Mark DeJesus's Blog, page 122

#051: Why Does Transformation Seem to Take So Long? Part 6 [Podcast]

Today we uncover the last few thoughts on the subject, “why does transformation seem to take so long?” We to encourage you today by helping you to see some key blocks that hinder the next level in our journey. Transformation is a process, but we often get into positions where it becomes longer than it needs to.

In today’s episode, we discuss the following factors that make transformation take longer than it needs to:

We focus more on circumstances changing and not enough on us changing.

When you become focus on the circumstance changing, you can very easily become victim to it.

We have a dysfunctional view of God. We want Him to take us out of prison, rather than learning how to get free from the chains and walk out of prison.

We cant see beyond our situation . . . we need a big picture perspective. 

We get ourselves so in front of a tree that we cannot see the big forest that we are in.

We have little appreciation for the journey.

One of the greatest tragedies over people today is that they are not present:

They are lost in their battles
They are lost in the past
They are lost in what they are worrying about for the future.

Resources Mentioned on this Episode: 

Bethel Live We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) 
Bethel Live: Be Lifted High (CD+DVD)
The LightHouse Events 

If you do not see the play button, click here to listen to the episode.

Question: Which reason has been the most helpful for your transformation journey? (Use our comments section below.) 

 

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#050: Why Does Transformation Seem to Take So Long? Part 5 [Podcast]

In today’s episode, we continue to answer the question, “Why does transformation seem to take so long?” We cover two more reasons today:

We are afraid to go all in and face what we need to face.

We have limiting beliefs that cap our identity and our potential.

If you do not see the player, click here to listen.

Question: Which point hits home the most for you? 

 

 

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 Part 5 [Podcast].

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When Autism Hits Home

Fifteen years ago, autism was never a thought in my mind, nor in the mind of most. Yet in these past 6 years, I have become well aware of what happens when it affects your home, especially when it manifests through the life of your first born son.

As a man who lives to spread the Father’s heart, I was delighted to know I was having a son as my first born child. We named him Maximus, not just because the Gladiator movie is awesome, but because he truly is “the greatest” in our eyes. God gave us a vision that he would carry the Father’s approval in his life. To know I would be able to release the Father’s heart to him and give him a foundation that millions have never experienced, I was beyond overjoyed.

Yet as time passed, this passion of my heart would be deeply challenged by the struggles that Max would face.

Over time, we saw his development was delaying and certain skills were not manifesting. Words that he could say were no longer said. Expressions were lost. He began to be emotionally trapped behind a wall that seemed impenetrable. Soon, after exhausting evaluations and conversations with clinicians, doctors and specialists, Max was diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

We went through months and months of absolute agony. Our hearts were broken to the core. Imagine ministering to masses of people the heart of Father God, but you can’t connect to your own son in conversation? Melissa and I spent more nights than we could count, weeping ourselves to sleep. It was a hit to the gut that knocked the wind out of us.

Yet in this journey, Melissa and I decided that we were going to give God everything we had to walk this out with the maximum effectiveness for the Kingdom. The battle that came against us brought us to our knees, designed to take us out and cause us to quit. There were some days I could barely move, over the realization that was set before us. Yet we decided to turn the tables on this and embrace who God has called us to be as Overcomers.

So we gathered ourselves together, prayed and fasted before God. We searched for answers in the Scriptures and allowed God to speak to our hearts over this issue. We don’t have all the answers, but we have some that are showing some light and fruit.

There are so many theories, speculations and viewpoints on why a child develops autism or why so many children are manifesting developmental delays or neurological disorders. Stats are saying that 1 in 10 children are showing up on the autism spectrum. I would venture to say that this is becoming a epidemic over our generation. There is no question that we need to collectively come before God and find out what is going on that our children are being bombarded at such a massive rate.

Here is where I am at with all this.

God did not give Max autism.

One of the most pathetic things Christians do find when it comes to sickness or disease of any kind is that we give credit to God for it. The enemy gets a pass in today’s culture, because we attribute anything that happens as a result of God’s choice over people. Satan is a thief. Satan steals. Satan kills. Satan destroys. My Father sent Jesus to breathe life and life is what I am seeking to manifest in every area of my life and home.

God did not author this, but He grants us keys to overcome. Since the beginning of time, the enemy has come to destroy, but God has a mission to not only overcome, but to minister out of that breakthrough to our generations. I have decided that I will spend my life helping to restore the Father’s love in people’s live and destroy the works of the devil everywhere I go.

Autism is a spiritual issue.

I believe there is a spiritual reason why autism is manifesting at such a rapid rate. The reason is not just nutrition, although nutrition helps. The reason is not just environment, although environment helps. We have to look at our world through spiritual eyes. Something is interfering with our generation’s ability to communicate, learn and connect authentically. If we don’t start looking with spiritual eyes, we dont have a chance in the years ahead.

I am not a demon chaser, despite what some people think of me. I don’t obsess over the devil. But when there is a block in a road that God has sent me on, I don’t cry “why God?” I ask, “Teach me. Instruct me. Give me insight so that I can overcome.”

You cannot find autism on a blood test, nor can you just do a brain scan to detect it. One thing that seems to be a sign is that there does seem to be a pattern of autism in families, showing proof to the theory that this disorder has a generational basis. Something is traveling down our generations that is keeping this alive. Mental ilnness travels in families. Disease travels in families. Something is giving autism life in our generations that the church needs to recognize and deal with.

When Jesus was faced with a boy who was throwing himself in the fire and acting unbecoming, (Mark 9) He didn’t just send him to a someone else to get well. He ministered wholeness over the father and the son. In ministering, Jesus wept over the faithlessness of the generation and He removed something spiritually that was interfering with the boy’s ability to function.

Today we just send the boy to get checked and give him some meds. Western Christianity leaves no room for the spiritual. Most don’t even know how to pray over these kind of things. Yet the Gospels are filled with constant encounters of removing the enemy’s camp as it afflicted people in various ways.

Where is the heart of the church to stand in and overthrow the works of the enemy? All we do is medicate, council and change our theology to match our situation, so that we are not challenged in our pain to overcome? Are we just looking to alleviate the pain or do we want to press in for more? Is that all there really is to this life? Just get by and wait for Jesus to come back, while we quote Christian cliche’s with no change?

Fathers are critical.

Notice that boys are the majority of the autism spectrum? Our men are being taken out! Could this be because the men have abdicated their role in their homes in our generations and the spiritual covering is being lost?

I believe one of the key markers that is opening up our culture to all forms of struggle, disorders and illness is the absence of biological and spiritual fathers. We as men have given up our role as spiritual leaders. Meanwhile the enemy has come through the side door, bringing in confusion and developmental issues?

I as the father of the home have a critical role in this.

If you watch in many cases of autism, you will notice the mom go into overdrive to help the child. But where is the husband? He seems to go behind the scenes, rather than cranking up his spiritual leadership. Something has to shift to bring an authority over this issue, and it begins with the man in the home. He has to move out of passivity and into a place of spiritually covering his home.

The first thing I confronted when I got married was the passivity that was in my generations. I am taking a stand for men who were not given any model on how to lead their homes and walk in the authority God gave them. To this day, I am awakening men out of their slumber and into a spiritual awakening, to destroy what the enemy stole while we were asleep at the wheel.

Every battle in my home wants to tempt me to take a back seat, so I don’t have to deal with it. Not in my house. I am going after this stuff, because I am the watchman over my family. I carry the responsibility to minister to my family first in all things. God has given a mantle of leadership to the men that needs to be taken back.

I pray over his heart more than his mind.

When I first attacked this issue, I felt God leading me to pray over his heart more than his mind. My instinct was to pray over his mind and the neurological pathways that are not firing properly, but God lead me to focus on his heart. I sensed that “This is where his greatest strength will come from.” So every night, I take my stance in the home as I lay hands on Max. I bless him, love on him and declare who God says that he is.

Max will not be defined by autism. I am fine with saying he has autism. He has autism, but he is not autism. Many people don’t even like to say the word regarding their child, so you end up having to tip toe around the issue with them. I can say it without shame, because my hope doesn’t deny something is happening. My hope in God has a vision to overthrow what is interfering with what God says about us. I run everything I pray over Max through the lens of what Scripture says and guess what, autism is not a part of God’s description of who He created Max to be. We don’t have to live in guilt over this, because we are all in a stage of removing what is not of God out of our lives. I welcome the adventure.

Through this I have grown in what it means to be a father.

I first fathered Max in performance, because that was my reference. But God showed me how to just be myself, to just be a son before my Father in heaven when I relate to Max. I have learned what it means to love him with a love that my Father has for me.

God has also shown me something else. Before I am Max’s dad, I am his brother in Christ. So at the foundation, I am his brother’s keeper, seeking to be a minister of blessing in any way I can. On top of that, I am his father–the spiritual covering to his life and the human being on this planet with the mantle of showing him the ways of the Father.

I also know that many families put so much energy and resources into the child that is struggling, that the others become neglected. So I have learned form the jump that I will focus on both Maximus and my daughter Abigail with all the love that God has for me. Abby is my absolute delight and she will not get lost in the midst of this journey we are on.

I also know that many parents get lost in their marriage while being consumed with their child’s developmental issues. This is a clear tactic from satan to destroy marriages and some stats are showing this to be true. Very quickly, couples become roommates because they have lost the importance of their marriage investment. I am a husband to my wife before I am ever a father to my children.

I have given his growth curve over to God.

There are certain time tables that science has regarding development and the stages certain skills should manifest. I have given that over to God. Max’s growth and improvement will occur in God’s time as we align ourselves with His ways and let Him cleanse us.

There are some days where discouragement hits me like a flood. I grieve over certain experiences that I have not been able to have with Max, conversations I would love to have had years ago that I am still waiting to experience. Hope is my treasure. As he just passed his 7th birthday, I am praying over his heart to receive salvation, so that further freedom and love can fill his heart and life.

I invest in his strengths

Our culture is so bent on fixing weaknesses rather than focusing on strengths. Max is in love with animals and can name more creatures at 7 years old than I can at 38! I am astounded that he knows what a Cryolophosaurus or a peregrine falcon is. (You had to look it up didn’t you?) So I invest my time, money and energy in what Max loves and puts his heart to. What we focus on grows, so while I know he struggles, I invest in his strengths while spiritually covering him in weakness, knowing that God will perfect him from glory to glory. He’s a good son.

I am sure I will be more misunderstood than understood in parts of this writing, but it is my desire to see people healed, freed and transformed. I am tired of seeing Christians manifesting the same diseases and disorders that everyone else seems to have. Jesus died for more than just going to heaven. I want everything He paid for. That’s honor and respect for what He did.

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#049: Why Does Transformation Seem to Take So Long? Part 4 [Podcast]

Today we continue to talk about what keeps people from effective transformation, causing us to think, “Why is this taking so long?” We uncover some things that prevent us from long term growth, change and effective transformation. In this episode, we discuss two key reasons; one having to do with ignorance, the other, stubbornness.

We are still ignorant of what is actually holding us back.

ignorance: we don’t know what we don’t know

We are stubborn in dealing with the issues of our life.

stubborn: we may know, but we defend ourselves or don’t want to deal with weak or broken areas

stubborn: having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so, difficult to move, remove, or cure.

stubbornness = idolatry 1 Samuel 15:23

God resists the proud

(1 Peter 5:5 NKJVS) “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

Question: Of the areas that we addressed, what do you find to ring true in your observations? 

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13 Signs of Spiritually Healthy People

I am a student of people. I love to observe patterns and behaviors that make us tick.

Over the years, I have spent time observing, studying and learning from people who are manifesting all-round health and wholeness in their life. I’m not talking about people who are effective in just one area and a “train wreck” in others.

I am referring to a lifestyle of overall stability and effectiveness regarding what is important in life.

This is what we really long for anyways–having a life that lives effectively in what is important.

Since my teen years, I have taken mental and physical notes of some of the common habits of healthy people. These habits firmly established a lifestyle of wholeness in their life.

Here are some of those observations of spiritually healthy people:

1. They know exactly who they are and live according to their identity.

Not only do they know who they are, they are secure enough to who they are not. Being someone else is not a temptation, because they see the value in who they are. No matter the roles they have in life, the money they make or the social clout, these factors do not dictate the confidence in who they are. This does not mean they do not struggle with insecurity, they just do not let it dictate their thoughts, decisions and actions.

2. They really do not care what others think.

Now let me say this: people who have to declare, “I don’t care what people think!” usually really do care what people think….a lot…so much they have to shout that they don’t.

Healthy people don’t have to declare it, you just know it when you watch their life. They’re not mean about it, healthy people just don’t spend much time caring about the applause or the accusation of others. This clears up a huge piece of real estate in their minds to focus on other things.

3. They don’t sweat the small stuff.

Most of life is cluttered with problems that usually involve people issues. Offenses, gossip and hurts are flying everywhere, yet those who are healthy know not to sweat petty issues. They let things roll off well, because they don’t take themselves too seriously. Because of this, they forgive daily and do not keep a relational log of hurts with them. This makes them so agile and baggage free in their journey. Rarely is a toxic thought about someone held for too long. They forgive and move on.

4. They know how to grieve and process through heartache and disappointment.

Healthy people don’t shove down pain or deny hurt. They confront it head on and work through it, even if it means slowing down a bit more, or taking extra time to mend some issues of the heart. They don’t approach problems as vicitms, but they recognize the imortance of ongoing heart maintainance, especially when it comes to pain.

5. They are solution focused.

Everyone can points out problems, but healthy are always looking for solutions, ways to grow and options they may not have seen before.

Because of this mindset, they release hope everywhere they go. I find these people have a great deal of maturity in that they can talk to you about your deepest problems and sympathize, but always end with a look towards hope.

6. They guard their peace.

Life is not easy, so in order to live healthy, inward peace is critical. They don’t shelter themselves, but they work hard to guard their peace and inner rest. Healthy people limit the voices that are allowed to speak into their life and give toxic people clear boundaries. Because they carry regular peace in their heart, then anger, guilt and fear rarely become driving pests.

7. They know how to interact with difficult people, without getting run over.

They may not be able to fix every situation, but they are not completely thrown off by difficult people. Healthy people see it as a challenge to grow more.

8. They practice gratitude in everything.

Being thankful has never left their heart, so no matter what situation is presented, healthy people are just happy to be alive. Gratitude becomes the atmosphere in everthing they do.

9. They practice the Word of God.

They are not overtly preachy and rarely are they lecturing people, they just mainly live out what the Bible teaches, so this draws questions and inquisitors by default. They carry fruit from practicing God’s word that shows.

10. They are worshippers.

They know how to stop everything and just engage God’s presence, while at the same time, live with a constant awareness of God’s loving presence. This influences and affects everything they think and do. Prayer is a love, not a chore.

11. They have established disciplines that flow from their values.

They not only know what is important, their daily routine shows what is important. They do not just follow their ebb and flows of emotions. Whole people truly know how to lead their own hearts and minds, and live accordingly. Their disciplines are not there as rigorous rules, but as habits to feed and cultivate the heart.

12. They care for their temple.

They don’t obsess about their eating and exercise, but they make sure to take care of their body in every way. They make time to invest in weekly exercise and activity, while knowing that unhealthy foods will only interfere with their effectiveness in life.

13. They practice alone time.

They know how to sit alone and get refreshed. They value being with others, but see the importance of being alone with God and alone with themselves, so as to recharge, pray, meditate and gain perspective.

Question: What do you find to be a key sign of a healthy spiritual life? 

 

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#048: Why Does Transformation Seem to Take So Long? Part 3 [Podcast]

In this episode, we uncover an important thing to remember when it comes to transformation: God’s ways are so different than the ways this world can live and operate.

With this in mind, Melissa and I delve into talking about the challenges that come when being renewed to the Kingdom of God, while realizing the opposing resistance we can feel while living in this world.

We discuss reason transformation can be challenging: The Kingdom of God is so different than the Kingdom of this world.

References Mentioned in this Show:

Healing and Freedom from the Inside Out Teaching
Chris Tomlin Music
John Waller Music

Question: Which point in today’s episode hit home the most for you?

 

If you don’t see the player, click here to listen.

 

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 Part 3 [Podcast].

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#047: Why Does Transformation Seem to Take So Long? Part 2 [Podcast]

In today’s episode, we continue to tackle the question, “Why Does Transformation Seem to Take So Long?” In this part 2, Melissa and I have an amazing conversation about the following reasons why transformation can take longer than it should:

5. We don’t separate who we are in God, from what is not of God inside us.

We talk through how important it is to understand the stuff that is going on in you that is not of God, is not you! Find out how that can be an amazing tool for victory.

6. We don’t remain consistent the daily investments that help us overcome.

Find out how what you invest in each day is so critical to your overall growth.

Melissa and I will share the importance of processing this out in relationships, where we learn to practice out who we are, and chuck away who we are not that keeps trying to interfere.

Recommended Resource: 

More than Conquerers (Teaching Series) Experience a personal revival in this dynamic study of Romans 8. Uncover who you are, what God says about you and your identity, and let Him heal you where there have been hinderances in your daily walk. Be armed as more than a conqueror! 

Question: Which point we hit on today helped you the most? Let us know in the comment section below. 

If you do not see the player on your screen to listen, click here.

 

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 Part 2 [Podcast].

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Conference on Nutrition Coming in April!

Live Teaching Event in East Hartford, Connecticut

Join us for 5 week teaching conference on the subject of nutrition and food related issues.

In this dynamic teaching, you will receive insights for spirit, soul and body application of powerful nutritional living. 

A 5 Week Course | Sundays 5 PM

April 12 | April 19 | May 3 | May 17 | May 31

The following subjects will be covered with Biblical and biological insights:

What the Bible Says About Food and Eating
Exposing Spiritually Rooted Issues Involved in Food & Weight Issues Overcoming Food Addictions & Eating Struggles
Critical Insights to Help Develop a Clean Eating Lifestyle
Get Off the Diet Bandwagon and Make Permanent Changes for Overall Health
Learn Effective Detox Principles

Click Here to Register

 

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#046: Why Does Transformation seem to Take So Long? Part 1 [Podcast]

In today’s episode, we talk about why it seems transformation takes longer than we anticipate or expect. My wife Melissa and I delve deeper into the contributing factors that we don’t realize when it comes to seeing change, healing, freedom and over transformation take place.

Included in this episode are the following factors:

1. We live from just our minds and not our hearts.

2. We fail to see the pioneer work involved with changing.

3. Your biggest battles are often the ones that run in your family.

4. We have no grid to understand and fight spiritual resistance.

Mark references the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

Question: Which factor hit home the most after listening to this episode? 

If you don’t see the player, click HERE to listen to the episode.

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10 Reasons Why You Need this Book (Bitter Free!)

Let’s get right to the point:

You need this book. You need everything this book addresses. If you don’t think you need it, you are deceiving yourself.

We all have our own ways of choosing what books we will read. We often consider the book’s topic and whether we feel it will benefit us or not.   Unfortunately, many of us miss out on some jewels of life-giving truth, simply because we quickly assume, “I don’t need help on that subject. I’m good.” It is this kind of mindset that often leads us down some tough paths, where we pass by simple truths that we “know” in our head, but are not applying in our lives. So, I would rather just tell you at the start, you need this book.

For those of you that may need further convincing, let me tell you why addressing the subject of forgiveness, bitterness and anger is so critical to your everyday life—and why you need to keep reading.

1. We all deal with being hurt!

I am certain that all of us deal with being hurt and wounded in life. The only way you might be able to avoid this is by living in a cave, but even then a bug will bite you! If you have a pulse and breathe air, the chances are 100 percent that you will be offended or hurt by someone.

We have all been hurt and likely will be again in the near future. We have a decision to make in these situations: will we will walk in forgiveness or carry the toxic poison of bitterness? It is a fact that the stronghold of bitterness will take on every human being on the planet in some form or fashion. It’s an accurate observation. We can all nod our heads in one accord, knowing we all face situations that provide opportunities for this bitter root to spring up. We will all be hurt. The question is, what will you do with that hurt?

2. Opportunities to Get Offended Will Increase.

Just when you thought maybe things will get easier around you, think again. As each day passes, people are becoming more easily offended, less forgiving and more volatile. Each of us has a choice: to run away and hide, thereby avoiding any chance to impact this generation for good, or to learn to carry a greater level of grace and forgiveness in our lives.

3. You Will Hurt Others from Your Unresolved Hurt.

The saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.” I would clarify that statement by saying, “People with unhealed hurt, will hurt people.” All of us from time to time in our lives are confronted with painful experiences and have hurtful interactions. Those who bury the pain or do not work through the process of forgiveness will inevitably spew their toxic wounds onto someone else.

I have seen this happen over and over again. For example, someone new comes into church and very soon starts projecting unhealed issues with the last pastor and leadership team into the new environment. With very little knowledge of people’s true character, they create a lens that is very critical of those leading the church. Most of the time, it has absolutely nothing to do with the people being attacked. You are not really just mad at your current husband or wife, but are actually stirred up with unresolved issues from a past relationship that are now coming to the surface.

Toxic feelings towards another person rarely have anything to do with the current relationship, but rather the unresolved issues with a previous relationship that are now being projected onto the current one. If you don’t forgive people from your past, your past will follow you and will continue to wreak havoc on your relationships.

4. Without God’s Help, It Can Be Impossible to Forgive.

In the 20 years I have spent helping people, the stories of pain I have witnessed have blown my mind. I honestly came close to giving some a “pass” on having to forgive, simply because, from a natural perspective, it seemed impossible. Even in my own life, I have interacted with hundreds of people that have done or said hurtful things to me. Many committed these actions unknowingly, while others seemed like they planned them out for years. I have been left wondering at times how people could commit such unloving acts.

I want to take a moment and connect to your pain. You are probably reading this book because there’s some kind of pain or block preventing you from making progress in your life. I’ll guarantee you have been through some stuff. You may have seen and experienced things no human being should. You may have made up your mind that you don’t want to forgive, or maybe you just don’t feel like you can.

I want to bring you good news today. You actually can forgive. In fact, with proper help, you can learn to forgive almost anybody, especially if the Spirit of the Forgiver lives inside of you.

5. You Probably Have Not Been Taught How to Forgive.

If you grew up in church, every once in a while you most likely heard that you should forgive people, but for the most part, this subject was often glazed over. When it was addressed, it was simply stated, “You’re supposed to forgive, so make sure you do it.” Yet, when it came to actually applying that forgiveness, no one walked you through the process of how to actually forgive those that have hurt you in your life.

If you did not go to church, your experience was probably much the same. Your role models were not always stellar. You heard people tell you to forgive, while you watched them hold grudges against everyone around them. You observed family members who no longer spoke to one another, or business startups that failed because two partners could not get along. Most likely, unforgiveness had a role in the millions of divorces that have occurred over the decades. It was a rarity if anyone ever sat down with you and helped you learn to process forgiveness regarding those who hurt you.

6. Your Health Depends on It.

No matter what has happened to you, please understand that your life depends on you being able to learn to forgive. Many people become sick and die because of the bitter entanglements left in their heart. Some stubbornly take bitterness to the grave, and quite often an early grave because of it. Meanwhile, many others live in emotional and mental torment because of their unforgiving heart. Doctors and medical practitioners know that the power of forgiveness can increase chances of healing. Could it be that unresolved bitterness and unforgiveness are making and keeping you sick? This is your chance to take your health back.

7. Forgiveness Shows Us the Love of God.

One of the greatest ways we can experience the love of God is to personally understand that God sent His Son to come and die on the cross, so that we could have forgiveness of our sins. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Those who receive the forgiveness of God, available in Christ Jesus, can experience a love that is unmatched in the entire world. To be forgiven is to be loved.

Remember the woman who washed Jesus’ feet? Through this interaction, our Lord pointed out the relationship between love and forgiveness. He said, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47). Jesus is connecting the relationship between forgiveness and love. When we experience a greater measure of forgiveness, we encounter a greater depth of love. Our dimension to receive forgiveness from God and give it out to others will also determine our ability to manifest the fullness of God’s love.

8. We are Commanded to Forgive.

Many people who teach about the forgiveness of God point out that it is free. It is . . . kind of. There is one catch. God’s forgiveness is free if you also give it out freely. The moment you make forgiveness towards others optional or conditional, God deals with you the same way.

It is mentioned in the Scriptures that if we do not forgive others, our heavenly Father will not forgive us. This is one of the most sobering statements in all of Scripture. While God pours out His forgiveness on everyone who will believe and receive, He is very concerned that we extend forgiveness to others, to the point that the power of His forgiveness towards us is at stake. Don’t ask me exactly how this plays out eternally, but I don’t want to find out. I got a free gift of forgiveness that had a command attached to it: give this out to others freely.

9. Your Progress in Life Depends on It.

There may be an area of your life where you seem to be going around the mountain with little fruit. You may have a block that is impeding you from making progress in life. Maybe you are financially stuck or continually have the same limitations in life. Your career or ministry might be at a plateau. This may be due to the fact that God wants you to deal with forgiving and releasing someone. This is preventing you from moving forward.

For example, I have watched people who have been treated unfairly at previous places of employment, and were struggling with their current job, too. When they were able to release heart-felt forgiveness, a better job with higher pay opened up for them. I have seen financial provision drop on people, seemingly out of nowhere, when they learned to forgive someone who financially used or cheated them.

We can complain about past dealings all we want, and feel justified with our position. But in the end, we will remain stuck if we do not learn to release the forgiveness and blessing of God on those who do not seem to deserve it.

10. As Christ’s Return Draws Closer, You Must Become Equipped to Forgive.

Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 about the last days. It is then that false prophets will arise and many people will end up falling into deception. How could this happen? Because bitterness can cloud our perception, opening us up to deception on many levels.

Through these warnings, He also describes some startling signs of the end times: many will be offended and people will betray and hate one another. In addition to that, the love inside of people will become cold. These will all be signs of bitterness and unforgiveness having its work in the land! Those who endure to the end and live as overcomers will be those who learn not to let hurt and betrayal take them out, but continue to release the love, grace and forgiveness of God to others.

I know I said ten, but I had to add one more:

11. Those Who Forgive Regularly Have the Best Relationships.

The best people to connect with are the ones who are the least “high maintenance.” Those who are on the higher maintenance list are often those who are easily offended and less prone to quickly forgive and move on. Those who have developed their forgiveness muscles are great to interact with because they keep short accounts. They spend very little time mulling over the past wrong of others and as a result can spend more time focusing on future possibilities and opportunities.

People who are forgiving carry the grace of God in their lives and others love being around them. Why not become one of those people?

Matthew 6:15, Mark 11:26, Matthew 18:35

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