For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
Are you harboring bitterness? It’s easy to.
When wronged unjustly, we feel the need to hold onto it, somehow justifying ourselves.
When kept close, it grows roots deep down, affecting thoughts, even remembering things incorrectly.
When the root keeps growing, we close our ears against anything that touches the root.
We love feeling bitter, not wanting to give room to love.
Is there any area in your life that is filled with bitterness, crowding out love?
When wronged, we have two choices: forgive and let go, or not forgive, holding onto bitterness.
It’s not easy to choose forgiveness, especially when the other person doesn’t deserve it.
We were wronged!
Bitterness seems familiar when we are used to holding grudges. It’s almost comforting to keep it close, justifying your continued actions as a result.
The prison of bitterness keeps only one person captive: you.
Relationships suffer and die when you choose that prison.
I completely understand wanting to stay for awhile. It feels safe. But it’s only a trap.
Ask God to help heal your heart.
To forgive with his strength, not yours.
To release the bitterness grown so familiar.
Ephesians 4:31–32 says “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
When you think about the mercy God has shown you, it’s easier to forgive others.
God asks us to forgive those who sin against us in Matthew 6.
Ephesians 4 asks us to be kind and forgiving.
Goes against our flesh for sure.
But God is here to help you. He asks us to forgive and He’ll help you do just that.
Ask Him and you’ll soon walk freely into the freedom of God’s forgiveness.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13
Are you living from God’s forgiveness for you?
If you’ve surrendered your heart to Jesus, He’s forgiven you all your sins.
Often we don’t realize just how sinful we are.
And when we do, God’s forgiveness means that much more.
Feels so great, doesn’t it? To feel forgiven?
I can remember lying to my grandfather when I was about six years old.
I had gotten the Little Professor calculator for Christmas.
Basically, it was a small light up math game and I couldn’t wait to sneak it into my bed.
What six year old wouldn’t want to see it lit up in the dark?
After I went to bed, my grandfather, who had been injured in WW2, slowly climbed the stairs, which were very hard for him.
Coming into my room, he asked me if he could see my new Little Professor calculator.
Not wanting him to have it, I actually climbed out of bed and pretended to look for it with him in my room.
Giving up, he said it was just fine. He’d look at it in the morning.
Back in bed, the calculator no longer held any interest. None.
My tummy felt awful lying to my grandfather.
How long did I hold in this lie?
An entire year. I literally thought about it almost every day.
It ate at me. How could I have lied to him?
One day I could no longer take it.
Climbing onto my father’s lap, I confessed.
I waited for my huge punishment.
As an adult looking back at this scene, I’m guessing my parents were trying to stifle a giggle.
They forgave me instantly.
I climbed down and felt like I could fly.
Ran to my brother’s room and played cars with him, even though that was my least favorite activity.
But I didn’t care. I was free. I was so happy. My smile was frozen to my face.
My six-year-old self began to live from forgiveness. It was pure freedom.
Ask for forgiveness if you’ve wronged someone. You’ll feel so much better, owning your behavior.
And if your offender fails to ask you for forgiveness? Forgive them anyway.
You’ll fling off the burden of offense and smile in spite of the situation.
Don’t let others block you from living from forgiveness.
Seventy-times seven.
Ask for forgiveness. Forgive others.
Choose today to live from the freedom of forgiveness.
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11
Are you as free as you can be?
As Christians, we profess to be free from death, sin, and the grave.
Free from eternal damnation.
And yes, that would be correct.
As a Christian, you have placed your trust in Jesus, and He has paid the penalty for your sin.
So, yes, technically, you are free from all of the above.
But what about freedom as we step upon this earth?
Are you walking as if you are free?
Just because you are free from the penalty of sin, does not mean you are free from its effects.
Do you feel pitiful and ugly when someone ignores you?
Do you feel a rush of anger when someone wrongs you?
Do you feel sarcastic while belittling someone who doesn’t understand you right away?
Do you put others down, lifting yourself up instead?
Do you put your needs first, serving your number one above all else?
Do you refuse to look at life through the lens of another, wanting your way instead?
How are you at listening?
Or, gasp, asking for forgiveness when you are wrong?
How are you at even admitting you are wrong?
Do you help others before asked?
Leave the room better than before you walked in?
When we do not clothe ourselves with the fruits of the spirit, walking as Jesus did, we are not free.
When we jump to satisfy ourselves over others, we are not free.
When we listen to lies in our head, we are not free.
When we become defeated in our many mistakes, we are not free.
Only with the power of God, can we break the chains that bind us.
Speak Jesus’ name over what binds you.
Over your flesh that speaks louder than your spirit.
Cancel the enemy’s assignments and send it to the dry desert.
Ask Jesus to cover you with His wisdom, power, strength, and joy.
And remember, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.
And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25
How many offenses do you carry?
How many follow you while you go about your day?
Dozens?
Hundreds?
Thousands?
Even one is too many.
Why?
Because offenses discolor our moods.
They cloud the lens we view life.
Not only do offenses keep us in moods not worthy of companionship, they cause us to stink.
Ever been around someone easily offended?
You tend to step back, because you don’t want to get near their odor.
Those people are obvious.
But there’s another type of offense.
It’s the subtle hurt you carry because of unforgiveness.
Yes, it’s probably justified as you were wronged, but you still have a choice.
You can choose to let go and forgive, or keep the hurt and the offense.
Choosing to keep it close, bitterness enters your heart and mind as you begin to dwell on the pain.
And that causes you to stink.
When you don’t forgive, you allow the offender to continue hurting you.
You let them win again and again.
And there’s no winning.
Unfortunately, you’re the big loser with unforgiveness.
When you choose to forgive, you simply release it back to God.
You are asking God to cover the offense with His peace and forgiveness.
As you ask God to help you forgive, He rushes in with His peace to cover the wrong done to you.
Doesn’t mean you reconcile with the person, justify the hurt, or anything of the sort.
You simply let it go, so it does not control you anymore.
We talk a lot about control, because as humans we want control.
But you know as well as I, that we cannot control other people.
We cannot make them humbly apologize.
We cannot make them change for the better.
And we cannot make them be nice to us in the future.
But you can change yourself.
You can release it to God, asking Him to help you forgive that person.
You can choose freedom.
But it’s all up to you.
I know it’s hard to forgive when the other person seems to get away with any and all things.
But don’t allow the real prisoner to be you.
With God’s strength, you can forgive, freeing the prisoner. You.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. Leviticus 26:13
The Israelites were slaves in Egypt for a long time.
One day is actually too much.
But God rescued them, bringing them out of slavery under Moses’ leadership.
God broke the bars of their yoke, which was incredibly heavy as slaves.
He freed them, causing them to lose not only their yoke, but instead walk completely upright.
They were no longer prisoners.
One can only walk upright without a burden on their back.
Ever tried to carry something heavy or awkward?
We usually stoop at least a bit.
Or what about internal burdens not physically seen?
Those are usually bigger.
The pressures and weight cause us to walk around slightly hunched, eyes downward, gloom written on our faces.
Even our eyes look sad when we are under the yoke of burdens, which become our prison as we constantly feel the pressures, not aware of any escape.
God reminds us in Leviticus of His deliverance from slavery. Of the prison the Israelites were dwelling.
And He also reminds us He has broken the bars of that yoke, allowing us to walk uprightly.
Do you want to walk uprightly as one who has received God’s peace and strength?
Eager to break out of your prison?
Have you given your burdensome yoke to God?
Those pressing situations causing you to stoop over with anxiety or fear?
He wants to break your yoke, allowing you to walk out of your prison, into the freedom He has for you.
As you release all things to God, He will straighten your back, causing a smile to spread across your face.
Walk uprightly. Smile. Look others in the eyes.
You are God’s beloved one. He has your life in His hands.
And He has all the stuff you worry about, too.
When you place your trust in God for not only your salvation, but your life here on earth as well, your prison doors are opened.
Give God your relationships, your jobs, your addictions, your future, and more.
And don’t allow that yoke to reattach as worry and fear begin creeping back into control.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6
Do you live according to the flesh? If so, that’s what you focus on.
Do you live according to God’s spirit? If so, that’s the lens you view life.
Literal night and day difference.
A few verses earlier, Paul reminds us Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, which is our flesh. We are free from that law of sin because Jesus condemned that sin to death.
We are free if we have invited the Spirit of God to dwell within us.
Through this, we have freedom from our flesh.
But how do you actually live?
Do you live within your flesh?
The Bible says that brings death. Living in the flesh.
Or do you seek the mind of Christ, which brings life and peace?
Not sure we as Christians ever purposely choose to live within the flesh.
But we do. All the time.
Reaching for more food when your stomach is satisfied.
Watching more television then need be.
Scrolling through your phone, neglecting other options.
Pouring out your bad mood onto unsuspecting family members.
Wanting your way and pouting if you fail to get it.
Choosing first the best of the meal before anyone else gets a chance.
Listening to thoughts that are not of God.
Succumbing to fear believed through lies planted in your mind.
Romans 8 reminds us of our choices: we set our mind on the flesh or the Spirit.
Death and fear or life and peace.
Setting your mind means to purpose.
To go a certain way.
Not sure it means little bumps, as long as you redirect your course back to God.
Finally, verse 9 gives us hope as Paul shares we dwell with the Spirit of God when we belong to him.
The Spirit of God is life. Full of life.
So every time your flesh cries out for itself, remember your are not going to live from within your flesh.
Your goal is no longer to please your flesh.
Instead, set your mind on the Spirit, dwelling within His peace and life.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
Can you imagine finding treasure, hiding it back up, and then buying where it lay with ALL of your money?
You’d have a guarantee of your return.
Immediate investment return.
Happened to me once on a very small scale.
I love thrift stores. Never know what you’ll find!
The ugliest piece of pottery ever created (can I get an amen?) or a replacement dish from a vintage set your grandmother collected.
Love to comb through their books as I regularly find pearls for my classroom library for about a dollar each.
Once, while looking through the books, I found some bibles.
Not unusual to see bibles, but something drew me to choose one.
Flipping through the pages, I briefly saw a hundred dollar bill nestled onto a page.
Thought to myself, “Did I just see that?”
Flipped back and yes, there it was, staring up at me.
A crisp hundred dollar bill.
Unnoticed.
I quickly closed the book and told the children we were buying this bible.
Bought it for a dollar with my treasure inside.
Unbelievable, yes?
There was no way to find the owner as thrift stores constantly have new stock.
Plus, it could have been there for years. Literally.
It wasn’t a particularly nice looking book. Very ordinary.
But it held a treasure.
But you know what’s even better?
Jesus. He has a treasure for us worth His very life.
It’s Himself. Not only His salvation, but freedom here on earth.
When you fully realize all Jesus has for you, you’ll forgo your former ways.
Your new treasure will be way more important as you’ll have peace, joy, and strength for each new day.
Jesus says the man sold everything joyfully. It was his choice and he was so happy about it.
Are you happy about what Jesus has done for you? I sure am.
His peace, wisdom, and strength far surpass anything I could ever do within my own self.
Seek God. Seek a personal relationship with God, who created all things.
When you finally see Him, you’ll joyfully submit your whole self to Him.
But unlike the man in the parable, you can share your treasure with those around you.
And if you’re ever at a thrift store, feel free to thumb through the Bibles.
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. John Adams’ letter to Abigail Adams, July 2, 1776
Before America’s birth, John Adams predicted we would celebrate America’s independence.
Her birthday.
Fireworks, games, and parades.
From Maine to California.
Celebrating our Day of Deliverance by our solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
He knew it will be hard.
Birthing our country.
Separating ourselves from England’s tyranny.
Untold toil, blood, and treasure to spend.
But with those solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, he saw the End is more than worth all the Means.
He saw our country free, celebrating our freedom every year for generations.
America was birthed almost 250 years ago.
We’ve never been perfect, but we’ve tried to do our best.
We fought against ourselves for the end of slavery.
We’ve produced unending talent easing our modern selves with food, industry, and entertainment.
We’ve fought to protect innocent lives around the globe.
America’s story is a beacon of hope for the world.
More than merely a nation fighting for independence so many years ago.
America stands for freedom.
Freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
Freedom to say what we want.
Freedom to defend ourselves.
With hard work, we have endless opportunities in this great land of ours.
However…
Only with God’s sovereign help will even keep our country alive.
As our country was founded on the foundation of God, we must fight to keep Him firmly planted within our laws, actions, and words.
As the Israelites saw God’s provision, they would eventually forget, walking away from God.
Repeatedly, they would follow God, living within His blessings and protection.
And a few generations later, they would forget, falling down to worship false gods out of God’s protection.
As our country has systematically removed God from many avenues, may we repent for our actions.
May we seek God’s direction for our nation.
May we remind ourselves and our children how blessed we are to live in America.
And may we rise up as leaders to protect and defend our nation under God.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
As our thoughts are focused on Jesus this Easter weekend, let’s think a moment on God’s power.
God created all things.
God (Jesus) lived on earth as a human.
Folks, He never sinned.
Even when hungry, He never snapped.
Even when tired, He still blessed others.
Even knowing how He was about to die, He still did.
For you and for me.
He allowed Himself to carry our sinful burdens to die in our place.
But He didn’t stay there.
He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all.
He healed.
He set people free physically, mentally, and spiritually.
And He’s sitting at the right hand of God Almighty, interceding for us each day.
That’s power.
Real God power, not fake movie power like Marvel or DC (sorry folks!).
But that same real power from God lives in us as Christians.
Romans 8:11 says so.
It says if God dwells in us (through the Holy Spirit), then God will give His life to our bodies as He lives within us.
God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will live within you.
I want that life surging through my veins.
How about you?
Ask Him.
Continue asking Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
Stop dragging your feet around in misery.
Stop focusing on all of the crud life has thrown your way.
Stop listening to Satan’s lies you know deep down are not true.
And focus on God.
He raised Jesus from the dead.
And He can raise you to life here on earth just the same.
But you must choose to rise up from your grave of sin, death, and destruction.
Fling off the dirty rags of self.
With God’s power, you will be set free to live for Him on earth.
Today, declare Jesus lives in me and I choose to focus on Him.
And do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27
Is it ok to be mad?
Super angry at an uncontrollable situation?
Yes.
It’s ok to be mad.
Just don’t let it control you.
There’s a difference.
A difference between anger and a life dictated by it.
The anger.
Sometimes situations in life have justifiable angry responses.
Literally justified.
But if you hold onto that anger, it controls you every time.
Every time you are reminded of the situation, your body will respond as trained.
In anger.
Blood will boil.
Tempers will flair.
You will lash out at people for no apparent reason.
It’s sin.
Why?
Because the anger controls you.
You have trained your body in that way.
And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-7
When God talks about letting go of anger, He means just that.
Let it go.
Guess He coined that phrase long before the Norwegian ice princess movie we have all watched way too many times.
Doesn’t mean to forget or allow yourself to be hurt again in the same way.
It simply means to keep your peace.
To surrender the anger, knowing God is in control.
To choose peace over anger, learning instead from the pain.
Giving a foothold to the devil is keeping your anger.
Choosing to wallow in it.
Probably deservedly, yes, but that’s not the point.
Living in freedom with God sometimes defies all logic.
Logically, you should be mad as you know what.
But God wants you to live in freedom.
And you cannot dwell in His freedom if you are shackled by anger’s prison.
Break free and allow God to heal your wounds.
How?
Ask God.
Remember, forgiving is not forgetting.
But it’s freedom.
Ask God to forgive through you.
Then whenever it pops back into your brain (you know the devil will insist on reminding you often!), throw it back to God.
Forgive again and again.
Your body will begin to retrain itself, reacting instead with peace.
The absence of anger will release you from the prison of pain.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
What if you decided to release all of the junk?
All of the junk you keep in your brain?
Un-forgiveness of others.
Memorized list of how each hurt you?
Deservedly yes, but it was so yesterday.
You’re only hurting yourself, you know.
Internally, your body reacts poorly when you hold onto things.
How do you know if you still have junk?
The thought of that person brings it all up again.
Washes over you like a sickness.
What if you released it?
Deliberately deciding not to hold onto it, no matter what it is?
Declaring yourself unoffendable?
What if, the very next time someone “hurts” you by their words, you, instead of launching into poor me, decided not to claim that pain at all?
Refusing to participate?
You’d enjoy freedom.
If people cannot offend you , you will remain peaceful.
Not a license to turn you into a doormat.
Talking about little things.
Snide remark from a child.
Spouse not treating you perfectly.
Taking a boss’ criticism personally instead of separating it into doing your job better.
Jesus wants His kingdom to come here on earth.
Was He wanting us to live our salvation in freedom on earth?
Not wrapped up by the bondage of past offenses?
Freedom in Christ means the freedom to forgive.
Forgive and forget.
Doesn’t mean you are blindly trusting others who have proven themselves unworthy.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His merciesbegin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23
In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.
We are nothing without Him.
Mere shells devoid of purpose or real change.
With Him, everything changes.
When we are clothed with His mercy, we give others compassion.
When we are clothed with His love, we give others significance.
When we are clothed with His forgiveness, we give others freedom.
When we are clothed with His peace, we give others rest.
He continually pours out His blessings to us, so we can spread His character to the ends of the earth, blessing others with Himself.
His mercies are new every morning.
His precious ways are counted among the saints.
Taste and see how God is good.
So very good.
Allow Him to fill you up with His goodness.
Every morning.
Watch His good news spread to the thirsty souls near you.
Amy Linnea 
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