FORGIVENESS

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" - Ephesians 1:7

On a chilly December morning in 1997, three-dozen students stood in a prayer circle in the lobby of Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky. It was the first day back from Thanksgiving break. Suddenly, a 14-year old gunman appeared and killed three students and wounded five others. One of those wounded was Missy Jenkins. Missy was permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

In her book, “I Choose To Be Happy”, Missy tells of forgiving her attacker. She even met with him personally in prison. What gave her the courage to forgive? She attributes it to her faith in Christ. She believes that the forgiving lead to her healing. Missy said of forgiveness, “It released me from being angry. Being angry holds you down. It causes you to be tired…So I just chose to be happy and move on with my life. I thought it was the best way to help me heal, physically and emotionally.”

God has forgiven us for the death of His Son to all who place their faith in Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His forgiveness of your sins and seek to forgive others for the wrongs they have done to you.

"The man who is truly forgiven and knows it is a man who forgives." – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

God's Word: "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14