WHAT DOES FORGIVENESS FEEL LIKE?

What emotions accompany forgiveness?

 “Because you belong to Him [Christ Jesus], the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:2

Forgiveness is freeing. Through Jesus Christ, you have freedom from the power of sin and death in your life! This feeling of freedom can also be felt when you forgive others.

God’s Forgiveness

Freedom from sin is freedom from its guilt; this freedom is brought to us by God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ. God“...is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins” (Ephesians 1:7). You can be confident God’s grace is working in your life: “if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). When you are forgiven, you might experience joy and the feeling a great “burden” (Matthew 11:28) has been lifted.

PRAY BELIEVING YOU RECEIVE

...Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~Mark 11:24 (NIV)

“Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian.” - Andrew Murray

Mark 11:24 is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. It puts no limits on God. It puts no limits on what you can ask for. It simply says, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” It does not say it might be yours. It does not say it could be yours. It says it WILL be yours. So what are you praying about?

Here are some ideas to add to your prayer list:

PRAY WITHOUT DOUBT

I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. ~Mark 11:23 (NIV)

“Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” - The Kneeling Christian

In the beginning of time as God created the universe, Satan watched with envy. Not long before, Satan had been thrown out of heaven for trying to usurp God’s authority. He nursed his wounded ego as God made light, the world, the sun, the moon, stars, plants, fish, and animals. Then he saw God create Adam and Eve. He jealously watched as God began to fellowship with the first man and woman.

Pray With Faith

...Have faith in God… ~Mark 11:22 (NIV)

“There are no bonds faith cannot break, no fetters it cannot sever, no dungeon it cannot open, no disease it cannot heal, no victory it cannot win.” - Oral Roberts

One of the most important elements of prayer is faith. In Mark chapter 11, Jesus told His disciples to pray in faith. The writer of Hebrews told us it’s impossible to please God without faith. In writing to the Romans, Paul instructed that the just shall live by faith. So why is faith so important?

Here is a brief overview of what faith is and why it is essential to our lives:

* Faith is the currency of the Kingdom of heaven.

RECEIVE THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD

“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do." Acts 13: 38-39

God is the Creator. He is all in all, all powerful. He is faithful and just. He is love.

BE THANKFUL

...Let us be thankful... ~Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

“Unless the heart is right the prayer must be wrong.” - The Kneeling Christian

An attitude of gratitude is the foundation to a fulfilling prayer life. In our fast-paced society, we often rush through the activities of life without ever stopping to say “Thank you.” But if we want aflourishing prayer life, we must first learn the art of thanksgiving.

As you go through your day today, take time to reflect upon the things for which you are grateful. And every time you think of a blessing in life, take a moment to tell the Lord thanks. At the end of the day, you’ll be surprised how many opportunities you had to express thanksgiving to your Heavenly Father.

BORN AGAIN

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3).

Again, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life” (John 3:6).

 When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you both died and came alive, all at once. You were born again. Paul says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

BORN AGAIN GIVES ONE NEW NATURE :

Take Special Time and Place to Talk with God

As a love wants to talk with his/her beloved in solitude, a person deeply in love with Jesus also wants to talk in prayer in solitude  so that he may pray without any disturbances. 

 Setting aside special time and place to study the Bible and pray in solitude with deep meditation  regularly lead to a growing relationship with Christ and receiving spiritual gift.

Even, Jesus was doing the same while walking on this earth more than two thousand years ago. Jesus was and is God. He is God the Son. Even then, He Jesus frequently sought solitude to talk with Heavenly Father in prayer. Read :

Pray With Fervency

...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ~James 5:16 (NKJV)

“Prayer must be aflame. Its ardor must consume. Prayer without fervor is as a sun without light or heat, or as a flower without beauty or fragrance. A soul devoted to God is a fervent soul, and prayer is the creature of that flame. He only can truly pray who is all aglow for holiness, for God, and for heaven.” - E. M. Bounds

The other day I was in a conversation with a person whose mind must have been somewhere else. He kept checking his watch, his eyes roamed the room, and he answered my questions with short syllables. Obviously, he was not fully engaged in our conversation.

PRAY WITH LOVE

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(Romans 15:30 NIV)

“God only requires of His adult children, that their hearts be truly purified, and that they offer Him continually the wishes and vows that naturally spring from perfect love. For these desires, being the genuine fruits of love, are the most perfect prayers that can spring from it.” - John Wesley

When a mother prays for her child’s boo-boo to be healed, what motivates her? Love. When a grandmother cries out for her grandson to be saved, what drives her? Love. When Jesus walked up into the hills to pray all night, what motivated Him? His love for His Father. When a man prays for his wife to be healed of cancer, what is his motivation? Love. When Jesus stands in front of the throne room of heaven, petitioning the Father on your behalf, why does He do it? Because He loves you. When a pastor prays for the members of his congregation, what is his reason for praying? His love for people. When Jesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him, what compelled Him? His love.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Apostle Peter has given us a good instruction how one can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit -

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38-41)

From the above instruction, we know that to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit–

14 BENEFITS OF PRAYER

Saving Yourself Headache and Heartache

We talk about saving time as if we can pack it into a box for a rainy day. But no matter what we do, the minutes and hours tick by, unaltered by our efforts to change their pace. So, instead, we try to change ourselves. We batch tasks, schedule every moment, and caffeinate ourselves in an attempt to get to work a bit earlier and keep working a few minutes later. Still, time slips through our fingers, and only God knows the day and the hour when the race against time will end for us.

The Blessing of Work

Some are of the mistaken impression that work is God’s punishment, and some manual works certainly seemed like it. After all, Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (NIV). But that view forgets that before the fall, Adam and Eve’s job was to care for and tend the garden (Genesis 2:15)—not as punishment, but as the work God had given them. As much as we might sometimes complain about our jobs, it’s important to remember that work is a blessing.

God is the ultimate worker. Creating and sustaining are part of His nature:

The Blessing of Work

Some are of the mistaken impression that work is God’s punishment, and some manual works certainly seemed like it. After all, Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (NIV). But that view forgets that before the fall, Adam and Eve’s job was to care for and tend the garden (Genesis 2:15)—not as punishment, but as the work God had given them. As much as we might sometimes complain about our jobs, it’s important to remember that work is a blessing.

God is the ultimate worker. Creating and sustaining are part of His nature:

The Blessing of Work

Some are of the mistaken impression that work is God’s punishment, and some manual works certainly seemed like it. After all, Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (NIV). But that view forgets that before the fall, Adam and Eve’s job was to care for and tend the garden (Genesis 2:15)—not as punishment, but as the work God had given them. As much as we might sometimes complain about our jobs, it’s important to remember that work is a blessing.

God is the ultimate worker. Creating and sustaining are part of His nature:

The Blessing of Work

Some are of the mistaken impression that work is God’s punishment, and some manual works certainly seemed like it. After all, Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (NIV). But that view forgets that before the fall, Adam and Eve’s job was to care for and tend the garden (Genesis 2:15)—not as punishment, but as the work God had given them. As much as we might sometimes complain about our jobs, it’s important to remember that work is a blessing.

God is the ultimate worker. Creating and sustaining are part of His nature:

Pray With Confidence

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God...Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ~Hebrews 4:14,16 (NIV)

Prayer should not be regarded “as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.” - E.M. Bounds

Imagine you are standing outside the biggest doors you have ever seen. Suddenly ten thousand trumpets blow. The golden doors slowly and majestically begin to swing open. Inside on the left and on the right are legions of angels standing at attention. Your ears hear a swelling symphony of worship. You lift your eyes and glance down the aisle. Far away, you see a gleaming dais made of a million jewels. On top sits the biggest chair you have ever seen. You are entering the throne room of God Almighty.

GOD BLESS HIS WORTHY PEOPLE

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.- Psalm 29:11
God created man and woman. He blesses and helps men and women for reproducing children. So, all are the creation of God. But,all men and women are not what the Bible called 'the people of God' .According to the bible,'The people God' are those who believe in Him, Obey Him and received Jesus Christ for personal Lord and saviour.
Hope you are one of 'the people of God whom the Lord gives strength and blesses with peace'.
For which, receive Jesus Christ and obey Him. Read the Bible daily, atleast few verses ( at least 30 minutes in the shortest within 24x60 =1440 minutes.
Pray all the time, i.e. always pray. Live a prayerful life even when you do not say prayer. Then, God will bless you spiritually and physically as per your requirement to live a worthy life to be called God's  child.

GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO LOVE OTHERS

God loves and cares for you. He wants you to understand and respond His love for you. He wants you to enjoy His love and blessings.

 "This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10). 

God loves even the sinner and wants them to turn away from their sinful life and turn toward Him. He will forgive their sin if they turn to Him and accept His Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He will help them to become good persons and healthy, wealthy persons physically as well as spiritually if they obey Him.

 "God loved the world (people)so much that He gave His one and only Son(Jesus Christ), so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).