Soul Care: Lies Repentance Family Sin patterns Wounds Forgiveness Overcoming Fears Deliverance

(2) Repentance: Suitcase You teach what you know, but you reproduce who you are. It takes a healthy leader to lead a healthy church.

(2) Repentance: 1 John 1:5f, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

(2) Repentance: 1 John 1:5f, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (marriage struggle – book)

(2) Repentance: God cannot cleanse our excuses. God cannot pardon our denials. God cannot cleanse that which we will not confess. God cannot heal that which we will not admit.

(2) Repentance: There is no freedom without forgiveness and there is no forgiveness without repentance. Hiding creates darkness and darkness destroys the soul.

(2) Repentance: Sometimes we confess our sins, but we don’t feel forgiven. Beware of the shame factor. (I've never told anyone this before; I've confessed this hundreds of times before) Have you ever confessed a sin more than once? (adultery; abortion, etc.) (abortion clinic)

(2) Repentance: Jesus paid for our forgiveness, not just so we know about it, but so we could experience release. We need to follow a ‘no pretending’ policy with a few people. There is no freedom in pretension!

(2) Repentance: It helps to walk through a ‘total life confession’. (No secrets) A word on family sin patterns (principle #3)

(4) Forgiveness: We need to forgive those who sin against us. Ephesians 4:26-27, “’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (topos – an inhabited place)

(4) Forgiveness: Why forgive? God has forgiven you. (Mt. 18:21-35) The point of the parable is this: It is utterly absurd for us to hold someone in our debt in light of God’s forgiveness offered to us.

(4) Forgiveness: Why forgive? Bitterness gives Satan a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27) (comfort sin; demonic) (torturers)

(4) Forgiveness: Practical Tips on Forgiving: Remember God’s grace to you. (Soaking dishes; Meditate on Scripture; songs; journal)

(4) Forgiveness: Practical Tips on Forgiving: Pray blessings on those who sin against you (Lk 6:27-28) (man who tried to get me fired) God will do what you can’t do – he will change your heart.

(4) Forgiveness: Practical Tips on Forgiving: Offer forgiveness according to the level of the offense. (have to feel the pain; 5 gallon offense)

(4) Forgiveness: Practical Tips on Forgiving: Forgiveness is an act of the will. It is a gift offered by the offended party; it is never earned or deserved. Therefore, you can forgive someone unilaterally.

(4) Forgiveness: Practical Tips on Forgiving: Forgiveness is an act of the will. There is a difference between forgiveness and trust. Forgiveness is a gift. Trust is earned. We can’t have reconciliation until both parties fully own their part, and fully forgive.

(4) Forgiveness: Practical Tips on Forgiving: Forgiveness is an act of the will. Release the person from your debt Don’t nurse the grudge or rehearse the offense. When it comes up, bless. (trigger – imaginary conversation)

(4) Forgiveness: Make a conscious choice live like this: I will die with no enemies. Therefore I will bless everyone who curses me. I have determined to hold no grudges, nurse no wounds, nurture no disappointments, hang on to no resentments. I will process my anger & pain at all costs.

(4) Forgiveness: How do you need to respond? Are you walking in the light with God & others? Is there anyone you need to forgive?