Hello Everyone,

Some have a hard time releasing others because you won’t release yourself…accepting God’s forgiveness makes it easier to grant it to others even if they aren’t worthy...either!

-- A pastor finished his message early one Sunday, (ok, so, you know it wasn’t me!) and he wanted to check his congregation’s understanding. So he asked, "Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?"
There was a long pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up, "You have to sin."

I have a feeling we don’t have a problem fulfilling that prerequisite.

But Jesus reveals that another prerequisite for God to forgive is our willingness to forgive others. Now is the time to step out of that spirit of unforgiveness, confess it to God, repent of it, and forgive those who have wronged you.

Back to the story we started with on Monday. It would not have done the woman on the plane any good at all if all 67 doctors offered their help and assistance...if she refused to accept their help.
- “I don’t need it.”
- “I’ll be OK.”
- “I think I know what to do.”

- "I'll deal with it later."
- “This heart attack really isn’t that bad. It’s not that serious.”
She had to accept their help. She had to surrender herself to their knowledge and expertise. She had to humble herself to admit that she needed help! Most of all, she had to TRUST them.

The sinful woman placed her faith and trust in Jesus. That moved Jesus to forgive her sins and set her free to go in peace.
- There is great peace when we know we are forgiven and when we have forgiven others.

Simon could have had the same forgiveness. But his faith was in himself. What about you?

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil