Forgiveness 1.1

The following is an article that I've written for a newsletter.

Good News: Forgiveness

by Pastor Jonathan Daniels

            Praise the Lord, readers! I wanted to share some good news today, something that I’ve personally experienced and grown in recently – forgiveness. Now, I know that this topic –forgiveness – may not be the most exhilarating or soul-stirring one to discuss, but God recently revealed to me a new understanding of the power and freedom that comes with forgiveness.

            Recently, I had somewhat of a confrontation with someone close to me. In the heat of our “spirited” discourse, the other individual spoke some things contrary to what God had spoken to me regarding my ministry and my life.

After that meeting, I felt indignation rising up from within – this person said some hurtful things to me.  The enemy almost immediately tried to flood my mind with thoughts of doubt regarding my ministry, my place in Anointed Word Fellowship, my direction in life, and even my relationship with God. So, I was alternately indignant and warring with the words spoken to me/over me.

Whenever I have a mental tug-of-war, I go into my prayer closet with my Bible; this time was no exception. While in the midst of prayer, God spoke to me in a small, still voice - “Use your weapons. Forgiveness is a weapon.”

Forgiveness, a weapon? But then I remembered II Corinthians 10:3-4:

³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

And I realized that, in my flesh, I wanted to give somebody a piece of my mind. Just as they had come up against me with words, I wanted to really respond to them in kind. But, the above scripture let me know that I can’t respond carnally, because I’m in the middle of a spiritual war; I have to use spiritual weapons to win my battles.

Then, the Spirit led me to another scripture – Luke 23:34:

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” This is, of course, a familiar passage of scripture to many believers, including myself. But, this time, I saw it with new eyes. I realized that Jesus had an understanding of the spiritual ignorance of his enemies better than the average Christian. He realized that they really didn’t understand what they were doing. In their minds, they felt perfectly justified in the judgment levied against Jesus Christ. They really didn’t understand that the devil was using them against Jesus! They didn’t understand what was going on spiritually! So, Jesus, right there on the cross and with this understanding, was able to pray for forgiveness of his enemies in his weakest moment.

Likewise with my situation – that other person thought that they were expressing themselves. They didn’t realize that the devil was using them to try to cast a shadow of doubt over all that God has done and is doing in my life. They didn’t realize that they could have potentially veered me from my God-given destiny, my “expected end”.  So, just as my Lord and Savior understood the spiritual ignorance of his enemies and forgave, I also forgave.

In forgiving, I was freed from indignation, anger, and doubt. I was instantly reassured of God’s plan and purpose for my life. I was able to pray for the spiritual scales to be removed from that individual’s eyes. And most of all, I received forgiveness from God.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:14-15)

October 2011 (The Month from Hell/ #TheLifeOfAnAssistantPastor)

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sooooo glad that it's November!

October 2011 was off-the-chain for me, spiritually speaking. The spiritual warfare was on a level that I hadn't experienced before! I stayed fighting thoughts in my mind, discouragement, heaviness, and the desire to walk away from all that God is doing in my life. All I wanted to do was stay in the bed with the blankets over my head and play Angry Birds (lol).

But God's word and God's promises gave me just enough strength to persevere. I had to recall Galatians 6:9 (And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not), II Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong heolds;) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;), II Timothy 2:3 (Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ), and other passages of Scripture.

God is good.

I even did a quick video talking about October; here it is -

I'm back - growth through fasting.

Ok... so I haven't really written any blogs this year. Well, I did write the one about the wilderness, but I haven't been writing like I've wanted to. For one, I had disconnected my Internet service for a month. For the year 2010 up to the point, I was limited to being on the Internet during thrice-weekly trips to the Library, and the majority of that time was spent on e-mail correspondence and ministry work. (Note: I'm up and running with the home Internet again, so it's all to the good).


But the main thing that I've been up to so far in 2010 would be the 33-day fast that I did from January 3 - February 5; yes - 33 days. I did a total fast, i.e. I only drank bottled water for 33 days - no food, no broth, no vitamins, just water. I couldn't believe it either once I got past the 10th day of the thing. Actually, I believe that God wanted me to do a forty-day fast (kinda like Jesus in the wilderness), but I got sick and cut the fast off with a week to go.
Really, I don't like to talk about fasting. I try to adhere to Matthew 6:16-18 and not openly talk about fasting, at least while I'm fasting. So, I've been pretty mum about it, both on my blog, and even with the people in my life.

The fast was an experience though. God really did do some changes in me in body/soul/spirit. The three biggest changes would be that my appetite changed (I have great difficulty in eating sweets now), I have more physical and mental endurance, and I feel more spiritually sensitive. I could elaborate on each of these three things (as well as some other experiences and revelations I had during my 33-day fast), but I'll perhaps share those things at another time.

The fast was also a time of great spiritual warfare. Of course, the first week of the fast was dealing with the temptation to eat. I mean, everything sounded good (even crackers)! Then, I started getting sick - colds, sore throats, dizziness, and finally, stomach problems (I was vomiting bile and stomach acid).
Also, I was attacked in my finances. As I was temporarily laid off from work, I had to draw unemployment for a few months; however, I didn't receive any unemployment in 2010, due to "system errors" (but I know that it was the devil).

But through it all, God worked with me and on me a great deal. I'm eating healthier, my discipline is a little better, I have more energy, I lost 40 pounds, He showed me revelations in the Bible, and my faith has increased considerably. Yes, fast is good (but not as good as the God that led me to fast in the first place).

Laton!