So over the last 5 weeks we talked about how important it is that people see more of how good God is through us, His Body on Earth. Through the way we show patience, kindness, generosity, love and… this week forgiveness.

It amazes me how the prodigal son comes home, tells the father how he sinned and wasn’t worthy to be a son anymore. The fathers response is a big hug and telling everyone how his son who was dead returned and is alive. There wasn’t even an instance of saying I told you so. No the father totally forgave him and didn’t look at the past. You should think that after all the humiliation he faced through that he would at least hold on to some offense. But no nothing, he totally forgave the son and established him back into the family. Jesus showed us that really clearly as well at the end of His life at the cross. He asked God to forgive the people that put him there. There was no hesitation and he did not keep offense, no he just forgave them. That is powerful. We also see again that it was undeserved, like many of the other things we talked about in the last week.

I understand, it is sometimes not easy to do that and it is very easy to get offended. But offense and un-forgiveness is not portraying a loving father and a father who wants to reconcile. Offense and un-forgiveness is also affecting our lives in a negative way too. So since we are his representatives we have to do it for the sake of others and for the sake of us. So let’s get started. Let’s ask God to show us people in our life we hold offense to and people we haven’t forgiven. Then let’s take steps to forgive them. A book that gave me a deeper understanding of the need to let offense go and forgive is called The bait of Satan by John Bevere. You can click on this link to find it.

So let’s show the goodness of God by forgiving people.

Hey our friend

February is in full swing. Last week we relaunched our small group in the New Year since we were gone for the January one. We also had our bi yearly bay area meeting to evaluate the different works in the bay area. It was as usual encouraging. How is your February going? How is God partnering with you to show his love to people in your surroundings? Remember that you can and are making a difference where you live!!

So don’t forget this week to ask God who you have to forgive and if there is offense that you have to release to Him!

God bless you

Markus and Jen