In the Spirit: Forgive, Accept, Believe

By Deborah O'Callaghan-McCall

When was the last time you forgave someone? How many times has God forgiven you? When the Holy Spirit guides you to do something asked, do you follow through? One may listen and have a good rapport with God, but do we accept what He expects of us? It all comes down to having faith to forgive, accept, and believe. As you read In the Spirit, may you actually find yourself applying it to your daily life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490882567

Deborah O'Callaghan-McCall

Deborah McCall, aka Deborah O’Callaghan, was born in Montreal, Canada, to an American father and Canadian mother. She grew up in a military family and traveled the United States, residing in Missouri. She attended Southwest Missouri State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Home Economics, known today as Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS). The day of college graduation, she got married. Later she received a two-year certificate from the Institute of Children’s Literature in Michigan to become an author for young readers. Then she became certified as a Laubach coordinator for training tutors who helped nonreading adults. She occasionally worked with children who had difficulty reading. Her marriage eventually ended in a divorce. Two years later, she met her soul mate and is now happily married. She has five grown children: a son, two daughters, and two stepsons. Deborah is now retired from teaching FACS and enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren. Her husband is a great support in all she does. God continues to whisper in her ear, “Praise God in all His glory. We are so blessed!”

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Copyright © 2015 Deborah O’Callaghan-McCall.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-8256-7 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/13/2015

Contents

Part I   Forgive

Part II   Accept

Part III   Believe

Bibliography

"This is my command:

Love each other

as I have

loved

you."

John 15:12 NCV

In The Spirit

On the horizon the sun will rise,

Another day of a new fresh start.

Excitement to choices which are wise,

To forgive yesterday is my part.

In the midst of the busy day,

Look for opportunities missed.

Lord, as servant, have your way,

I joyously accept and I am kissed.

Faith, a gift by grace, is all I need,

My life streams through like a sieve,

Reaching out, touching others, planting a seed,

The desire to forgive, accept, and to believe.

God holds in His mighty hands,

All three to how we will abide.

We must love everyone in our lands,

He loved us first and is by our side.

DOC

11/24/14

Part I

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FORGIVE

[In The Spirit]

(21) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as seven times? (22) Jesus answered, I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven."

Matthew 18: 21-22 (NCV)

How many times have you heard these words? Perhaps you have heard them in a sermon, a lecture, bible study group, or even in witnessing. Have you ever really thought about what the words mean?

In the Lord’s Prayer it states….’to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespass against us’. Do we actually do that? Do we? I’m sure we have repeated these words on more than one occasion. We have rattled them off the tip of our tongue in randomness and routine. But have we taken them to heart? Putting these words into practice is a task difficult to grasp and obtain. To reach the motion takes effort. Once accomplished, growth does take place.

The Webster Dictionary defines the word ‘forgive’ as stated:

(1) to cease to feel resentment against (an offender): Pardon.

(2) to give resentment of or claim to requital for; such as to overlook (an offense).

(3) to grant relief from payment of.

These are surely words to ponder. Jesus was so unique in this new idea. During this era in which Jesus, Our Lord, traveled upon this earth; is no different from our time today. Of course we have advanced technology today, but the society was basically dealing with similar problems.

Let’s think about this for a second. Somebody actually criticizes you over and over and over; constantly making fun of you. God says forgive them. Sounds easy enough. But we have a handicap. We are human. Sometimes our emotions won’t allow us to do as our heart and mind tells us what we should do. We know we should smile, try to make conversation, or walk away in a nice manner. Instead we hold a grudge and want revenge.

In today’s society revenge or ‘get even’ is what it’s all about. It’s in the media, on television shows, and movies. It’s in the words of songs such as heavy metal, hard rock, rap, or country that our youth listens to. These words are often taken to heart, by our youth; which can lead to gangs or other destructive outlets. Youth are influenced by their surroundings, peer pressure, and what’s in the media in relation to their lives.

Think about road rage that you hear about so often today. Maybe you have experienced such an event. Many people feel that this is the answer in solving problems, solutions, and conflicts. At least it appears to be that way everywhere one looks. What is that saying? You’ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar! The next time you are in a situation try having patience and use kindness instead of harshness or losing control. I grant you it isn’t the easiest thing to do.

I have discovered this works in the classroom. If I react by raising my voice at a student; that student usually will continue their actions or rebel in some other way. The battle is on. I win because I then can write up a referral, send the student to the principal’s office, and they’re out of my hair. Correct? Wrong!

Studying that scenario I really haven’t won. The reason for this is simple. Since the student was sent to the office I now have to call the parents, document what occurred, refer to the grade book and get together missed work from that day, plus work missed while in detention. The student must be given time to complete the work. This puts me behind with more work to do.

On the other hand, if I take the student to the side and talk in a calm manner, giving positive reinforcement; they can be sent back to their seat and the lesson can be continued. But so many times I find myself getting down to their level and handling the situation in a negative way. I’ve realized it actually takes more energy to argue with someone. By using kindness I can get what I want accomplished with the student. I have to remember kindness can truly go a long way. It is the Christian way to do things, but often forgotten in the midst of the episode. I must realize God is there with me in all I do. So many times I forget to ask for His help.

For some time we went through the phase ‘WWJD’; acronym indicating, ‘What Would Jesus Do’. Sometimes it was made to be a joke and people would chuckle about it. Yet, during this phase it was taken seriously, too. If we could put it into practice it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Every situation or circumstance that you partake can be a choice to ask yourself ‘WWJD’. If you think before you act of Jesus, His teachings and the lifestyle He chose; realize you also have that choice.

We are not the only ones confused on this matter. Peter had the guts to ask Jesus and gave it to him straight: forgive seventy times seven. It is something we must practice faithfully. Jesus Christ gave His life so our sins would be forgiven. As in the Lord’s Prayer if we expect to be forgiven by God; then we too, must learn to forgive others. Jesus didn’t say anything about it being easy. There is no easy way out on this matter. Look at your situation and just ask our Lord for guidance and do what is asked of you. Remember His will, not yours.

There will always be struggles. How do we get through them? Experience the divine. Let the Holy Spirit flow through you. Take a deep breath and have faith that this time too shall pass. Invite God into your heart and let Him work in your life. Things will go so much smoother and will seem to work out.

Remember it will be in God’s time and patience is a virtue we must endure. Things may not always work out the way we want. God’s plan will fall into play. Somehow, good will come of it.

Patience must be a part of forgiving. Remember each person is made by God; individually unique in every way. Each person has God within them. A small flame to ignite simply by an ARK: act of random kindness. As a Christian one is always being watched by others. You have the choice of what kind of example to be. Influencing others must always be in your thoughts. Do what Jesus would expect and want you to do. There’s really nothing magically amazing about it. Perhaps it could be if you can light that flame in someone else and watch the Holy Spirit unfold in that person’s life.

One may not be able to see it or understand why; but God has you in His best interest. The following statement is simple enough.

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NCV)

Imagine, God loves you so much He sacrificed His Son for YOU. That is awesome to have someone love you that much. It’s hard to acknowledge someone caring so deeply for us.

God tested Abraham this way. Could we have done the same? If you are a parent, take a long look at your child. See their color of hair, eyes, and skin. Hear their cry, giggle, laugh, coo, or sigh. Listen to their breathing. Feel the softness of their skin or hair. Feel their solidness as they sit upon your knee. Taste the saltiness of their tears of sorrow or joy. Smell their sweet breath, sweatiness from hard play or work, and scent of shampoo used. Note their height and weight. When did they get as tall as you? We are going to take a look at Genesis. As you read actually visualize how this drama unfolds.

(1) After these things God tested Abraham’s faith. God said to him, Abraham! And he answered, Here I am. (2) Then God said, Take your only son, Isaac, the son you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Kill him there and offer him as a whole burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. (3) Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took Isaac and two servants with him. After he cut the wood for the sacrifice, they went to the place God had told them to go. (4) On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. (5) He said to his servants, Stay here with the donkey. My son and I will go over there and worship, and then we will come back to you. (6) Abraham took the wood for the sacrifice and gave it to his son to carry, but he himself took the knife and the fire. So he and his son went on together. (7) Isaac said to his father Abraham, Father! Abraham answered, Yes, my son. Isaac said, We have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb we will burn as a sacrifice? (8) Abraham answered, God will give us the lamb for the sacrifice, my son. So Abraham and his son went on together (9) and came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar there. He laid the wood on it and then tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the wood on the altar. (10) Then Abraham took his knife and was about to kill his son. (11) But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, Abraham! Abraham! Abraham answered, Yes. (12) The angel said, Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you trust God and that you have not kept your son, your only son, from me. (13) Then Abraham looked up and saw a male sheep caught in a bush by its horns. So Abraham went and took the sheep and killed it. He offered it as a whole burnt offering to God, and his son was saved. (14) So Abraham named that place The LORD Provides. Even today people say, On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided. (15) The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time (16) and said, "the LORD