Devotional: Let It Go!

By Joan Buchanan

Scripture: Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Reflection: If we want a sound mind, it is imperative that we release all of who we are to God. In doing that, all offenses including repentance and forgiveness is always accessible.

“Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one, makes you even with him; forgiving it sets you above him.” Anonymous

Let us always keep in mind that the first word from the cross was a word of forgiveness!

It is imperative that we do an inventory of ourselves everyday to make sure we have not allowed unforgiveness to take root in our heart. Our deepest love for God must be reflected in the way we love others. I urge you to do a check list now. Ask God to reveal your heart. What is the intent of your motives? What are the reasons for what you do? Are they self-seeking, or do you honestly want God’s glory to prevail?

God reminds us in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." Faith works by love. The scriptures tell us that love will cover any offensive that will try to attack us. God’s love will not allow us to have a heart bound with unforgiveness, which will ultimately bring about breakdown and diseases in our own bodies. If you are bound today, my prayer is that you let God set you free!

Forgiveness is the heart of God. To be obedient we must in faith release it to God and then we can, “Let it go!” However, our mind tries to overrule our heart and we dismiss the Word of God that says; “Love your enemies.” Seek to look beyond the person and understand who the accuser really is. The Holy Spirit is here right now and He is wherever you are. He continually gives us the power to release, forgive and leave it at the cross.

You can be assured that there are no demonic forces that are powerful enough to stop God's love flowing through us. If God is for us, who can defeat what He has deposited in us? I admonish you, "Let it go!" Let go of all offenses and be healed in the name of Jesus.

As God's children, how much better it would be if we would just "Let Go and Let God." Letting go of "our own self will" means we can then embrace the fruit of the Spirit, the first being Love.

Whatever the offense, whatever the pain, you must forgive the one who hurt you. As you are on the road to a new day, remember, you must forgive yourself also. God forgives us if we will ask. Now, allow agape love to come rushing through you. Speak these three words and let it come from the very deepest part of your heart, shout it if you must, "LET IT GO!" Now in faith watch God move on your behalf!

Prayer: Lord I surrender my all to you. I know that you alone have the power to make me whole. I ask forgiveness, if there is someone that I have not released to you, I do it right now. I will walk away proclaiming, "I have let it go." I praise you, that I now am free.!

Scriptures on Forgiveness:

Psalm 25:18
"Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins."

Psalm 86:5
"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Matthew 6:12
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Matthew 18:21
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"

Matthew 18:35
"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

Mark 11:25
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."

1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

FAILURE TO FORGIVE DESTROYS ONE’S OWN LINK TO FORGIVENESS.

Joan Buchanan