Entering 2018
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Psalm 103:2-4, 8-10 Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.
Wow, another year behind me, and a new year ahead; a time of expectancy for many, for hope, for looking ahead. Some may harbor thoughts of the past and regrets they might have.
God sent His son Jesus, to free of us from worry, regrets. We all have misgivings and wish we had sometimes taken a different path. But God has a plan for each of us.
And He gave us free choice….sometimes we’ve made wrong choices. Yet He offers his mercy so one becomes brand new by sincerely confessing and asking for forgiveness. Again, it’s our choice to ask for this forgiveness, to seek Him and become a new creature in Him.
We are forgiven when we seek Him and ask for it. Done. Given. Granted. You are His child and He forgives you.
It’s then a process of learning more of Him on a deeper level, seeking His words of wisdom and instruction written centuries ago in the Bible, and growing to be a freer creature. You recognize that you have been forgiven and your sins are in the past (which does NOT necessarily mean that you still may not have consequences of past actions). And yes, there are many times our doubts and humanness whisper lies of not being truly forgiven, or we believe our sins were more dark, black, awful than God is capable of forgiving. Those my friend, are lies from Satan.
Yes, you may still have to face consequences of some of you past actions, sins. Being promiscuous might end in a child or a permanent venereal disease; experimenting with drugs may impair your physical or dental health. But even if you may have consequences of past actions, you have the opportunities (and blessings) to experience freedom and the plan that God has now for your life. His word promises, “I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper and not to harm.”
But we have to choose that path, the living way through Jesus and His death on the cross. It’s so incredible to me that we confess and just seek His way, and we have forgiveness, promises to live with Him for eternity, and the opportunity to be free of worry and unrest and anxiety. That does NOT mean we will be free of troubles and difficulties at times. But it does promise that if we maintain faith, it will work out and God will carry our burdens.
So as I wonder and hope for the future, I’m thankful for the fact that I have God and know my needs will be carried. Thank You for your abundant mercy and love.
Wishing you all the assurance of knowing Him as I do at ‘mybellaviews.’
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