This podcast is directed to all young people, but primarily to young black men, young black women, and their parents. We are thankful for all the people who are standing up for justice and racial equality. But this podcast is about the man in the mirror. What are you doing for the glory of God, to make life better for others, for your family, and for yourself? This podcast is about living life in such a way that it cuts back on the chance of being harassed or killed by the authorities or anyone else and helps you to live the good life of peace and joy.
Psalm 119:9 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Jim Rohn said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.”
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
In keeping with our theme of dealing with the man (or woman) in the mirror, we are going to continue discussing the building of important biblical character traits in your life. Today, we will continue looking at the quality of forgiveness from “The Power for True Success” by the Institute in Basic Life Principles.
— Concepts to Understand Forgiveness
— Pleading for mercy vs. pleading for more time
The servant who refused to forgive a small debt after being released from a huge debt was not able to give mercy, because he did not ask for it. He asked instead for an extension of time: “Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” The wise master put him in prison with tormentors to cause him to realize that he could never pay it all back. Only then would he plead for mercy and be able to give it to others.
— Clearing the conscience vs. responding with harshness
When David heard the case of the man who stole his neighbor’s pet sheep, he became angry and demanded an extreme punishment. The law required only four sheep for the stolen one. However, David was unable to give justice or mercy, because he was guilty of the same offense. When we harshly judge others, we condemn ourselves, because we do the same things.
— Having the goal of love vs. retaliation
There are three steps to receiving the power of God’s Spirit. The first is being filled with the Holy Spirit. This takes place by the indwelling of the Spirit at salvation (see Romans 8:15) and the filling of the Spirit when we ask our Heavenly Father for it.
The second step is the testing of the Holy Spirit. Paul lists some of these tests in II Corinthians 12:10: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” We pass the test of the Holy Spirit by giving thanks in every test, rejoicing in every test, and when necessary, crying out to God for deliverance. To the degree that we pass the test of a trial, we experience the power of the Holy Spirit, which begins with love, joy, and peace. This pattern is illustrated in the life of Jesus. He was filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and then He returned in the power of the Spirit.
This sequence is also explained in our calling. First, we are called to be holy and to dedicate ourselves to the Lord. Then, we are called to suffer. Third, we are called to the glory of God’s power upon us. Glory follows suffering. For example 1 Peter 4:14 reads, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” If the suffering God brings to our lives is not recognized as a test from His hand to produce the power of love and God’s glory, Satan will turn it into bitterness, which will bring a lack of forgiveness and destruction.
If the Lord tarries His coming and we live, we will continue looking at this topic in our next podcast.
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Now, in closing, in order to be saved — in order to get right with God — you cannot look at the man in the mirror, but the Man Christ Jesus. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is how.
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can have a home in Heaven. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless you.
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry.
He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.
When you purchase a book below it supports the Number #1 Black Christian Newspaper BLACK CHRISTIAN NEWS NETWORK ONE (BCNN1.com) and it also allows us to spread the Gospel around the world.
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