Happy Wednesday, Friends! Susie Larson here!

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a post, share an insight and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

It's time to announce April's Starbucks gift card winner! Rachel Beran, congratulations! Email me at: info@susielarson.com to claim your prize. And thanks for posting on my blog!

Now on to my topic...

We had one of THE most powerful shows yesterday! My guest was Dr. David Anderson and we talked about his book, 'I For-Grace You: Doing Good to Those Who Have Hurt You.'

During the show a woman named Marti called in. She was a new listener and didn't know Christ. David so sweetly encouraged her and then as (super) natural as can be, he led her in a prayer to receive Christ. I was beside myself. You have to listen if you get the chance: Live the Promise (For-Graceness)

During the show we talked about what Christ has forgiven in us, and the implications of not forgiving others. I know how difficult it is to forgive someone hurt deeply, but you and I know that it's our only path to freedom and peace!

Read this powerful passage:

Mark 11:24-26~ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Do you see the POWER in this verse? Prayer that changes things is linked with a heart that releases things. Oh, that we could learn the importance of running to Jesus the moment we have a spec of offense within our hearts. 

Catherine Marshall - a prolific writer and follower of Christ, practiced nightly prayers of forgiveness with her husband. Together they'd sit down and search their hearts in prayer. If they could sense even the slightest edge or attitude towards another, they would bow their heads, pray for their offender, and entrust the offense to the Lord. All the way down to being ticked about the little boy that pushed her daughter on the playground (me paraphrasing here), she bathed it in prayer. She attributed this daily practice as significant in keeping her heart and mind at peace.

Dr. David Anderson, my guest from yesterday's show, suggests that as Christ-followers, there's even a next step we can and must take whenever possible. He says it's not enough to release our offender of the debt they owe us. To follow Christ is to bless those who hurt us. And of course, that looks different in every situation, and requires divine wisdom each and every time.

Maybe the 'doing good' is simply to talk kindly to the one who hurt you when you'd rather be rude. Maybe it's earnest prayer on their behalf. Maybe it is washing their feet, or buying them groceries. Maybe you extend grace by asking them how they're doing that particular day.

Now of course, we need to keep distance from some of our offenders, but we can still pray for them. We need to keep boundaries with perpetual offenders, but we can still pray for them.

However, every once in a while, the Lord gives us an opportunity to actually and literally bless those who persecute us or hurt us in some way. That's what I'm talking about.

May the Lord Himself give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to do His will. Remember, Jesus asked the Father to forgive His executioners while they gambled for His clothes below - before they ever realized the gravity of their sin. 

We can't even comprehend the depths of forgiveness offered us by Christ because we don't really know the depths of our sin. But one day, in Heaven, we will. Oh, the depths of God's love! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

May we likewise forgive and (whenever possible) bless those who also don't deserve it.