The Jacobs School of Music announces the passing of basso Giorgio Tozzi:

Christianity Today | Posted by admin
Jun 01 2011

The Jacobs School of Music announces the passing of basso Giorgio Tozzi: http://blogs.music.indiana.edu/giorgiotozzi/

I just received and email from Eric Tozzi, Giorgio’s son telling that his father passed away on Monday. My love and prayers go out to the family. I met Giorgio in 1976 in San Francisco, CA. I was pastor of The Holy Spirit Center. Giorgio called my office to make an appointment to speak with with a pastor. When he arrived he introduced himself and shared his concern about needing prayer. At the close of our time in prayer, Giorgio and I joined hands and he accepted Christ into his life. His words “I feel so different.” Giorgio and I became good friends and over the years enjoyed many times of fellowship in his home with his wife Monte two children. The family started attending Church on the Way. Today, his two children are in full time Music Ministry in Vineyard Church.  I count the years of our friendship as highlight in life and the times I sat watching Giorgio preform at the San Francisco Met Opera as a rich experience that will always be remembered.  Love and prayers to the family.  Sing on Giorgio!  You got a choir of Angles to back you up.

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Thinking. . .

Getting Through Tuff Times | Posted by admin
Oct 13 2009

You know I do a lot of thinking as I suppose you also do a lot of thinking.  But today I was concentrating on right thinking.  Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled. .” and with the economy, life pressures, need of a job. . .I think I have been thinking wrong.  My heart is troubled.  I am troubled about things that seem to be related to the economy, life pressures, need of a job.  I think the Lord knows about these things.  When God called to Adam in the garden of Eden he called “Adam, where are you?”  Just think about that.  Did God need Adam to say “Over here.” or did God know where Adam was and it was for Adam to acknowledge “where he was?”  God knows where we are. . .do we know where we are?  Emotional.  Financial.  Spiritually.

Just thinking.

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Two Prayers of Jesus

Prayer | Posted by admin
Jan 27 2009

Two Prayers Of Jesus

While reading this morning The Lord’s Prayer, not to be confused with The Disciples Prayer some understanding and insights come into my spirit from the Holy Spirit.

The Disciples Prayer

The disciples came to Jesus requesting that Jesus teach them to pray as John had taken time to instruct his disciples to pray.

Luke 11:1  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Jesus “taught” them the pattern prayer in Luke 11:2  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

In essence it is a recited prayer. Learned and taught. Each one of us has been taught this prayer from childhood. It is spoken at churches, gatherings whenever. We recite it at bed times, over morning plans as we start our day. It is a beautiful prayer. Meaningful prayer, but over time can become a ritual and require little or nothing on our part.

The Lord’s Prayer Centered On Being One With The Father

John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE.”

Think about Jesus’ prayer. That the disciples MAY BE ONE.

One in unity with each other? I think not. Look at the disharmony over the centuries

One in doctrine? That question is self answering

One in Faith? Wars have been and are now being fought over concepts of a “faith;”

The prayer was that the disciple would be ONE as Jesus exampled in the relationship with His Father. Surrendered to do the will of the Father. Jesus was in complete surrender to the purpose the Father wanted to pour through His life. True faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves, and knows, the One Who is leading, is trustworthy.

Being one with our Lord is a life of faith, not of intellect and reason; a life where we have surrendered our human will in complete agreement to our Lord’s intention and design. Does not the scripture say to us, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. Agreed says a subject is settled, decided and we are walking together with the same purpose.

Abraham was called of God, tested, tried and then it is said is various scriptures “Abraham believed God”. He became one in total agreement with God’s intention and design.

Romans 4:3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness (right living and right standing with God).

Galatians 3:6  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

To be called a “Friend” is more than a just being a “casual acquaintance.” Salomon says in Proverbs 17:17  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. You and I can just about count the people who demonstrate this description of a “friend” on one hand. We must comprehend that God alone sees the big picture; the full picture of the puzzle. We only see the pieces of the puzzle of life. He puts it together. We cooperate with His Wisdom and Love that never leaves nor fails.

Faith says, “God can do all things”

Trust says “I cooperate with God’s almighty Power, Wisdom and Love believing that He is leading and enabling me to do whatever part I must do, then trusting Him to complete His intention and His design.”

The Garden of Gethsemane prayer is the account of the last struggle of our Lord’s human will to become ONE with His Father’s will. I have seen numerous painting by the masters of art depicting our Lord’s kneeing broken posture, praying while looking heaven ward. I have stood before them at the Vatican in Rome, gazed on stained glass windows of hundreds of churches from Europe to Australia; Mexico to Canada. I have even stood in the very Garden of Gethsemane more then 10 different times while on the many trips I have made to Israel.

None of these experiences have ever been able to convey to me the actual human agony that Jesus must have experienced until recently as a result of God dealing with me through events and circumstances.

My brother Jerry, both preacher brother and blood brother, sent to me words in an email on March 3, 2003 encouraging me to “Keep praying and waiting see the hope that comes from the Lord and in time, the answer to your waiting and praying will come to pass.” He shared two scriptures with me. One from Psalms 27:14  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. The second was Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 speaks of three different life stage experiences.

  1. Mount up with wings as eagles
  2. Run and not grow weary
  3. Walk and not faint

Which of us has not experienced the flying high like an eagle experience. High above all earthly cares, gliding in the winds of the atmosphere effortlessly while all the while looking at the issues of our life from a heavenly perspective. This is seeing things from God’s view. A spiritual lift that we cry out loud “oh, may it never end.” Coming from a wonderful church service or a deepened time of communion with our Father and having the Holy Spirit lift our troubled heart and emotions to a towering, soaring attitude. We don’t want to come back to terra firma, planet earth, but everyday life issues and necessities have to be managed. God gives us these heights of spiritual insight to us; to strengthen us; to strengthen our grip on Him.

Off times we are required to run and not grow weary. Hebrews 12:1   says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” The Lord is telling us that there are times when we feel as though we are in a World Class Sprint 400 meter race. Demanding all the strength and stamina we possess. The finish line seems so far in the distance. Will we make it? Do we have the endurance to last the full time to make the finish?

That is when God’s word rolls back the curtain of eternity and allows us to see and hear the “great cloud of witnesses. Those who have gone on before us, cheering us on to victory. Great men and women of the Bible who have run this race and finished their course.

As Apostle Paul says to young Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Again he says in 1 Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. There are times when we must run for our very souls; laying aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; weights of sin and fleshly desires that hinder us from winning.

God promises to give strength so that you and I, the runners can “run and not grow weary.” We just have to cooperate and be fit men and women of God for these races through life’s temptations and trials. Who better than Peter would know and understand the emotional highs and lows of being a follower of Jesus. But listen as he exhorts the church. 1 Peter 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

I have yet to understand how some of our “Faith Message Brothers and Sisters” can slide over this spiritual insight and warning from one of the greatest of the Apostles, the Apostle Peter.

Walk and not faint is the third. You and I will spend the most part of our life walking. Everyday, one foot in front of the other. Slower, yes admittedly, less thrilling than looking down from heavenly heights or feeling the wind in our face as we run full speed seeing the end ahead of an agonizing hardship; as in the trying of your faith, but walk we must and walk we do.

2 Corinthians 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Listen to 2 Corinthians 5:7  in the Amplified Bible.

“For we walk by faith, we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our convictions or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk, not by sight or appearance.”

Back To Being ONE With The Father

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE.”

A true disciple of Jesus Christ will stumble with out living as one with the Lord, His plan and purpose for each of our lives. It means walking where he walked. Surrendering what He surrendered. How did he walk? What did he surrender? Read the account of a mother who want her son’s to share in the glory of the Lord’s kingdom.

Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21  And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Look what Jesus tells them. “Are you able to drink of the cup and bear the mantle of my Father’s mandate on your life as I have done and will continue to surrender to obeying?”

These yet untried, untested, upstarts, James and John, with out a hesitation boldly speak up declaring “We are willing, ready and able.”

James and John had only experienced the Lord teaching them the Disciples Prayer – a learned prayer.

Matthew 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer Matthew 26:38

It was not until later in their walk did they learn and understand how life’s circumstances would by the power of the Holy Spirit advance to praying The Lord’s Prayer. Not lengthy, but prayed in oneness harmony with the Father. Prayed three times but each time with the same resolve. “Not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43  And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45  Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46  Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

47  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

It will be the hardest prayer James ever had to pray.

But he did. Read the whole Epistle of James and in particular James 1:2 .

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

It will be the hardest prayer John ever had to pray.

But he did. Read the three Epistles of Saint John The Beloved as writes love and encouragement to the church.

It will be the hardest prayer John ever had to pray. But he did. Read the Revelation of Saint John The Divine as he writes from the island of Patmos off the coast of Greece. Although banished for “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” he is the recipient of the apocalyptic vision of the end of the world age as it is known, and he shares it with the seven churches. He dies and then is transported to Ephesus where tradition says was his burial place.

It is the hardest prayer I will ever pray.

It is the hardest prayer you will ever pray.

The following words of Oswald Chambers speak volumes to this type of praying.

From My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers

“The delight of real friendship with God as compared with occasional feelings of His presence in prayer are not to be compared. To be so much in contact with God that you never need to ask Him to show you His will, is to be nearing the final stage of your discipline in the life of faith. When you are rightly related to God, it is a life of freedom and liberty and delight, you are God’s will, and all your common sense decisions are His will for you unless He checks. You decide things in perfect delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decision are wrong He will always check; when He checks, stop at once.”

“Whenever we stop short in prayer and say – Well, I don’t know; perhaps it is not God’s will, there is still another stage to go. We are not intimately acquainted with God as Jesus was, and as he wants us to be. “That they may be one even as we are one.” “Think of the last thing you prayed about – were you devoted to your desire or to God? Determined to get some gift of the Spirit or to get at God? Your Heavenly Father knoweth what things you have need of before ye ask Him. The point of asking is that you may get to know God better. “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Keep praying in order to get a perfect understanding of God Himself.”

David

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Hope Will Bring You Through

Getting Through Tuff Times, Uncategorized | Posted by admin
Jan 25 2009

I. Hope is the core key relevant word from start to completion in Romans 8:24-28

Romans 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? KJV

Romans 8:24 For in (this) hope we are saved. But hope (the object of) which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what he already sees? AMP Bible

Hope enables us to hang on through the tribulations, pain, hard times; develops patience, then leads us to faith. Faith claims, receives, accepts, welcomes, relies on what we have been hoping for. Hope has to be in someone with more wisdom, power, knowledge then we possess, so as Paul is saying, it must be in the person of Jesus Christ. For many years when I was younger, I had hoped my life would change for the better. Hoped I would find inner peace, strength for overcoming habits, attitudes, guilt and freedom from sin. Hope directed me to faith in Jesus Christ. Total salvation. So hope was no longer needed. I now saw and experienced what I hoped for all those years. Freedom through faith in Jesus Christ to live in a relationship with Him.

II. Hope comes alive when the word of God fills our heart

Romans 8: 25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. KJV

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what is till unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure. AMP Bible

God’s word becomes alive in our hearts. His promises open a whole world of possibilities for seemingly impossible changes in circumstances, events, problems, people we pray for; so hope comes alive. Hoping does not come up with the solution; but rather the conviction, inward hope, belief that some how God will work with the impossible bringing the hoped for solution. The solution we hope for but are incapable of knowing how it will become a reality requires the “hoper” (that’s you and I) wait (Oh I hate hearing that word but it is there) with patience and composure (Calm) until God brings our HOPE to reality and we see and take hold, claim as ours, BY FAITH.

I know that is says in Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, but I have yet understood how this would fit into my above statement of hope leading us to and take hold, claim as ours, BY FAITH. Maybe the Holy Spirit will quicken you on this line

III. Hope requires us to wait and depend on the Holy Spirit to intercede to the Father

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. KJV

Romans 8:26 So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. AMP Bible

So here you and I are hoping for something we do not see, do not understand how to ask for; something that is beyond our capabilities to make happen, but all the while hoping you and I are hoping.

That’s when the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. He takes over in our weakness. Take at look at verse 26 “in our weakness” Paul says, the Holy Spirit prays though us to the Father for such unseen HOPES that we hold in our re-born spirit. The Holy Spirit prays, bears us up to the Father with intercessions and pleading for the HOPE we have inside us. Too deep for utterance. You and I can’t even put into words what HOPE we are feeling BUT, praying in and thorough the Holy Spirit, He articulates, forms words, communicates in the Heavenly tongue understood by the Father.

IV.

Romans 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. KJV

Romans 8:27 And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is IN THE MIND of the (Holy) Spirit (what His intent is), because the Spirit intercedes and pleads (before God) in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. AMP

The Holy Spirit pleads before God on our behalf. Pleads what? HOPE that resides in our heart for things yet UNSEEN, yet things that God will make, happen and allow us to see, embrace, take hold of as being in harmony with God’s will.

V.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. KJV

Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose. AMP

The way the Holy Spirit is opening my understanding to these passages, Romans 8:-24-28 is as follows.

Hope is the core key relevant word from start to completion

Hope comes alive when the word of God fills our heart

Hope requires us to wait (there’s that word again) with patience and composure (calm)

And He (God) Who searches the hearts of men (God looks at our hearts looking if we are basing FALSE HOPE –Carnal, fleshly, selfish hope for based on hoping for things outside of the will of God) knows what is IN THE MIND (He knows what is TRUE HOPE – NOT A FALSE HOPE) of the (Holy) Spirit (what His intent is)

False HOPE is possible

Hope will become a reality in accordance to the will of God’s plan and purpose when we allow the Holy Spirit to take control of the HOPE.

V. God’s Ultimate Plan For All He Allows Is To Conform Us To The Image Of Jesus

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Kjv

Romans 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? KJV

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to (all) this? If God is for us, who (can be) against us? (Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?)

So what else can you and I say?

If God is for us, who can be against us! Who can stop God?

Just ourselves. By giving up, not waiting on God to do what He wants to do.

Consider the instructions God gave to Moses.

Deuteronomy 1:17  Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. KJV

Bring the hard things of your life to God. This is how the passage spoke to me.

We must accept His SOLUTION

Some things are just to hard for us to handle

There are some things I just can’t fix

We don’t like NOT being in control

We must accept His CONCLUTION

Don’t jump to our own conclusions

Let God do what He does best. The Hard Things!

Cease from our own imaginations

Here is what I received from reading the command “and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me..”

Faith in God-Is allowing God to do what you can’t

Trust in God-Is allowing God to help you do what you can

David

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Its Time To Forgive Yourself

Forgiveness | Posted by admin
Jan 24 2009

It’s Time To Forgive Yourself! Peter asks Jesus in Matthew 18:21. . .Matthew 18:21 (KJV)   Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Here is the mark of true FORGIVENESS

IF WE ARE TOLD TO FORGIVE OTHERS 70 X 7 = 490 TIMES IN ONE DAY

How much more should YOU and I forgive ourselves in the same way every day..

To forgive yourself it takes high courage.  You and I know our private history.

We know it better than we know others whom WE HAVE FORGIVEN. Many of us understand:

God has forgiven us

We have forgiven others who have wronged us, but freedom to forgive ourselves eludes us

There is no peace in our hearts

Something is not quite right

This inner storm comes from the unwillingness to FORGIVE OURSELVES For the wrongs we have committed. We need to make peace with God and with others when wrongdoing occurs

But, we must be willing to forgive ourselves

I heard the story of a teenager who got tied up sexually with an older teenager for about two years. He moved away suddenly and she went for counseling. She became emotionally involved with her counselor, and by the time she come to talk with her Pastor she was confused and desperate;

Thought about running away or committing suicide. She Said, “I know I am saved, but I feel so full of GUILT.

I can’t go on living.”

Pastor asked her, “Have you asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you?”

She said, “I have asked him a hundred times to forgive me.”

“Well, has He forgiven you?” asked her Pastor

“I just don’t know.  I feel so dirty” she replied

“But, did you has Jesus to FORGIVE YOU?”, was the question again from the Pastor

“Oh, I have asked Him many, many times.”  I just don’t feel like I have been forgiven.”

Because of her testimony, I BELIEVE SHE WAS A CHRISTIAN.

What she did was so sinful and wicked in her eyes, that she could not believe A holy God could forgive SUSAN SAID SHE JUST COULDN’T FEEL GOD’S FORGIVENESS!

Being forgiven has nothing to do with feeling forgiven

Think of the disciple Peter:

Luke 22:61 (KJV)   And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Think of the man Saul, later known as Paul Before his conversion:

He beat and killed Christians

Destroyed church dwelling places

He may have remembered his own tasks and grappled with his own forgiveness

Many of us are – or have been – at that place at one time or another in our lives. We struggle with forgiving ourselves for:

Things we have done in the past

Things we have not done that we know we should have done before God

Even for mistakes that happened years and years ago.

Adults who have said and done cruel things as children

Committed shameful sins as teenagers

Some women who have had abortions experience a feeling of remorse deep inside

Men and women who have divorced and realize they were wrong and cannot let go

of their guilt’s.

Parents who drove their children away from home can’t forgive themselves

The ability to forgive ourselves is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL

IF WE ARE TO FIND TOTAL PEACE AND LIVE A PRODUCTIVE LIFE.

READ AND MEDIATE ON PSA 103: 10-14

Psalms 103:10-14 (KJV)   He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

HE REMEMBERS…THAT WE ARE DUST…WHAT ASSURANCE OF A FORGIVING FATHER.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FORGIVING OURSELVES

The problem is that some of us are not able to forgive ourselves because:

Think we are beyond forgiveness

What we really feel is disappointment in ourselves

Its a disappointment that confuses

IT IS BASED ON MEASUREMENT OF OUR SIN…WITH MERIT FOR OUR FORGIVENESS

We think the grater our sin, the lesser our forgiveness

In like manner, the LESSER OUR SIN, THE GREATER OUR FORGIVENESS

NOTE: Some sins may bring greater condemnation or punishment in the lives of believers. . . .

But, in God’s view point, SIN IS SIN . . . .FORGIVENESS IS FORGIVENESS!!!!

If we do not forgive ourselves, we can suffer:

Self Directed Unforgiving Spirit. . . .You and I will suffer

1.  SELF PUNISHMENT

This is the first consequence of a self directed unforgiving spirit .

We punish ourselves on an ongoing basis. We replay our sins continually. “Oh, what have I done?”

“I am so ashamed.”

“God can never forgive me.”

“What if my friends and family were to find out what I did.”

You put yourself in a spiritual prison

In spite of the fact the bible NO WHERE STATES.

“GOD WILL FORGIVE OUR SINS, EXCEPT.”

Galatians 5:1 (KJV)   Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:16 (KJV)   This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 (KJV)   For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:18 (KJV)   But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 8:1 (KJV)   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:2 (KJV)   For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)   I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:21 (KJV)   I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

2.  UNCERTAINTY

The second consequence of a SELF DIRECTED UNFORGIVING SPIRIT is we live under a cloud of uncertainty.

We will lack confidence that God has forgiven us.

We bear the weight of this guilt

Never quite sure where we stand with God

Not quite sure what He may do next because se feel so unworthy of His blessings

Listen to this scripture:

1 John 3:19 (KJV)   And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:20 (KJV)   For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

1 John 3:21 (KJV)   Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

1 John 3:22 (KJV)   And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 3:23 (KJV)   And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Also read:

Philippians 3:12 (KJV)   Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13 (KJV)   Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14 (KJV)   I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:15 (KJV)   LET US THEREFORE, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Let me tell you what happens when you forgive yourself

You RE-WRITE your script

What you are in your present scene is not tied down to

What You Did In An Earlier Scene!

The bad person you played in ACT ONE, is eliminated, and You Play ACT TWO

In ACT TWO as a GOOD Person

YOU RELEASE YOURSELF TODAY FROM YESTERDAYS SCENARIO

YOU WALK INTO TOMORROW . . . .GUILT FREE

3.  A Sense Of Unworthiness

The third consequence of a SELF DIRECTED unforgiving spirit is that we develop  a sense of UNWORTHINESS.

Because we are guilty, we also feel unworthy. We hold ourselves accountable for our sins…even tho God has forgiven and God has forgotten them. Satan starts you on the longest painful trip

in life…the GUILT TRIP

Why should God forgive me?

God will not hear what I am saying when I pray Look what I have DONE.

Satan keep getting us to replay in our minds what

IT AFFECTS OUR PRAYER LIFE

OUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

OUR SERVICE FOR THE LORD

Revelation 12:9 (KJV)   And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:10 (KJV)   And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Revelation 12:11 (KJV)   And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Hebrews 3:14 (KJV)   For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

Hebrews 4:11 (KJV)   Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)   For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13 (KJV)   Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Hebrews 4:14 (KJV)   Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)   For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)   Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)   Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 10:35 (KJV)   Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

Hebrews 10:36 (KJV)   For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Hebrews 10:38 (KJV)   Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

READ AND UNDERLINE:

Ephesians 1:17 (KJV)   That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)   The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:19 (KJV)   And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 1:20 (KJV)   Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:21 (KJV)   Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 1:22 (KJV)   And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:23 (KJV)   Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

FOUR STEPS TO TOTAL FORGIVENESS

STEP 1.

Recognize The Problem. “Father, I realize I haven’t forgiven myself and I am in bondage because of it.”

STEP 2.

Repent Of The Sin

“Father, I thank you for forgiving me for holding myself in bondage, for keeping myself from You, and for limiting Your use of my life.”

STEP 3.

Reaffirm Trust “Father, I reaffirm my trust my faith in the Word of God.

Stand on this scripture:

Psalms 103:12 (KJV)   As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

STEP 4

Confess You Are Free And Choose To Receive It

“Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, on the basis of you Word, by an act of my will, In Faith. I here and now forgive myself because you have already forgiven me. I accept forgiveness and I choose from this moment to be freed of all that I have held against myself. I expect the HOLY SPIRIT to bring to me confirmation in my spirit and outward signs In my life, Of TOTAL FORGIVENESS AND FREEDOM, AMEN.”

John 3:31 (KJV)   He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

John 3:32 (KJV)   And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

John 3:36 (KJV)   He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

David Barnard

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