December 4th, 2024
Wednesday, December 4th
The Gift of Peace
By: Nicole Goddard
Forgiveness is a tricky thing, isn’t it? It can quite arguably be one of the most difficult calls of the Christian walk.
One of the most serious side effects of withholding forgiveness is bitterness. Bitterness towards your offender, bitterness towards your circumstances and even anger towards God and the world around you. Hebrews 12:15 warns us, “Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.”
You see choosing to forgive or not to forgive isn’t always just about you and the recipient. Bitterness can cause trouble and defile many. It can keep a child from knowing a loved one. It can dismantle an entire group of friends because two can’t see eye to eye. It can cause you to guard your heart so much that you never explore the other side of an opened door.
God recognizes forgiving isn’t easy. “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11.
Forgiveness is more about granting peace in your life than about making your opponent feel better. You can choose to forgive and still place a healthy boundary in that area. Let forgiveness yield peace in your heart and watch it flow into all the areas of your life and touch those around you.
If Pastor Chris' sermon on forgiveness and reconciliation pulled on your heart this past weekend, give yourself the gift of peace this Christmas season.
The Gift of Peace
By: Nicole Goddard
Forgiveness is a tricky thing, isn’t it? It can quite arguably be one of the most difficult calls of the Christian walk.
One of the most serious side effects of withholding forgiveness is bitterness. Bitterness towards your offender, bitterness towards your circumstances and even anger towards God and the world around you. Hebrews 12:15 warns us, “Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.”
You see choosing to forgive or not to forgive isn’t always just about you and the recipient. Bitterness can cause trouble and defile many. It can keep a child from knowing a loved one. It can dismantle an entire group of friends because two can’t see eye to eye. It can cause you to guard your heart so much that you never explore the other side of an opened door.
God recognizes forgiving isn’t easy. “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11.
Forgiveness is more about granting peace in your life than about making your opponent feel better. You can choose to forgive and still place a healthy boundary in that area. Let forgiveness yield peace in your heart and watch it flow into all the areas of your life and touch those around you.
If Pastor Chris' sermon on forgiveness and reconciliation pulled on your heart this past weekend, give yourself the gift of peace this Christmas season.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
The Quiet Struggles Right Next to UsThank you... in advanceA New ThingA Personal GodNot a Moment of HesitationFaith, Family, and a Broken JarAll InThe SoapboxLord, Help Me See...Hidden for our GoodBorrowed KeysIncreasing CapacityDo You Feel It?Great BoldnessProlific SeedsChained, but not BoundRoadblocksI Can Do Hard ThingsNot the Easy WayThe OpportunistHoly Ground on the StairwellUrgent Work
February
United with PurposeGod Gives the GrowthWhat about me?A Guilty Mom, a Gracious God, and the Road HomeDiscipline over DesireWhat is your thorn?What does love require of me?Comparison is a ThiefTrying to be holy in a distracted worldReplacementThe Joyful MessengerTwo Wrongs Don't Make a RightBut How Does It End?Holy Intentions, Human DistractionsLive a Worthy LifePray for MeBut is it true?On this DayWords that Build a Better WorldFor What Is True
2025
January
Paralysis of AnalysisA Daily CommitmentChild Like FaithThe Battle of the MindGPSSTOP. THINK. ACT. REVIEW.Let. It. Go.Choosing the Path of MercyQuick to Listen, Slow to SpeakPeacemakersBe Careful What You Wish ForRunYour Old Self Vs. The NewOn Not Loving the WorldLove One AnotherTreasure ChestsWho Sets the Bar?Be the You God Made You to BeTread a PathSo Much Better
February
Trust and ObeyA Pivotal MomentOh to Be the Mama of JesusA Fresh StartVictory or DefeatThe Edge of the CliffAuthorityHis Personal TouchForged by FaithSabbath - Setting You FreeHave You Prayed About It?Don't Build Your House on Sandy LandThe Centurion's FaithDon't Be OffendedWe All Need ItLighthouseIt's a Family ThingWhere the Ministry isHolding on by a Thread - and That's EnoughTraveling Essentials
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments