GOD forgives me every time

We completed our Sunday school study in Genesis yesterday with Joseph reconciling with his brothers. I know you know the story of Joseph: he was hated by ten (10) of his brothers, sold into slavery, imprisoned, became governor of Egypt, and saved his people (GOD'S divine plan) from starvation.

It worked out as GOD had planned but Joseph had to go through some things. I won't try to speak for Joseph, but, I can imagine there were moments of anger and disbelief and thoughts of revenge for his brothers. Then, again, maybe Joseph never thought about revenge because in chapter 50 of Genesis Joseph tells his brothers that what they had meant for evil, GOD had meant for good, to save them all.

Today's word is Mark 11:25, NLT, which reads, "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive your sins, too."

I heard someone say that we are never farther from GOD than when we don't forgive. For, when we don't forgive someone, we are "saying" that we are better than GOD - GOD forgives us all, and we won't forgive. On the other hand, we are never more like GOD than when we forgive someone - for, GOD forgives us all. It is often hard to forgive someone who had really hurt us but GOD forgives us for everything we have ever done. But, it is still hard...

I want to keep in mind, though, that I want GOD to forgive me: fully, completely, entirely. I don't want my prayer life hindered and hampered. I want to be as close to GOD as possible, and vice versa. I want to work on forgiveness; there's no feeling like it. No, I am not going to let someone hurt me over and over, but, I can forgive them for doing it the first time. Because, GOD forgives me every time.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T