"Forgiveness is a Choice.
Trust is a Process"

"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, REBUKE HIM; and IF HE REPENT, FORGIVE HIM". Jesus, Luke 17:3 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TO LIVE IN A SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS, AND NOT CARRY GRUDGES, JESUS TELLS US TO REBUKE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US

Let us take another look at the subject of forgiveness and trust. Contrary to the teaching of some, Jesus does not expect His followers to be "doormats", and let everyone run over them at will. Even though we are to live in a spirit of forgiveness, and not carry grudges, Jesus tells us to rebuke those who trespass against us. Offenders need to know when they offend, and told to change their ways and stop their offensive behavior. According to our Lord, forgiveness is to be offered when the offender repents. We are not to allow people to run rough-shod over our convictions, and act like nothing has happened. How will others ever learn that they have wronged us unless we tell them.

TRUST HAS TO BE EARNED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

To forgive others is a choice which we make. But, when it comes to trusting that person again it takes time. It is a process. Trust has to be earned. It does not happen overnight. When out of the blue someone asks me to trust them a red flag goes up. Trust is not something that another person asks for, but it is a proven performance over a period of time. It is based on honesty, with realistic evaluations about the behavior and character of the person in question.

IT IS HIGH TIME THIS MYTH AND LIE OF THE DEVIL BE EXPOSED

Too many people take advantage of those who easily forgive them of all their trespasses. They consider them to be "soft touches". I have had to learn that with people who are always wanting to borrow money. Most of them never paid me back. I had to learn that they thought they could "use me", as I was "a Christian", and "a minister of the gospel", so they felt I would be "forgiving", and never demand that they repay the debt which they had incurred. One of their favorite ploys is to "use guilt", and to say that we are supposed to be understanding of their circumstances because we follow the Lord. It is high time this myth and lie of the devil be exposed.

GOD DOES NOT EXPECT US TO LET OTHERS "PLAY MIND GAMES WITH US"

We choose to forgive, but that does not mean we will let that person continue to stomp all over us again and again. To do so makes us "enablers of a dishonest lifestyle". Once "taken", we can chalk it up to experience, but to be taken again makes us a fool. "Don't you trust me?" they will ask. To which we must reply, "I am watching you. When you show me over a period of time that you can be consistently trusted, then I will trust you". God does not expect us to let others "play mind games with us". This is a misuse of the principle of forgiveness. We can choose to forgive when the offender repents, but when it comes to trust, that takes time.

Bishop Marvin Schmidt

"If You Can Hear It You Can Have It"

"So then FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and hearing by the word of God". Romans 10:17 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

IT IS EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN YOU SPEAK IT OUT OF YOUR OWN MOUTH

How vitally important it is to hear the Word of God spoken aloud. It is powerful when it comes out of the mouth of an anointed man or woman of God. But, it is even more effective when you speak it out of your own mouth. When I was a child in Sunday School we always had a memory verse for each week which we were to memorize. It helped lay a foundation for a successful Christian life. The next Sunday we would recite it in unison.

HE HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL BRING THESE WORDS BACK TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE WHEN THE NEED ARISES

It is essential to have a depository of learned passages of Scripture so that when you meet one of life's challenges you will be reminded by the Holy Spirit what verse applies to that specific situation. He has promised that He will bring these words back to your remembrance when the need arises. But, He can only do so if you have committed that passage to memory. It is not just memorization by rote like a talking bird saying "Hello", or "Polly wants a cracker". The meaning of the verses must get into your spirit, so that you not only can repeat the words correctly, but you know its meaning, and use it as a weapon against the enemy of your soul, or to claim a specific promise which is available.

IT FEEDS YOUR INNER MAN WHEN YOU SPEAK IT ALOUD

The written Word spoken verbally is like food for your spirit. It feeds your inner man when you speak it aloud. Not only do you see it through the eye-gate written on the page of your Bible, but it gets into your spirit even more deeply when you hear it through your ear-gate. When anxiety tries to attack you, and bring you down mentally, physically and spiritually, if you have the Word in your heart, instead of speaking something negative in response, you can substitute the Word, such as, "If God be for me, who can be against me".

LET IT BECOME SECOND NATURE, UNTIL IT SURPASSES YOUR CARNAL NATURE, AND TAKES FIRST PLACE IN YOUR LIFE

When you are reading the Word, and a certain verse or passage speaks to you, write or print it up on a card, and put it in a strategic place where you will run into it several times a day. Keep saying it over and over again prayerfully until it becomes a vital part of you. The Bible is known as "the sword of the Spirit". Do not leave home without it. Digest the Word. Let it become your second nature, until it surpasses your carnal nature, and takes first place in your life. You receive everything from God by faith. It is the Word in you, spoken aloud which will bring answers to your prayer-petitions. The Word which builds your faith will carry you powerfully through every situation which you will face in life. The Word is God's language. When you pray it to Him He will respond positively.

Bishop Marvin Schmidt

"Faith Without Works and
Works Without Faith Are Dead"

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD also". James 2:26 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

DEMONIC PRINCIPALITIES ASSIGNED OVER THE AREA HAD BEEN FIGHTING IT FROM ALL SIDES

After one of our sessions when I was teaching on spiritual warfare in the mountains of northern New Mexico, USA, we were marching around the property where my hosts were living, driving out evil spirits which had been hindering progress. We were believing that they would be able to purchase it to fulfill their vision for a steakhouse, inn and gift shop. Demonic principalities assigned over the area had been fighting it from all sides. Up the hill, right behind the property, had for years been an infamous area where truck drivers passing through on the highway would stop to pay prostitutes for sex. Drug dealing was commonplace.

WE KNOW WHY. SPIRITUAL WARFARE WORKS

There was strong evidence that one of the merchants had paid off an inspector to stop my hosts from fulfilling their vision for a business here by denying the proper permits. Later that notorious inspector, who had been "on the take with bribes" and all kinds of under-the-table activities", suddenly resigned. We know why. Spiritual warfare works. The Holy Spirit directed my hosts to the right qualified people who were able craft the proper kind of proposal which was approved, and the property was transferred to them.

THIS WAS A REAL ACT OF FAITH

But, as we were doing the warfare on that cold morning, my hostess felt in her spirit that she was to claim the run-down motel next door as an extension to the property that they did not yet have at that time. This was a real act of faith. She asked me to agree with her. I said, "It will take a lot of work, but if you feel this is the right thing to do in your spirit, I will agree with you, and we will make the decree together". The place was not even up for sale at the time, but in the next few months it went back to its previous owner. My hostess' husband got on board, and began to negotiate by phone with the owner in another state.

EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE DEAL WOULD GO THROUGH, MY HOSTS KEPT UP THEIR FAITH CONFESSION, AUGMENTING IT WITH WORKS, BELIEVING FOR THE RIGHT CONCLUSION

Showing their works to accompany their faith, my hosts began to search by internet beautiful and exquisite furniture which was available at only a fraction of its original cost. Usually this was from people who were moving to another location, and needed to get rid of things they could not take with them to the distant point of their next home. Even though there was no assurance that the deal would go through, my hosts kept up their faith confession, augmenting it with works, believing for the right conclusion. After the place was totally deserted, they watched over it, and even fed the two cats which were left behind. I did my little part by removing the overgrown brush and trees which separated the two properties so that we could keep a better watch over it, to prevent theft and vandalism.

EVENTUALLY THEY BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE AREAS WHICH IS NOW USED FOR STORAGE WILL BECOME A BEAUTIFUL CONFERENCE CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, OVERLOOKING A LITTLE STREAM

Finally, the day came when my hosts completed their transaction and became the managers of the property. The face-lift which is now taking place is a testimony to the whole area of the faithfulness of God. Eventually they believe that one of the areas which is now used for storage will become a beautiful conference center for spiritual renewals, overlooking a little stream. One longtime resident said, "You people are doing a good job. It is an uplift to the community. It is an inspiration to the rest of us". No, I am not a financial partner in this project; only a spiritual backer and encourager. I am still in ministry, but I thought that this report would be an encouragement to all who read it, showing that with faith, there must be the appropriate works to accompany it. One without the other only produces death, but together they birth life.

"Forgiveness is a Choice.
Trust is a Process"

"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, REBUKE HIM; and IF HE REPENT, FORGIVE HIM". Jesus, Luke 17:3 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TO LIVE IN A SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS, AND NOT CARRY GRUDGES, JESUS TELLS US TO REBUKE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US

Let us take another look at the subject of forgiveness and trust. Contrary to the teaching of some, Jesus does not expect His followers to be "doormats", and let everyone run over them at will. Even though we are to live in a spirit of forgiveness, and not carry grudges, Jesus tells us to rebuke those who trespass against us. Offenders need to know when they offend, and told to change their ways and stop their offensive behavior. According to our Lord, forgiveness is to be offered when the offender repents. We are not to allow people to run rough-shod over our convictions, and act like nothing has happened. How will others ever learn that they have wronged us unless we tell them.

TRUST HAS TO BE EARNED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

To forgive others is a choice which we make. But, when it comes to trusting that person again it takes time. It is a process. Trust has to be earned. It does not happen overnight. When out of the blue someone asks me to trust them a red flag goes up. Trust is not something that another person asks for, but it is a proven performance over a period of time. It is based on honesty, with realistic evaluations about the behavior and character of the person in question.

IT IS HIGH TIME THIS MYTH AND LIE OF THE DEVIL BE EXPOSED

Too many people take advantage of those who easily forgive them of all their trespasses. They consider them to be "soft touches". I have had to learn that with people who are always wanting to borrow money. Most of them never paid me back. I had to learn that they thought they could "use me", as I was "a Christian", and "a minister of the gospel", so they felt I would be "forgiving", and never demand that they repay the debt which they had incurred. One of their favorite ploys is to "use guilt", and to say that we are supposed to be understanding of their circumstances because we follow the Lord. It is high time this myth and lie of the devil be exposed.

GOD DOES NOT EXPECT US TO LET OTHERS "PLAY MIND GAMES WITH US"

We choose to forgive, but that does not mean we will let that person continue to stomp all over us again and again. To do so makes us "enablers of a dishonest lifestyle". Once "taken", we can chalk it up to experience, but to be taken again makes us a fool. "Don't you trust me?" they will ask. To which we must reply, "I am watching you. When you show me over a period of time that you can be consistently trusted, then I will trust you". God does not expect us to let others "play mind games with us". This is a misuse of the principle of forgiveness. We can choose to forgive when the offender repents, but when it comes to trust, that takes time.

"Finish the Race Strong"

"I have fought a good fight, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I have kept the faith". Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

WHETHER IT'S A BLUR, RED OR GREEN RIBBON WHICH IS AWARDED TO THE PARTICIPANTS, THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE THE RUNNERS COMPLETE THE COURSE

It is not how we begin the race that counts, but how we finish. The race track is strewn with the casualties of the fallen along the way. They began well, but some how they stumbled on "the sin which so easily beset them". The prizes do not go to those who enter the race, but to those who cross the finish line strong. Whether it's a blue, red or green ribbon which is awarded to the participants, the important thing is that the runners complete the course. Gold, silver and bronze medals are given to the winners in athletic events of the summer Olympic games.

EVEN THOUGH HE RECOGNIZED THAT "THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S", HE HAD TO PLACE HIMSELF IN A POSITION OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Before his head was severed in a prison in Rome, the Apostle Paul, was able to give this powerful testimony that he had "fought a good fight". Even though he recognized that "the battle is the Lord's", he had to place himself in a position of spiritual warfare. It was not always easy. But, the reason he could call it "a good fight" was because he knew the final outcome. He would win! Regardless of all the pressures in ministry, he could truthfully declare that "he had kept the faith". He did not compromise when it would have been easier to have done so. Standing up against all the enemies which came against the early church, he remained an unblemished hero of the faith.

EVERYTHING THE LORD HAD DIRECTED HIM TO DO, HE WAS TOTALLY OBEDIENT

Even as Jesus said at the end of His earthly ministry, "It is finished", so Paul could decree without hesitation, "I have finished my course". He had completed his assignment. Everything the Lord had directed him to do, he was totally obedient. He had "run the race set before him with patience". No matter what the obstacles were, he persevered, and made sure that he made a strong showing when he crossed the finish line.

HOW WILL YOU FINISH YOUR RACE?

For some the race is long, while for others it is short. My parents preached the gospel for decades. My father for over 60 years, and my mother for over 70 years, while my brother only had the opportunity to preach 202 sermons before God called him home two weeks before his 23rd birthday. But all of them ran the race with everything they had, and by the grace of God finished their course. How will you finish your race? Keep your eyes on the goal--the glory of God radiating from the face of Jesus, as His lips part with the welcome words, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Winner's circle is awaiting your arrival.

Bishop Marvin Schmidt