Scripture Text: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal 5:22-23 (KJV)

I don't want to have to repeat Thursday's devotional message in light of today's word, however you will see by both Thursday and Friday's broadcasts, it is by the blood of Jesus and His Spirit's witness in our lives that we know that we are saved, and that God has broken down that middle wall of partition between God and man (sin) and set us in "right-standing" with the Father.

Now, I don't know how many of you have been on the "outs" with your moms and dads, but getting things cleared up and forgiven between you and either mom or dad - sometimes both, is a wonderful and and absolute "freeing" experience. There's nothing like it - in fact, there are all kinds of books written on the subject of blessing our children as a right of passage. It was something that has been done throughout Biblical History, and somewhere in the Baby-boomers era - back when all of the
baby-boomers were being born, a new phrase hit the home which has stuck even to this day. A terrible phrase and it wasn't particular to station in life, it was widely used and very deadly - yes, words CAN KILL . . . that phrase was, "I wish you'd never been born". many of our seniors and middle aged have lived all of their lives with the memory of those words, and they cut like a knife to those who have never found the peace that only Jesus can give. You see those words were uttered from a heart of sin. Those words were uttered from a dysfunctional heart that couldn't cope because they wished first and foremost that they themselves had never been born. They never found anyone in life to "bless them" or to feel the joy of being "important"; having "meaning and purpose"; and there was no way they could pass on a feeling that they didn't understand or had never experienced themselves to anyone else.

There may be some who have heard those very words screamed at you or indelibly etched in your memory and my just mentioning it today has brought up all kinds of feelings from the past. DO NOT DESPAIR! For Jesus has risen with HEALING in his wings and He has brought unto you through this old preacher from Missouri a wonderful word. Because of Jesus breaking the middle wall of enmity between you and God . . . because of His grace towards you for the sins you have committed in life, you no longer need to carry the memories of the past, but you can "break down those walls" and "forgive them" in Jesus' Name. You see, in the spirit, there is no room for the condemnations of the law. The Apostle Paul wrote these words in the Book of Romans:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom 8:1-4 (KJV)

Now, I know that there are many who will choose to "not forgive" and to "die" in the memory of the past and choose to allow the things said and done in the past to haunt them and literally destroy them(to work death in them - literally), but here's what Paul goes on to say about that; listen carefully....

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Rom 8:5-8 (KJV)

When we choose to walk in the flesh and to be "carnally minded" rather than to be "spiritually minded which is life and peace", we become unbelievers and were never truly His because the Bible very clearly tells us, "...the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Rom 8:7,8 (KJV)

Friend, you can have peace in every relationship today if you so desire - it is a choice you know. Choose peace today!

Let's pray:

Father: I choose life today! I choose to forgive and to be released from the bondage of my past, and even those relationship struggles I'm having in the present. I choose to forgive! Not in my power - but by Thy Spirit Lord, I forgive! (Mention all of those that you forgive here - say their names aloud). Father, I ask your forgiveness for carrying these bad memories for so long, and ask that you would keep me from ever even entertaining thoughts about them ever again. I begin a new Life In Jesus today, and I am free and forgiven! What a great DAY! In Jesus' Name, Amen.