God Forgets Our Sins

Hebrews 8:12 NIV, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

In our human nature, forgetting our past sins can sometimes seem impossible. We remember. Since we remember, we must overcome shame, guilt, and all other feelings of inadequacy. Even knowing that God has promised to forget our sins, it can still be a struggle for us to let go.

There have been many times I have been so angry and disappointed at myself for falling into sin. Even after repenting before God, the anger would continue. I knew I was forgiven by God, but my mind kept going around in circles, rehashing my sin and trying to figure out how I could have allowed myself to fail.

I remember one day I was praying, and the Holy Spirit begin to give me a fresh revelation of the Cross. I understood with complete clarity that the work Jesus Christ did was enough. No amount of guilt or shame that I had, could ever add to His finished work on the Cross. We as humans can know something in our minds, but it takes the power of The Holy Spirit to help us understand it in our hearts, and fully accept it as truth.

Understanding God’s forgiveness with our hearts, is what will bring us freedom. Freedom to enjoy the present and embrace the future. Freedom to be all He created us to be, and freedom to receive His unconditional love everyday. Holding on to our past, is part of the enemy’s attempt to steal from us. But greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

In Christ, we are free to repent of our sins and receive His forgiveness. He will empower us to live for Him shame free and guilt free. Once we repent, He remembers our sins no more.

God’s Working Things Out

Romans 8:28 NIV, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This verse is a true expression of God’s sovereignty. When we love Him, and we are dedicated to His purpose, He causes everything in our lives to work together for good. Of course it may not seem like it when we are going through hard times, but everything that happens, both good and bad, are part of His bigger plan. Often times, we have to look back and recall God’s blessings, to better see how He has worked things together for good.

Psalm 77:12 NIV, “I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

The Psalmist took time to meditate on all the mighty things God had done. Doing so wiIl strengthen our faith and trust in God. I know for me, I can look back over my years in the workplace and see numerous times God has worked things out for my good. For example, one time I left a company that had a bad work environment, and shortly after leaving, half of my department was let go. God spared me the drama of having my job snatched away. He knew what was up the road. His timing for me to leave “in advance” was perfect.

With God, none of our experiences are ever wasted. Rather good or bad, He will use them for His glory and our growth. Like the Psalmist, we should take time to meditate on God’s mighty deeds. Then we can be reminded of His goodness and mercy that follow us, each and every day of our lives.

Meditate on His Goodness

He Meets Us Where We Are

One of the things that I love most about the Lord is that He meets us where we are. He understands everything we are going through. Even when we don’t understand ourselves or our situation, He does. Every step we take is a part of His greater, magnificent plan for our lives. Even when we may feel He is distant, He is near. He knows exactly what we need to get through each new day He allows us to see.

Psalm 145:18 NIV, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

He doesn’t give up on us, or the purpose He has for us. We’ll go through times where our faith may be weaker than other times. We’ll have to endure unexpected tests and overcome trials. However we’ll also learn many valuable lessons, and experience victories along the way. Regardless of what we go through, our Lord meets us where we are. His grace will always be sufficient to carry us through.

Forgiveness: Making Allowances For Others

Colossians 3:13 NLT, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Remembering the forgiveness God has shown us through Christ, is definitely a way to stay humble and forgive others. He has forgiven us of so much, over and over again. Walking in humility means that we will be more willing to remember that everyone is human. Being human means we will all have bad days and sometimes make mistakes. When people do make mistakes, showing mercy and forgiveness to them will promote an atmosphere of love and peace.

Having a forgiving spirit keeps our souls healthy and strong. It also frees us up to keep moving forward in Christ. Unforgiveness holds us back and keeps us in bondage. We must push past the temptation to hold a grudge against others. Instead we must forgive, and then we too will be forgiven by our Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:14).

Celebrating Father’s Day With Prayer

Happy Father’s Day!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT, “Never stop praying.”

Praying for God’s…

Love and Joy for everyone as we celebrate the Dad’s in our lives.

Praying for God’s…

Peace and Comfort for those who are mourning the loss of their Father.

Praying for God’s…

Strength and Healing for those who have never known their Father and/or desire to build better relationships with their Father.

Praying for God’s…

Justice for Father’s that are wrongfully being kept from their children (parental alienation).

Praying for God’s…

Wisdom and Guidance for Father’s as they raise their children.

Enjoy your day! ❤️

Psalm 103:13 NLT, “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”

June | Honor The Father Tag

Thank you Stu @ Something To Stu Over for nominating me for this June Honor The Father Tag. Thanks for sharing about your Dad. Praying that God would continue to bless your family and work in your relationship with your Dad. 🙏🏿

Here are the links to the original authors of this unique tag: Dollfaced Writer and Purple Rose

From Dollface…

The Meaning of this Tag:

A father is someone who loves his child unconditionally, provides for them, protects them always, teaches them values, disciplines them fairly, and wants the best for them. For that, we should always, ALWAYS have respect for our fathers. They are created to bear the responsibility of caring for and protecting their families just as God calls them to do. Father’s Day is about reminding your father how much you appreciate him, but I hope this tag will perhaps remind you this month how blessed you are to have a father at all.

As I said before, this is a very hard day for me every year. My father and I have a very complex relationship. In fact, it is the polar opposite of my relationship with my mother. Growing up I felt abandoned, rejected, unloved, forgotten, and neglected because of his behavior that stemmed from alcoholism and what I believe could have been other mental health issues (don’t quote me, I’m not a doctor XD).

I will always love my father. He is a part of me, half of me to be exact. However, mustering the strength to honor or respect him at all has taken a long time to do. We talk sometimes over text, but not a lot. Some days he responds and I feel like we’re getting somewhere, then he vanishes like he always did. It has helped living a thousand miles away from him since finishing high school, but I have come to accept the pain I feel from my childhood will never go away. Recently, in the last week actually, he said something that has proven he’ll never change. I was trying to gain closure, but he continues to blame me for things that I may talk about in another post. Anyways, he may move on in his life, which is painful for me to watch, but that doesn’t change the past he continues to deny and blame me for.

If you have a similar situation, whether you have been abused, manipulated, abandoned, or rejected by your father (even someone else in your family), can I give you some advice that has helped me cope with such a toxic relationship?

You have a choice. You can walk away. You can block a number. You can say no. You can cut them off from your life. That doesn’t mean you don’t honor them, that just means you have enough respect for yourself to protect your heart and enough respect for them to love them at a safe distance. You can pray for someone every day and never talk to them again. Isn’t that better than subjecting yourself to more pain and building up further resentment that could become the poison of unforgiveness? I think so, because no one deserves to be abused in any way. You deserve love. If you don’t/didn’t receive that love from your father, always know you have a Father in Heaven who loves you more than your father ever could.

I hope you do have an awesome father though. If you do, give him a bear hug and be grateful to have the best protector you could have on this earth. If you don’t, pray for him, friend.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you to participate.

2. Use the original featured image.

3. Copy and paste the introduction and meaning of this tag at the beginning of your post, along with the links to both creators’ original posts. *This rule is very important. Please, please link this post and Purple Rose’s post so that as authors we may be alerted when a tag is published. It also gives us proper credit, which is much appreciated. Thank you ❤

4. Answer the questions.

5. Nominate one or more people to participate.

6. Enjoy the rest of your month! 🙂

Here are the questions for this month’s tag:

1. What is your relationship like with your biological father, if anything at all?

My Dad actually passed away back in 2001. I was 24. He was only 55. I’ve lived a lot of years without him, but we had a pretty good relationship.

2. What is one thing you would change about your father if you could? What is one thing you wouldn’t change?

My Dad struggled with alcoholism and I feel that stole from his life in many ways. But thankfully he gave up drinking the same year he died and made a decision to accept Christ into his heart.

I wouldn’t change his work ethics. He was always a hard worker. He was great at yard work, and great at fixing things like cars and stuff around the house.

3. Who do you celebrate on Father’s Day (your father, step-father, grandfather, uncle, etc.)?

I usually call or text some of my family members who are Dad’s.

4. What was the most valuable thing he taught you?

I would have to say I got my work ethics from him (and my mom). They both worked really hard. He was a welder (He would always say 1st Class Welder lol) and worked at the shipyard. I can still hear the sound of his car starting up early in the morning to head to work. I admire him for working hard.

5. What is one thing he does that you would never do?

I choose not to drink. It’s a personal choice that’s not always easy because alcohol is so celebrated in society. However, I believe it’s God’s way of protecting me. So I just ask God for strength to stay on course.

6. How do you honor him on Father’s Day?

I don’t do anything since he’s no longer living. But I always remember him.

7. How has your relationship with him impacted the person/parent you are today?

I don’t mind assembling things so I guess I got that from him. He also liked to help people when he could, and I’m the same way. As far as parenting, I do remember he wanted me in the house by the time the street lights came on. (I grew up in the days where kids played outside and rode bikes.) I realize now this was his way of protecting me. I always try and protect my daughter too. Thanks Dad!

I am tagging…🤔🤔

FYI: There is no pressure to participate, but looking forward to reading your answers if you do…🤗

Contemplations

God’s Love

Imago Dei

Joy Cottage

Jesusluvsall

But Jesus

During the workday me and my coworkers usually discuss things that are happening in the news. The news can be scary because the world is becoming scary. It’s terrible what so many people around the world, and even in our own neighborhoods and families are going through. Jesus says in the world we will have trouble, BUT to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Psalm 20:7 NIV, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

BUT we trust in the name of the Lord our God. This is our hope. No matter what comes our way, we can say, “BUT, I trust in the name of Jesus.” When we trust in Him, we know that He will take care of our every need. His name is the name that saves. His name is above ever other name. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

I’m thankful that in Christ Jesus regardless of what we see or hear, we have a BUT. Even when we close our eyes and take our last breath someday, it’s not truly over. We will leave this world behind, BUT we will spend eternity seeing Him face to face in all of His glory.

Just remember these two words…

BUT JESUS.