Have you been wronged? Been betrayed? Discarded? Neglected? 

If so, be encouraged!

You’re not alone!

Jesus was rejected.

The Bible says He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

He was betrayed by one of His own disciples.

Denied by one of His own disciples.

The people praised Him one-day shouting Hosanna in the Highest only to neglect Him the next through shouts of “Crucify Him!” 

What was His response? 

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

How did He teach us to respond?

When they smite you on one cheek, turn to them on the other

When they ask of you for your tunic, give them also your cloak

Bless those that persecute you

Pray for them that despitefully use you

This is counter-culture to what many of us have been taught or what many of us have experienced

But remember: As born-again believers, we are not of this world

And if we are to truly shine for Jesus, we must be like Jesus

It’s not enough to act like Him on the weekends only or only when we feel like it,

we mustn’t act all 

Acting implies pretending and God doesn’t want us pointing on a show for Him, He wants us to show Him to others by being like Him

This will take courage.

And He has given us just that!

It will take us being willing to go counter-culture,

To take up our cross and follow Jesus!

We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!

Listen, when we will learn to forgive, it will not only bring healing into our lives, but it will also position us to be able to rightly be a witness and an encouragement for others, affecting change in them for eternity!

Jesus did and so can we!

Are you dealing with unforgiveness at all?

Don’t fret, go before God, ask Him to give you the courage to make it right, and He will!

And then watch as the power of God begins to flow in you and through you like never before!

I want to end today with a short poem about a toad and a squirrel. The squirrel was quite mean but through the forgiveness of a toad, not only was the toad empowered, but he was able to have quite a lasting impact on the squirrel as well…

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