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Forgive Offenders: Part 4

Jun 24, 2024

Have you ever forgiven someone only to wake up the next morning to feel all the old hurts and bitterness again? We can be discouraged and wonder, “did I actually forgive them?” It is important to realize that just as we need to come to the initial choice to forgive, we also must learn to walk out the “journey” of forgiveness. A key in this journey is learning that forgiveness is not an emotion; it is an act of the will. As we choose to forgive, to bless, and to release our offenders, our feelings will follow.

Our natural, human response to hurt is to get bitter. Bitterness always brings bondage. But praise God, He has made a way for us to walk free from bitterness! No matter how deep the hurt, God’s love is deeper. God desires to enable us, through Christ, to do what we could never do on our own — to forgive, to release, and to bless our offenders. Forgiveness equals freedom! 

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  • Gabe Cleator, Host

    Gabe Cleator loves Jesus and desires to help others to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him. His years of ministry to young men through the Journey to the Heart program as well as serving with Family Conferences have all been fueled by his desire to see people embrace Christ as the All-Sufficient One.  He holds a bachelor's degree in Biblical Ministries and currently serves as the director of the Home Discipleship Network under the ministry of IBLP. His vision as the director is dynamic and focused. He says, “My heart burns to see God's people turn back to a vibrant, living Christianity that has Christ at the center and the Word as the foundation.” In 2021, Gabe released his first book, Always and in Everything, calling God’s people to discover the power of giving thanks in all things.   Gabe and his wife, Sara, live in East Texas where they enjoy serving the Lord together. Gabe loves spending time in the great outdoors, especially when it involves taking fishing trips or visiting National Parks. From mountains and canyons, to waterfalls and wildlife, he takes great joy in the fact that his Heavenly Father made all these things!

  • Nate Paine, Host

    Nate Paine loves pointing people to God’s Word. He gave his life to the Lord at age 11, while on his family’s farm in Northeast Indiana. As a teenager and through his 20’s, he poured himself into serving God—from completing his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Ministries, to working in prison ministry discipling inmates, and mentoring young men through the Journey to the Heart program. Through the years, he has carried his life verse of Isaiah 61:1-3 with him, following God’s call to “preach good tidings unto the meek,” “bind up the brokenhearted,” “proclaim liberty to the captives,” and to offer beauty for ashes—through the Person and work of Christ.  Today, he lives with his wife and five children in East Texas where Nate serves on staff with IBLP and the Home Discipleship Network. In his spare time, you may find him adventuring with his children (preferably with fishing poles in hand), perfecting his pour over coffee brewing, or reading one of his favorite authors—Andrew Murray or A.W. Tozer.