Day 213    Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Romans 8:1-2 (MSG)

^…….Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

Our forgiving God clears the air for us and puts us on our feet with a strong, fresh energy and desire to please Him.  I thank God that He did not leave us “helpless” but gave us the Holy Spirit to help us be successful over sin.

God doesn’t beat us up.  He is a forgiving God.  Think about it—God sent Jesus to the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  He did not send Jesus to the cross so we could be beaten up with guilt and condemnation.

I know that this is contrary to the way of things in our society, but it is the way of God’s kingdom.  Our culture says,  “Bad person!  Bad!!!  You deserve what you are getting!!!  Just deserts,” etc.  God, in His mercy says,  “Come here!  Let me love you.  Your sin is forgiven.”

GPS  (Direction From God’s Word)

·         John 14:18 Amplified Bible

·         Romans 8: 1

·         Luke 15:11-24

Prayer Focus:

Thank Him for sending His Son to the cross so that you might be free of guilt and condemnation.  Ask Him to help you walk in the truth of Romans 8:1.

Day 212  A Fresh Wind In My Sails

Psalms 51: 12    The Message

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!

Psalms 51 is noted as the chapter of repentance.  David had just been confronted by Nathan, the prophet, for having an affair with Bathsheba.  David was a man of God; yet he sinned.  In Psalms 51 he is pouring his heart out to God in sorrow for his sin. 

Psalm 51:1 says, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love, according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.

David knew God.  He knew of God’s unfailing love and great compassion.  And because He knew God and had a relationship with God, he went on to pray, “God, make a fresh start in me….put a fresh wind in my sails.”

We all sin but our Father is right there ready to forgive and forget so that we can have a “fresh start.”  God is all about fresh starts and I am so glad!  Aren’t you??  And I like that part about having a “fresh wind in my sails!”  That sounds like a new beginning to me!!

GPS  (Directions from God’s Word)

·         I Peter 2:24

·         I John 1:9

·         I John 2:1

Prayer Focus:

Aren’t you just so glad that we have a Father who understands our humanness and that His arms are wide open when we come to Him in sorrow for our sin.  Tell Him so today!

Day 211  The Year of the Redeemed

Isaiah 63:4 (NIV1984)

 For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
and the year of my redemption has come.

Redemption….so what does that mean??  Take a look at this—from Webster’s Dictionary.

·         deliverance; rescue.

·         atonement for guilt.

·         paying off, as a note.

·         recovery by payment

God in His mercy and love for us sent His own Son to the cross to pay for our sins.  Our minds can hardly wrap itself around that kind of love.  God knew we would need to be delivered from the corruption that is around us.  Without God  everything is in a state of decay but with God (or in God) all is well.

Jesus came to redeem us—to pay for our guilt.  He paid off our note.  We owe nothing!  Everything is paid in full!  Now that’s the kind of God I want to serve!

Our grandson said to me one day, “Grandma, aren’t you kind of fanatic about God.”  I replied, “I absolutely am because He is fanatic about me!  In fact He was so fanatic that He sent Jesus to the cross for me!”    He seemed to get that!!

GPS  (Directions from God’s Word)

·         Isaiah 43:1

·         Romans 3: 23-24

·         Romans 5:11

Prayer Focus:

Thank God for His mercy towards you.  Thank Him for forgiving your sins and wiping your slate clean.  Thank Him you now have an opportunity for a fresh start.