DAILY DECLARATIONS OF FORGIVENESS / The Windows of Heaven are Open

This is the 6^th in a series of 6 devotions with the theme
“Forgiveness”

DAILY DECLARATIONS OF FORGIVENESS
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from James 5:16; Mark 11:25)

I declare the windows of heaven are open over my family! The blessings of God come to us daily in measures we cannot contain! We receive daily from God!

How can I make these bold statements? I have permission to declare the Word of God and believe for manifestations of His Word when I walk in His precepts. This includes forgiving on a daily basis – an hourly basis – forgiving and walking in an attitude of forgiveness constantly.

I have observed someone standing for healing. The healing is essential for preservation of life. She reads the Word and confesses healing scriptures. She reads all the right books and comes into agreement with those who believe. She speaks positively over herself and does not speak doubt or unbelief. She is doing everything right but healing has not manifested.

I wonder if this believer would examine her life, would she find little unforgivenesses that hinder her belief system? I know I have to forgive constantly. If I talk about an inconvenience, an aggravation or an offense after the fact, I am instilling unforgiveness and giving it a root to take hold in my life. I challenge you to speak over the thought of unforgiveness that comes up today, whether it be recent or something from the past and declare forgiveness over it.

If the hairdresser is running late and you have to wait, don’t complain. Speak forgiveness over her. If the clerk at the convenience store won’t take your debit card because your purchase was not over $5.00, don’t get mad at her. Forgive her and her boss and the person who made that policy. If a Jehovah Witness knocks on your door, don’t slam the door in his face. Don’t get mad at him for having a different idea of eternity than you. Don’t discuss his unbelief with others. Forgive him for being misled and pray that God will cross his path.

Father, I forgive and I let offenses drop today. I leave these and let them go. I forgive major mountainous offenses and I walk in forgiveness for little daily aggravations today. I walk in this mindset every minute of the day. I declare that the windows of heaven are open over my family and blessings are pouring out on us! I forgive and I am healed. I forgive, the windows of heaven are open.

© LoveWalkPublishing Devotion Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN ARE OPEN

(Adapted from James 5:16; Mark 11:25)

The process of humility, the process of humility

I forgive, I am forgiven, I forgive and I am healed

Forgiveness is in the atonement, healing is in the atonement too (repeat)

I receive everything you have for me, I forgive,

The windows of heaven are open . . .

© LoveWalkMusic WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

THE SCOPE OF FORGIVENESS / Forgive

This is the 5^th in a series of 6 devotions 
with the theme

“Forgiveness”

THE SCOPE OF FORGIVENESS
by
Rebecca Cooley 

(Adapted from Mark 11:25)

Have you ever considered the scope of forgiveness? Forgiveness is a process of releasing someone or something from your disapproval. This process involves letting go and dropping offenses and removing them from the mind and heart. We usually think of exercising forgiveness by great measures. Many people had to forgive the investor in New York who invested their money illegally. Divorcing couples must forgive each other even in the mist of ending their marriage. Even a child must work through the process of forgiveness when he has been violated. Certainly all of these issues have to be carried to the Cross and covered with grace to process forgiveness.

Daily offenses must also be carried to the Cross. A dozen offenses could come up in one day to require me to forgive that are just as critical to my wellbeing as the major offenses stated above. The man who hurries to the door in front of me at Walmart and doesn’t hold the door needs to be forgiven. The person who disagrees with me or embarrasses me in front of people must be forgiven. I forgive the person who jumps in a parking space before me and I prefer them.

We also must consider that there are times when we need to forgive ourselves for taking offense when there was no real wrongdoing against us. This would involve keeping quiet and not speaking anything. If someone does something that I do not approve of, I forgive by not voicing my opinion or dislike. By my silence, my spirit is instructing my flesh to behave and forgive!

Father, I want to move mountains. I want my prayers answered and my requests granted. I want your power working and moving in my life. This morning I receive the revelation that forgiveness is the easiest and fastest way to receiving your grace and power in my life. Thank you for the grace today to forgive.

© LoveWalkPublishing devotion 

authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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FORGIVE

(Adapted from Mark 11:25)

Verse:

Have you been wronged?

Do you feel violated

Have you been wronged?

Do you feel agitated

Forgive, forgive

Chorus:

I forgive, I stand forgiven,

I forgive I stand forgiven

Ending:

The windows of heaven are open

The windows of heaven are open

© LoveWalkMusic WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

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