I once heard a moving story ( used it in…

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I once heard a moving story ( used it in a message too) about Joe Paterno , long-time football coach at Penn State University. The Nittany Lions were playing for the National Championship. They scored a touch-down to win the game, with no time on the clock, sending their fans into pandemonium. But to the dismay of the blue and white, the touchdown was called back. The officials called a penalty on Penn State for having twelve players on the field.
After the game , the media swarmed Paterno.
“ Who was that guy?” they demanded. “ Who was that twelfth man?”
Paterno said,” Listen gentlemen , I have no intention of ever identifying the boy. He just made a mistake. There are only two people who know, and I won’t tell.”
That’s forgiveness my friends!
You and I can’t give forgiveness horizontally until you have appropriated forgiveness vertically. I can try to forgive someone from the heart, but true forgiveness comes when I look to God and realize He’s the One who gives the power to forgive.
There have been times in my life and ministry when I’ve heard people say,” I just can’t find it in me to forgive this person.” And I’ve replied,” That’s so true, You can’t find it in yourself’ because it isn’t there ! The power to truly forgive comes from the Lord.”
Forgiveness is the greatest act of God my friends, and it will be your greatest act as well, when through God, you forgive others their debts and trespasses against you.
The NT word for forgive means “ to send away,” so why not forgive and ‘ send away,’ those ‘ trespasses & debts,’ releasing yourself, as well as the one that has wronged you!
Forgiving ALL who have wronged you is extremely important to God because He knows that unforgiveness will steal your Joy and make you miserable thus making it most difficult to walk in complete Victory! Blessings! pt😊