September 26, 2013

Compassion and Forgiveness

Regardless of what you do, you must always remember that your actions and words have the power to destroy your reputation.

Is there something that you’ve done in your past that you’re not particularly happy about? A choice that you regret? The good news today is that you can be free of guilt and condemnation. You don’t have to live with that burden any longer. God’s mercies are new every morning. He’s not ever going to run out of compassion. He’s not ever going to run out of forgiveness. He’s not ever going to say, “Well, this is the last time I’m going to give you mercy.” No, you can have a new beginning every single day! Let that truth sink down deep into your heart right now. If there is anything from the past that you may still be carrying, take a moment and call on His faithfulness. Call on His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Let Him refresh and restore your soul right now. Thank Him for the work He is doing in your life and enjoy a fresh new beginning today. Don’t carry around the guilt and shame another day. Are you letting forgiveness and compassion clear your thoughts and heart?

June 20, 2013

Grace and Peace

Grace and peace are such powerful forces in your life.

Grace empowers us and peace directs us. It’s like this: grace is the gas and peace is the navigation system. You need both to reach your destination. The Bible tells us that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn His grace and forgiveness, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is supernatural empowerment to live the life God has called us to here on earth. Peace is every bit as powerful. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being. Peace literally means “to set at one again.” Are you experiencing grace and peace today?

June 19, 2013

Forgiving

Forgiving does not mean you give someone who has hurt you power over you.

In order to move forward in life, we have to “let go of the past.” But have you ever wondered exactly how to do that? First, understand that we take hold of things in our minds with our thoughts. Our thoughts become words and actions that determine the direction of our lives. It’s that simple. If you want to choose a new direction for your life, you have to choose new thoughts. If you want to let go of the past, you have to quit thinking about it, quit talking about it, and quit reliving every negative experience. Oftentimes, when we see someone who has hurt us, that pain and offense is stirred up, and we start thinking about what happened again. But in that moment, you have a choice to make. One of the best things you can do, instead of rehearsing the hurt, is to pray for that person and speak blessing over them. Remember, forgiveness is for you. Letting go of bitterness is for you. Don’t let the past hold you back from what God has in store for your future any longer. Get past the past by choosing right thoughts because God has victory and blessing in store for your future. Are you letting go of the past and forgiving today?

June 13, 2013

Forgiveness

In life, we all have unfair things that happen to us.

We can choose to hold on to the hurt, become bitter and angry, and let it poison our future; or, we can choose to let it go and trust God to make it up to us. You not think that you are able to forgive because someone hurt you so badly. You might say, “Scott, you don’t know how I was raised.” “My ex-spouse caused me a lot of pain.” “This friend betrayed me.” “I just can’t let it go.” But realize, you don’t forgive for their sake; you forgive for your own sake. When you forgive, you are taking away their power to hurt you. But if you hold on to that offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting yourself from God. Forgiveness is like a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God cannot forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness to flow from you, then His forgiveness can flow into you. Choose to forgive and open the door to receive God’s life, peace and healing today. Are you forgiving today?

April 22, 2013

One More Day

When the people of Israel were in slavery to Pharaoh, God sent different plagues to try to convince him to let them go.

One of the plagues was a plague of frogs! The people were so miserable that Pharaoh finally said, “Moses, we’ve learned our lesson. The Israelites may go. Please ask your God to take away these frogs.” Moses said, “I’ll do it, Pharaoh. When do you want it to happen?” You would think Pharaoh would say, “Right now!” But no, Pharaoh said, “Take them away tomorrow.” He was saying, “We can put up with these frogs just one more night.” How many times do we do the same thing? “Scott, I’m going to forgive, but I’m going to do it tomorrow. I’m going to have a better attitude. I’m going to quit worrying…tomorrow.” We’re saying like Pharaoh, “I can put up with this addiction, this mediocrity one more day.” No, our attitude should be, “I’m not going to spend one more night with the frogs, putting up with things that are not God’s best.” Why don’t you start today? Today, make the change. Today, choose to forgive. Today, stop worrying. Today, get in shape. Today, take a step of faith. Shake off passivity and procrastination and get rid of anything that would hold you back! Are you holding on to the frogs another day?

January 23, 2013

Opportunity to be Different

Just notice your options throughout the day and choose forgiveness, kindness, & selflessness. Then give it no matter what comes back.

You will have many opportunities to get offended each day. You will be given many chances to take advantage of others to get your way. However, it’s time to make a difference. It’s your day to be different. When these opportunities come your way, you will do the right thing. You will give forgiveness to those that cut you off, get what you think you have earned.  You will be kind and be a giver. You will not be selfish and try to get from others, but you will serve others. Realize that because you do the right thing doesn’t mean that everyone will do the right thing to you. That is the being different part. Do make a difference will require you to be different. As you go through your day and opportunities come your way, give forgiveness, kindness and be unselfish with it. You may find it difficult at first, but in time it will become easier. Who are you thinking about right now that you need to forgive, be kind to; even though you may not get anything in return?

January 22, 2013

Forgive to Heal Blog/Podcast

Forgiveness has the power to heal wounds that lie far below the surface and that torment people in their deepest parts.

Click to listen to Podcast

In life, we all have unfair things that happen to us. We can choose to hold on to the hurt, become bitter and angry, and let it poison our future; or, we can choose to let it go and trust God to make it up to us. You not think that you are able to forgive because someone hurt you so badly. You might say, “Scott, you don’t know how I was raised.” “My ex-spouse caused me a lot of pain.” “This friend betrayed me.” “I just can’t let it go.” But realize, you don’t forgive for their sake; you forgive for your own sake. When you forgive, you are taking away their power to hurt you. But if you hold on to that offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting yourself from God. Forgiveness is like a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God cannot forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness to flow from you, then His forgiveness can flow into you. Choose to forgive and open the door to receive God’s life, peace and healing today. Are you ready to forgive today?

January 21, 2013

Complete Forgiveness

The act of forgiveness and learning to do it well are among the most powerful tools you have for getting inner peace and joy.

One of the major reasons people today don’t have any peace or joy in their lives is they have chosen to have unforgiveness. If you keep unforgiveness you can’t have joy and peace; there isn’t room for all three. Unforgiveness doesn’t share any heart space. Unforgiveness is demanding of your time and thoughts. It will control your attitude and actions. You can’t compromise with unforgiveness. You can’t negotiate with it either. The only way to have peace and joy in your life then is to totally irradiate unforgiveness from your life. Don’t play with it, don’t entertain it in any way. Complete kick it out, evict unforgiveness right now. Forgive those that have hurt you. Forgive those that have upset you. Forgive those that have taken advantage of you. Nothing is more valuable than your peace and joy. Forgive completely and totally today. Let go to the baggage that comes with the unforgiveness. All the bitterness, angry, resentment that is tied to unforgiveness has to go. Don’t let it have any place in your heart, in your mind. Be free of all that mess today. Welcome in the peace and joy that comes with forgiving others. Is there someone you need to forgive today?

January 20, 2013

Forgive and Love

Learn to forgive and love people. Get past those hurts and move into your destiny today.

In order to move forward in life, we have to “let go of the past.” Have you ever wondered exactly how to do that? First, understand that we take control of things in our minds with our thoughts. Our thoughts become words and actions that determine the direction of our lives. It’s that simple. If you want to choose a new direction for your life, you have to choose new thoughts. If you want to let go of the past, you have to quit thinking about it, quit talking about it, and quit reliving every negative experience. When we see someone who has hurt us, that pain and offense is stirred up, and we start thinking about what happened again. But in that moment, you have a choice to make. One of the best things you can do, instead of rehearsing the hurt, is to pray for that person and speak blessing over them. Remember, forgiveness is for you. Letting go of bitterness is for you. Don’t let the past hold you back from what God has in store for your future any longer. Get past the past by choosing right thoughts because God has victory and blessing in store for your future. Is there someone you need to love and forgive today?

December 25, 2012

Christmas Past

Maybe your past shouldn’t have happened to you, but that has no logical bearing on where you are going and where you’ll end up.

Click to listen to podcast

Is there something that you’ve done in your past that you’re not particularly happy about? A choice that you regret? The good news today is that you can be free of guilt and condemnation. You don’t have to live with that burden any longer. God’s mercies are new every morning. He’s not ever going to run out of compassion. He’s not ever going to run out of forgiveness. He’s not ever going to say, “Well, this is the last time I’m going to give you mercy.” No, you can have a new beginning every single day! Let that truth sink down deep into your heart right now. If there is anything from the past that you may still be carrying, take a moment and call on His faithfulness. Call on His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Let Him refresh and restore your soul right now. Thank Him for the work He is doing in your life and enjoy a fresh new beginning today. What a wonderful Christmas gift for you. Is there something in your past that is holding you back that you need to let go of?