07-18-2010, 10:45 AM
:heartbeat::heartbeat: Genesis 50:17 :heartbeat::heartbeat:
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!"
16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying,
17 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."
19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?
20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
See what love-induced forgiveness resided in Joseph's heart? The jealousy of his very own brothers kindled their desire to harm and even kill him - but he forgave them readily and easily from the heart, with tears of joy!
A unique and godly attitude shines from Joseph's example for us living in today's world of hard-hearted revenge, hatred, and unforgiveness.
David also knew the power and blessing of God's forgiveness ---
Psalm 25:18
Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins.
Psalm 32:1
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!
Psalm 86:5
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
What more extraordinarily resplendent example of forgiveness do we have than that of our Lord Jesus?
:heartbeat: Luke 23:34
But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
:heartbeat: Luke 7:47-48
"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
:heartbeat: Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
:heartbeat: Matthew 6:9-15
"Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
'Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
'Give us this day our daily bread.
'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
:heartbeat: Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Much love to you ALL from
Your sister in Christ, Willa :heartbeat:
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!"
16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying,
17 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."
19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?
20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
See what love-induced forgiveness resided in Joseph's heart? The jealousy of his very own brothers kindled their desire to harm and even kill him - but he forgave them readily and easily from the heart, with tears of joy!
A unique and godly attitude shines from Joseph's example for us living in today's world of hard-hearted revenge, hatred, and unforgiveness.
David also knew the power and blessing of God's forgiveness ---
Psalm 25:18
Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins.
Psalm 32:1
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!
Psalm 86:5
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
What more extraordinarily resplendent example of forgiveness do we have than that of our Lord Jesus?
:heartbeat: Luke 23:34
But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
:heartbeat: Luke 7:47-48
"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
:heartbeat: Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
:heartbeat: Matthew 6:9-15
"Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
'Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
'Give us this day our daily bread.
'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
:heartbeat: Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Much love to you ALL from
Your sister in Christ, Willa :heartbeat: