THE RESULT OF FORGIVENESS
Oh friends, I am overjoyed to be here with you today. God is working in and amongst us through this study, isn’t He? Can you feel it? There is a new thing coming… and it is called the result of forgiveness! So far along this journey we’ve gained an understanding of what forgiveness is, what it looks like, and how to truly receive it.
Now I want to see it on YOU. What does forgiveness look like on YOU?
I asked you in Chapter 4, “What would it look like in your life to truly understand, grasp, and live in the light of real forgiveness?” Well, what DOES it look like on you?
Take a moment and ponder that. What does it look like? It could look like:
True freedom, a deep love for yourself and others, a lightness and a joy that goes down deep into your soul, or peace.
And this is where I want us to stop and ponder and think deeply. Go over today’s verses, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Take a moment and tell this story to yourself. Say it. Out loud. Right now. Look at Jesus on the cross. Look at Him deeply. Ask yourself, “How then do I live in the light of what He has done for me? How do I walk in this forgiveness every moment of today?”
Someone who knows they are forgiven walks and talks differently than someone who is still wondering about the reality of their forgiveness.
In Chapter 4, I share my forgiveness journey and how it has just been in the last few years of my walk with the Lord that I truly began to understand and truly grasp at a heart level God’s forgiveness and that it is there no matter what my circumstances are. That is the taste of true freedom, friends. And I want you to experience it too.
Declare that you are forgiven. Because you are. Declare that you are loved. Because you are. Walk in that today. And tomorrow. And the day after that. Live in the forgiveness that is yours.
Heavenly Father, thank YOU for the many blessings that come as a result of our forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We are new creations; the old has passed away and the new has come. We praise You that our old self was crucified with Christ in order that our body of sin might be done away with. We are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free through Christ’s finished work on the cross. In the name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen
With Love from Uganda,
Week 4 Challenge: Take some time to sit with the Lord this week and ask God to show you through what we have been studying what forgiveness really means in your life. Ask Him for the faith to believe and grasp at a heart level the forgiveness that is yours. Stay there. Sit with Him. Make this a sacred moment of understanding between Him and you.
Week 4 Video:
(Can’t see the video? Click here)
Week 4 Reading Plan:
Week 4 Memory Verse:
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Joy, thank you for these beautiful words! I love the challenge and am sitting outside right now with thunder and lightening in the distance praying. My heart has been restless all week and my mind wandering. The words you shared are helping me get centered again and just being still in prayer is so calming and fills me with peace and joy. Father I pray for all the women struggling with life’s trials, that we have the courage and belief to declare without a doubt in our hearts that we are FORGIVEN AND WE ARE LOVED, and that we walk with peace and joy in hearts this week knowing we became new with the sacrifice of sweet Jesus! In your name I pray, Amen
Mondee~LGG E ncourager
Praying for your restless heart and mind wandering, Mondee….Father God, give Mondee a mind that can memorize and meditate your words, our minds can easily wander and it can easily be gripped by the enemy if we aren’t rooted in your words, I know it can be a hard feeling, for I too have experienced this kind of wandering myself, right now surround her with your love, peace and comfort knowing you won’t leave her as you said in Hebrews 13:5, I will never leave you nor forsake you”, in Jesus most Ho,you name the name above all names, Amen.
What a challenge to live forgiven Joy. I’m reviewing the past 3 weeks to help my mind grasp it all. I often forget I’m a new creation, and certainly need to be refocused frequently on to what Christ has done for me and how His love has power in my life. I pray His power radically changes my life and that I allow His love to control my entire being and doing.
JoAnn Corr LGG Encourager
I haven’t been as committed as I hoped to be so I am doing some catch up! I too struggle with my mind wandering so thank you for your honesty, which helps me realise I’m not the only one. Feeling ready to get back on track and get to know God in a new and real way ?
I’m glad you are sticking with the study to complete it. You won’t regret the time with the Lord. Hope you join us for the next study on Nov 7
I am definitely taking the challenge. This study has empowered me and opened my eyes to God’s love and forgiveness, even when I don’t deserve it, He is there. I don’t walk alone. Your words are so encouraging. God bless you. I love knowing you are praying for all of us and I am praying for all of you.
Robin dear, God works in wonderful ways. He does not want any of us to be in bondage but to live in the freedom of His love. We are all in this together, upholding one another until He comes to take us home. Much love from LGG.
Thanks for praying for all of us, Robin….
Thanks for the heartfelt message Joy! Truly inspiring! I will take the challenge this week.
Darling, God bless you. Am sure you will have an awesome time with Him. Blessings.
Yes, indeed truly inspiring, LPJones.
Very helpful and a great way to start out my week. Thank you
You could not have said it better. A great way to start our week. God is so great. Happy study dear.
Amen, to Ebos, Tiffany.
I think forgiveness is already taking place in my heart for I am feeling a relief of burden in my heart and mind. Yesterday, was a JOY filled heart for I knew that I am coming off with unforgiving heart….I just heard it while writing this I am not meant to carry this heavy load, it is for God…this is what unforgiveness looked like to me heavy load, heavy laden you are trying to carry in your back, difficulty breathing because of that heaviness and each day since last week, I have been feeling of being lift off by it and yesterday was experiencing the JOY of his salvation. I am beginning to feel that I am free, ready to soar like the eagles. Thank you for your uplifting post today, Joy Forney, been a while since I read your blog post here @ LoveGodGreatly.
Such an inspiring message Joy! I really think that fully accepting God’s forgiveness means that I can live my life full of compassion for those around me. His love and forgiveness has truly changed my perspective and has empowered me to fully embrace His truth and love even in the midst of life challenges. I may not get it right all the time, but I now know that there is peace beyond the trials that I face. I’m so thankful for this.
Victoria darling, there is really peace. I am praying to God to feel that peace. God is so great love. Enjoy His presence.
Joy, your story about you and your Dad is so inspiring. What a joy for you to see your father coming to know Jesus so late in his life. And also to see the freedom you both received. I know that I have been in the same place that you and your friend described when trying to find forgiveness. The place of trying to earn it by doing more. Thank you for reminding me that this is not something we can earn. But forgiveness is something we have to accept deep bin our hearts.
It truly is a blessing to have loved ones come to Christ, Robbi. We do often need to keep those who still have yet to accept the grace and forgiveness God is offering to us in prayer. We all need to be reminded that we can’t earn grace and It’s so tough in a world where we are taught from a young age that we must earn what we get.
Blessings to you!
JoAnn Corr LGG Encourager
Thank you Joy!! I loved what you said about taking our thoughts captive! So often I forget to do that, and the the doubts from the enemy come creeping it!! If we are in Christ we are a new creation!! Yes and Amen!!!
Yes dear Linda taking our thoughts captive. God helps is to do that. Bless you darling.
I thank God that we as born again believers still encourage each other and also want to see other save.
Yes Elrico, that’s why we are here to encourage each other. And to bring the unsaved to Jesus. Blessings honey.
Thank you, Joy for allowing God to speak through you and straight into my heart. I love your blog post with the results of forgiveness and then my mind and heart were encouraged wven more in your chapter when I consider the fact that Christians don’t have to be on their best behavior (in the sense of morality) Jesus brings us to the point where we can offer nothing less than our truest and best love and gratefulness for Him, which pours over into a love for others. All praise and honor to our amazing God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
All praise and honor to Him Debbie. He continues to turn us to His image. Day by day we are becoming like Jesus. Much love my dear.
Thank you for your dedication to sharing Gods teaching with us women! This is truly a freedom that we need to walk in and Im so thankful you are teaching each layer of forgiveness! I love spending time with my savior and to thank him for making me worthy! What does Forgiveness on me look like? I think it looks like someone who is very happy where God is taking me. The transformation of my mind and heart..to love and forgive as I am loved and forgiven, it’s so nice to know that when I fail he rescues me and when others around me fail that I’m thee for them. Very freeing indeed!
This weeks chapter really touched me. I have always believed that others were forgiven, but I have hard a hard time believing that about myself. This has caused feelings of discontentment in my life, with my family, my finances, my home, my friendships, etc. I have felt like I havent worked hard enough for forgiveness, that I am to bitter, or to tough etc to be forgiven. I see now this isnt true. Forgiveness is for each and every one of us. We are not all those bad things we think we are. Why do we speak those lies over our lives? I need to be speaking Gods truth over my life. Only then will I truly feel His peace. I loved the part of the chapter that said “Remind yourself of who you are now that God in Christ has forgiven you. That is the secret.” It touched me so deep in my soul. I pray this week that I learn Gods truths about myself, His truths about my husband, my friends, my children, etc. I pray that I put away all the lies, shove them away, stomp on them. And I pray the same over each of you that reads this comment.
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