THE IMPRISONMENT & TORMENT OF UNFORGIVENESS / Forgive Me

This is the 4^th of 6 devotions 
with the theme of

“Forgiveness”

THE IMPRISONMENT & TORMENT 
OF UNFORGIVENESS
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 17:3-4)

We can put a religious coating over un-forgiveness inside our hearts and call it many things. We can call it hurt or upsettedness. We could call it a wound or a trauma that won’t heal. We can rationalize and attempt to diminish the sin of un-forgiveness and hope that it goes away. We can attempt to forget the pain and hope there will be no consequences. We can justify ourselves by believing a lie. But what really happens to an un-surrendered heart that holds even one issue of un-forgiveness?

Peter asked a similar question to Jesus and his answer was startling. Jesus told Peter a parable about a man who received forgiveness for a large debt but then refused to release forgiveness for a very small debt shortly after. Because the man did not extend mercy like he was given mercy, he was called an evil person and sent to prison to be tortured. Then Jesus made a shocking statement, “That’s what will happen to you if you refuse to forgive from your heart.” Is it possible that a person may be in torment of heart and mind because of un-forgiveness? Prison and torture are also metaphors for actual hell. Was 

Jesus literally saying a person who does not forgive will end up in torment for eternity in hell?

God responds to un-forgiveness the only way Love can. Love and un-forgiveness are opposite. They cannot merge. Jesus tells us this in a simple and direct way – the only way to make us understand the seriousness of holding onto un-forgiveness. He wants us to understand that un-forgiveness brings about a spiritual imprisonment and torment and separation from God. He does, however, extend mercy and forgiveness continually and immediately for those who will forgive. No wonder Jesus said, love those who hate you, do good to those who despitefully use you and say all manner of evil against you falsely. When we take love actions in response to the actions toward us that are meant to motivate un-forgiveness in us, we are taking an action toward forgiveness.

Father, put your finger on any issue in my heart that has or could develop into un-forgiveness. I don’t even want a hint of that which brings imprisonment and torment to me. I expose any un-forgiveness to you now. My enemy is not a person. My enemy is the un-forgiveness in my heart. Therefore I will take love actions and return good for evil. I receive and accept the mercy that flows from Your heart and replaces un-forgiveness with forgiveness. I am free from the imprisonment and torment of un-forgiveness.

© LoveWalkPublishing Devotion 
Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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FORGIVE ME

(Adapted from Matthew 18:21-35)

Verse

Than came Peter to the Lord,

“How many time may my brother 
sin against me,

And I forgive him and let it go,

How many times, up to seven times?

Jesus answered, not up to seven times

But seventy times seven.

Chorus 1

Forgive me, I’m sorry I hurt you

Forgive me / I’m sorry

I ask you to forgive me

Chorus 2

I forgive you, I forgive you,

I forgive you , I forgive your debt

I forgive your transgression / I forgive you

I forgive you / I forgive you

© LoveWalkMusic WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

A TWO FOLD COVENANT / Our Forgiveness Covenant

This is the 3^rd of 6 devotions 
with the theme of

“Forgiveness”

A TWO FOLD COVENANT
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Mark 11:25-26; Philippians 2:12)

The Word says to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. How much thought do we give to working out our salvation and understanding that we have received a complete full pardon from God? Let’s look at the forgiveness covenant revealed in the Word of God. There are two parts to this covenant – receiving forgiveness and extending forgiveness. One is not complete without the other and is probably what God means when He says to work it out with fear and trembling.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness.

And whenever you stand praying, 
if you have anything against anyone, 
forgive him and let it drop

(leave it and let it go) in order that your Father who is in heaven

may also forgive you your own failings and shortcomings and let them drop.

Therefore, work out, cultivate, 
carry out to the goal, 
and fully complete your own salvation

with reverence and awe and trembling with serious caution, 
tenderness of conscience,

watchfulness against temptation, 
timidly shrinking from 
whatever might be offensive.

Perhaps these scriptures suggest to search our hearts for un-forgiveness that might try to take root. As I think about this, I tremble at the thought of keeping un-forgiveness in my heart for even a day. If we take God’s Word literally, and believe he means what he says, forgiving others is a very serious issue. We must actively forgive on a daily basis and sometimes many times a day.

Father, search my heart and reveal any un-forgiveness that you see. Give my conscience a tenderness that responds quickly to your correction. Thank you for your mercy that gives me the gift of salvation. I extend forgiveness now to those who need it from me. Thank you for watching over my heart. I dismantle that which is offensive. I forgive. I am forgiven.

© LoveWalkPublishing Devotion Authored by Rebecca Cooley

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OUR FORGIVENESS COVENANT

(Adapted from Mark 11:25-26; Philippians 2:12)

Verse 1

This is our forgiveness covenant,

If we confess our sins,

You are faithful to forgive us

And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

This is our forgiveness covenant

Verse 2

This is our forgiveness covenant

When I stand praying

If I have anything against anyone

I forgive them and let it go

This is our forgiveness covenant

Chorus 1

I stand clean before You Lord;

I confess my sins,

You are faithful to forgive me

And to cleanse me from all unrighteousness;

I stand clean as I engage in our forgiveness covenant

Chorus 2

I stand clean before You Lord ;

When I stand praying,

If I have anything against anyone,

I forgive them and let it go

I stand clean before You Lord

As I engage in our forgiveness covenant

© LoveWalkPublishing WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

STEVEN'S CHARGE / When I Love

This is the 2^nd of 7 devotions 
with the theme of “Forgiveness”

STEVEN'S CHARGE
by
Kent Clifford Cooley

(Acts 7:56)

How many times have I forgiven this way, “Lord, I forgive that person, but Lord, you get them! Make them see that what they have done is wrong!” That is actually not forgiveness but a charge against the offender.

When Stephen said, “Don’t lay this charge against them,” the next thing that happened was, Stephen saw the heavens open and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. First, the throne of God is in the seventh heaven and not in the first heaven. Jesus’ official position is seated at the Father’s right hand. So, it appears that Stephen’s forgiveness was so powerful that the Father and the Son were immediately translated from the seventh heaven to the first heaven. Jesus stood from his official seated position in honor of Stephen and personally escorted Stephen to heaven. The forgiveness that Stephen practiced was very powerful with God.

As the stones were hitting his body, Stephen was telling the Father that he was pressing no charges against them and asking that He forgive them. Could I forgive the same way? 

Father, I want to forgive like Stephen forgave. I want a heart of forgiveness.   I want to express forgiveness for any and every offense. Thank you for putting a heart like Stephen’s in me.

©LoveWalkPublishing Devotion Authored by KentCliffordCooley

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WHEN I LOVE

Devotion: Stephen’s Charge

(1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 3:14-15; Acts 7:56)

Verse 1 and 2

When I love, when I (1. am patient) (2. forgive), when I am kind

I pass from death unto life, when I love

When I hate, when (1. I am jealous) (2. I’m Unforgiving)], when (1. I am rude) (2. I’m self seeking),

I am held captive in spiritual death, when I hate

Chorus 1 and 2

So, I’ll take action, (1. I’ll apologize) (2. I will forgive),

I’ll humble myself and (1. get) (2. keep) myself inside of love, inside of light, I’m back inside of love,

I’m back inside of light

Bridge

When old Steven was accused, as the stone were striking his body and he was dying

He forgave, he stayed inside of love

Father lay not this sin to their charge, he saw the face of God

And Jesus standing at the father’s right hand

He stayed inside of love

©LoveWalkMusic WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

LOVE COVERS SINS / Forgiven, I Forgive

This is the 1^st of 6 devotions 
with the theme of

“Forgiveness”

LOVE COVERS SINS

by

Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from John 8:11; 1 Peter 7:8;)

How many of us are without sin? Not one. Do I have a right to an opinion about another’s sin? Absolutely not. Am I supposed to judge or measure sin? No. Am I supposed to love the person living in sin? Unconditionally. What if the sin is really bad? Jesus said to the adulterous woman,

“I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

We have our own ideas about measuring sin, whether our own or something we observe. If love rules my heart, I will not sit in the judgment seat because Jesus didn’t. Love is a choice. Jesus chose to love this woman and not condemn her even though he hated the bondage of her sin. He pulled her away from sin’s grip. He saw her separated from her sin. Shouldn’t we do the same? Condemnation condemns us for our sin. Conviction calls us to repentance and frees us from our sin and from guilt.

I know of a woman in prison that killed her husband because of an affair. She is paying a price with her physical freedom and she pays a price every time she looks into the faces of her two sons that look just like their dad. With much counsel, she separated herself from guilt and condemnation and received Jesus’ love. She now leads a prayer group in the prison and counsels others! If you ask her how, she would tell you, “I am separated from sin, guilt and condemnation. I know what Christ has done for me and I know what He will do for others. I receive His love and forgiveness and I extend that mercy to others.”

When I look at another’s sin and have any conclusions at all not based on love, I am exercising religion just like the adulterous woman’s condemners. When I look through my Father’s eyes, I see a separation from sin. The most effective thing I can do is speak love and mercy over that person’s life and ask God to make Himself real to them.

Lord, I do not condemn myself or others for sin. I envision myself and others separated and freed from sin. I want Your love, extended through me, to demand mercy to cover sin whether it be my own or another’s. I receive mercy and love and I extend the same to others. I know that this attribute of love is what led You to the cross to secure mercy for me. I am one for whom You died. Thank you for revelation of your extended mercy and love to cover all sin no matter how severe. I apply that revelation to my life now and I will do the same for others.

© LoveWalkPublishing Devotion Authored by Rebecca Cooley

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FORGIVEN, I FORGIVE

Devotion: Love Covers Sins

(Adapted from John 8:11; 1 Peter 7:8)

Verse:

Love does not resent

Close the door on resentment

If I will forgive

I’ll close the door to resentment

Chorus:

I’m forgiven and I forgive (repeat 4 times)

Bridge:

You gave so much for me that day on Calvary,

I stand before you forgiven

I will not resent

Much has been given me

And much do I give

© LoveWalkMusicWordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

MY LOVE ALLEGIANCE / The Cause of Love

This is the 7^th of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy" / “Love Is Not Easily Offended”

LOVE ALLEGIANCE
by
Kent Cooley

(1 John 5:1; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

When I was 11 years of age, I went through a trial in which I could not feel the presence of God for six months. The enemy had tried to convince me that I had spoken against the Spirit and somehow sinned against the Spirit and could never be saved. After six months of the heavens seeming as brass to me, I remember going to my room and praying, “Lord, I love You, I love Your Word, I love Your people and I love lost humanity. If I never feel Your presence again, I am still going to serve You all the days of my life.” As soon as I said this, the presence of God flooded my room and the Lord spoke to me for the first time in my life. He said,

“I love you My servant, My son. This has been a trial of your faith.

You will never go through this trial again.”

He has been so very faithful with His presence and anointing upon my life since that day.

At 11 years of age, when my faith had been tried, I made, what I now call,

“My Love Allegiance”

I love You,

I love Your Word,

I love Your people,

I love lost humanity,

Father, I realign myself today with these four love priorities. I love You. I love Your Word. I love Your people. And I love lost humanity. I am so thankful that I have been born of You and born of love. Love through me.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by KentCliffordCooley

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THE CAUSE OF LOVE

(Adapted from 1 John 5:1; John 7:1-9; Matthew 10:16; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

Love is unassuming;

Love is not discouraged by opposition

Love just keeps on blooming wherever love is planted

In every situation,

Love just keeps going on and on and on and on and on and on

Love just keeps on going on and on

Chorus:

I love Your word

I love Your people

I love You

I love lost humanity

Though I’m hated, I do not hate;

Though I’m rejected I do not reject

I will give to those who will receive;

I live for the cause of love (repeat 3 times)

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

This is the impartation devotion

Father, You are love and love is not touchy or easily offended and I am not touchy of easily offended. I confess today that I do not react to the actions of people in like manner to their actions. I act on love not returning evil for evil. I will say to my mind, this is one for whom Christ died taking no offense at their inactions. I will never be offended in you nor in others as I dwell and continue in love and dwell and continue in You.

AFLAC, WATER OFF A DUCKS BACK! / Aflac

This is the 6^th of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy"

And

“Love Is Not Easily Offended”

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AFLAC, WATER OFF A DUCKS BACK

by
Kent Clifford Cooley

Song: Aflac

(Adapted from John 8:13-14; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

“AFLAC! Water off a duck’s back!”

Not a very spiritual opening you might say, but it sure worked to teach a spiritual truth to a five year old. Hannah had come home from Kindergarten crying because a couple of kids called her names. I said to her in the voice of the famous insurance duck, “Aflac, water off a duck’s back!” It became our game to play whenever she felt belittled or slighted in any way during those early elementary years.

We did a study on ducks to find out more about this phrase that we had adopted as our motto to help us forgive and forget offenses and such. We found out that ducks can float because they have a coating of oil on their feathers that makes the water roll right off similar to a newly waxed car. We learned that our shield of faith was like that oil on the duck’s back. We hold it up as a part of our armor and the enemy’s darts roll right off. Even though Hannah grew out of playing the AFLAC game, it is rooted in her spirit to allow offensive words to roll off as she holds up her shield of faith and quenches the darts of the enemy.

Why don’t you try it the next time an insulting or belittling word is hurled at you? You don’t have to be in Kindergarten to experience verbal abuse. Don’t receive the offensive words and answer in a spirit of love. When the Pharisees spoke accusing words to Jesus, “You testify on your own behalf but your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “ Even though I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is true, reliable and valid. You do not know where I came from or where I am going but I know where I came from and where I am going.” Your response could be similar, “You are not an authority on me. I am what my Father says I am and I can do what my Father says I can do! I am not an authority on you either but God, your Creator is and He so loved you that he gave his son so that you could have life.”

Father, thank you for this simple truth. Even a child can understand your nature and your ways of doing things. The next time I am challenged by words of offense and abuse, I believe that I receive the right response as I walk in the steps of the Messiah. My heart is to please you with my choices and responses to others.

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AFLAC

Devotion: Aflac, Water off a duck’s back

(Adapted from John 8:13-14; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

When people say words to belittle us,

When people speak words that offend

When people try to make fun of us

We won’t believe those words

We won’t receive those words.

Chorus:

Aflac, water off a duck’s back,

Aflac, water off a duck’s back,

Aflac, water off a duck’s back, Aflac

Bridge:

I am what God says I am

I can do what God says I can do

I can be what God say’s I can be

God’s word is what I believe

God’s word is what I receive

© LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Devotion by KentCliffordCooley

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