Meet the Evangelist

7. Learn to Forgive Leave the Past behind: Philippians 3:1 21 Physical failures and disappointments can be like aches and pains from the past that just don’t seem to go away. Most of us know what it is like to suffer from them, but too few of us know what to do about them. So we limp along, hoping somehow they will magically stop hurting. But it never happens that way. Instead, as time goes by, things get worse – not better. Because, instead of putting those painful failures behind us, we often dwell on them until they become more real to us than the promises of God. Our problem is that we are forming our thoughts off the past instead of the future. Don’t do that! Unbelief looks at the past and says, “See, it can’t be done,” but faith looks at the future and says, “It can be done, and according to the promises of God, it is done!” Then, putting past failures behind it forever, faith steps out and acts like the victory’s already been won. If depression has driven you into a spiritual sudden fall, break out of it by getting your eyes off the past and onto your future – a future that has been guaranteed by Christ Jesus through the great and precious promises in His Word. Forget the past (Hebrews 8:12). God’s mercies are new every morning. So, if you will take God at His Word, you can wake up every morning to a brand-new world. You can live life totally unhindered by the past. Spiritual bumps and bruises that just don’t seem to go away. The healing of a bruised and beaten spirit, however, does not come that easily. But there is a way out. All you have to do to break out of it is to get your eyes off the past and onto your future. Purposely meditate on the Word of God. Replace thoughts of the past with scriptural promises about your future and be diligent about it. Come out of Shadow : John 1:29 -34 Come out of the shadow of sin. Jesus came to take away sin. That means God, through the blood of Jesus, has so completely done away with the power of sin that you, as a born-again Christian, can live as if it never existed. You can step out from under its shadow once and for all. Let Peace Rule : Colossians 3:15, Psalm 95:1 7 Let the peace of Christ be your guide. Let it help you settle the issue that makes you not forgive. Watch out for strife. If you are irritated and upset about things in your life, it will be hard to receive that quiet guidance from the Holy Spirit. So take heed of the instructions at the end of the scripture and “Be thankful… appreciative, giving praise to God always.” Maintain a thankful, grateful heart. Free your Faith : Mark 11:25, Matthew 18:21 35 Can you realize just how closely connected faith and forgiveness are? Jesus taught about that connection in His preaching on mountain – moving faith that is mentioned in Mark 11:22 26. Jesus wanted us to know that releasing those who have wronged us is fundamental to receiving from God. He wanted to make clear in our hearts the fact that we cannot have our prayers answered and hold grudges in our hearts at the same time. Unforgiveness blocks the faith channel and keeps you powerless against the mountains 20 meet the evangelist evangelist joyce vuyokazi mrwetyana 21 in your life. If you have been praying for something and you cannot get an answer, check your heart for unforgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring any grudge that is hidden there to light. Unblock the channel of faith and you will soon see things you have been praying for come to pass. Prove Yourself A Success: Luke 15:21 22, 32 Prove yourself at your work place and among friends. Even at home you must always work to win the approval you need. And there is only one place you can find it – in the heart of God Himself. When you catch yourself struggling to make up to God for something you have done wrong, working to win His approval, let the story of the prodigal son set you free. Let it remind you that, in spite of your sins, your Father has received you with open arms. He has put a robe of righteousness on your back and His signet ring on your hand. He has put the shoes of son-ship on your feet! Do you feel unworthy of all that? God has not based His relationship with you on your worthiness. He has based it on His love for you. You don’t have to struggle to prove yourself to Him. As far as He is concerned you are a proven success. Scriptures for Forgiveness Hebrews 8:12; Ephesians 4:32; Luke 6:37; 1 John 2:10 11; Matthew 5:23 24; Matthew 6 :14 15; 1 John 3:21 22; Psalm 66:18; Mark 11:25 8. Prayer of Love “Be a Living Example of Love”: Romans 5:5 God’s love is in you. What you need to do is make a decision to let it flow. Pray This Prayer: “In Jesus’ Name, I make a fresh and strong commitment today to live a life of love, to let the tenderness of God flow through me and heal the wounded hearts of those I meet. “Father, teach me to love even when things go wrong. To be patient and kind when the children are underfoot. To overlook the spiteful words of an angry spouse. To rejoice when someone at the office gets the raise that I thought I needed. Teach me to talk in love, to lay gossip quietly aside and to take up words of grace instead. “Lord, your Word says that your love is already inside me... That it has been shed abroad in my heart. So, today I resolve to remove every obstacle that would keep that love from flowing freely into the lives of others. I put resentments behind me, and I forgive all those who’ve done me wrong. “In the days ahead, cause me to increase and excel and overflow with your love. Cause me to be what this world needs most of all … a living example of love. Amen.” 9. Scriptures for Love: 1. Believe The Love : 1 John 4:16; Psalms 139:1 18 2. Love Is The Power Charge: John 15:12 13; 1 Corinthians 13:1 8 3. Peace At Home: James 3:16; Philippians 2:1 13 4. A Covenant Of Love: John 3:16; Genesis 15 5. That Your Prayers May Not Be Hindered: 1 John 1:7; Romans 15:1 7 6. Leaving The Pain Behind: 1 Corinthians 13:5;Luke 6:27 37 7. Live The Love Life: 1 John 2:5 6; 1 Corinthians 13:1 13 8. No Offence: 1 John 2:10; 1 11 9. The Father’s Heart: Luke 15:20; John 8:1 11 10. Develop The Love: 2 John 1:6; 1 John 2:3 11 11. A Healthy Dose Of Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4 5; Proverbs 4:10 12. Protected By Love: Matthew 5:44 45;Matthew 5:38 48 13. A Living Example Of Love: Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:7 17 14. A Firm Foundation: John 15:17; 1 Corinthians 13:8 13 15. No Burden: 1 John 5:3; 1 John 5:1 5 16. Revolutionary Love: 1 Corinthians 13:7 8, Romans 12:9 21 17. Living The Love life: John 15:13; Galatians 6:1 3; Galatians 5:22 26 18. The Power Of Love: Galatians 5:6; Romans 13:8 14 19. Put Love To Work: 1 Corinthians 13:13 20. Love, The Secret Of Success: 1 Corinthians 13:8; Matthew 14:1 14