Forgive

Alrighty so this past week I've been at a church camp called Youth America. This was my second time at the camp and it was amazing. I titled this post Letting Go because that's what I did this week, and that's what I think a lot of us need to do. For the first few days of the camp I wasn't receiving anything, as in I wasn't feeling the Lord's presence at all.Which of course doesn't feel to great when your in a room where the Lord's presence is clearly moving. I prayed and prayed for something to happen, I prayed and sought after God, I tried to push in worship but just nothing. I tried to really press in and receive what the Lord was offering but I didn't get that "spark". I just thought that I wasn't getting anything from God. But I was wrong because He was there, but I had a wall in front of me and my worship and seeking after Him. That wall, well it was forgiveness. I had been harboring to many hateful feelings. And I just needed to "let go" and give it to God. And Forgive.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22

We must all learn to forgive and let go. When Peter asked how many times to forgive, the Lord responds seventy-seven times.Seventy-seven times. Wow. Forgiveness is not easy, it never will be. But God wants us to forgive even if it's hard because He wants us to be more like Him. It is our choice to forgive. But the greatest harm of un-forgiveness, is the damage it does to our relationship with God.

When I surrendered to God on Thursday night during worship, it was overwhelming. God's presence was all over me, I couldn't control myself. I began to really truly cry out to Him, and to forgive those who have done me wrong. And then I knew that it wasn't about me, and God began to use me to pray for all of these people in our group. It was an overwhelming feeling. I was praying for so many people, and began to speak in tongues, which was a new experience for me. And it's all because I allowed God to take control. I forgave. I let go of past hurts. I truly surrendered to God. And he used me. So we must remember to surrender to God, and to let go of past hurts and worn doings. We must forgive. 

I'm going to leave you with a few lyrics from a song that we sang that night about not keeping anything from God, and giving all too him. Complete surrender.

"I'll always love you. I'll always love you, God.

Declaring that I will hold nothing back from you.

I'll always love you."

Never Giving Up

"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you." - 1 Peter 5:7

Faith. Such a small word, but such a big meaning. As Christians were always told to stay strong in our faith and not to give up. But we all know that it's easier said then done. Throughout your life, you will go through disappointments, struggles. and upsets. When these tribulations happen in our life we tend to turn on God, and blame Him for everything. We lose our faith in Him.We need to remember that through every hard time  we face in our lives that God is always there for us.The Lord says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." -Hebrews 13:5. So we need to remember that when the times get tough, we should not turn from the Lord, but turn to Him. Press into Him more, spend time in prayer and seeking help in your situation, because He has the most help to offer you. True Faith is developed even when you don't feel God. 

So just never lose your faith. Never give up on God, because He doesn't give up on us.
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31