When you need forgiveness

You are responsible for your behavior concerning those you have harmed

1) Confess to God – 1 John 1:⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Tell God what you did and why

Ask His forgiveness- He won’t punish, ridicule or be surprised

Receive His forgiveness and cleansing- He will honor the payment Jesus gave

– a clean vessel can be used by Him

Excessive guilt is destructive, thankless, stems from ego that says you are perfect

2) List out the details

Write down exactly what you did for which you are sorry/practice saying it

Don’t stray off into what others did- you cannot apologize for them. Do not accuse!

3) Verbalize your apology.

Keep it simple – they need to hear exactly what you are sorry for

I am sorry that I….

Your apology opens the other’s spirit to you

Give anxiety over to Jesus – we need Him. 2 Corinthians 9:⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

4 Make amends – Make amends for the past so God can transform the present

Your actions give evidence of a changed attitude

Your actions free you from resentments/guilt

5) Leave the results to God Psalms 1:¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

²But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

God appoints the time your efforts will bear fruit

A leaf evidences life – your new life in Jesus will not wither

When you live God’s way, your life will be all He intends you to be!

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti