Victorious!

Every coaching client has heard me say this, it's on my website, prior blogs and in my flyer ~ You ARE a Masterpiece, created, with divine plan and purpose! But, so many are challenged with that reality ~ and have trouble hanging on to how special and how powerful they are ~ in Christ.

The general response to "you are a Masterpiece" is the lowering of their head and a sigh ... or they say ohhhh, how sweet, as they squirm in place. And sadly I can tell they don't believe it, just as I didn't for many years!

That's why I'm so passionate about it now. I finally got it! When someone spent the time to show me God's Word and His Love - over and over again; and when I welcomed God's true, unconditional love, allowing it to sink in to my heart and soul ~ no longer just words ~ I began to feel energized, renewed and empowered! And, because I know how 'getting it' changed my life, it has become the platform for coaching others through life's challenges and circumstances.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." "...We are children of God. And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17 (amplified). Man, we are royalty! We are precious to Him even if no one else on earth thinks so, because HE says we are!

So you say, well ... that's not how I feel; or that's not what I've been told. And, look at what happened to me in my life, look at how the economy is impacting me, the negativity and violence around me .... how can God be a good God, and think I'm so special with good things planned for me?

The Message version of 2 Corinthians 10:3 says "The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair." And John 10:10 warns us that the enemy (thief) comes to steal, kill and destroy. The enemy (thief) comes in many forms such as hurtful words spoken or actions in our life time through family, co-workers, and circumstances that have attempted to diminish who we are and squelch our dreams, hopes and aspirations, etc. But there is HOPE and there is a future ~ even in this economy or environment! The Bible says we WIN.

Why, because the Bible says we are victorious and overcomers! John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" IF we keep our eyes focused on our power source ~ God, creator of the universe and of the uniquely beautiful and talented YOU.

So, what will you choose? Defeat .... or are you willing to consider yourself an overcomer IN Christ ~ HIS MASTERPIECE. You have heard it said before, our state of mind will strongly impact our outcome. State of mind, empowered by Christ who overcame the world, gives us unbelievable strength, wisdom, discernment, love, and an unending support system to face our day to day and to overcome victoriously!

My passion grows stronger each day to encourage those who feel powerless, disillusioned, fearful, empty, and hopeless to really believe what God says of them one step at a time, one situation at a time ~ IF you're willing to make changes and move forward, believing God's Words as truth!

Be blessed and not moved by what is going on around you! You are His Masterpiece and HE has great plans for YOU ~ even in this economy!

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Resources:

Isaiah 41:10-13 "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all. For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!"

As we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and keep His commands, 1 John 5:4-5 says "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?"

Revelation 3:20-22 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches)."

John 1o:7-11 "So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them. I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep."

Hope ...

This morning in New England the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and it's above freezing! This stirs Hope within!!! Hope that Spring is just before us - grass will turn green, flowers will bloom full of color and a fresh, new season begins!

But for many, hope for tomorrow is overshadowed by a season of great change in our world. A season that may be personally impacting you or those around you. Can you see Hope through the chaos, or have you allowed fear, anxiety, anger and/or confusion to eclipse your Hope?

What is your Hope in today?

Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT) "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my Hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude"

May I encourage you as believers in Jesus Christ:

1. to remember who you are IN CHRIST. You are the child of God (Romans 8:17), the heir and partaker of promises (Ephesians 3:6), complete and lacking for nothing (Colossians 2:9-10). You are a Masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)!

2. to keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus (remember when Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water; when he looked away, he began drowning [Matthew 14:27-30])! And, He has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

3. to bring your very real fears/concerns to HIM in prayer ~ be specific ~ and ask HIM for wisdom, discernment, and truth; and believe without doubt that HE will guide you, show you the way to provision and walk you through this season as He has for generations past.

4. to trust/believe in your anchor through God's Word, the Bible. Remember your favorite scriptures that lift you up and give you wisdom/guidance and Hope. And, if you need help, you can always go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and select keyword search. For example, HOPE is found in 195 scriptures in the Amplified version of the Bible.

5. "Be still, and know that I am God!" (Psalm 46:10)

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

And, if I may be of help as you face life transitions/decisions, confusion/fear/anxiety ~ by breaking your challenges into manageable steps with accountability, encouragement and God's Word, please contact me at michelle@fromtheheartlifecoach.com.

God's love and blessings,

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Resources:

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory."

Hebrews 6:18-19 "So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary."

Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we Hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

Ephesians 1: (The Message) I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Ephesians 3:6 "And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:31-39 "So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture .... I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."

2 Peter 1: 2-5 "May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."

Romans 12:11-12 (NTL) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."

2 Corinthians 1:9-11 (The Message) "And he ... rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part."

Psalm 27:14 "Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord."

I also encourage you to read about your blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

Who are you?

When someone asks who we are, what is the first thing that comes to mind? What just came to your mind ~ Who Are You?

Is your identity ~ who you are ~ defined by:

* Being someone's spouse, parent, child or friend?
* The title of your job or career path?
* What you've been dreaming you will be?

And, what happens when that identity is shaken? What happens when a spouse or child dies; a career, in which you took much pride, is eliminated/down sized or it's time for retirement; or when dreams are shattered? What is your anchor - who are you?

Or are you seen by others ... or yourself ... as the sum of life's mistake(s)? Is that who you are?

The Word of God says that in Christ, you are a child of God and you are His Masterpiece, created with plan and purpose! Always and unwavering ~ not impacted by the circumstances around you nor your history ~ for you are the child of God!

But, you were also created with free will! So, I pray you know that your anchor is in Christ. You are a new creation, forgiven, and righteous in the eyes of God! Whether in the midst of success or the ups and downs of life, in Christ, know that you are chosen, accepted, blessed and an heir to his promises. You are complete and lack for nothing! You are unconditionally loved and perfected ~ in Jesus!

God's love and blessings to you,
Michelle http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Resources:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith (Galatians 3:26)

In Christ I am....

1. God's Masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

2. a new man (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

3. forgiven (Ephesians 1:7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

4. righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

5. chosen (Ephesians 1:4) According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Forgiven, healed and redeemed: (Psalm 103:2-4) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy."

New Beginnings...

January 2009 - a time of new beginnings!

I remember in January 2008, I considered 'New Beginnings' as the name of my new coaching practice. It seemed to make sense, since January is a popular time for people to envision new goals, revamp older ones and believe with renewed anticipation for a brighter, more successful year than the last.

As I reminisce I realize the wonder of this first year. As I sought the Lord for direction/guidance, He gave me a different name, From the Heart Christian Life Coach, a more fitting name for He knew what He had planned for me. He taught me many lessons this year, and showed me His miraculous power as He worked through me and I was blessed to see lives changed, one heart at a time!

So now as we look forward to 2009, I can’t help but ask (it’s the coach in me :-)

• Have you thought about your successes in 2008? Why not list them and thank God for them!
• What are your goals/visions for 2009?
• What changes would you like to make spiritually, personally and/or professionally?
• What assurances do you have for success in these areas?

My testimony is that when we yield/surrender to God ~ our thoughts and plans ~ before making decisions and setting the course ~ God is faithful and we are successful and blessed beyond belief! And, since God created us all uniquely with plan and purpose, I encourage you to yield/surrender yourself by asking HIM to show you HIS vision for you this year! Remember, you are His Masterpiece!

If He has already given you a vision, ask Him to show you the steps to be taken this year before moving one foot forward. He will help you identify and realize your goal(s) beyond your wildest expectations. The Bible says His ways are higher than ours. So, I encourage you to seek God .... tell Him the desires of your heart [yes, He knows them already, but share them with Him anyway] ~ He longs for relationship with you.

And as you seek Him, remember to Listen to His still small voice, as He shares His wisdom and direction for you. Write them down and pray over them every day. Ask God to make a way where there seems to be no way. If God placed a desire in your heart, you can expect with excitement a wondrous outcome! New beginnings with God as your pilot.

And if you need someone to prayerfully help you put order to the goals/visions and steps, please consider From the Heart, Christian Life Coach.

May you expect with childlike anticipation God's bountiful blessings each and every day as you look to Him. God's love to you and yours,

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Scripture resources:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Jeremiah 33:2-3 “This is what the Lord says—the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come."

Psalm 37:4-5 "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."

Psalm 139:15-16 "My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them."

Psalm 18:30-31 "God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?"

Proverbs 16:9 “A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure."

Proverbs 19:21 "Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand."

Romans 12:2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Luke 9:35 "Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My Son, My Chosen One or My Beloved; listen to and yield to and obey Him!"

Proverbs 16:3 "Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

From the heart....

What a year ~ what a month! We hear about and feel the effect of the economy's ups and downs, weather changes/disasters and scandals. We may think about our own personal struggles or losses this year.... and then, oh yes, it's Christmas time.... could life be any more stressful?

But in the midst of all that, I encourage you to take a moment.... take a l..o..n..g, deep breath.... be still.... and think back on all the blessings of this year! Oh, yes, dig deep for no matter how devastating this year may have felt to you personally, there are many positive, precious moments interweaving through each day ~ miracles in fact! Remember a smile, a hug, a helping hand, encouragement, a friend, answered prayers, breakthrough, healing ... lift your head and look around you ... there are many blessings. Recapture those moments in the midst of today's chaos. In fact, write them down.... savor and appreciate them for they are priceless gifts!

And oh yes, Christmas ~ December 25th, a date that represents and celebrates the birth of Jesus. "And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 "For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!" Luke 2:11 The ultimate gift from God to you!

So, from my heart to yours, Merry Christmas!
I thank God for YOU and for every blessing ~ every precious moment ~ a gift from Him. I pray you sense God’s real and unconditional love for you today and always (refer to last month's blog). No greater gift than His love ~ every moment of every day!

From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Love ... what does it really mean?

My husband and I recently took a course on Love. After finishing the course we realized how little we knew about/understood God's Love and acknowledged that we would never be the same as we ask God to help us love, as HE loves us.

As part of our homework, we were asked to read the scriptures and explanations below - everyday - so that little by little we would recognize when we were not operating in Love!
Wow! I encourage you to read this well known scripture with fresh eyes as we all learn to give the gift of Love ~ this season and always!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13 (Amplified):

Love endures long and is patient and kind; Love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; Love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is Love.

Love suffers long: I have patience with imperfect people.

Love is kind: I am active in doing good.

Love does not envy: Since I am non-possessive and non-competitive, I actually want other people to get ahead hence I do not parade myself.

Love is not puffed up: I do not treat others arrogantly; I do not behave rudely, but I display good manners and courtesy.

Love does not seek its own: I do not insist on my own rights and demand precedence; rather I am UNselfish.

Love is not provoked: I am not irritable or touchy, rough or hostile, but am graceful under pressure.

Love thinks no evil: I do not keep an account of wrongs done to me; instead, I erase resentments.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity: I do not find satisfaction in the shortcomings of others and I do not spread an evil report, rather I rejoice in the truth, aggressively advertising the good.

Love bears all things: I defend and hold other people up.

Love believes the best about others: I credit them with good intentions, and am not suspicious.

Love hopes all things: I never give up on people, but I affirm their future.

Love endures all things: I persevere and remain loyal to the end.

Love, Gods love in me, Never Fails!

Thank you, Victory Bible Training for opening our eyes!

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com

Love ...

Jesus said, “The most important commandment is this: ... you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT)

How do we love our neighbor as ourselves when someone has seriously offended us, or deeply pained us in a life changing way? The answer is Forgiveness!

I believe forgiving and loving go hand-in-hand, and are a process only possible with God’s help ~ because of His profound, unconditional love for us. But, how?

* Take inventory: Ask God to show us areas where unforgiveness rules.
* Ask, and receive God’s forgiveness of our own sins, mistakes and blunders.
* Know that we have God’s strength, wisdom and ultimate love which enables us to forgive others.
* Pray blessings for those who have hurt us ~ with a sincere heart.
* Love our neighbor as ourselves, because we can love as God loves us!

Unforgiveness is often time the root of anger, defensiveness, cynicism, isolation, inability to trust, addiction, or illness. I pray that with God's strength, wisdom and love, you will release the poison that hurts YOU, allowing love, peace and forgiveness to fill you!

Remember what Christ went through – mockery, torture, death. Scripture says that when he went to the cross HE bore our grief, weakness, sorrow, sin, and disease so that we would suffer no more. Can we dismiss His ultimate sacrifice for us and defy the principal commands because we believe our offense/pain is far worse than anything Jesus went through. Ponder upon the unconditional love God has for us through His Son and ask Him to give you the grace to forgive those who have hurt you and allow the love of Jesus to heal your broken heart and make you whole ~ complete freedom, able to be loved and to love!

Michelle Lord Samples
Certified Christian Life Coach
www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com

Resources:

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:2-6 (NLT)

Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. Hebrews 12:3-4 (Amplified)

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1-5 (The Message)

"bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:13 NKJV)

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings. Mark 11:25-26 (Amplified)

Part of Lord’s prayer: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors…For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. Matthew 6:12,14-15 (Amplified)

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:14-20 (The Message)

And what are the characteristics of that love – God’s love? In 1 Corinthians 13 it shares "Love never gives up; cares more for others than for self; doesn't want what it doesn't have; doesn't strut; doesn't have a swelled head; doesn't force itself on others; isn't always "me first;" doesn't fly off the handle; doesn't keep score of the sins of others; doesn't revel when others grovel; takes pleasure in the flowering of truth; puts up with anything; trusts God always; always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” …”Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”