A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 

 

 

 

Scott Mawdesley

Scott Mawdesley

 

Forgiveness vs. Blessing

Volume XVI, Issue 12 

March 21, 2016 


Confusing God's Forgiveness and Blessing...by Scott Mawdesley
 
In 22 years of spiritual leadership I have listened to many people confused about God's forgiveness and His blessing.
 
God's forgiveness is available to you in this very moment. There's nothing you must do to get it, you simply must receive it. God's blessing, however, is tied to the level at which you are willing to obey.
 
Let me illustrate.
 
As a father, I want to bless my children in every way. However, any good father knows that you reinforce good behavior, not bad behavior. If my son or daughter disobeys me, I can forgive them immediately, but my hands are tied in wanting to provide new or extra blessings in their life.
Sunlight breaking through a dark forest

Several months ago, I sat with an individual in a really difficult place. She had just spent several weeks in jail, was in an abusive relationship, and had several other bad things happen.

She made the comment, "I guess God did that to me because he wants to teach me something". At that moment I pushed pause because she was confusing forgiveness and blessing.
 
I told her that God has forgiven her for the disobedience in her life, but the bad things happening to her were not God's doing, they were simply the consequences of disobedience. I helped her understand that God wants to bless her life, but at a deep level his hands are tied because she isn't making choices that allow Him to bless her with the good things He desires for her.
 
Understanding forgiveness and blessing is vital to living a life that makes a difference!
 
I hope you know you are forgiven today! I also hope you live in obedience so God can give you all that He desires for you!
Kick'n it,

Scott

Scott Mawdesley is pastor of 12Stone Church's Sugarloaf Campus in Duluth, Georgia. He writes on personal development at www.Leaderkick.com and is an advocate at www.writeoneline.com for the importance of capturing stories through journaling.


** Original forest picture by Lars Van De Goor

Ciloa - Encourage One Another
   
Please consider
Ciloa
in your charitable giving.
Just click  MyCiloa!

 

 

 Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.


Sign up for A Note of Encouragement

 

Christ  ILord  OAll ... Ciloa
 
 
Follow us at


 
Find us on Facebook         Follow us on Twitter

  


 
 Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org