70 x 7

      70 X 7 = 140. No, I am not a math wizard nor am I trying to show how smart I am. Some people might say I'm a "Wise Guy" though thanks to the 3 Stooges! What I am referring to is a verse in the bible, God's instruction manual, in regards to a passage of scripture in Matthew 18:21-22. When Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive someone, he asked Jesus if it should be seven times. Jesus quickly responded not 7 times but 70 times 7! In Jewish customs, Rabbi's would tell people forgiveness should happen at least 3 times and that would be sufficient. I'm sure Peter must have thought he was stretching things by saying we should forgive people 7 times. Jesus blew him away with a response of 70 times seven which equals 490 times. In other words, we need to always have a forgiving heart! It should never stop!

     I was not planning on blogging a whole lot today but just a short and sweet blog! Last Saturday I returned to my old church and had the privilege of sharing at a Memorial Service for my second Mom and landlady Jane Rousseau. It was my first time entering the church conference rooms since my dismissal almost 10 years ago. It did feel weird! I did return to the church last September for a Memorial Service for Juanita Ortiz in the sanctuary. I was very honored and privileged to have the opportunity to share at Jane's service and I did pray a lot before the service. My prayer was NOT to prove to my previous church that they made a mistake, but to glorify God and honor Jane with the words that I spoke. I learned a valuable lesson since 2013. I learned what it means to forgive! Not only others but myself. I was able to hug people who did me wrong and shake hands with others who offended me. People may say "Time heals all wounds" and that can be true. My feeling is when you put God first and leave every situation in His hands, He WILL help you and he will heal you! I feel like a new man and I owe it all to the Lord. I don't even want to rehash stuff that happened 10 years ago. I only want to look at what God is doing in my life right now here on March 21, 2023 at 7:04 p.m. 

     70 X 7 = 140! Let's learn to forgive others and not hold bitterness in our hearts. Sure, it does take time but it certainly is worth the wait! Here is an amazing verse in the bible about forgiving others!

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!