Today's Devotions

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Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • More than the Flavor of the Moment +

    If God is not first in your thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place Read More
  • Transformation +

    Do we really want to be transformed by God? In the passage (below) from Isaiah, not only a person is Read More
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nouwenHealing Our Hearts Through Forgiveness

How can we forgive those who do not want to be forgiven? Our deepest desire is that the forgiveness we offer will be received. This mutuality between giving and receiving is what creates peace and harmony.

But if our condition for giving forgiveness is that it will be received, we seldom will forgive! Forgiving the other is first and foremost an inner movement. It is an act that removes anger, bitterness, and the desire for revenge from our hearts and helps us to reclaim our human dignity. We cannot force those we want to forgive into accepting our forgiveness. They might not be able or willing do so. They may not even know or feel that they have wounded us.

 

The only people we can really change are ourselves. Forgiving others is first and foremost healing our own hearts.

 

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Praise Adonai by Paul Baloche +

    Who is like Him The Lion and the Lamb Seated on the throne Mountains bow down Every ocean roars To the Lord of hosts  Read More
  • An Interview with Paul Washer by Tim Challies +

    You probably know Paul Washer as the man who preached the infamous "Shocking Youth Message," a sermon that has tallied Read More
  • Glorious by Paul Baloche +

    Look inside the mysterySee the empty crossSee the risen SaviorVictorious and strong Read More
  • Paul's Prayers +

    How do we pray? What should we pray for? Yes, there is the Lord's prayer--Jesus teaching his disciples, and us, Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • The Patience and Compassion of God's Love +

    We have an amazing God. Read More
  • The Fear of the Lord +

    Why is fear of the Lord so important as a follower of Jesus? Read More
  • Praying to the Trinity: Our Heavenly Father +

    The following is a modified version of a prayer by John Stott, an Anglican theologian from the 20th century. Read More
  • Praying to the Trinity: Jesus +

    The following is a modified version of a prayer by John Stott, Read More
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