The Power and Gift of Forgiveness

This morning was a chilly morning in March and I find a surprise. Even though the Dogwoods are in full bloom, most of the trees still have no leaves. It was a cold, dry, and windy winter day with almost no clouds. The conditions lined up perfectly for me to notice something I had never noticed before: a tower light several miles away, slowly blinking red to warn aircraft of the tower’s existence.

The tower reminds me that there are very important things in our lives that we sometimes lose track of. One of these very important things is forgiveness. Forgiveness is like that red beacon, it is always there, reminding us of God’s love and His mercy.

When we accept God’s forgiveness or extend forgiveness to each other, we discover that we can worship freely. Matthew‬ ‭5:23-24‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

‭‭Forgiveness brings us freedom to worship, and worship brings us into the throne room of God. Rev. Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a man who went to his office when he encountered hard times in life. This man’s office had become his prayer closet, and as Rev Swindoll tells the story, he went to visit this gentleman at his office, he could hear him singing that old hymn: “Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing”, particularly the verse that goes: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love, Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above”.

When we are in worship, we can be ourselves with God. We can leave it all with Him. No matter how bad we feel or how much we hurt. God is ready to hear us when we cry out. Sometimes our souls hurt so bad we just stop and pray and God gently picks us up, and holds us in His arms.

At this point we can have only one response, as Brother Rick says: “I Love You Lord, I Love You Lord, I Love You Lord!”

Here is YouTube video of that great Hymn “Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKOoeTbjSeI

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Pastors Willie and Rochelle McIntosh

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