Devotionals

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The apparent length of a minute depends on which side of the bathroom
door you are.

A few evenings ago I received a phone call I had been waiting to hear
for 3-1/2 years. That long ago, a former pastor and deacons had terribly
wronged us for warning them about a bad decision they had made. In
less than a year, incidences occurred that proved that our warning was
prophetic and right on target. Even though they knew conclusively that
we had been right and that they had verbally crucified us wrongly, we
never heard from them until the other night when that pastor called to
ask for forgiveness. I believe the guilt ate at him for all this time until
someone reminded him that he had to make things right. I applaud him
for his courage -- it wasn't easy. We are still waiting to hear from the
deacons. Are they supposed to be the spiritual leaders and examples?

It's possible that someone in the E-Cheer family is being eaten up inside
because of a wrong that you have never made right by asking for
forgiveness. Three of the hardest words to say in the English language
are, "I am sorry." Just trying to say that can almost gag you, but until
you do, guilt will eat at you like a cancer.

We recognize that God so freely forgives us, as in Psa. 86:5 (nlt), "O
Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for
all who ask your aid." We should be ready to take that leap and ask
others to forgive us when we have wronged them. In Matt 6:14, Jesus
spoke these well known words, "If you forgive those who sin against
you, your heavenly Father will forgive you." People usually wait for a
confession before they forgive. We need to give them that opportunity.
Both will be amazingly relieved.

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