Quote from Forum Archives on October 29, 2002, 2:55 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I don't know about any of you, but I have needed to go through 12
step processes before. I've been powerless over how to handle my
own life circumstances, my own emotions, how I've been treated,
and I've been out of control with the way that I managed my own
life. Once I admitted that I was powerless over these things and
admitted that I needed a power much greater than my own to deal
with the matters of my life, God intervened, and wonderful things
happened.

In today's message, Neil Anderson shares twelve steps that can
help us deal with another thing that undoubtedly affects all of
us - the need to forgive others.

Please read it carefully then ask God to show you ways that you
can apply this message right in the middle of the things that are
going on around you today... at home, at work, on the road, or
with your neighbor. That should catch most of us, don't you
think? (I know I can find a message for me in there).

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

October 29, 2002

THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27, 28).

Here are 12 simple steps you can use to walk through the process
of forgiving someone who hurt you in the past.

1 Ask the Lord to reveal the names of the persons who offended
you and the specific wrongs you suffered.

2 Face the hurt and the hate. If you are going to forgive from
your heart, you must let God search the depths of your heart.

3 Acknowledge the significance of the cross. It is the cross of
Christ that makes forgiveness legally and morally right.

4 Decide that you will not retaliate by using the information
about the offender's sin against them (Luke 6:27-34).

5 Decide to forgive. Forgiveness is a conscious choice to let
the other person off the hook and free yourself from the
past.

6 Take your list of names to God and pray the following: "I
forgive ___(name)___ for ___(specifically identify every
remembered pain)__."

7 Destroy the list. You are now free. Do not tell the offenders
what you have done. Your forgiveness is between you and God
unless the offenders have asked you for forgiveness.

8 Do not expect that your decision to forgive will result in
major changes in the other persons. Instead, pray for them
(Matthew 5:44).

9 Try to understand the people you have forgiven. They are
victims also.

10 Freedom is a result of forgiveness in you. In time you will
be able to think about the people who offended you without
feeling hurt or anger.

11 Thank God for the lessons you have learned and the maturity
you have gained.

12When appropriate, accept your part of the blame for the
offenses you suffered. Confess your failure to God and to
others (1 John 1:9) and realize that if someone has something
against you, you must go to that person (Matthew 5:23-26).

Lord, teach me how to love unconditionally and forgive quickly
those who hate me, curse me or mistreat me.

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< www.ficm.org >.

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< www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/>.
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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