Forgiveness

A couple of weeks ago Pastor Todd and I were praying together, and as we prayed in the spirit, the Lord gave me a vision. I saw our worship and media teams gathered in a circle before rehearsal. Before approaching the platform to minister, they were receiving communion in order to consecrate themselves and sanctify themselves in preparation to step into their priestly roles.

The Lord continually reminds me of how important this is, not only for worship and media, but in every position of ministry in the body of Christ. We are all called to be ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherever we are. Yet we will not be effective or able to minister in the capacity God has called us to without first preparing our hearts and consecrating ourselves fully to Him. The practice of receiving communion is so powerful and precious. Communion takes us back to the cross and the price that was paid so that we could be forgiven and cleansed, and so that we could also freely forgive others and release them through God‘s grace. We must reflect and remember how Jesus suffered horrific brutality, humiliation, mocking, condemnation, accusation… and all of the hatred that was hurled against Him as He went to the cross to bear the punishment/judgment that our sins deserved. As He hung there, naked, on that cross, and they continue to mock Him and hurl insults against Him… He forgave them.

To deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus, requires this kind of forgiveness.

Just before Jesus died,He cried out and said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do “Luke 23:34. The word “forgive“ here is from the Greek word APHIEMI, which means to release, as in releasing a prisoner or setting someone free from an act that they have carried out. It is the decision to not hold something against someone, but rather to liberate a person from the consequences of his actions. When Jesus cried, “Father, forgive them,“He was saying, “Father, release them…“ Or “Father, do not hold this against them…“. Rick Renner

This is amazing love. This is amazing grace.
Freely we have been forgiven, freely we forgive.

Father, we freely forgive every person who has wronged us. We forgive and release them. And in so doing, we release ourselves from all bitterness, resentment and offense. Thank You Jesus for the sacrifice You made on the cross to free us all! Today we choose freedom through receiving and giving forgiveness.

We love you and thank God for you! May we all walk in the love and forgiveness of our savior Jesus Christ..

Pastor Kelly.