forgiven

Truly Forgiven {1John 1}

7:00 PM

1 John 1 

I'm writing today to the one who feels she never measures up! 
To the people-pleaser. To the one who is forever striving, but never achieving. The one who never feels that she has reached her goal; who forever falls short. I'm writing, but its The Lord's message that He longs for you to hear.



...God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. (1John 1:5)

…God is Love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atoning sacrifice]for our sins.(1John 4:8-10)

Christ's death on the cross was not just a symbol of God's love for 'good people', but for ALL people! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

A few months ago I was battling a persistent migraine that just would not go away! I’d been trying everything I could think of and nothing seemed to be working!! I even stated that fact to the Lord one morning when He woke at 2 am with the migraine still there!
It was then that He reminded me of 1Thesalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you!”

So, I laid there and began praising Him; thinking of all the things I had to give thanks for and the next thing I knew it was morning! My migraine headache was still with me, but my whole countenance had changed! I was full of Joy and Jesus and I wasn’t going to allow that headache to keep me down any longer; so I dressed and went out to buy groceries for the pantry by then was pretty bare!

I was coming around the corner of an isle, when suddenly I spotted an older women looking intently at something. Her eyes never came up to meet mine, but suddenly for the briefest moment, it was as if the Lord parted a veil and I could see how intently, deeply, compassionately …(there just aren’t words adequate enough to describe) how desperately He LOVES US!! In that brief moment He absolutely TOOK MY BREATH AWAY! 

I honestly couldn’t breathe, but suddenly everything made sense!!

Of course:

  • He sent His Son to die in our place!! We were helpless to save ourselves!! His love is so intense that He would have died a thousands deaths had the Law required it!!  
  • He is faithful to forgive- “"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness." (1John 1:9) He is Light and wants us to fellowship in His light!
  • Your sins are removed from you as far as the east is from the west! "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalms 103:12,)
  • And toss them into the depths of the sea! "...He will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."( Micah 7:19,)

Not only does God forgive our sins, but He FORGETS them! He chooses not to remember our sins for HIS own sake! Notice, "I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for mine own sake, and will remember them no longer." (Isaiah 43:25)

If He has forgotten them, why do we still hang onto them? He’s told us to stop looking at the past, but press forward towards the future in Philippians 3:13, "...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching for those things which are before."

He calls us a new creation in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “… if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Why is it we don’t often feel new? Why is it that each new day is a chance at a new beginning, but we seem to be stuck and unable to break free? Just imagine your life if you truly took God at His word! Just imagine the intimacy you two would share!

That sweet, sweet intimate communion is always just one step away!

 Remember:
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].(1John 1:9)
God wants us to be free and forgiven!! He longs for us to allow Jesus' blood to wash our consciences clean! (Hebrews 9:14)

Why has God chosen to make us new creations? Because He longs to walk with us; to fellowship with us just as He once did with Adam in the garden. How about you? Will you take that one step today, and tomorrow, and the next day... until you make it home? 

 This song from Lauren Daigle sort of speaks to all of this. Enjoy!



2 Corinthians 4-7

Never Lose Hope! (2 Corinthians 4:1-7:16)

9:30 PM


I have a very close friend who’s been like a sister to me. I’ve known her since 7th grade (almost 46 years now)! We would challenge each other in all our school activities and we were both really good: we both were outstanding in school and sports and were very popular, too. We learned to drive about the same time; we had our first part time jobs during the same summer season; we went to college together, etc. Then it all changed when I was the first one to take the commitment of faith and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This was something she would never understand then (I pray she will one day and be part of it too)!

“16 but whenever a person turns [in repentance and faith] to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].” (3:16-17)

She’d ask: “Why on earth did you decide to turn your back to our religion?” I explained and witnessed to her, but she just did not give in.

 Things continued changing in our lives: a year later, I was the first one to marry and move away from home. I kept in touch with her through mail and we’d eventually call each other. Every time I return home to visit, we get together and revive those early years of our friendship. Over the years our friendship has remained, but even though I’ve witnessed to her she will still ask the same questions:

- What difference does it make to “have another religion” if the closer you are to God, you and your family have experienced so many trials?-

Over the years all I have to say is that our Father has been FAITHFUL and as Paul writes:

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation.” (4:1)

Yes, our life as Christians might not be appealing to many, for they believe we give up much of what this world offers… it is not so!

 “2 But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (4:2)




Our family might not seem successful according to this world’s standards but we have a hidden treasure (4:6-7) in us and nothing can take it away! God has given us the light of His knowledge and majesty through Jesus, and we have the responsibility to let it out.  He "shined it in us" so we could "shine it out" to the world. It is ALL about HIM and for HIM!

Paul preached his gospel boldly with the power of the Holy Spirit, and he valued the greatness of his calling, which gave him the courage to face great difficulties (4:8-11). 

“This is a wonderful ministry, Paul reminds us- one that you are privileged to have because it was given to you by God himself. It is a magnificent extension of God’s mercy that he allows us to minister to others in the name of his own son” (iWorship Bible)

We often lose heart because we do not consider how great a calling God has given us in Jesus. We tend to look at our weaknesses instead of looking within us, for He has given us His Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 4:20; Eph. 3:20; 2Tim. 1:7) which empowers us to witness to those who are still with a veil upon their eyes!

Lately my friend has been through trials and desperation. She even was diagnosed with depression. I praise our Father for I was able to pray with her and she believed our Father could heal her in the Name of Jesus… and He did! I know one day He will remove that veil from her eyes, too!
May we allow God’s light and power to shine through us today in the attitude and way we serve others. May we rejoice in the wonderful ministry to which He has called us! (iWorship Bible)
Blessings,

Mari