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Pastor Mike Burns

Victory Church

903.567.2072 (Ext. 3002)

MBurns@wordofvictory.org

Praying the Lord's Prayer -- Click here to download...

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 9:32 AM

Is Forgiving and Forgetting the Same Thing?

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 9:32 AM

Is Forgiving and Forgetting the Same Thing?

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

Some people wrongly believe that forgiveness is synonymous with forgetting. We say, “Forgive and forget.” And we think, “If I forgive somebody, then I have to forget what they have done to me.”

Now, the good news is when God forgives us, He does forget. The Bible says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). And God says, “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34 NASB). That doesn’t mean when God forgives, He contracts a case of divine senility. God is saying that He no longer holds our sin against us when He forgives us.

But when we tell people that in order to forgive someone they have to forget the offense, we are asking them to do something that is impossible. You see, forgiveness is a spiritual action, but forgetting is a biological action. We do people a disservice when we say, “Unless you forget, you truly haven’t forgiven.”

Forgiveness and forgetting are not the same thing. In fact, trying to forget what people have done to you can short-circuit the forgiveness process. People say, “I am not going to think about what that person did to me. I will just pretend it never happened.” That is not forgiveness. In fact, you can do yourself great harm by doing that. You have to go through the right steps in order to properly forgive somebody.

Forgiveness and forgetfulness are not the same thing. You may never forget the effect of someone’s injury against you. Remembering may even serve as an alert against being injured again in the same way. Christian theologian Lewis Smedes wrote, “If you forget, you will not forgive at all.” In fact, one forgives most completely when one has first fully acknowledged the depth and extent of the offense. That can be a long, reflective process that may or may not include the offender’s admission of wrong.

Too many Christians try to hurry the process along. They move so quickly to forgetting that they may actually be in denial rather than practicing true forgiveness. However, remembering does not mean you should continue to let the offense have power over you. As Smedes notes, “We have the power to forgive what we still do remember.” That power is available through Jesus Christ. The much-quoted passage, Ephesians 4:32, says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We can do that most profoundly when we reflect on how God forgives our sins constantly. That inspires humility. The freedom forgiveness brings to the spirit is palpable. While we may always remember the hurt, we pray toward the time when we can forgive with no weight or pressure, but with a letting go.

The Bait Stick Series: “Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve.”

Pastor Mike

By Dr. J. Michael Burns

Published on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 @ 9:32 AM CDT
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Thursday, September 29, 2022 2:42 PM

The Best Defense against an Offense

Thursday, September 29, 2022 2:42 PM

Psalm 119:165 in the KJV reads, "Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them." Some modern translations will replace the last phrase with something akin to "nothing can make them stumble." Nothing can entice them to sin, nor can the sins of others cause them to fall.

Notice what this verse says. As a fruit, the love of God's instruction—paying attention to and keeping His law (His Word)—produces peace, which is a wonderful, strong sense of well-being, stability and confident assurance in what we already have. Thus, the enticement to go another way holds no attraction. Why exchange something we have proven to be eternally good for something else of very nebulous and doubtful short-term value (like an offense)?

The psalmist writes in Psalm 149,verse 49, "Remember the word to your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope." Why turn aside from a way that gives hope? "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life... I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts" (verses 50, 63). Peace, hope, comfort in affliction, fellowship with wonderful, like-minded people also submitting to God and life all come as a result of loving God's law, His Word. In other verses he adds delight, understanding and wisdom on how to navigate through the minefields of offenses.

Herein lies the defense against offense. When we strive to lavish our affections upon God, we show it by submitting to Him. We show our affection by obeying Him, talking to Him and meditating on what He says to us through His Word. We will strive to discover ways of using His advice in our lives.

We will not do these things to "get" blessings from Him, even though blessings will come. We do them because we admire, respect and desire to honor Him (I John 4:19). We do this to improve the relationship so that we are closer to Him than ever before.

The best defense against offense is a healthy and growing relationship with God. We must nurture this relationship on a daily basis, and not allow it to degenerate through a lack of care. And then, when the pressure is on because offense has come, we can cry out in our anguish and desperation for help and receive the help we need (Hebrews 4:16).

A good relationship with God does not insure that offenses will always be easy to deal with. In fact, they may even get more difficult! More frequent opportunities both to offend and be offended may spring up. God rewards those who are growing with greater responsibility (Luke 12:48).

But know this: If we are devoting our lives to God, we will be able to meet offenses with the loving, confident, hopeful, peaceful, and yes, even the joyful attitude of the poet who wrote Psalm 119. When we have grown to this point, we will see our offenders through the eyes, as it were, of the One who so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. And this is the first step in the right direction.

By Dr. J. Michael Burns

Published on Thursday, September 29, 2022 @ 2:42 PM CDT
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Saturday, August 6, 2022 12:03 PM

A Guide to Praying for Your Children

Saturday, August 6, 2022 12:03 PM

Prayer is communion with God where we speak to Him and He speaks to us.

· Prayer is COMMUNION with God where we speak to Him and He speaks to us.

· Prayer is also CONFRONTATION with the enemy.

I. I want my children and grandchildren to… KNOW GOD.
I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for you. Eph. 1:16-18 TLB

(1). Pray for your children and grandchildren to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior & Lord.

(2). Ask the Father to draw your children and grandchildren to Jesus. – John 6:44

(3). Bind the spirit that blinds your children’s and grandchildren’s minds. – 2 Cor. 4:4.

(4). Pray for your children and grandchildren to have a “personal and vibrant” relationship with God. – Colossians 2:6-7

(5). Pray for Believers to Cross their Paths. – Mathew 9:38

II. I want my children and grandchildren to find FREEDOM.
I pray that the eyes of your hearts will be flooded with light….. Eph.1:18

You have 2 sets of eyes. One your head and another set on your heart. The eyes of your heart are how you look at the world around you. You are looking through the things that have happened to you. You are looking through the filter of your heart. You are looking through your pain, your past, and your problems. You are looking through your fears, disappointments, and betrayals. Paul is saying, “Once you have this relationship with Christ, dynamic relationship with Christ… go on this journey of getting your heart clear. (The eyes of your heart clear)

(1). Pray for the protection of your children and grandchildren. – 2 Thess. 3:3

We often worry about our safety and protection. When we feel this way, we can immediately come to God in prayer pouring out our heart to Him and battling in the heavenlies by asking for and claiming protection for ourselves and our families in Jesus name.

(2). Pray for your children and grandchildren to release hurt. – Proverbs 26:2

(3). Pray for your children and grandchildren to learn to forgive those who hurt them. – Eph. 4:32

(4). Pray for your children and grandchildren to know they can always communicate with you.

III. I want my children and grandchildren to discover their PURPOSE.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you… Ephesians 1:18

(1).Pray that your child would surrender to the purpose that God has for them. – Psalm 57:2

(2). Pray that God would guide and direct your child toward their purpose. – James 1:5

(3). Pray that God’s will and purpose for your child would be done. – Matthew 6:10

IV. I want my children and grandchildren to make a DIFFERENCE in their world.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you… to share. - Ephesians 1:18

(1). Pray for your children and grandchildren to be “Salt and Light” in their world. – Matt. 5:16; I Peter 2:12.

(2). Pray for your children to grow in courage. – I Timothy 4:12

(3) Pray for your children to speak up and speak out for Jesus Christ. – Matt. 21:15-16; Psalm 8:2

By Dr. J. Michael Burns

Published on Saturday, August 6, 2022 @ 12:03 PM CDT
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Tuesday, March 1, 2022 11:37 AM

What is the Response of the Church to the Invasion by Russia into Ukraine?

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 11:37 AM

Realize God is in Charge. (Psalm 73:26; 125:2; John 14:21)
Realize this is a potential prophetic event. (Luke 21:5-38)
Pray for the People of Ukraine: (Psalm 46:10; Psalm 22:8)

* Wisdom

* Courage

* Provision

* Peace

* Safety

Pray for the Church in Ukraine: (Eph. 1:15-22)

* Stay true to the Faith found in the Scriptures.

* Preach and witness of Christ.

* Comfort the hurting.

* Prayer to be ignited among the nation.

* Miracles and Signs/Wonders be displayed.

Pray for the Church around the world: (Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 57:15; Acts 1:8)

* Stay true to the Faith found in the Scriptures.

* Preach and witness of Christ.

* Comfort the hurting (refugees).

* Prayer to be “Ignited” in the Church.

* Repentance from Dead Works.

* Revival in the Church around the world.

* Return to the “Mission of Jesus Christ.”

Pray for Evil to be exposed and to be overcome: (Job 12:23; Psalm 46:10)

* Pray for confusion and mayhem to break-out among those who have planned evil.

* Pray for people around the world to protest against Putin’s evil plans.

* Pray for the revelation of Jesus Christ and His love to be revealed to evil hearts.

Pray for the Ukraine military and citizens who are fighting the Russian Invaders.

* To receive the weapons needed to repel the invaders.

* To have strategies that deter the invaders.

* To see supernatural intervention from God in their fight against the invaders. (Luke 18:27)

Examine your own Spiritual walk with Christ: (Colossians 1:6-7)

* Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

* Are you pleasing God or Men?

* Repent and get rid of habits of sin.

* Find Freedom in Christ.

* Connect with other Believers

* Live Purposely and Serve Others.

Pray for Victory Church to stay on point with Jesus and His Mission to the World:

* Know God

* Find Freedom

* Discover Our Purpose

* Make a Difference

Rejoice…

Jesus is Coming Soon!!

Luke 21:25-28

By Dr. J. Michael Burns

Published on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 @ 11:37 AM CDT
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