered. My other thought is do you know there are things that can actually hinder God hearing your prayers? God not only hears what comes out of our mouths, but also what comes from our hearts.

If we have "junk" in our hearts and by junk, I'm talking about attitudes that are unpleasant to God, attitudes that God absolutely tells us in His Word not to have, they are like a brick wall, keeping God from hearing and answering. Unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, or offense of any kind can keep us from being able to hear God. the Word of God is very plain on this subject.

I cannot count the times I have talked to people and explained that if they are angry with someone, they are hurting themselves as much as the other person. They need to forgive, because God cannot forgive those who won't forgive others. This also includes offenses done against us. We must forgive no matter what so that God will be free to forgive us.

The above verse explains that we upset the Holy Spirit when we harbor negative emotions such as anger, resentment and bitterness in our hearts. When we hold these feelings against anyone of r any reason, it hardens our hearts and prevents us from being sensitive to God's leading in our lives. After all, God is love, and love does not include these emotions. Yes, you can love someone and get angry, but the key is to work it out and not stay angry. the key is to forgive.
If we hold these bad emotions in our heart, it's like we are squeezing God (love) out (for the moment, or as long as we hold on to these emotions. Have you ever noticed that when you are angry or upset with someone how you get nervous, or upset to your stomach? I do. That's why I have learned to get angry, and then just as quickly apologize, forgive and get over it. I don't like being sick.

Anyway, when you have these emotions in your heart, it's hard to hear God speaking to you because you're busy concentrating on these bad feelings. I know because I've done it. The longer you hang on to what I like to call "feelings of self-destruction, the easier it is to make up excuses as to why you shouldn't forgive or make up with that person, therefore you do just what God tells you not to
do, and disobeying God is a no-no also. I am so glad God finally was able to get through to me to make up with the person who I was so upset with for so long. Now, my heart is full of love again for this person and I am able to hear God a lot more clear now than I ever was.

Someone told me not to long ago that unforgiveness is like me drinking poison and hoping the enemy will die.

To summarize this short little post, be good to yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Give yourself the Gift of Forgiveness. It will bring peace to your heart and enable you to hear God's voice and follow His leading in your life.

Forgive Others so that God Will Forgive You.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!