Past Sins

            They haunt many of us.

            Past failures and mistakes loom over us and fog our vision. The sin we committed yesterday or ten years ago still grips the minds and hearts of many Christians today. Instead of looking forward, many of us have our heads craned backwards, scared that those sins will forever haunt us, eternally bind us.

            We misconstrue the truth of grace. We forget and really don’t fully believe that grace sets us free; so, we chain ourselves. I’ve heard people say “How could a perfect God ever love me after what I’ve done?” Our spiritual feet become crippled as we fall prey to the lie that God doesn’t want to spend time with us after we’ve sinned (even after we’ve confessed) or that God doesn’t fully forgive. The thought is that He just says that he forgives, but in reality, He keeps records of wrongs.

            These beliefs are destructive lies filled with no ounce of truth.

            1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (NIV).  

            Isaiah 43:25 declares, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

            Romans 8:1 tells us that “there is no commendation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

            From these verses, we can know that God forgives us completely, forgets our sins, and purifies us. We have no need to live in our past failures; God doesn’t want us to.

            The next time you find yourself in despair from past sins, remember that when we confess our sins, God erases the sins from existence.

            We no longer have to live in shame when we are in Christ Jesus. He makes our soul white as snow while He remembers our sin no longer.

            One final thought: "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin night be don away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has freed from sin" (NIV, Romans 6:6-7).

           You're totally forgiven and free from sin. Live in those truths today. Let them overwhelm you. 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

For Days You Need Encouragement

           Today, I just wanted to share with you some scripture that tells us about our Father and what He does for us and who He is. The other week I came across a post on Pinterest with many of the verses listed below. Whenever you’re down, remember who God is and what He does for you.

            My Father. . .

1.    Loves me: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16

2.      Cares for me: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” –Matthew 6:26

3.      Forgives me: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” –Psalm 103:12

4.      Is giving:  “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” –Romans 8:32

5.      Satisfies: “for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” –Psalm 107:9

6.      Persistently pursues me: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” –Luke 19:10

7.      Gives me wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” –James 1:5

8.      Carries my burdens: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you WILL find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."—Matthew 11:28-30

9.      Gives me peace: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." –Isaiah 26:3

      10.  Fights for me: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” –Exodus 14:14

11.   Heals and forgives me: “But he was pierced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” –Isaiah 53:5

12.    Knows me completely: You have searched me, Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” –Psalm 139: 1-4

Today, I hope you remember that God loves you and is constantly with you, protecting you, offering forgiveness, love, peace, wisdom, and strength.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

To Be Known Is to Be Loved

           The sun scorched her skin as she trekked to Jacob’s well. She shielded her eyes from the rays of light blocking her view to make sure she’d be alone to draw water at midday. She checked to make sure nobody was coming with her—she was sick of the stares.

            No one else should have been at the well, but as she reached her destination, a man resting against the stone came into focus. Recognizing He was a Jew, she turned her eyes downward and began to draw water. Startling her, He spoke.

           “Will you give me a drink?”

           "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" she asked. 

            "If you knew the gift of God and who it was that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water," He answered (NIV John 4:4-10).

           She stood stunned for a second knowing that if He really knew her, He'd never ask her for anything, much less offer this "living water.” 

             I imagine this was something that went through the Samaritan woman’s mind as she first saw Jesus. She knew this man was a Jew who shouldn’t speak with Samaritans, much less a Samaritan woman. She was probably waiting for Him to stop talking to her because of her shameful past, but Jesus didn’t. In fact, He told her who she was (sins and all) yet loved her still and offered her new life. Jesus knew her and didn’t glare at her with judgmental glances. He simply loved her, and that love changed her life (John 4:39-42).

           We, like the Samaritan woman, are full of past failures, sins, and shame, but as Jesus offered living water to this lady, He offers us the same, freely. The truth is that Jesus didn’t tell the woman to get her life together before she could have the gift of God; He forgave her even in her sin and then, changed her life.

            We can come to Christ just as we are because “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV, Romans 5:8). Know this, there is nothing you have done that God cannot forgive, and you don’t have to work to change yourself.

Come just as you are, and leave the rest to Christ.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas