June 6, 2017
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And You forgave the guilt of my sin (Psalm 32:5, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Guilt is the gift that keeps on giving … unless we stop it in its tracks with the unconditional love and overwhelming forgiveness of God.
Sin requires only one payment … and that payment has already been made when Jesus gave His life for us on the cross.
Dan and I once had the opportunity to lead a weeklong youth revival for a large Korean church in Washington, D.C. At the end of the week, a lady from the church invited us to have dinner with her and the leadership of the church. We went to a wonderful but very expensive restaurant – the kind of restaurant that has no prices on the menu. When our hostess ordered one of each entrée on the menu because she wanted us to experience as much Korean cuisine as possible, my nerves vanished. She obviously had it under control – or so I thought.
I’m not really sure what I ate – but it was scrumptious! At the end of the meal, our hostess went to pay the bill. I could see her talking with the restaurant owner, and I could tell she was upset. I was afraid she did not have enough money to pay what must have been an enormous tab. When she returned to the table, I asked if everything was okay. She smiled and offered an explanation that amazed me, “Someone from the church came in, saw us all eating together, and paid the bill. Now I do not have the honor of paying for your meal.” The manager apologized, but said he could not accept any payment from her because the bill had already been paid.
We keep trying to pay for our sin when all we need to do is accept God’s forgiveness for it and leave it behind. God’s way almost seems too easy, doesn’t it? We ask for His forgiveness, and He gives it. Really? Really!
We act as if the Holy Spirit needs our help when it comes to dealing with sin. He doesn’t.
We live in a way that suggests what Jesus did on the cross is not enough. It is more than enough.
Scripture is clear about God’s attitude when one of His children repents and seeks His forgiveness.
Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Today is the day for you to walk in the freedom of God’s forgiveness. Today is the day for you to find victory over guilt.
Let’s Pray
Father, I am so tired of trying to live each day, carrying the baggage of my past. Please give me the courage to face the sins I have tried so hard to bury. Help me turn away from each one, leaving it in Your hands. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy, Your love, and Your forgiveness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Today, make the choice to walk in the freedom of God’s forgiveness. Set aside time to spend in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any sin in your life. Confess that sin and leave it behind. Read and memorize Psalm 103:12 that says, He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from west.
- Make a list of the sins you need to confess and let go of in order to take the next step of obedience on this new journey with God.
- Go back over the list. Give each confessed sin to God.
- Take a big red marker and mark through each one, letting it go.
- Praise God that you have the opportunity for a fresh start and a new beginning through what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross.
More from the Girlfriends
Dealing with sin and choosing to forgive yourself will give you power over guilt. Mary’s CD Set, How to Get Past Your Past and The Power of Forgiveness offers practical tools for freeing your life from guilt.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website. Connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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