A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of October 2-6, 2023
MONDAY
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:19-23
If I am forgiven, then you are forgiven. Forgiveness is the gift of God. When Jesus breathed upon the disciples, he showed us that forgiving is as simple as breathing in and out. It can and should be automatic.
Have you ever tried to hold your breath? After a very short time, you are gasping for air. This hunger for air lets us know how much God hungers for us to forgive one another. It lets us know that forgiveness is essential to life. It is as necessary as the very air we breathe, and we should forgive as often as we take in a breath, if necessary.
Since we do not own forgiveness, we must dispense it as Jesus commands. Seventy times seven (in one day) if necessary.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: 2 Kings 20:5 ~ Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.”
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
October 2: 1 Kings 4-5, Ephesians 2, Ezekiel 35, Psalms 85
October 3: 1 Kings 6, Ephesians 3, Ezekiel 36, Psalms 86
October 4: 1 Kings 7, Ephesians 4, Ezekiel 37, Psalms 87-88
October 5: 1 Kings 8, Ephesians 5, Ezekiel 38, Psalms 89
October 6: 1 Kings 9, Ephesians 6, Ezekiel 39, Psalms 90
October 7: 1 Kings 10, Philippians 1, Ezekiel 40, Psalms 91
October 8: 1 Kings 10, Philippians 2, Ezekiel 41, Psalms 92-93
TUESDAY
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:19-23
The gift of forgiveness cannot be bottled up or stopped. When we forgive, the knowledge of sin in our lives is overcome.
Knowledge means intimacy. We become “untangled” from sin when we forgive. We are loosed from sin and its effects. Sin has a damaging effect on our souls. We lose our peace. Joy escapes us. Mental and emotional turmoil can result from unforgiven sin, because it is retained in our souls until we forgive.
When we forgive, our souls are released from the damage, and we are restored to wholeness, soundness and peace. We are no longer tormented by the memories of the offense, but we are free.
WEDNESDAY
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:19-23
Forgiveness releases us from fear. Often we are offended because someone causes us fear. We sometimes do not like certain persons because we consider them loud, boisterous, judgmental, harsh, or the like. We say this often because the person evokes a certain negative emotion within us. If we don’t forgive instantly, then the emotion will trigger thoughts that give it reason. When reason counsels our souls, then we give credence or support to the feeling.
Sometimes it is only a feeling, but reason gives it strength. Reason forces us to make the wrong decision about the person. When we label a person, it is because we fear the emotion that their behavior has caused us to feel. Often our emotions are the result of a combination of memories and recent events. This is why it is best to forgive instantly.
THURSDAY
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:19-23
Fear holds a person in judgment. When we respect fear, we label the person as harmful or potentially harmful to us. We will either be on the offensive, or avoid the person. This behavior results from their sin being “retained” in our souls.
Can you see that? We are not at peace now, because we consider that individual a threat to our peace. The more we hold inside, the more threatened we are: we become guarded; we may even make nasty comments about the person. When the person’s name is mentioned, we have a sinking feeling or an anxious feeling on the inside.
We are not at ease, not because of the person, but because we do not forgive.
FRIDAY
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:19-23
Unforgiveness disconnects us from the life force of God. We are unable to be forgiven by God of our trespasses and we lose access to the grace of God. The parable of the unjust servant (Matt. 18:34) tells us that we will be handed over to tormentors if we do not forgive. Thus, we become unable to receive the blessings of God in an unhindered way. We may have a degree of blessing, but there will be discomfort as well. In order to regain our peace, we must forgive.
God so wishes to permeate the earth with His love and forgiveness that He is unwilling to release us if we are unwilling to forgive others. What great love! God so loves us that He makes us ambassadors of His great gift of forgiveness. We learn the more excellent way as we forgive.