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THE CALL OF FORGIVENESS

Hi Ladies! I am so glad to be here with you for another week of our You Are Forgiven study. I hope that you are changing and growing during this pruning of our hearts, minds, and beliefs throughout this study. It is the beginning of Fall time there in the States, and rainy season here in Uganda. I can’t help but liken this process of embracing God’s forgiveness to the changing of the seasons. Change is hard – you see the leaves fall and wither – and yet in the Spring, new life will come! That’s what I’m praying for you and I in this study.

This week I share a hard story about myself. I share the ugliness of my heart and sinfulness of my pride, but also the beauty of grace and forgiveness shown by my precious dad. I hope that you can take some time to read my story because it is in sharing our stories of what Christ has done in each of our lives that we testify to each other and strengthen each other! It was hard to write. It was hard to read once it was in print. I don’t want to admit the sin that is bound up in my heart. But it is also a story of forgiveness, both for the people in my life as well as for myself.

Ephesians 4:32 says this:” Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.”

Because Christ forgave us, it gives us the unnatural ability to do the same for others. This is an invitation to walk in love, just as Christ loved you… which can be oh, so difficult!! But we can pray, like Corrie Ten Boom did (I shared her story in this chapter), “Jesus, help me!” Jesus came to save us so we can be truly free. And as He has forgiven us so much, it frees us when we are able to then turn around and forgive those in our lives.

This is difficult heart work, and I don’t say these things lightly.

I know there are some of you who have had unspeakable things done to you. I know there are those who have struggled for years to forgive those who have wronged them. I know there are those who are in physical pain over the inability to forgive. I am praying for you. God can give us the power and the strength to forgive just like He did Corrie Ten Boom, because we have been forgiven much.

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving my many sins. Thank You for teaching me that as You have forgiven me, so must I forgive others. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for convicting my heart when self-righteousness and pride reign supreme in my life, and for allowing me to see my need for a Saviour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

With Love From Uganda,

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Week 5 Challenge: This week, I want you to tell a story of forgiveness. It can be your own story, someone you know, or something you read {the Bible has some great examples!}. If you feel comfortable, share your story with us in the comments… testifying to one another about God’s great work is so encouraging! If not, tell someone in your life about it: you kids, your husband, your friends, anyone! Just speak a story of forgiveness this week!

Week 5 Video:

(Can’t see the video? Click here)

Week 5 Reading Plan:

YAF Week 5 Reading Plan

Week 5  Memory Verse:

YAF Week 5 Memory Verse

Joy Forney

Joy Forney

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