YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WHIP A SKUNK, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO These words were spoken to me by an experienced “old timer” preacher. I felt mistreated and was complaining to this minister about some friends who had done me wrong. I wanted to get even with these people, and I was sure this minister would understand. As I explained my situation, this minister said these powerful words that I have never forgotten, “You may be able to whip a skunk, but you might not want to.” Anytime I want to get back at someone I always remember that skunk. The first step to walking in God’s love is to forgive. “Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us...” Eph. 5:1-2. God’s love nature is in you and He would not require you to do something you couldn’t do. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, so like Him, we can forgive. Then we are in position to receive forgiveness, mercy and answers to our prayers. Jesus said in Mark 11:25, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any.” An ought is any little thing. People say, “You ought to or ought not have done this.” Instead, Jesus said to forgive so that your Father in heaven can forgive you. I sometimes think it would be good to spray some people down with ought remover! Jesus said you can forgive while you stand praying. It can be that quick! Don’t say it’s going to take time to get over your offense. Time doesn’t enable you to get over your hurt, only choosing to forgive does. THE COST OF UNFORGIVENESS Jesus, in Luke 17:1-6, taught the disciples to forgive, even up to seventy times seven times each day. In reference to removing offense, Jesus used the example of a sycamine tree. “And the Lord said, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” The sycamine tree actually represents offense. Here are five amazing facts about sycamine trees: 1) The tree grows in dry places. 2) The roots grow deep. 3) The fruit is very bitter and is eaten by the poor. 4) The wood is used for building coffins. 5) It is pollinated by the stinger of a wasp. Unforgiveness puts us in a spiritually dry place where Satan can find an entrance into our lives (Matt. 12:43). Unforgiveness and bitterness grow deep roots that not only take over your life, but defile others as well (Hebrews 12:15). As believers, we have the authority to speak to offense in our lives and command it to be cast in the sea. The wonderful thing is the sea has the capacity to dissolve any bitterness and hurt so that we can’t even remember it. IT PAYS TO FORGIVE Dad Hagin told a story about a lady whose daughter had epilepsy. After spending some time with her, he found out that she had bitterness toward her mother-in-law. She actually confessed to him, “I hate my mother-in-law.” Dad Hagin explained to her that 1 John 3:15 says that if you hate your brother, you’re a murderer. He asked her to say those words again, and to listen down on the inside this time. So she said, “I hate my mother-in-law,” and described that she felt a little scratch inside. Dad Hagin told her that scratch was the Holy Spirit trying to get her attention. He instructed her to act like she would if she did love ... See Love - Page 16 3 GLAD TIDINGS JUNE 2025 Glad Tidings “Glad Tidings” was founded by Quinnelle McRae Ministries in August 1987, after graduating from Rhema Bible College in the spring of 1981 and 1986. In the spring of 1992 we began publishing a quarterly newsletter, being mailed free of charge to a list of families, reaching across the United States, including the Navajo reservation and into the countries of Mexico, Africa and France. In the year 1998 the Glad Tidings Newspaper began its publication, replacing the Newsletter. The paper is distributed throughout South Georgia, as well as several prisons and correctional institutions in the local area. The publication has no news stand price and is supported through our advertisers and you! Subscriptions are mailed throughout the United States, France, Africa, Mexico. and other countries. The subscription price for the printed paper is $12.00 per year, which provides for the shipping and handling only. We are also introducing the Newspaper on our website, www.GladTidings.news, free of charge. Glad Tidings is an evangelistic ministry whose heart and mission is to reach as many people as possible with the good news of Jesus Christ, before His return. Quinnelle McRae Ministries. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Glad Tidings, Glad Tidings Newsletter, Glad Tidings Newspaper, GladTidings.news website and logo on front cover are registered trademarks of Quinnelle McRae Ministries. © “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7 (KJV) Farm Insurance Coverage for Your Business Life Insurance Personal Other Insurance Health Insurance Home & Auto Ins Personal & Commercial Insurance Throughout Georgia since 1981 Douglas Location 201 E Ashley Street, Douglas, Ga. 31533 Main office: 912-384-7171 TRINA AND MARK HANKINS LOVE: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS
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