Hey friends! In today’s episode of Chasing Joy, we're diving into the messy, beautiful world of redemption and forgiveness. We're getting real about what it means to be forgiven by God and how tough it can be to forgive others—especially when you're on the struggle bus like we are. With some laughter, a few truth bombs, and a whole lot of grace, we'll explore how God’s love pulls us through even the toughest situations. Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s chat about what it really means to live forgiven and free. I. Opening Prayer/Scripture: Psalm 51:1-2 - "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." II. Brief Overview: We're kicking things off by talking about redemption—how God takes all our mess and turns it into something beautiful through His grace. III. Understanding Redemption (Stacy): Definition of Redemption: Let's break down what redemption really means—being bought back and restored by God’s grace. Scriptural Foundation: Romans 3:23-24 - Yup, we've all messed up, but thank God for the gift of grace through Jesus! Ephesians 1:7 - Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we’re forgiven and set free. IV. God’s Forgiveness for Our Sins: The Nature of God’s Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 - Confess, and God wipes the slate clean. Isaiah 1:18 - No matter how big the stain, God makes us new again. Stacy shares how these promises have been a game-changer in her life. God’s Grace for Even the Worst Sins: Psalm 103:10-12 - God doesn’t keep score—He removes our sins completely. Luke 23:34 - If Jesus can forgive from the cross, we’ve got some serious work to do in our daily lives. We’ll also touch on how this applies to today’s craziness and why it’s so hard to live this out, with a shout-out to Judas. V. Extending Forgiveness as Imperfect Humans: The Challenge of Forgiveness: Let’s be honest—some things are just hard to forgive. Stacy’s got some stories about her mother-in-law that you won’t want to miss. Jesus’s Example: Matthew 18:21-22 - Jesus tells us to keep forgiving, even when it’s the last thing we want to do. Stacy admits, "I don’t like this, but Jesus said it, so I’m working on it." The Call to Love and Forgive: Ephesians 4:31-32 - Time to let go of the bitterness and embrace kindness (easier said than done, right?). Megan shares a childhood memory that made this verse hit home. Colossians 3:13 - If God can forgive us, we can try to forgive others—even when it’s tough. VI. Practical Steps to Show Forgiveness and Love: Prayer and Seeking God’s Help: We’ll talk about how to pray for the strength to forgive and why it’s so important. Plus, Stacy’s got some sweet memories about her mother-in-law that helped her through. Reflecting on God’s Forgiveness: Take a moment to remember how God’s forgiven you—it makes forgiving others just a little bit easier. Actively Choosing Forgiveness: Megan shares some practical tips on how to actually forgive, even when you don’t feel like it. Plus, why forgiveness is key to having peace in your life. VII. Conclusion: We’ll wrap up with a reminder of how amazing God’s forgiveness is and why we need to pass that on to others, including Stacy’s take on finances and forgiveness. Closing Scripture/Prayer: Micah 7:18-19 - A beautiful promise that God throws our sins into the depths of the sea. Take some time this week to think about who you need to forgive—or where you need to ask for forgiveness. Trust us, God’s got you covered with His amazing love. Thanks for hanging out with us today! We’ll see you next time for more real talk and laughter as we navigate this journey of faith together.