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Listen while you read: "Standing At The Portal Of The Opening Year"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 85:1-2 – You showed favor to your land, O Lord; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. (NIV)
Honestly, I couldn't get through the day without God's gracious forgiveness. I am a sinful person who makes mistakes and bad choices, as well as neglecting to be or to do good. I am far from perfect, so I need God's holy perfection to cover me, forgive me, and restore me. Not a day goes by without my having to pray, "I'm sorry, God. Please forgive me."
I reckon that most of us are the same way. We try to be saints, but end up as sinners; we try to be like Jesus, but give up when we want people to like us instead. It's easy to call ourselves Christians, but it's very hard to maintain a Christ-honouring life, which is why we need to be forgiven in order to start again. I don't know about you, but I am truly grateful for God's mercy — which I don't deserve — and for God's love — which I cannot live without.
Many people look forward to New Year's Day, when they can turn up a new page of the calendar and start over. But what they are looking for is the secular equivalent of forgiveness, when, in fact, only God can forgive sins!
So, today, if you're beating yourself up for past mistakes, then know this: there's nothing that you've done that God cannot forgive. Just ask Him!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us, yet You are still willing to forgive, restore, and love us. Help us to cherish the gift of grace that You lovingly give. In Your holy name, we gratefully pray. Amen.
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Wonderful reminder, John.
Thank you for this reminder John.
A very grateful AMEN to your prayer.
Thank you, John, for this much needed reminder.
Thank you, John, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thank you. I’ve never thought of a new year this way before! Happy new year!
Dear John – what an inspirational message on which to begin the year. God Bless you.
Thank you for that very timely reminder and hope you have a very happy new year.
Wonderful message today John. Wish everyone could read it. Happy New Year from Canada (via Scotland).
It is good to see that you are not incapacitated. I have been missing your devotionals.
God’s blessing.
John,
It is so true that we, in our secular way, can’t forgive sin, but God can. I appreciate your honesty in your writing.
Dear John,
Thanks for your encouragement.
Your prayer has become mine as well.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for saying it so beautifully! So, I’m not the only one who asks for forgiveness ten, twenty, a hundred times a day. Thanking God for His mercy.
Looking forward to your devotionals.
Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Thank you for once again “hitting the nail on the head,” I sometimes wonder if our Creator doesn’t weary of the number of times, I look heaven-ward and ask to be forgiven.
We are truly blessed to have a Father who loves so deeply.
Thank you for your message.
May your “New Year” be blessed.
Happy New Year John.
Thank you for your devotional. It certainly resonates with me. Every day I find myself seeking God’s forgiveness for inappropriate acts, comments and/or thoughts.
Our God is a forgiving God. But for his mercy and grace go I.
Blessings,
(QC)
Hi John,
My wife passed your devotion on to me with the remark that this is someone who sounds like you! I can certainly identify with your sentiments and with your remedies, so thanks for that.
Best wishes for a blessed and Happy New Year.
(Ontario, Canada)
Happy New Year John
Thanks for the devotion. Sometimes when I start to beat myself up with thoughts of past mistakes or sins, I stop and then thank the devil for reminding me of another sin that God forgave of mine. I thank the devil for the reminder I am free from that sin bondage. This usually shuts him up or maybe I drown him out with my praising God!!!
Praying all the best for you and your family throughout 2021!
God bless.
Greetings and Happy New Year John,
Thank you for your devotional this morning. A very good reminder of the endless grace and mercy the Lord showers on us even when we are not deserving of it. He is ever ready to forgive our wrong doings and guide us on the path of righteousness therefore we need be so thankful with much praise and honour to Him.
Blessings as you keep writing and submitting devotionals.
(B.C.)
Happy New Year. I am glad to see you have survived 2020 and hopefully you and your family have stayed well. The COVID is so bad in the US. We are very fortunate here in Newfoundland and Labrador with our strict rules from out health authority we have had very few cases that have come to the Province by rotational worker. They have been in quarantine when their symptoms appear so minimal spread. We had one bad outbreak in March before restriction came in place, but it was quickly controlled. Everything is open with restrictions on numbers and compulsory masks. I am so grateful, even though I would prefer to be in my winter home in Fl. I’m safe here.
Stay safe, social distance and wear your mask.
Blessings.
Thank you for a very honest and encouraging devotional.
Good to hear from you John.
This message really resonates with me.
Thank you, Lord for Grace.