Thursday, 5^th May, 2022

Bible Reading: Matthew 6: 14-15

Memory Verse:  If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15 (ESV)

Corrie was born on April 15, 1892, and died on her birthday in 1983 in Placentia, California. Corrie in the Year 1947 in Germany said: “When I was in the concentration camp in Germany, one of the most terrible things I had to go through was that they stripped us of all our clothes and we had to stand [in front of the Germans]. The first time I had to do this, I said, ‘Betsie, I cannot do this!’ And suddenly, it was as if I saw Jesus at the cross. And the Bible tells us they took His garments and He hanged there naked. And I knew He hanged there for me, for my sins! In my suffering,

I understood a fraction of the suffering of Jesus Christ and it made me so thankful that I could bear my suffering. Love so amazing, so divine! It demands my life, my soul, my all. Some time later in Berlin, there came a man to me and said, ‘Ah, Miss ten Boom, I am glad to see you. Don’t you know me?’ Suddenly I saw that man. He was one of the most cruel overseers—guards—in the concentration camp. And that man said, ‘I am now a Christian, I found the Lord Jesus. I read my Bible, and I know that there is forgiveness for all the sins of the whole world. Also for my sins. I have received forgiveness for the cruelties I have done … I have asked God’s grace for an opportunity that I could ask one of my victims for forgiveness. Will you forgive me?’ I could not.

I remembered the suffering of my dying sister through him. But when I saw that I could not forgive, I knew that I myself had no forgiveness! Do you know what Jesus said about that? ‘When you do not forgive those who have sinned against you, My Heavenly Father will not forgive you your sins.’  I knew. Oh, I am not ready for Jesus to come real quick because I have no forgiveness for my sins. I was not able. I could not. I could only hate him. Then, I took one of these beautiful texts, one of those boundless resources, Romans 5:5: ‘The love of God is shed abroad into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who is given to us.’ I said, ‘Thank you, Jesus, that you have brought into my heart God’s love through the Holy Spirit who was given to me. And thank you, Father, that your love is stronger than my hatred!’ That same moment, I was free and I could say, ‘Brother, give me your hand,’ and I shook hands with him. And it was as if I felt God’s love stream through my arms! You’ve never touched the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive your enemies! Can you forgive? No? I can’t either. But He can! When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”

Quote: We weren’t designed to carry around bitterness, resentment, and heartache. Too often, we let those negatives define our lives. And when we are weighed down with all that junk, it’s hard to see where we’re going or to even be ready to get there. Learn to travel light – Victoria Osteen

Prophetic Decree: Receive grace to love in place of hatred, in Jesus name.

Prayer Focus

1. Thank you Father: While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.

2. I reject and renounce the spirit of unforgiveness, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, please help me to forgive (mention the names of people who are in need of your forgiveness), in Jesus name.

4. Any matter of unforgiveness in my heart blocking my personal heavens, Father, resolve it today, in Jesus name.

5. I command restoration of all I have lost due to unforgiveness, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Psalms 1-2,15,22-24,47,68