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<v SPEAKER_00>Hey everybody, welcome to day four of our 21 days of prayer.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Pastor Terrell here, and I'm excited to dive in.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We're going to be in Ephesians 4:31 through 32, and we're going to be talking about how to make room for forgiveness.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So scripture says this get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, and as well as the types of evil behavior.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>See, forgiveness is one of the hardest things Jesus asks us to do, not because it's complicated, but because it's deeply personal.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Yet forgiveness is also one of the clearest ways we make room for Him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Unforgiveness takes up space in our hearts that God wants to fill with His peace, His presence, and His healing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>See, Paul tells us in Ephesians to get rid of all bitterness, anger, and resentment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>These words aren't casual.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They are intentional.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Bitterness doesn't leave on its own, it must be confronted.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Jesus knows that as long as those emotions live in us, they will slowly take over this space that's meant for him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So let's be honest.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We often think forgiveness is about weakness, caving in, or giving up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness is about letting go.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's about reclaiming ownership of your heart, your mind, and your body.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness is about deciding to no longer carry the weight someone else has put in your backpack.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's about taking the bricks out and setting them down so you can move forward lighter and free.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness is about freedom.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness is about you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And forgiveness isn't a conditional contract.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus didn't stretch out his arms and say, Father, forgive them if he simply forgave freely, fully, completely.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When we withhold forgiveness, we're often holding on to the past in a way that steals our future.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Face the past, don't fear the past.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not dealing with our past robs us of what God wants to do next.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness is one of the primary ways we face it, not by pretending it didn't hurt, but by refusing to let it control us any longer.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness is not saying what happened didn't hurt.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not pretending things are fine or letting someone escape consequences.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness simply means releasing the weight you were never designed to carry.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's choosing to put this situation in God's hands instead of your own.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's trusting that He's the better judge, a better healer, and a better restorer than we could ever be.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And there's a reason Jesus talks about forgiveness so often, because it affects our closeness to him more than we realize.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Unforgiveness hardens the heart, and a hardened heart has a little room for God to speak, lead, or comfort.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But when we forgive, something supernatural happens.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God begins to heal places we didn't even know were broken.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgiveness frees you before it frees the other person.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It makes room for joy, for compassion, for emotional clarity, and ultimately for Jesus to breathe healing into the space bitterness once occupied.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And God never asks you to do something He hasn't already done for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Forgive.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Just as in Christ God forgave you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You've been fully forgiven, freely and completely.

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<v SPEAKER_00>From that place of grace, God empowers you to let go, even when it feels impossible.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let's pray.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus, show me where unforgiveness has taken up space in my heart.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Give me the courage to release what I've been holding on to.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Today, help me take one practical step of forgiveness, whether that's praying for the person, releasing the memory, or choosing not to replay the hurt again.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I trust you with the pain, the disappointment, and the outcome.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Fill my heart with your peace and heal what only you can.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In Jesus' name.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, thank you so much for joining us for day four.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Um, I've been loving this so much so far, and I'm excited for day five