LIVE-From The Department of Redundancy Department

So I went to write this Blog this morning and the title of the lesson from last week was "Forgiveness" My mind started with... I already wrote about forgiveness this year.

Then GOD stopped me.

The Holy Spirit put this scripture in my mind.

Mat 18:21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
Mat 18:22 Jesus *said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Mat 18:23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
Mat 18:24 "When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
Mat 18:25 "But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.
Mat 18:26 "So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'
Mat 18:27 "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.'
Mat 18:29 "So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.'
Mat 18:30 "But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.
Mat 18:31 "So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.
Mat 18:32 "Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Mat 18:33 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'
Mat 18:34 "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
Mat 18:35 "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

WOW now that's a strong lesson in forgiveness. We at Celebrate Recovery are currently moving from a lesson on Forgiveness, to a lesson on Grace, two of the greatest gifts that Jesus has taught us. So how could anyone say that just because we've heard it before its redundant? PLEASE!

Forgiveness is such a huge part of the healing offered at CR. As in last weeks lesson we learned the three types of forgiveness;

God's forgiveness (grace)

Forgiving yourself

Forgiving others

When we learn the reality of these three things AND put them into practice... well words really cannot describe the feeling. Words cannot make you feel that burden being lifted from you.

I will try 2 words that start to describe this; peace and serenity.

Peace of mind is one of the gifts offered through complete forgiveness. When we still have conflict in our life it robs us of the clear mind we should have. we think about resentments when we should be maybe focus on positive things in our lives. we think about resentments and get angry about them... that's where the next word comes in...

Serenity of the soul is priceless, when I finally finished my 12 steps for the first time. I truly learned how to accept God's forgiveness, I learned to forgive myself, I learned how to forgive others and offer amends to those i had hurt. This was GIGANTIC in my whole outlook in life. I didn't have any feelings like I wanted to escape or isolate keeping me from doing positive things in my life. I truly had serenity in my soul.

Currently we are working through steps 8 and 9 in the Tuesday night meeting. they are a great preview of things to come in the step studies.

8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

9. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

These are two really difficult steps to take.

My advice; don't even think of trying to do it yourself! That's what a recovery ministry is all about. there was someone there for us when we experienced this and we are here for you now. We come along side you, we comfort and guide and pray with you. We are here to help you every step of the way. so Just remember this scripture.

Isa 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, I will make them as white as freshly fallen snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be white like wool.

NOW THAT'S FORGIVENESS!