Forgiveness

November 5th – Acts 2:38

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Acts 2:38 

I am thankful for the gift of the God’s Holy Spirit 

While Jesus walked the earth, He was able to physically minister to His followers. Personally, He provided hands on strength, healing, and teaching. But soon He would return to sit at the right hand of God. And so He told the disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” (John 14:26) That Helper is the Holy Spirit. A Helper not reserved for the disciples alone, but for each of us as well. For the very minute we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell in us. There He begins the work of shaping and conforming us into the likeness of Jesus. And not only is He sent to help, comfort, and guide us, the Holy Spirit is also God’s seal on us. He marks us as His very own for the day of redemption. Our Father knows all too well how frail we are. So in His great love, He sent His precious Spirit to help us in all things!

November 5th – Acts 2:38 Read More »

October 24th – 1 Peter 4:8

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Peter 4:8

God’s Promise -“My love covers a multitude of sins.”

When Peter tells us that love covers sin, he doesn’t mean that loving others earns God’s forgiveness. We know that our sins are paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross. And forgiveness for sin comes only through trusting in Him. Instead, Peter is reminding us that even Christians are sinners who fail and need forgiveness daily. And in remembering the grace God generously gives to us, we can love each other when hurt, forgive each other when wronged, and build each other up when we fall. Because love makes it possible for us to be, “hospitable to one another without complaint.”  (1 Pet. 4:8) And to use our God given gifts and talents to serve one another. Doing so with the goal of lovingly leading others to the Lord. So, “in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

October 24th – 1 Peter 4:8 Read More »

October 10th – Romans 8:1

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Romans 8:1

God’s Promise – “Because of Jesus, you are free from all condemnation.”

One day each of us will stand in the court of God to be judged. But for those Jesus calls His own, no guilty verdict will be found nor penalty to pay. Why? Because once we were in chains, slaves to sin and burdened under the Law of God which we were unable to obey. But out of His great love, Jesus died to free us from that bondage. He became the perfect fulfillment of God’s Law. And His work on the Cross paid full restitution for every past, present, and future sin. As a result of Christ’s sacrifice, we are now reconciled to God and declared innocent. The pull of sin is strong, and we all struggle. Even the apostle Paul wrestled with succumbing to sin. But because Jesus loves us so much, He refuses to leave anyone in their wickedness. And so He offers to all who believe upon Him the chance to have their sins blotted out forever. To stand before God declared righteous, justified, and forgiven!

October 10th – Romans 8:1 Read More »

October 9th – 1 John 1:9

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 John 1:9

God’s Promise – “If you confess your sins, I will be faithful to forgive and cleanse you.”

It’s said that confession is good for the soul. Confessing our sins means telling God what we’ve done, agreeing that it was wrong in His eyes, and apologizing for our sin. And how does God respond when we tell Him that we’re sorry? I love this by Dr. Charles Stanley, “When you pour out your heart in genuine confession and repentance, God forgives you completely and declares you justified, no longer guilty in His eyes. The Lord understands your struggles and He wants you to find victory in them-not to continue to feel shame because of them. He is merciful and loving, which is why once you confess and repent, you are absolutely forgiven!” Guilt and shame are powerful weapons of the enemy. They keep us from experiencing God’s very best for our lives, and the freedom that comes from His forgiveness. So the next time Satan whispers his lies of guilt in your ears, remember God’s truth. Our Father knows the very worst about us and loves us all the more.

October 9th – 1 John 1:9 Read More »

September 12th – Psalm 32:1

2 Comments / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 32:1

Many Christians struggle with forgiveness. We understand the concept in our heads, but fail to receive it in our hearts. And often times, we are far more willing to extend forgiveness to others then we are to ourselves. Needlessly we carry around the burden of guilt, shame, and pain. We fear our sin is too great for God to forgive. And why would He forgive us anyway when we fail him daily? But those feelings and thoughts are lies from Satan who wants nothing more then to keep us from experiencing victory and God’s sweet presence in our lives. The truth is, when we confess and repent God promises to remove our sin from us as far as the “east is from the west.” (Ps. 103:12). So when you falter, talk to God. Draw near to the Lord, telling Him what you’ve done. Then forgive yourself as God forgives you. And most importantly, don’t get discouraged. Because even when we stumble, God is faithful to forgive!

September 12th – Psalm 32:1 Read More »

August 27th – Deuteronomy 9:7

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Deuteronomy 9:7

I think about the story of the Israelites and find myself shaking my head. I wonder how a people, who had repeatedly seen the mighty hand of God caring for them every step of the way, could so easily turn away from Him and His love. Then I think about my own life. And how many times I too have seen His hand at work and still grumbled against Him. How many blessings have I missed out on? Because instead of walking in trust and obedience, I gave in to fear and rebellion. And how many days, weeks, and months I have wasted wandering in the wilderness? Thankfully, we serve a loving, kind, and forgiving God. Even after the people rejected Him, God cared for them as His precious children, meeting their every need. We too are His precious children, and with each step of our spiritual walk He cares for us. And no matter how far we may wander, He is always there ready to joyfully welcome us back.

 

August 27th – Deuteronomy 9:7 Read More »

August 12th – Hebrews 8:12

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Hebrews 8:12

Are you your own worst critic? Eager to speak a kind word to another, saving the harshest words in speaking to yourself? Can you forgive the mistakes of others, yet yours is on a movie wheel that continuously plays in your head? God says that when we both confess and repent of our sins He forgives and forgets, wiping the slate clean. So if He remembers no more, why can’t we forget? Because two of the of the greatest weapons Satan has in his armory are guilt and shame. And he wields them generously. Satan, whose name means Accuser, does just that. He whispers in our ears that we are unclean, unforgivable, unworthy, and unloved. He delights in reminding us of our past sins, trying to inject our hearts with feelings of doubts about God’s mercy, kindness, and love. But He is the father of lies. (John 8:44) So when God calls you forgiven, believe it! Not as a hopeful wish, but as a divine fact.

August 12th – Hebrews 8:12 Read More »

July 25th – Leviticus 10:3

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Leviticus 10:3

The High Priest was considered the greatest religious position of all who served at the temple. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed the first one by God. But unlike Jesus, our perfect High Priest, Aaron was far from sinless. Time and again when put to the test, he stumbled. And although he received God’s forgiveness, Aaron experienced heartbreaking consequences for his compromise and sin. His story reminds us that no matter the circumstance, God requires complete obedience; demanding the honor He alone deserves. Yet even in those times when we fall into sin, our hearts can still find joy. For God’s grace and mercy knows no bounds. And when we come to Him in repentance, He is quick to redeem and restore us. So the next time we are faced with compromising or obeying, we would do well to remember Aaron. He learned the hard way that we serve a holy God who insists on being treated as such.

July 25th – Leviticus 10:3 Read More »

July 9th – Psalm 32:11

1 Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 32:11

We all know the story of the adulterous woman. The one caught in the act of her sin. This woman could easily be you or I.  Although our sin may not be adultery, we sin just the same. And as Christians, we would do well to humbly remember all Jesus forgives us for daily. Especially before judging the sin of another. Thankfully when it comes to sin, we can experience the sweet forgiveness of the Lord through confession and repentance. No matter the transgression, when we come to God with a sorrowful heart, He is quick to pardon. Jesus didn’t condemn the adulterous women, refusing to throw the first stone. And He has no stones to throw at us either. So we can rejoice and celebrate! Because the forgiveness of the Lord not only results in an immediate restoration of our relationship with God, but a clean slate, and a fresh start!

July 9th – Psalm 32:11 Read More »

June 26th – Psalm 103:8

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 103:8

Does your heart ever grow heavy from bearing the weight of your mistakes? The truth is, we all fall short and need forgiveness daily. Fortunately, God’s grace comes in an abundant supply. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love. He does not accuse, nor remain angry forever. He does not deal harshly with us, but instead is faithful to forgive our never-ending sin. And although God may let us reap the consequences from the decisions we make, His steadfast love for us is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. A love in full display through His Son Jesus Christ. Who regardless of the mistakes we’ve made, stands ready to welcome us with open arms and not a pointed finger.

June 26th – Psalm 103:8 Read More »