“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

Something that God has been speaking to me about personally is on the topic of forgiveness. Like many in South Orange County, Roxie and I went through some horrifying experiences related to the church we were attending. Without going into any details, all I can say is that It left me deeply hurt and saddened. I spoke to a close friend and mentor who looked at me in the eyes and said Holland, you need to totally forgive them. He gave me a message from R.T. Kendall entitled Total Forgiveness. He also encouraged me to get the book, which I did. This began a process in my heart of God showing me His love and grace in ways that I have never experienced before in my life. As I totally forgave the people for what they did, God began to release joy and freedom into my worship life with Him. This process began in fall of 2008 and continues to this day.

All of us have our reasons for holding on to resentment and bitterness. You may even be justified in holding your grudge. Maybe someone really did wrong to you. Maybe they even did harm to you in order to damage your reputation or ruin your career. I think of what Jesus endured for us. The Bible tells us that He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Imagine being falsely accused for something you didn’t do. That happens all the time. But imagine being arrested for something you didn’t do. That would be heavy. Then imagine being beaten for something you didn’t do. I think at that point I would get an attorney and fight back. Then imagine being killed for something you didn’t do. That’s something that I don’t have the capacity to understand. Now imagine being in the throws of death and praying for the ones killing you and saying Father forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing. That’s total forgiveness.

Paul tells us that we are to extend the same forgiveness that Jesus has extended to us. The forgiveness that Jesus gives is complete, generous, unreserved and total. That’s the kind of forgiveness that we’ve received. Maybe this week there is someone that hurt you or even damaged you. I want to encourage you to forgive them. That doesn’t mean you have to go out and make them you’re best friend. Just begin in your prayer closet with a simple prayer of forgiveness and see what God will do in your heart in bringing back joy, peace and the sense of His presence.

We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you’ve missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.

Roxie and I are praying for you…

Blessings

P.HD

P.S. Pray for Worship Life as we begin looking for a facility that we can call our own and pray for Revival in South Orange County I’ve also been invited to bring Worship Life to KWVE 107.9 FM. We have absolutely nothing, but that has never stopped us before. Where God guides, He provides and God is doing great things!!!