As promised, I am coming to you this week with information, a few reflection questions, and a task. Your Proficiency Goal (should you choose to accept it) is as follows:
BECOME A BLACK-BELT IN FORGIVENESS
(I first heard this phrase from Elder Anthony Jordan)
(“This lesson addresses the mindset that was present in Cain since the beginning,” Elder Michael Jordan)
The purpose of this lesson is to:
1. To view the act of forgiveness as a spiritual exercise.
2. To encourage stretching, strengthening, and developing our “FORGIVENESS MUSCLES.”
3. To explore the following benefits of exercising the act of forgiveness.
The act of forgiveness:
- Enhances our prayer life.
- Creates intimacy with Jesus through scripture, prayer and meditation.
- Helps prevent atrophy of our spiritual muscles.
- Increases our emotional stability.
- Defeats our enemy’s purpose, which is to steal, kill, and destroy.
- Seasons our spiritual journey with the joy of the Lord!
- Is a major key to our success in Spiritual Warfare.
- Cleanses our souls
- Lightens our spiritual load
- Elevates us from victim status to conquering status!
4. Inspire Readers to Pursue the Difficult task of Becoming A Black Belt in Forgiveness.
(Before we begin our spiritual journey through the exercise of forgiving, I want to share some information about proficiency levels in the martial arts. These levels give us an idea of where a challenger is in their journey towards being experts/conquerors in battle. Each level deserves honor because it means students are progressing in a discipline which will benefit themselves and others.)
The Meaning of Belt Color Levels in Martial Art
- White: the beginning student, indicating that the student is just starting to gain knowledge.
- Yellow: student has new strength by gaining knowledge from instruction and become stronger and more skilled.
- Orange: The student at this stage is preparing for further development.
- Green: The student is becoming something greater.
- Blue: A student is moving upward in development.
- Purple: The student is undergoing change as he advances in his studies and begins to set his sights on the black belt development. The student will begin to see the benefits of work, like a farmer reaping a crop at harvest.
- Red: represents the student's detailed knowledge.
- Black: A black belt is the highest level signifying completion and maturity in the student.
Our Goal is to move from WHITE BELT to a BLACK BELT in forgiveness AMEN!
What does the dictionary say about what it means to forgive?
Verb (used with object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.
- To grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
- To give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
- To grant pardon to (a person).
- To cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
- To cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
- To pardon an offense or an offender.
How does the dictionary Define Forgiveness?
A FEW Scripture References for Forgiving and Forgiveness
- Psalms 130:4 - But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him;
- Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Matthew 18:21-35 - Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
- Mark 11:25 - And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
- Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
- Luke 23:34 - Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
- John 3:16, 17 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
- Acts 5:31 - Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
- Acts 26:18 -To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
- Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Ephesians 1:7 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
- Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
- Colossians 1:14 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
WHY IS FORGIVING SO HARD?
Forgiveness is challenging because it is both a love, and faith-based decision; which involves pardoning of the debt/harm caused by hurt in our lives; placing the consequences and/or results of that debt in God’s hands; releasing/letting go of the feelings of pain and mental anguish, and finally interrupting/diminishing that tedious memory loop that our minds tends to keep us in, when we have unfinished business. Yes, God knows that the movement from victim to victorious conqueror is EXTREMELY difficult AND, it is time well-spent.
Honest Reflections and Questions about Forgiving and Forgiveness
You might ask, “Momo, Why should I forgive! I don’t want this person/these people to get away with what they have done to me and I can’t let it go. Or you might reflect, “The hurt that I have caused to myself or others is so bad that I feel unforgivable, I cannot see myself getting better, or being helped by this lesson. Read on! You are the very soul I am looking for. I got a little pain medicine for you below!
RESOURCES YOU CAN ACCESS FOR THE JOURNEY YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK!
If the reflection and questions above reflect your thinking (if the shoe fits you), please listen to the songs below while going through the following exercises! They address what God thinks about you, the Position God sees you in, and offer The Grace needed to bridge the gap between where you are now, and where you want to be! Remember faith comes by hearing… and songs are like meditations put to music. So enjoy them. (Of Course if you don’t like my selection of songs use your own! Remember. This work is between you and God)
1st Song: Shares The Big Picture of How God Thinks about You, Your friends, your family, co-workers, and enemies:
“Worth,” by Anthony Brown
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=worth+by+anthony+brown&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001
2nd Song: Shares the position in the body of Christ that God wants us to live in while on earth
“Conquerors,” by Kirk Franklin
3rd Song: The much needed “Bridge of Grace” needed to cross over the Sea of Fear into the land Forgiveness: “Grace Enough,” by Anointed
SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALING/THRONE WORK
The following steps are some exercises Renny (See Proficiency 5) used to free herself from the chains of pain housed in her soul over past offenses. These steps are difficult but they worked for her. She wants you to note that they take time. Sometimes you might want a buddy to help guide you through these exercises, and that’s fine. Make sure that your friend is able to keep what happens at the Throne in confidence. Also, always remember that there is no better buddy than Jesus.
These are YOUR petitions that you are bringing to the THRONE OF GRACE. Hebrews 4:16
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
13 STEPS TO FREEDOM
1. If you don’t have a journal start one. Bring your journal, a box of tissue and Jesus with you each time you come to the Throne of Grace in prayer.
2. Make a list of people or situations you need to forgive including you:
3. Be detailed about how these offenses hurt you or others.
4. For each incident:
- Write what happened in detail.
- Write how it felt (list each emotion)
- How you really wanted to respond. (Be honest with God. He already knows. You are the one who needs to get it out)
- Write what you would have preferred to happen.
- Write what you now need. (This is not for them this is for you)
- State that you forgive them/yourself by faith.
(Remember: This journal is to the Lord it is written at the Throne of Grace. Not to the person. It is for your growth, your deliverance, and your relationship with God.)
5. With God’s help pray, for each person/situation you are writing about.
6. Ask God to help you forgive them/you.
7. Repeat these prayers as often as it takes.
8. Go slowly, treat yourself very well.
9. Let God Love on you while your tears freely flow. (If not, you will get a horrible headache)
10. Study the scriptures offered in this lesson and add your own.
11. Listen for God’s response to your pain.
12. Praise God after each visit you share with Jesus at the Throne!
13. Thank God by faith for your deliverance!
BIBLICALLY BASED REASONS WE SHOULD STUDY OUR BIBLE TO HELP KEEP US ON THE PATH OF FORGIVING.
1. God’s word expertly discerns our state of mind. Jesus provides healing and answers at the Throne of Grace Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
2. God has great plans for us and has our best interest at heart Jeremiah 29:11-14!
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
3. God wants us to know Him as our Hero, and our resource through all that we go through Psalms 27: offers comfort even to the point of being forsaken by father and mother.
More Reasons To Collaborate with God to increase your ability to Forgive
For Us:
- Stops the curse of negativity that has been in our generations since Cain killed Abel.
- In order to keep a person in the dungeon of unforgiveness, we have to guard that dungeon to be sure they remain, which means we have dwell there too.
- Decreases stress levels, headaches, emotional illness, and physical aches and pains.
- Releases us to move from that moment in time.
- Keeps our hearts pure so that we can see God.
- Allows our prayers to be answered.
- Allows the rivers of living water to flow freely out of our body, as apposed to becoming stagnant and turning into a cesspool.
- Keeps us from making stupid mistakes.
- Draws you closer to God because the battle to forgive was already won. God invites us to the Throne to connect, support, and inspire us to walk out that victory in our lives.
For Others:
- Forgiving ourselves helps us to forgive others.
- Lightens the load of others.
- Helps the person at fault to know and experience the grace of God.
- Helps others see a tiny bit of what Jesus went through to forgive them.
- Releases others to move forward.
- Helps others understand the impact of the wrongs they’ve done.
For God:
- Our example helps others to appreciate God’s loving and grace-giving nature.
- We cannot collaborate with God to restore our sisters and brother if we have not forgiven them.
- Helps us to win souls to Christ
- We can only collaborate with God to restore our brothers or sisters if we are Spiritual
- God forgave us and God wants us to pay it forward.
- God wants his children to be an example of what Holiness looks like.
- God did not send his Son to die for us, just to see children fighting each other.
- Amen! God's People PRAY!
Final Notes -Remember: 1, It does not matter what level of forgiveness you are on right now. It matters that you move forward from here! 2. Exercises like these are more effective when done in writing in your personal journal. 3. This work is not meant for the public. Remember, the Bible says Pray in Secret…. You will be rewarded openly. Always bring Jesus with you! He is your spiritual coach.
Email me here from the Spiritual Life section of our website!
Stay tuned for proficiency 7: "Winning Your Spiritual Battles!"