This week we are going to talk about forgiveness and I am not talking about forgiving others.
No.
Right now I want to talk about you and God.
You asking God to forgive YOU. Sorry my friends who love grammar but this one is lacking proper grammar! Love you 😘
This all started when I went to an event with Lysa Terkeurst in Pensacola. It was fantastic! She told us about how God had taught her to forgive through scripture and therapy and practically living out each day… Seeking God. Taking every thought captive and all. Her message hit home. It was beautiful. God was there!!
Something I learned from her chat and wanted to share with you is a small part of her speech that I believe has changed my life… Bringing me closer to Christ in some of my worst mental moments in each day.
Lysa talked about asking for forgiveness for the bad thoughts you have about the person who has wronged you.
God’s word says in Psalm 103:12 ESV “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Lysa challenged us to ask for forgiveness first. That’s revealed to me in scripture in Ephesians 4:32 ESV where it says to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Forgave is past tense… meaning you are already forgiven.
But we must confess our sins to God, we must recognize what we are doing that’s not right, even if it’s only a thought. We must take every thought captive. Reading 1 John 1:9 we learn about what will happen when we confess our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
Some synonyms from the word confess are to admit, acknowledge, reveal or disclose.
The thoughts in my head need forgiveness …. I don’t know about you, but my negative thoughts need His forgiveness and I’ll tell you what happens… You will get a renewed mind.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Tests aren’t bad … it’s what you do in the test.
This is a prayer that’s helped me I when I’m in my head: “Lord, please forgive me for my bad thoughts… Holy Spirit, renew my mind. Lord, guide me in how You want me to think about _____. I need You!”
And let’s think about “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
So let’s confess our sin… moment by moment… even if you have a trigger that springs up unexpectedly…. ask God to forgive you for those bad thoughts. Lysa spoke about triggers not being a bad thing… but a blessing! Think about it that way! Triggers being seen as a blessing has been mind-blowing for me. Love it!
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
You don’t have to shout it or put your dirty laundry out in the open to everyone! This is about you and God. This is a prayer for his forgiveness for your thoughts that are false or hurtful or not kind. These thoughts can be to someone else or even yourself. “Lord, forgive me for these thoughts I have about ____.”
And here’s the best part!!! Though all of this I’m learning more about God!
“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:10 ESV
Get this -- As I’m learning more about Jesus … I AM BEING RENEWED! Yes and Amen! I pray you are as well. He is our strength. All of this has been a blessing for me mentally and I pray it has been a blessing for you. God reigns in all of this. He loves you!
Lamentations 3:22-23, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Also, Psalm 103 has really helped me with learning about asking for forgiveness from God.
Psalm 103
Of David.
1
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15
The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20
Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22
Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
One of my clients from my real job (I am a health insurance agent) texted me this scripture and I pray it draws you closer to Christ. She texted me Psalm 32:7-8 NLT which says, “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” ~💜
To the one who is asking for God’s peace that surpasses all understanding today … This scripture is for you … from God’s word …
Let’s pray …
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
So let’s refocus for His glory. God is in control. It’s all according to His timing. Let’s take every thought captive and ask God to forgive us for our negative thoughts. He will renew our minds for His glory.
“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:10 ESV
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
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