forgiveness

Forgiveness is powerful!  The topic has been on my mind in and in my heart a lot lately.  My sister sent me a podcast with a great sermon on forgiveness.  I had some time today to listen to it, and the Lord really convicted me!

http://www.kvministries.com/podcast/2013/04/30/bitterness-equal-opportunity-destroyer

My notes:

*If you can't find what you believe in either the life of Jesus or the teachings of Jesus, then you need to question it.
*We are responsible for our actions.  
*It's important to reconcile with our brothers.  Living in unforgiveness is not ok with God.
*We should not talk to others about a hurt done to us by another.  We should go to the person that we are offended with or that has offended us.
*Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry, but do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down on your anger."  Anger is not unforgiveness.  It is not sin.  But if we stay angry long enough, if it germinates long enough, it will turn to bitterness.
*Bitterness opens the door for demonic activity in our life (in other words, it gives Satan a foothold).
*Once you've forgiven someone, you cannot bring it back up to justify a present offense.
*You have to stay on the subject you are angry with now.
*The goal of communication is understanding, not agreement.
*Never yell or call names, or act like you know someone else's motives.  Bitterneess often begins in your heart when you determine you know why someone else did something offensive toward you.
*Forgiveness restores the standard.  I don't have permission to hold myself in unforgiveness when Jesus has already forgiven me.
*If we want justice when someone offends us, we had better be careful because Jesus will require justice from us.  If you're going to require perfection from someone, you better make sure you walk in that standard.
*Sometimes we have to forgive someone even though they don't deserve it.
*You can't enter Heaven without forgiving your brother.
*Forgiving someone does not mean my pain will go away .
*Sometimes I don't forgive because I feel like then I have to trust the violator.  Trust is separate from forgiveness.  Trust is earned, forgiveness is required.

Such strong truths!  I pray that these truths will be molded into my mind and into my heart.  I pray that the Lord will transform my ways of thinking with this sermon.  I hope you are also encouraged with this sermon!