Quiet Times Search

• Easter - What do you think happened to Jesus' body?
• Thanksgiving - what we are thankful for
• Independence Day - what kinds of freedom mean the most to them
• Conversations about what holidays their family likes to keep

4. Initiate in friendship

• Calls, cards, encouragement
• Need to be giving
• No “OK, here I am, now disciple me.”

5. Initiate in evangelism

• Bring people to older Christians to study with
• This is how you’ll learn to be abundantly fruitful

6. Initiate in thinking

• Learn to be independent thinkers, not independent spirit
• 1 Timothy 4:7 - Train yourself to be Godly

• Generously - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:6-11, Luke 16:13-16
• Weekly - 1 Corinthians 16:1
• To advance the gospel - Philippians 4:14-16, Titus 3:13-14
• To meet the saints’ needs - Romans 15:25-27, Acts 2:44-45

1. Evangelism - Philippians 2:14-16, Colossians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 2:9
   
2. Serving
   • Serving food - Acts 6:1-4
   • Providing clothes - Acts 9:36-39
   • Looking after its orphans and widows - 1 Timothy 5:16, James 1:27
   • Showing hospitality - 1 Corinthians 16:5-6, 3 John 5-8, Hebrews 13:!2
   • 1 John 3:16-17, James 2:15-16, Matthew 25:34-36

Romans 6:23

• We deserve death because of our sins but God is willing to forgive us in spite of who we are (God's gift to us)
• Question: After studying these scriptures, would you say the Bible describes your heart in response to your sin more like the Pharisee or the Sinful woman?

John 3:1-7

• Question: What did Jesus say MUST happen in order for someone to be born again?
• Question: We should born of what? Spirtual birth not a physical birth - not being religous but living a righteous life
• Question: What do we need to have convictions on in order to be born again?

Acts 2:22-24

• Jesus is God's son (miracles prove it)
• Jesus died for our (YOUR) sins
• God raise Jesus on the 3rd day
• Question: So how should we respond to the fact that our (YOUR) is why Jesus died on the cross?

Acts 2:36-41

• Repent and be Baptized (wall is removed)
• Then we can have a relationship with God (what happens at baptism)

Romans 6:1-4

• Question: What are you baptized into? If you were baptized into Jesus' death, what else does that allow us to have? New Life
• You can go from the heart of the Pharisee to the heart of the Sinful Woman by understanding the forgiveness through Jesus
• Encouraged to write a letter to God thanking him for forgiving you of your sins (write the sins out)

• Our heart should be to give "cheerfully" out of gratitude for all that God's done for you
• Weekly contribution is an opportunity to express our gratitude to God weekly.
• Share: You wouldn't want someone to love you because they "have to" instead because they "want to".
• God doesn't make you give he wants you to give "cheerfully"
• Question: How do you feel about giving contribution weekly?
• Share: Once a year we have a special contribution to help in special areas (explain what special is about)

• Each disciple is different (racially, socially, economically, culturally, etc) and God wants it that way.
• Each disciple is different but each person is important. What gift do you see yourself adding to the body?
• v18 - God arranges the body parts the way he wants them to be (our relationships are orchestrated by God)
• God has the person that He wants you to (marry, roommate, etc) already in mind for you (trust him)

• Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another - Colossians 3:13
• Forgiving each other - Ephesians 4:32
• Greet one another with a holy kiss - Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20;2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 5:14
• Have equal concern for each other - 1 Corinthians 12:25
• Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10

• Everywhere - Psalms 139:7-12
• Forgiving - Psalms 86:5; Daniel 9:9; Ephesians 1:7
• Good - 1 Peter 2:3
• Gracious - Exodus 33:19; Psalms 111:4; 1 Peter 5:10
• Hates Sin - Psalms 5:5-6; Habakkuk 1:13

• An unrivaled love for God. “We must love Jesus more than any relationship” - Luke 14:26
• An unceasing death to self. “We must love Jesus more than ourselves” - Luke 14:27
• An unqualified giving up of everything. “We must love Jesus more than anything” - Luke 14:33

• More than membership in a crowd of followers.
• More than curiosity about Jesus.
• More than being willing to listen to Christ’s words.
• More than being convinced of Christ divinity.
• Being committed to Christ so that He is Lord of your life.

• Affairs
• Divorce
• Unwanted pregnancies
• Abortion
• Sexual disease
• Guilt
• Loss of innocence
  

• He learns about the world through two hoodlums, who teach him to skip school, smoke and steal.
• In the end the two boys are turned into donkeys and Pinocchio barely escapes being turned into a donkey (with the help of “Jimmy Cricket”, who was a good conscience/friend for Pinocchio).

• One reason the Bible is so adamant about pride is its effect on our view of God.
  
• When we puff ourselves up with pride we begin to act as if we are God
  
• Instead of being in the image of God we try to make God in our image
  

1. We make God into a national God = prospers our country only
2. Watering down the Bible = suit our feelings
3. When we act as if we are a special case = God will overlook our situation
4. When we become depressed & discouraged (I’m just a failure) = God messed up

• Satan wants to put thoughts in the minds and hearts of the saints to lead them astray
• He really wants to come after the ministry staff that leads God’s people.

1. Have division and tension in your marriage (not a divorce just disunity)
2. He wants your children (that’s one of the best ways he can hurt you)
3. He wants you to be competitive & jealous of others
4. He wants you to struggle with forgiving others
5. He wants you to be focused only on your ministry & not the church (bigger picture)

1. We’re family, he wants it to be like Cain & Abel
2. King Saul, Satan wants you to think you can lead better than others, nothing to learn from me, be a good follower
3. Satan wants KC church divided from the Heartland & movement

• It was the Union’s first decisive victory over the Army of Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee.
• He had led his forces into the northern states taking an offensive posture in the war.
• When the Union army followed him into Pennsylvania, he found a spot on the map where several roads joined at an intersection called Gettysburg.
• General Lee did not know the number of Union soldiers he was facing.
• These numbers should have been discovered and reported by his cavalry leader Jeb Stuart, but he was nowhere to be found.
• Stuart, without orders from General Lee, had decided to go on a raiding expedition.
• The cavalry was the eyes of the army. Without the counsel of his cavalry leader Lee was blind.
• Unprepared, Lee went on to lose the battle at Gettysburg. It was just the victory Lincoln had been looking for

1. We need our cavalry “brothers & sisters” giving us advice and counsel
2. They tell us where the enemy is and how strong his forces are.
3. They help equip us to do battle with the enemy.
4. They fortify us when we’re lacking in zeal
5. We need these people in our lives.

• We would ask others what kind of interest rate we should look for, how many miles per gallon, the resale value, look at consumer reports, etc…
• We go to counselors for help (family & career), therapist, on and on
  

• We need to find people who are spiritually mature and gone through such experiences in life
• These men and women can give us godly advice that will help us mature spiritually

• The challenge of life is not that we have too little time, but in how we are going to spend the time we do have.
• We need to make the most of every day (make a to do list to get yourself started)

• Anyone can have a job but do we do the little things that make us a great employee
• Anyone can have a child but do we do the things that make us a great parent

1. Punctuality
2. Paying bills on time
3. Sending birthday (Father’s Day, Mother’s Day cards)
4. Picking up after yourself
5. Keeping your room/car clean
6. Returning phone calls
7. Looking presentable

• Discipline is being able to decide what can be done and doing it the right way
• It’s better to do three (3) things well than ten (10) things half heartedly

• You don’t have to say “yes” to everyone and everything (our people pleasing nature will end up making us overwhelmed, stressed)
  

• Worry is an unproductive emotion (it won’t change anything)
• Worry is like a rocking chair (gives you something to do but gets you no where)

1. Buy things that are useful instead of buying for status
2. Do not buy anything that is producing an addiction in you
3. Develop a characteristic of giving things away
4. Develop a deeper appreciation for God’s creation
5. Stay away from things that take your focus off of God
6. If anything comes before you having QT’S in the morning then fast from that thing (activity) until you control it instead of it controlling you.

Summary

The kings went to war and took Lot captive. Abram rescued Lot. Melchizedek blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Observations

Genesis 14:18 - Melchizedek ... He was priest of God Most High
This is the first mention of a priest in the Bible. Melchizedek was the start of the line of priests that would stretch all the way to Jesus' time. Jesus because the high priest and the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him [Hebrews 5:9-10].

Genesis 14:23 - I will accept nothing belonging to you
Abram made the decision not to take anything from the king of Sodom while saving Lot. Instead he chose to give some of his possessions to the priest because he was so grateful that God gave him victory over the kings. He must of sensed something from the king of Sodom that was not right and did not want to be associated with him. Do we have worldly ties that we shouldn't? People around us can assume because hang around others that do wrong, we do the same things. We should live among people as Jesus did but how are we associated with them?

Personal Application

Do I have a good sense of my relationships? Do I tend to be a part of group to just belong or a higher reason? I find it much easier to take then to give and I do not think I have conviction on doing the reverse. There is no such thing as a free lunch (maybe from God because he gives freely) - are some offers of others giving really a trap? In some some situations, I should be giving instead of taking.

Summary

The Lord promised Abram an heir and many descendants. Abram believed. He was told that they would be enslaved but would then return.

Observations

Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the LORD ... credited it to him as righteousness
Even though Abram had no kids for a long period of time, he believed the Lord would provide. He had this prayer for a long time - many, many days he prayed. But nothing. He he came face to face with God, He told him a son was coming and his descendants would be as many as stars in the sky. Abram chose to believe and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. How long do we pray before giving up?

Genesis 15:14 - I will punish the nation they serve as slaves
At the beginning of the chapter, God said he was Abram's shield [Genesis 15:1]. Here he expands on his promise - in the future, he will punish the Egyptians for making his people to become slaves. God will protect us. The judgement of our enemies might not come on our timetable, but it will come. We need to patient and be still, the Lord will fight for you [Exodus 14:14]

Personal Application

Sometimes I believe that perseverance is my strength but as I look at my prayers for the desires of my heart, I give up way easily. "But it has not happened in 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years" - I say. Abram waited until he was 100 years for his son to be born.

• 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 - Paul felt more grace so he worked even harder
• Ephesians 2:8-10 - God has given us good works to do in response to His grace

• Hebrews 10:26-31 - When we deliberately keep on sinning and insult the amazing gift of grace
• Jonah 2:1-8 - Our lack of repentance can keep God’s grace from our lives

• Hebrews 12:28-29 - Be grateful you are a part of such an awesome Kingdom
• Colossians 2:6-7 - Our thankfulness should be an obvious part of our life (overflowing)

• Nehemiah 12:31 - God assigned two choirs, solely for the purpose of giving thanks
• Psalms 28:7 - Gratitude must be seen in our singing to God (Colossians 3:15-16)
• Psalms 100:1-5 - All parts of worship should be entered into with thanksgiving

1. Why does prayer need to be learned? Who are you learning from?
2. (vs. 2-4) How can you praise God's name? Do you pray for God's kingdom (church) to increase?
   
3. Do you pray for daily needs and for forgiveness for yourself and to also forgive others?
   
4. Do you pray for help and protection from temptations?
5. What else does Jesus want us to understand about prayer from verses 5-13?

• What does God want you to pray about?
• What are some worries you can pray about today?
• Do you feel at peace when you pray to God? Trust he will answer!

1. What has God created for us to do?
2. Make a list of some good works that you could do.

1. How does love cover over many sins?
2. Have you been offering hospitality to other disciples?
3. How can you improve in this?
4. Why do you think God wants you to be giving to others?

1. Who does God want us to help?
2. Who in your Bible talk has special needs right now that you could help?

1. What will you be judged for on the last day?
2. Why is it not enough to simply give money to beggers?
3. Which of the six things listed in verses 35-36 have you done recently?
4. Who are we really ignoring when we neglect the needy?

1. What does it mean to be "hard-hearted" or "tight-fisted"?
2. What kind of giving does God expect from you?
3. Who are some of the poor and needy around you - and how are you going to help them?

1. What are some small acts of kindness that will not be forgotten by God?
2. How can you help the needy even if you have little money?

1. What are some of the "old" parts of you that are gone?
2. What are some of the "new" things you are becoming?

1. How new must you be?
2. What is the difference between adding on new habits and being changed from the inside?
3. Are you like an old wineskin or a new one? Why?

1. What are some examples of worldly thinking in your life?
2. How can you change your thinking?

1. How does God describe your old way of thinking and living?
2. Who were you created to be like? Why is it so important to keep on forgiving each other?
3. What does it mean to live a life of love?

1. What does it mean to be a royal priesthood?
2. What message should you be sharing?
3. Are you really declaring God's praises or just giving out an invitation?

1. How can you tell if you're living for yourself or living for Jesus?
2. What does it mean to be Christ's ambassador?
3. Would Jesus be pleased with the way you present him?
4. What does it mean to APPEAL to and IMPLORE people?
5. What attitude should you have toward the lost?

1. Why was Paul distressed?
2. What are some sights around your city that should distress you?
3. Where did Paul share his faith?
4. Why did Paul begin his message by commending the Athenians for being very religious?
5. What does this teach you about preaching Paul's message?

1. Why did Elijah feel so overwhelmed?
2. What are some things that have made you feel like giving up?
3. How did the Lord encourage him physically, spiritually and emotionally?
4. What do you normally do when you start feeling "down"?
5. How can you apply the 3 lessons from above the next time you are tempted to give in to discouragement?

1. How do you think Elijah felt to be given a friend and disciple like Elisha?
2. Why did God wait until Elijah was "in action" again before sending him to Elisha?

1. What do you learn from this widow's example?
2. Think of at least 3 reasons she could have given to be "stingy".

1. Have you decided to give generously to God?
2. Are you giving that amount regularly?
3. What does God promise to those who give freely?
4. How does your giving benefit others, God, and yourself?

Summary

As promised, Sarah had a son: Isaac. She had Hagar and Ishmael sent away but God preserved them. Abraham and Abimelech made a treaty.

Observations

Genesis 21:1 - The LORD visited Sarah just as he had said he would and did for Sarah what he had promised
God's fulfillment of his promises does not depend on us. God alone is faithful in what he says he will do. Neither should our vows change the on what others do or how our situation changes. Wheather that be our decision to become a Christian, our marriage, or commitment to the church or our kids. Jesus loved people to the core despite how others treated him.

Genesis 21:22 - God is with you in all that you do
God is all around us. His works and the evidence that he exists can not be denied. Which leads to the question: he is all around us but also with us?  God is watching us and he is with those who love him. [Romans 8:28]

Personal Application

I need to unmoved by the changing seas around me. I go all over the place on where I stand on giving to others without resolve. Need to be consistent as I faithfully follow the Lord.

• He has taken away our punishment
• He has turned back our enemy
• He is mighty to save
• He rejoices over us with singing

Summary

Sarah died in Kiriath-arba and Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial site. He bought a cave at full price from Ephron and buried Sarah there.

Observations

Genesis 23:6 - Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince
Abraham's reputation was above reproach. Those who invest their time and money in serving God often earn a good return on their investment - a good reputation and the respect of others. He was in front of the elders of the land to witness this as a legit transaction (v16). No one could say Abraham stole and cheated someone in this first recorded real estate transaction. He simply waited on God to fulfill his promise in his own timing. Unlike Jesus' disciples, Abraham did not have a battle plan on how He would take the land. [Matthew 26:52]

Genesis 23:15 - Land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends?
Abraham paid the initial price even after refusing the land as a gift time and time again. He was not trying to take anything he didn’t deserve. Even though God had promised the land to Abraham, he was did come with a attitude that he owned the place. Instead, he waited for God's timing and will to fulfill his promise. Like David, he did not want to take what was someone else's and give it the Lord. [1 Chronicles 21:24]

Application

What kind of reputation do I have at work, at home, and at church? What do others say about me? How has that helped or hindered me?

Do I become impatient in waiting for God's promises? Do I try to fulfill God's promises for him?

Do we avoid giving when it really costs us something?

Prayer

Lord, help me to have the faith to wait on your promises and to always be ambassador of yours no matter where I am.

Love your wives like Christ loves the church - Ephesians 5:25-26

God created man to look after his wife, to love her perfectly

Love as Jesus loved!

Want to know how to love?

• Sacrifically - gave up his life
• Selflessly - Did everything his Father sent him to do
• Patiently - Taught flawed people and asked them to follow him
• Forgivingly - He asked his Father to forgive those crucified him
• Generously - Gave us far more than we deserve

Jesus is our perfect example of love in action

They realized this work had been donw with the help of our God - Nehemiah 6:16

Nothing keeps a man's feet on the ground like remembering that everying blessing he has comes from the hand of God

Nehemiah understood the importance of giving God the credit in all things

Order of events:

1. Nehemiah learned of the city's wall condition
2. He sprang into action
3. He surveyed the problem
4. Prayed about it
5. Came up with a plan to rebuild the walls
6. Reconstructed he the wall in 52 days

Nehemiah knew when he gave God the credit that the swiftness of the rebuilding project would be a warning to Jeruslem's enemies

There is no self-made men - only men who recognize the God who made them

What good thing is God doing in your life right now? Have you given him the credit?

Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God - Genesis 41:38

One of a man's most important traits is his willingness to listen

The Pharaoh that lived during Joseph's lifetime had the humility to listen and thus saved countless lives

Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was in prision at the time, and asked him what his dreams meant

Pharaoh listened to Joseph and appointed him to administer to the food program through the coming drough

Have you learned to listen?

God places people in your life with the purpose of giving you wisdom and direction

All of us have strayed away - Isaiah 53:5

Jesus Christ was the perfect example of that kind of giving

Isaiah saw this example of a humble, suffering servant from his own time

He depicts a man who willingly subjected himslef to unspeakable suffering on the behalf of others

How does Jesus' selfless giving motivate you? 

Even when there was no hope, Abraham kept hoping of becoming a father of man nations - Romans 4:18

Hope - a sense of expectancy even when the circumstaces suggest packing it in and giving up

At age 100 years  Abraham still had no children

Humanly speaking, Abraham had every reason to wonder if God had forgotten his promise

Abraham remained convicted God would keep all his promises

God blessed Abraham and his wife with a son - he became a father of many nations

Those who trust in me will never be put to shaem - Isaiah 49:23

Has God given you an yet-to-be-fullfilled promise? Have you grown weary in waiting?

Give my greeting to Priscilla and Aquila, they risked their lives for me - Romans 16:3-4

In New Testament times, preachers and apostles often traveled in pairs:

• Peter and John
• Paul and Barnabus
• Paul and Silas
• Priscilla and Aquila - married couple never mention apart

Aquila and his wife later traveld with Paul to Ephesus where they helped meet an impressive man named Apollos

Aquila made a difference; his work was made more effective because he had a wife who as a partner in his ministry

Marriage has many benefits including receiving and giving encouragement and strenght

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus - Philemon 1:10

Philemon, an apparently wealth and influential believer, faced the same decision we face when some wrongs us

Do we forgive and restore or we withhold forgiveness and let the relationship die?

Onesimus had been Philemon's slave, stolen from Philemon, deserted him, and ran away

The question wasn't wheather Philemon had been wronged but what he was going to do about it

Understanding God's grace and forgiveness is the key to forgiving those who have hurt us

With his wife's consent, he kept the rest - Acts 5:2

Ananias was apparently a strong leader at home, unfortunately, he took his family in horribly wrong direction and paid a heavy price

He was among the 1st generation believers who sold their property, pooled their resources, and cared for those in need

Ananias sold his property but instead of bring all the money to the apostles, he keep some of it for himself

There was nothing wrong with keeping some of the money - Acts 5:4

Where is failed was when he lied about him giving all of it

Ananias lead his family in the wrong direction, where are you leading your family?

One of the greatest reward of leading your family in a godly direction is to see them grow too

They have been providing the help you weren't here to give me - 1 Corinthians 16:17

Paul made a practice of giving and receiveing appreciation

He took time to praise Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus - Corinthian believers who traveled out of their way to encourage and assist Paul in his ministry

This was important enough to Paul he didn't just suggest that people show their appreciation - he commanded it

Paul: You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well

Why not thank people who make your life better? You will be blessed when you offer your thanks and so will they

In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you - Joshua 1:11

Joshua was a strong leader - he lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land

He didn't hesitate for a moment in following orders:

In our time, we require planning, risk assessment, and cost analysis

It is unthinkable and even reckless for leaders to move on orders immediately

Joshua knew that God was the Commander in Chief and was orchestrating all the nessary events - that is exactly what happened

When you believe God and know that he will keep all his promises, you won't wait when God says, "Go now!"

Dear woman, here is your son - John 19:26-27

Jesus somehow continued to meet the needs of others even as he was taking his last breath

Jesus' mother suffered inconceivable pain and grief as she saw the cruelty her son endured

In his perfect obedience, love, and compassion, Jesus tended to her needs - Giving her John to take care of her

Jesus was the most compassionate man who ever live - spending his last moments alive taking care of people

What kind of stress or pain often forces you to turn inward?

When does it become most diffcult for you to show compassion to others?

My salvation come from the Lord alone - Jonah 2:9

Can you praise God for your times of difficulty, weakness, burdens?

Jonah did some time in the belly of the sea creature - a dark and foulplace that defies human imagination

He didn't ask why, he already knew why

God knew that Jonah had come full circle from his words of thanksgiving and his promise to fulfill his vows

It meant he was ready and willing to obey God

God immediately arranged for his freedom - Jonahv2:10

It's Esau, your firstborn son - Genesis 27:19

Jacob tried to accomplish something that God already said was his will

It went terribly wrong when he schemed and lied to make that goal a reality

He received his father's blessing but only after lying to him at least 4 times

Jacob and Rebekah decieved his father through sinful means what God had wanted to do through righteous means

They would face many consequences for his sin including Laban's deception before giving him Rachel as Jacob's wife - Genesis 29

Summary

Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into giving Jacob his blessing. Esau vowed revenge so Rebekah told Jacob to go to her brother Laban.

Observations

Genesis 27:12 - What if my father touches me... he'll curse me instead of bless me

• How we react to a moral dilemma often expresses our real motives
• Jacob was more concerned about being caught than doing what was right
• Jacob's questioning gave Rebecca an opportunity to reconsider but she was too wrapped in her plan instead of God's plan
• Correcting yourself in the middle of doing wrong may hurt but it will also bring freedom from sin's control

Genesis 27:20-24 - How did you find it so quickly?... Come closer so I can touch you and make sure that you are really Esau... But are you really my son Esau?

• Issac voiced suspicion three times
  • Logical - The timing of his return answer
  • Touch - Feeling his arms for confirmation
  • Vocal - Ask him directly
• Although Jacob got the blessing he wanted, he paid dearly
  • Never saw his mother again
  • His brother wanted to kill him
  • He was deceived by his uncle
  • His family became torn of strife
  • Esua became the founder of an enemy nation
  • He was exciled from his family for many years
• Jacob's blessing was part of God's plan all along but he did it his own way [Genesis 25:23]

Application

How am I implementing God plan via his promises? My own way or in God's timing?

Prayer

Lord, I want to be obedient and hunble to your plan and in your own way and your own timing.

We try to give to many causes and the result is we have little joy in our giving
It is not man's duty to contribute to every good cause that passes his way
Only when we draw a circle around our beneficence that we become what God likes - a cheerful giver

Not only was Jesus joyful but he was mighty

He stayed in Palestine and kept his heart close to a few chosen hearts - became increasingly influential

He made himself mighty by limiting himself

The difference between a mighty river and a swap is the river has banks (boundries)

What is success? It is to do the thing we were created to do
"I have finished the work you gave me to do" - Jesus to the Father

He was only 33 years old - yet he did the greatest piece of work ever accoumplished on the earth

The "fine" in fine arts is the because of the limitations which they impose
There is no leeway in music, a little sharp or flat and the song is not right

Jesus' love was boundless, foreign to his being

He expected others to not have boundries on their love either

When Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and how many times to forgive, Peter suggested seven (twice as many as most liberal rabbis)

Jesus blew Peter's mind and said to not set limits. There are no boundries in love.

Love is not a calculation, Mathmatics is foreign to affection

Jesus knew the blessedness of forgiving heart

He himself was always forgiving without grudges, retaliations, revenges

His heart was the most discerning that ever existed. He hated sin like no one else but loved the people like no one else

No better example: on the cross with so much pain and through his love his heart was to love and forgive.