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This month I would like to highlight a section from Jane Hansen's book
called, The Journey Of A Woman. We've had the privilege of getting
to know Jane personally and having her speak at our annual women's
conference. Her message was the message of a statesman! It was powerful
and definitely had the weight of the Holy Spirit upon it! I commend
Jane's book to you and honor her work with "Aglow International."
Many Blessings!
Michal Ann Goll
Quote:
"God's heart is that we give love without looking for something in return.
It is love without hooks."
~Jane Hansen
Primary Scripture:
"If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that
your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front
of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come
and offer your gift." Matt. 5:23-24
Devotional - "Forgiveness Without Hooks"
"You have heard it said, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will
be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with
his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matt. 5:21,22).
Angry? But come on, that's just a garden-variety, everyday emotion. Everybody
gets mad once in a while. Puzzled looks are exchanged, some clearing
of throats, a little elbowing and lots of muttering.
Jesus, however, keeps on talking. "If you are offering your
gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something
against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go
and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
(Matt. 5:23-24)
Heads bob back in shock and comments fly. "This is ridiculous! If someone
has
hurt you, it's up to them to make the first move to reconcile."
For those so schooled in the rigors and traditions of the Law, Jesus'
words sound like impossible gibberish. But His aim is neither to confuse
them nor to give them an innovative twist to the laws they already know.
He has come to show them one thing: the Father's heart of love. This
is a love that impacts others with genuine mercy and heartfelt forgiveness,
a love that brings life and healing in relationships and that nourishes
and builds up. This is the message of the kingdom of God.
The Pharisees were majoring in the "outward" while God was calling for
the "inward." Not law, form and traditions, but love, mercy and grace
for relationships.
The gist of Jesus' teaching is revolutionary to His hearers. "Go deeper
than the letter of the Law," He says. "Pray for your enemies; don't
kill them. Forgive those who hurt you; don't seek revenge. Break out
of your legalistic straitjackets. Watch how I eat with taxpayers and
sinners; you go out and do the same. Throw open the doors of your heart
and love!"
God's priority, as expressed by Jesus, is undeniably clear. Listen again
to His commandment: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt.
22:37-40)
God's heart is that we give love without always looking for something
in return. It is love without hooks.
"But How Do I Forgive When I've Been
So Wounded And Mistreated?"
But how do you do this if you're deeply wounded by a husband's unfair
treatment? Or if you've been beaten and absent from your family for
several years, like the Beirut hostages in the early '90's?
Or have been held captive
and mistreated like POW's from various wars?
How do you forgive those well-meaning parents, who in their inability
to love well, caused painful hurts? How do you forgive someone who has
abused, even brutalized you? What is the answer?
We seem to be between a rock and a hard place.
On one hand, Scripture leaves no loopholes in admonishing us to forgive.
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
(Mark 11:25)
On the other hand, within ourselves, we don't have what it takes to
leap over the hurdles of our hurts and offer forgiveness. Has God really
called us to an impossible task?
Yes! Without a doubt! We are called to do something we cannot do.
And, like the Israelites, whom God allowed to be humbled and proved
in the wilderness, the sooner we know the depth of our inability to
forgive, the better.
"Pray"
Dear Father, we come to You in the Name of Jesus, Your Son. We so need
to learn this lesson! Lord, help us to come to grips with our own fleshly
limitations. Lord, help us to tap into Your unfathomable depths of love.
We want to learn to live in forgiveness and not be held in the web
of hurt and offense! Forgive us, forgive me. Help us to believe more
in the power of Your love, than we do in our own hurt and pain. Take
us beyond ourselves into Your expanse of Love Eternal. We bless Your
Name, and we thank You for all these things! In Jesus' Name - Amen
Practical Application - "A
Decision, Not An Emotion"
Well, we have the scripture right in front of us that directs us
to the appropriate application. We just need to read His Word and
simply obey Him! Remember, forgiveness is not an emotion, it is a
decision, a turning of our minds and hearts from offense toward love. As
we do this, our emotions will also turn. It may take a little while,
but they will come into alignment. Make the turn - daily!
If you have been helped today through this devotional, consider printing
out 5 copies to give to people who maybe don't have e-mail capacity,
perhaps to some of our elderly brothers and sisters in Christ.
Be blessed and encouraged this day!
Michal Ann Goll
www.MichalAnnGoll.com
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If the ministry of James and Michal Ann Goll and Team
has blessed you, please consider giving a financial contribution so
that we may continue to serve you and others. Checks can be made out
to "Ministry to the Nations" and sent to our office address. Or
contributions may be made
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as allowed by law and a receipt for your donation will be mailed to
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Michal Ann Goll's Itinerary
August 4-7, 2004
7th Annual Women on the Frontlines Conference
With
Heidi Baker, Barbara Yoder, Beth Alves,
Michal Ann Goll and Heather Clark
http://www.ministrytothenations.com/conference_registration_pages/
a_call_take_action/wofl_speakers.htm
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"Women
on the Front Lines"
By Michal Ann Goll
$13.00 Book |
|
History is filled with women who have
dramatically changed the world. Their sacrifices, passion, and
fire still inspire us today. These pages highlight the lives of
nine such women...ordinary women...women who struggled with
choices and the convictions of their hearts.
Today women still face the same choices, issues, and dilemmas.
Each day brings an opportunity to impact the lives around
you...the chance to change the history of your generation.
As you read about these women and the choices they made, may you
too be inspired to heed the call to courage and step up to the
front lines of faith, hope, and love.
 "I
have personally had the joy of knowing Michal Ann Goll for more
than15 years, and I can commend her to you as a 'woman of
courage' who longs to see Jesus receive the rewards for His
suffering. I give a hearty AMEN to her ministry and the
teachings found in this book." - Mike Bickle
Feel free to
order
online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=523
|
 |
"A
Call to the Secret Place"
By Michal Ann Goll
$12.99 Book |
| A Call to the Secret Place
is your personal invitation to take a step towards a place
lovingly prepared for you by your Lord. Cheering you on will be
the voices of other women who have discovered the Secret Place -
women on the frontlines - like Madam Guyon, Susanna Wesley,
Fanny Crosby, Basilea Schlink, Gwen Shaw, Beth Alves, and
others. Their collective voices request your presence in the
privacy of a loving moment between you and your God.
Feel free to
order
online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=524
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To donate by regular
mail, use this address:
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(Now a Non-Profit Ministry)
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Thank you and blessings,
Steve Shultz, Publisher, The Elijah List
http://www.elijahlist.com
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"Women
on the Front Lines"
"A
Call to the Secret Place"
"The
Secret Place"
"The
Healing Presence"
