Forgiveness is the first step

Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.

Acts:14:21.

In Lystra, they were stoned and dragged out of the city. To Lystra they come back to strengthen and encourage.

What a commitment?

What love to the people of Lystra?

What surity of their calling?

They both go back to the very place that tortured them. To the very place they suffered. We would never go back to the very place! Scared? Hatred? Indignation?

What if God asks you to go back? Would you give excuses?

Would you still love the person, who stood against you? Would you hate or love him/her? If you understand the truth that, calling is unto a person not to a place, nor unto people, then it becomes easy to forgive. Forgiveness is something which needs grace, much grace. If God could forgive me yet again, how much should I? For Jesus taught us to pray - Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Image credit: https://coriechu.com/blog/forgiveness-and-healing

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Boom - a poem

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Warming himself

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The realm which we can't see yet can be believed

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Beautiful - a poem

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Forgive

Jn:20:22 Then He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. The Holy Spirit helps you to forgive. If you forgive, they are forgiven indeed. If you do not forgive, then they are not. What a serious footing? Am I the reason why my brother stands unforgiven? What about my family? My own friends? Do they stand guilty because of me? Yes it's true, that ultimately when they stand before God, it is whether they have sought forgiveness from God themselves that matters. But have I forgiven? You might not have been able to forget the injustice done to you. The lack of love. But the Holy Spirit will enable you to forgive. Forgiveness is so important that in the Lord's prayer He highlights - Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. If you want to be forgiven, you have to forgive. Do you want to stand before the Lord guilty or forgiven? Do you want ...

The halfbaked Bard

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