5 Minutes of Hope

INTRO

Hello friend and welcome to our weekly Blog: “5 Minutes of Hope”.

Are you doing okay today? I SURE hope so!

Our purpose is to bring you an uplifting message of encouragement, hope and inspiration. Once this Vlog has aired on Facebook, you will be able to read the transcript in the Facebook group: “5 Minutes of Hope.” We look forward to visiting with you EVERY week to share the message of HOPE!

FORGIVENESS

Today’s topic is: Forgiveness.

I know. I KNOW! We can’t POSSIBLY do this topic justice in just FIVE minutes. Will you forgive me? Get it?

Friend, I AM NOT making light of your pain! With the help of God, we’re going to do everything in our power to help you see why FORGIVENESS is your BEST option.

THE ISSUE

Whether the offense happened last week or several years ago. THAT’S not the issue!

Whether the offense came from family, friend, or foe. THAT’S not the issue!

You were hurt and you may STILL be hurting! THAT’S the issue!

It happened. YES!

It was WRONG! YES!

It hurt then and it hurts NOW! YES!

LET IT GO

BUT … speaking of NOW, NOW is the time to FORGIVE and LET IT GO!

Whatever took place to cause you the pain in the first place CANNOT be undone.

Events, no matter how horrific, don’t unhappen!

Friend … it’s time to MOVE FORWARD. We CANNOT change what took place in the past.

Maybe you’ve told NO ONE! Maybe you’ve told EVERYONE!

Maybe you cling to that hurt and don’t know HOW to let it go.

OUR EXAMPLE

There are MANY examples of people forgiving those who abused them throughout history but NONE as compelling as the one from 2,000 years ago. Even as He was being murdered and martyred on that cruel cross Christ cried out, “Father, forgive them!”

TODAY is your day to forgive that person and watch how it sets YOU free. In holding onto unforgiveness you slam the jail door closed on yourself. YOU hurt more than the one who hurt you!

PROJECT: HOPE

The Warden

in my mind, in my soul

i’m jailed in, jailed in

please warden, let me out

i’ve got to get where i need to be

before i start to shout

well, looky what be

there’s the key

the warden is me

OUR ETERNAL HOPE

Once we invite Christ INTO our lives to forgive us of OUR sin and take up permanent residence in our hearts and lives, He does JUST THAT! NOW … what do we do? Keep that forgiveness and freedom to ourselves or … pass it on?

If you DON’T and WON’T forgive … you walk into a jail cell, slam the door and lock yourself in and TUCK the key in your pocket for safe keeping. Take out the key TODAY!

AN HONEST PRAYER

Dear God, I hate this person for what they did and I hate what they did but I know I have to forgive them if I am going to be free from this ugly pain. Please help me forgive.

WORD

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32.

GROWING IN GRACE

In our alone time with God and His Word, the Bible we will read an AWFUL lot about forgiveness, mercy and love. In prayer, you will find we VERY OFTEN need to ask God to forgive us of something we’ve done or … failed to do that has hurt or offended.

Forgiveness is a LIFESTYLE! May we walk in love and forgiveness!

PRAYER

Dear Father today, help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

BLESSING

May you be FILLED with hope today and share it with others!