Enlarge your Future: Forgive Today!

Forgiveness does not change the past, it just enlarges the future. – P. Boese  

God is so forgiving to us because He wants to keep our future option open to Him. WOW!  

I’m sure if we all look around we’ll find some memento or picture from some time ago that has a fond place in our heart and mind. It is special, but we don’t try to relive it over and over again. The past is just that – past. Were you to ask the average person they would surely tell you living in the past is hard, unfulfilling, and plain silly – yet most people live there daily because they refuse to forgive those who may have hurt or wronged them. They would rather keep them ‘hostage’ in their heart and be a prison guard instead of freeing their heart to enjoy the many wonders of God. Forgiving others does not change what happened, it just frees you to continue to live to the fullest without a heavy weight on your heart. Any takers?  

I'll be leaving for a bit of rest and relaxation, so this keyboard will be silent for awhile.  

Until I return….  

Pastor Botts  

“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us….” – Luke 11:4  

P.S. - Don't forget the Sunday School Devotional this Sunday at 9AM in Parmes Hall.

Traveling Light

A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life. – J. Hancock 

Though he was a ‘prisoner in chains’ Paul never considered his situation an added weight in his ministry. God granted him much success! Amen. 

All of us I’m sure can think of some person, friend, firm or even family member that has done us wrong. It’s a fact of life that everyone is not going to do what we would want them to do. Jesus himself was crucified for ‘bearing’ the truth. But it does us no good and wastes emotional and spiritual energy to carry a bad attitude or even a grudge against others. Why be a silent prison guard, holding ‘fictitious’ people in jail in your heart or mind. Why not release whatever person or circumstances that are weighing you down. A change of attitude and heart can change your whole outlook on life. Travel light today! 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“Bear with one another, and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:13-14

Forgiving to leave the past behind

Forgiveness is giving up all possibility of a better past. – Anon
When Joseph forgave his brothers because he knew it was God’s plan, he also knew the past was PAST!
Live long enough and somebody you know and trust will forsake you or cross you, sometimes intentionally. Too often however, many of us carry these scars and burdens steeped in anger for years seeking restitution, thinking somehow it will magically restore us. But restoration is at hand, and it’s yours for the taking if you’re willing to just forgive. It won’t change the past but it makes the future a whole lot brighter.
Until tomorrow….
Pastor Botts
“Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” – Luke 23:34

Why not choose to Forgive?

An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. – M. Gandhi

Jesus asked forgiveness for his suitors, not just retribution. Hmm!   

Live long enough and you will be wronged – accidentally, by oversight, and often intentionally. It’s the price we must pay for living with imperfect beings like ourself. But often, the problem is not in being wronged, it is in our expectation and desire to set things right. We often think the only antidote or solution to being wronged is revenge, to get even by a similar action on our part. God’s way of thinking is different, and often much easier – FORGIVE. Rather than scheme and plot and possibly suffer more retribution and harm, why not just forgive. It’s refreshing and saves a lot of wear and tear on the body and the heart.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15