Sunday morning Christian bible study on forgiveness.
After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared before the disciples and other followers of Jesus he showed the wounds in his hands and feet, and he ate.
I am with you always
Then he said, "When I was with you before, don't you remember my telling you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true?" Then he opened their minds to understand at last these many Scriptures! And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day; and that this message of salvation should be taken form Jerusalem to all the nations:
There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.
You have seen these prophecies come true. And now I will send the Holy Spirit upon you, just as my Father promised. Don't begin telling others yet--stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."
Then Jesus led them out along the road to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed theme, and then began rising into the sky, and went on to heaven.
Luke 24:44-49
And the disciples went everywhere preaching, and the Lord was with them and confirmed what they said by the miracles that followed their messages.
Mark 16:20
Jesus was risen, and he is with us always, the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to those that believe in Him just as He said.
FORGIVEN and FORGIVING
Psalm 32:1-6
What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.
There was a time when I wouldn't admit what a sinner I was. But my dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration. All day and all night your hand was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess them to the Lord." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Now I say that each believer should confess his sins to God when he is aware of them, while there is time to be forgiven. Judgment will not touch him if he does.
Sin could be great or minor to our standards, yet it is sin just the same. Not seeking God's solution of seeking His forgiveness and accepting Jesus death on the cross for our sins, only harms us. We need to address the sins, seek his forgiveness, and also forgive others (give it to God to handle the situations with others in our lives, let go of anger... that is what forgiveness is about... it does not mean you condone a wrong thing or situation).
Sin or unforgiveness towards self and others affects us in many ways. Emotional pain, depression, guilt, shame, fear, and many times also illness can occur. If you have confessed your sins, are their any hidden within you that may need to be addressed? Pray and ask God, He will shed light on it. Then confess and seek His forgiveness. It is also important to forgive others for whatever it may be. You are not accepting wrong by forgiving only choosing love to cover hate or anger. Love your neighbor; even enemies as Jesus taught (this does not mean you have to be friends with this forgiven person or people you feel you don't want to) just choose to be kind, forgive, let the Lord know you forgive in Christ Jesus ______ for _____ and give the situation or hurt to God to handle. Even strangers we need to forgive at times, like a rude driver that "cut you off" on the road or even yelled at you etc. Forgive. Love by not behaving the same back and know God knows the situation. Just do what is right.
Then ask God to heal your pain, free you from fears, seek his forgiveness for what you have done, and receive it! Let him give you a new life. Allow God to take your shame for what you have done. Allow God to heal you and take away any self afflicted shame for what has been done to you -you need not be ashamed-!
Ask God to take away any illness from you in Jesus name and for any emotional pain take from you too. He can renew your mind and heal you.
Not always are we healed from physical illnesses, but seek him for this deliverance too.
Suggested prayer for forgiveness:
[First accept Jesus that he died for your sins and you believe Him to be your Lord and savior.]
- If there be any sin in my life that I do not know, please reveal it to me. Jesus name amen.
(Ask His forgiveness when you know any sin.)
- Father in heaven, I ask your forgiveness for__________. Please forgive me in Jesus name. Please heal and take from me any hurt and pain this has caused me or others and I give this situation to you Lord. Thank you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Suggested pray for forgiving:
- Father in heaven, I forgive__________ for__________. Please heal and take from me any hurt and pain this has caused me and I give this situation to you Lord. Thank you. In Jesus name, amen.
Ask and put your trust in God that He has and will take sin from you, ask and He will heal you from the pain it has caused also.
Psalm 34:4-9
For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! This poor man cried to the Lord--and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.
Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him. If you belong to the Lord, reverence him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs.
