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My Christmas Gift

Isaiah 9:6 KJV
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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…

UNTO US.

Yes, He was born FOR YOU.

Yes, He is a free gift FOR YOU.

Have you heard the wonderful words of YOUR JESUS?

Have you heard the wonderful testimonies of the actions, the love of YOUR JESUS?

Have you heard the loving instruction, guidance, and counsel of YOUR JESUS?

He is God come in the flesh, a part of the everlasting Father, He is the bringer of peace, the redeemer that restores you to fellowship with YOUR GOD.

Hear His voice,
Draw near to Him you who are weary,
He will lighten your burdens.
Draw near to Him you who are afraid,
He will calm your fears.

Draw near to Him you who think you are strong and do not need Him,
He will break you in glorious ways,
and refashion you into a work of honor.

He is YOUR GIFT.

He is YOUR SALVATION.

Don’t overlook unwrapping the most important gift this year.

Accept His gift, and in return, give Him the one thing that He wants for Christmas this year – YOU.

I know this is true, because He is MY JESUS too.

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Wise men find him

MAT 2:1-12 ESV
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem,
in the land of Judah,
are by no means least
among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way.

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
———————————————

Even wise men from far away came to celebrate Christ’s birth, but those who served evil feared this. Isn’t this still true today? Don’t some of us fear the idea of stepping into the light of the truth because we are so familiar with our sinful pleasures? Aren’t some of us so deep in the clutches of sinful slavery that we’ve accepted this as our lives and even learned to take pleasure in things that we know are bad for us? Yes, we were all lost once or we are still lost now.

But isn’t it wonderful to know that He promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him. He has seen us Jesus Christ, the light of the world, Good come in the flesh, to show us the way. Like a star in the sky leading us to Bethlehem, to the story of the Christ child – a virgin birth, a sinless life, a life of service unto others, a life of sharing the good news, a blameless sacrifice on the cross for all sin, a resurrection from the grave and ascention into heaven, a promise that grace and belief are sufficient because they will produce repentance.

And just like in the case of the wise men, His promises are true that He will guide us and protect us from evil.

How can I apply this today?
——————————————–
Today, let me be mindful of the absolute wonder and glory of the God of Creation, the omniscient, the omnipotent, reaching down in love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace to a mankind unworthy of those gifts – coming into this world as a baby in a manger and walking the narrow path leading Him to the cross. Even in times of challenge and trial, holding fast to His faith to accomplish our salvation.

Let this motivate me to grattitude and be a reminder that this salvation of mine is an undeserved gift, not a product of my own works – so I have no reason for pride or judgement towards others, but I have every reason for hoping that all might find the same salvation that I have received.

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Repent, the day is fixed

Acts 17:24-31 ESV
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel… their way toward him and find him.

Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

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Blessed Assurance

Hebrews 11:1, 3-16, 36-40 AMP
NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking. [Gen. 4:3-10.]

Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God. [Gen. 5:21-24.]

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

[Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith). [Gen. 6:13-22.]

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.

[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. [Gen. 12:1-8.] For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.

Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. [Gen. 17:19; 18:11-14; 21:2.] So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore. [Gen. 15:5, 6; 22:17; 32:12.]

These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God’s] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. [Gen. 23:4; Ps. 39:12.]

Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country). If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it. But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God–the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them. [Exod. 3:6, 15; 4:5.]

Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated– [Men] of whom the world was not worthy–roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.

And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised, Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].

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Entering into the Presence

Am I just worshipping in the outer tent of praise and worship, or am I entering into the presence of God?

Hebrews 9:1-5 MSG
That first plan contained directions for worship, and a specially designed place of worship. A large outer tent was set up. The lampstand, the table, and “the bread of presence” were placed in it. This was called “the Holy Place.” Then a curtain was stretched, and behind it a smaller, inside tent set up. This was called “the Holy of Holies.” In it were …placed the gold incense altar and the gold-covered ark of the covenant containing the gold urn of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, the covenant tablets, and the angel-wing-shadowed mercy seat. But we don’t have time to comment on these now.

——–

Most church services provide people with light for their lives. Yes, this is where people can find a lampstand (a disciple of Christ) to offer light to those in darkness, the table that is set before them to offer safety and healing, and the bread of the Word of God that provides nourishment for our souls.

But even Israel had access to those things before God’s nature was fully revealed by His coming to us in the flesh as Jesus Christ. So are we to be satisfied with living our lives in religious practice as if His life opened no doors to us? No, it shouldn’t be this way.

In Christ, we are each called to be His disciples. We are each called to seek Him personally as our teacher, and to spend time with Him in prayer, in study, and in service unto others.

And what is a disciple, but a student? But if I say that I’m in school, but I don’t enroll or attend classes, I don’t have books and materials, and I don’t study – can I say that I am a student? Or do I deceive even myself?

Or if I consider myself wiser than the teacher, having never opened and inspected the study materials thoroughly myself, but only listened to what others have said about the course – how do I truly know what I might learn? Do I blindly accept what others say about an educational course because they tell me they are a student as well, not knowing if they are an expert in the subject or misled?

Do I think that I am so well instructed that there is nothing left to be learned? I pray this is not the case. Let me remember that I am not a teacher, I am a fellow student – because if I ever stop learning and growing, I am useless to myself and a danger to others.

This race is not over until it is over.

Help keep me humble,
keep me learning,
Keep me growing,
Keep me sharing,
Keep me serving,
Or take me Lord,
Take me home.
If I’m not useful to you, Lord,
I have no use at all.

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Not too Jacked up to be Used

No one is too jacked up for God to use.

Romans 3:23 ESV
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

…

Mark 2:17 ESV
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

—–

“But you don’t understand, I’m cheating on my wife/husband, Jesus could never forgive me for that.”

Yes He will. Come to Him and watch Him change your life.

“But you don’t understand, I’m addicted to *insertVICEhere*, Jesus could never forgive me for that.”

Yes He will. Come to Him and watch Him change your life.

“But I sleep with men and women, Jesus doesn’t forgive people for things like that.”

Yes He does. Come to Him and watch Him change your life.

“But I’m a sex offender, Jesus doesn’t want people like that in church.”

Yes He does. Come to Him and watch Him change your life.

“But I killed a man, Jesus could never forgive me.”

Yes He will. Come to Him and watch Him change your life.

“But I had an abortion and killed a defenseless baby, Jesus could never love me again.”

Yes He does. Come to Him and watch Him free you from the pain of your past.

“You’re just one of those religious fools, I don’t need some dead guy named Jesus that lived 2000 years ago. There is no heaven and there is no hell, it is all make believe stuff used to control the ignorant. ”

You might not need Jesus, because you might not be His. It isn’t for me to judge, because it is clear that there are vessels for both holy use and those to be destroyed as a proof and demonstration of God’s power and righteousness and justice. So you may indeed be a Son of that enemy of God, whose end is coming.

But if you have ears to hear, please hear this now – the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent, run towards the sound of your Father’s voice, and my hope is that my Father is also yours.

Do not delay, your time may be coming to an end, your last breath may even leave you this night. Hear His voice, feel His healing touch tonight, friend.

If you want to learn more, we are here for you.

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Accountability

ACT 6:8-15 ESV
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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Yes, there are many enemies of truth in this world. Those that secretly instigate accusations against others, those that hide in the shadows of darkness to place stumbling blocks in the way of true believers. Isn’t it clear that those that hide their actions in secret, those who feign their alliance and loyalty in the light of day, are the ones who demonstrate their betrayal when hidden away from those they would accuse. If someone is on the side of truth, will they not speak to their brother directly in truth and love?

But if someone is in darkness, if someone is a slinking, crawling child of that enemy of the Lord, won’t that child be afraid of standing in the light? But won’t he instead hide in the shadows, talking about his fellow brother or sister when they are not even there to present a witness and defence for themselves, which has no value other than to distract others from this accuser’s own guilt. But guilt can be hidden from other men, but the Lord knows the truth about a man’s heart.

Approaching someone directly and in love, in hopes that they will hear truth, is discipleship and has value and is scriptural and is righteous. But gossip, it is cowardly and wicked, and it is an area where I fall short and where I see so many fall short. But nothing is as alarming as when I see it done from the pulpit. Whether it is a message targeting “that person” that the whole congregation knows that a son is “aimed at”, or whether it is about someone that is not present to defend themselves – it is cowardly and wicked, and falls short of God’s Glory. A Word from that Holy Spirit of God is received so that we can receive it as nourishment for OUR OWN LIVES – not so we can think, “Oh, so and so really needs to hear this message!” Don’t let our hearts be so hardened and proud that we think the Word we receive is not meant for us. We have not been lifted up like Enoch and Elijah to walk with God, so let’s remember that we need to hear this message – or we will find that we are walking around deaf, blind, and naked stumbling in the darkness, but telling ourselves that we have the light.

This message is for me. I share it because I believe in fellowship and accountability with fellow believers and not hiding the light of a lesson that I’m learning. I do not hide in darkness, but share openly in the light of day. If you are hungry too, I am happy to share from my plate because I love you. But please, do not trust any man (including me) to be perfect in our delivery, but test all spirits against the truth of the Word. My own application of the Word is for my life, and how you receive and apply scripture needs to be appropriate for your season and calling. May you believe and know Jesus Christ as our Savior, as God come in the flesh, who died on the cross as fulfillment of God’s mercy, love, and grace towards His children (even His bride as the church)- so that you can have the assurance of your salvation, know that you are a chosen Child of God, and live a renewed life of repentance and service and love and truth.

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Students

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge

Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

…

So what is a disciple?
—————————
disciple –
noun: disciple; plural noun: disciples
1) a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.
2) a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.
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Original Greek Transliteration: mathetes
1) a learner, pupil, disciple
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If I am called to be a student, how much time am I spending gaining knowledge from the book that holds the knowledge?

Am I doing His will? Do I have a grasp on the Truth of His will, or am I just guessing based on what “I think is right”?

Maybe I’m just behind the curve, but I find new areas in my life daily that need refinement and correction. I continue to be surprised by what my human reason would have thought was right as opposed to what scripture demonstrates is truth.

Proverbs 3:5

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding.”

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How will this be?

Josh Killen

”How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will over…shadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:34-38 (NIV)

Dear heavenly Father, the one thing I share in common with Mary is incredulity over the mind-boggling, heart-encouraging promises you have made in connection with the birth of Jesus. I too say, “How will this be?” And I hear you answer back, from the Scriptures and the history of redemption, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

One Day I will love perfectly, with the kindness and compassion of Jesus. I will only think and see with the wisdom and eyes of heaven. I will fully embrace the will of God as my favorite bread and utter delight.

One Day I will never be selfish, petty, or defensive again. I will never get my feelings hurt, insist on being right, or demand more. I will think of others more highly and more often than myself. I won’t keep a record of anybody’s wrongs, and will only, and forever, be an encourager. I will be free, so very free and whole.

To all of these promises I find myself saying, “How will this be, since I’m still so very much not like Jesus?” And you answer back so grace-fully, “Things impossible with man are possible with God.” To which I say and pray, “May it be as you have promised in the gospel, holy and faithful Father. I am yours and your servant.” So very Amen I pray in Jesus’ exalted name.

——-

A big thanks to Josh for sharing this beautiful application of the Word this morning. I too find myself asking, “But Lord, how could you love me, how could you ever use me – You know what all I have done.” But He proves over and over in His Word that even with imperfect people (that we all are), His Will is done through His faithful children. One of my favorites:

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 AMP
For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, who am not fit or deserving to be called a…n apostle, because I once wronged and pursued and molested the church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence]. But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.

Yes, God the great creator, that potter that fashioned all the vessels will take something broken, and filthy, and vile – and will remold it, so that it can hold something beautiful in it – His Holy Spirit. And when something beautiful like the love of Christ comes overflowing out of a cup that used to be empty with selfishness and disobedience and rebellion against God – who can deny that it is God’s Glory and Power and Mercy and Honor. Every person in the Bible but Jesus is flawed just like you and I, and I think of the great example and contribution of Paul who was clearly an enemy of God prior to his salvation on the road to Damascus –

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 AMP
For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, who am not fit or deserving to be called an apostle, because I once wronged and pursued and molested the church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence]. But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.

Yes, God made us what he made us, so He could reshape us into what He is reshaping us into – and this He does for His glory and honor. I can’t beat because it is Him doing the work, it is Him making those changes – because when He moves in, together with Him, we tear down walls, sweep out the dirt, and make this temple a dwelling place for fit Him to dwell – and in turn, we find that it becomes a place for four us to dwell as well as we are now Children of God, sharing in His Kingdom.

Big thanks again to Josh Killen this morning. His post sent me on a journey that I needed this morning.

Love y’all!

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Holidays with Family

During the Holidays, it is time again to spend time with family. And who has hurt us or disappointed us in the past if it isn’t family. Maybe your family is from another world where life is perfect and is without disfunction, or maybe you are like the rest of us that deal with the inevitable hurt and bitterness that can exist within a family.

When hurts are not healed with love,
When family members take sides against each other,
When we care more about being right than reaching out to another in love and mercy,
When it just isn’t worth forgiving and trying to reconcile with them anymore,
When the bitterness has taken hold in a situation and hearts are hardened to a point of a military stand off –
Where is the peace? Where is the love?

So we pray, and we hold out hope.

Forgiveness is not only about others, but also about our own spiritual growth. Love and forgiveness cannot be separated. If we choose to live out the love of God as the purpose of our life, then forgiving is an option that cannot be avoided.

#1 Because we are sinners we should forgive others

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Colossians 3:13 NIV
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

#2 We should be ready to forgive over and over again

Matthew 18: 21-22 NIV
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

#3 We forgive to avoid making others be overwhelmed

2 corinthians 2:5-8 NIV
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

#4 If we have Christ’s love in us, Love will lead to forgiving others

1 corinthians 13:4 – 6 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

#5 Not forgiving others keeps us from coming to God

Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

#6 We are called to forgive others rather than judge others

Luke 6:37 NIV
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 8:7 NIV
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

#7 Stephen provides a remarkable example of the forgiveness of a Christ follower

Acts 7:59-60 NIV
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

#8 Jesus is our Model

Luke 23:33-34 NIV
When they came to a place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

#9 Jesus commanded us to forgive with an open heart

Luke 17:3-4 NIV
So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says , ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

#10 Even if they are our enemy, that isn’t an excuse to not show them love and kindness

Romans 12:20 NIV
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

I believe that your life will be blessed through forgiving others. Would you like to choose to forgive for the benefit of others? Maybe your decision can bring an opportunity of redemption for them? Maybe it can bring an opportunity of spiritual growth for us as well.

http://www.positivelypositive.com/2012/02/11/hurt/