Forgiveness is Key

After reading Matthew Malin’s post Severing the Chains of Regret:  Is it Possible?, it reminded me of times in my own life dealing with regrets and prompted within me a desire to shed more light on the subject…

Before I do, I will also share in one of many regrets of an attempt to impress a young girl as a middle school teenager.  I was riding my 10 speed bike and peddled as fast as I could by her as she watched from upon my porch.  I realize at the last second upon reaching the  6″ curb that I must brake = I flipped completely head over heels with bike following in tow over me into a heap as I landed hard on my back.  Yah, so much for that stunt.  I wonder what she thought about it?

And one more for good measure is my first date as a 17 year old taking a girl to a movie.  I have no recollection of what the feature show was called or what it was about. But what I do remember is taking her home, getting out of the car, gently placing both of my hands on the sides of her face, and the good intention of giving her a kiss on her forehead out of respect before saying good night.  However, she looked up to kiss me and I kissed her nose.  Yep!?  I attempted once more and the same result occurred.  Nope!  Not doing that again.  The next day looking at the doorway (as I sat in my seat in an empty classroom awaiting for its start) there she appeared and stood waiting for me as if she still cared for me.  Try as I might have wanted to -regret and embarrassment took over and I didn’t move let alone respond.  After a few minutes, she turned and walked away.  Needless to say, it was the first and last date I had in high school.

How to Respond to Our Regrets

I wholeheartedly agree with Matthew’s take on regrets (author of Confessions), that it factors into everyone’s life at some point if live long enough to deal with it, lose from it, fail in it, and have to face it. And he is right that JESUS is the answer…

HE is the answer to our dilemma of regret (past actions of our own doing or performed against us by others, present guilt or shame, and future handling of its weight:

• pressing upon us
• repressing within us
• suppressing all positive forward response from us
• and/or oppressing over every facet of our lives

 

We may not forget our regrets, yet we may still be forgiven, experience breakthroughs,  and thus find freedom to finally move forward into further maturity…

JESUS forgives to rescue our lives, forgives to restore our lives, and forgives to redeem our lives…

Peter experienced a rescue from JESUS when he came to believe and trust in HIM while following HIM.

Peter experienced a restoration after failing in faithfulness to JESUS (forsaking HIM 3 times) in moments of anxiety, confusion, fear, darkness, and weakness -yet gaining a deeper level of forgiveness after JESUS returned to him to continue the relationship with HIS faithfulness, HIS hope filled reunion, and HIS perfect love given.

Peter experienced a redemption when given the renewed responsibility to spread the Good News of salvation ordained by JESUS knowing HE had risen from the dead and still loved and valued him beyond the failures and regrets of guilt and shame he had harbored…

Our first and foremost response is to turn to HIM for forgiveness:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

HE forgives to rescue:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 10:9

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:10

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:11

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13

HE forgives to restore:

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.  Psalm 25:7

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.  Isaiah 54:4

HE forgives to redeem:

For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.  Isaiah 50:7

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  Psalm 34:5

And so, I share this because HE is real; HE is faithful to respond and rescue when turning to HIM by grace through faith; HE is able and willing to restore hope to anyone’s soul through mercy and compassion; HE fully redeems anyone’s life changing the whole trajectory of one’s path onto the straight and narrow with HIS Light and encouraging Word and over time casting out fears with HIS perfect love that never fails…

With HIS forgiveness in being rescued, restored, and redeemed we may become inspired and motivated to tell others about what we’ve:

• discovered to be the Way out of darkness and regret
• found to be the Truth toward walking in HIS Light and back into the land of the living after each regret
• experienced to be the new Life granted with purpose and with vision beyond any and all regrets

 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Romans 1:16-17

With forgiveness, all of us may continue to keep fighting and overcoming…

As you sit here after reading this, JESUS stands at the door of your heart and knocks.  Will you respond?  Regrets and/or embarrassment doesn’t have to keep you immovable like in a chair in an empty classroom as an awkward and lonely teenager nor keep you from the greatest gift of HIS unfailing love and forgiveness that may be yours for simply turning to HIM and asking for it.  HE doesn’t walk away, but is waiting for you still -here… now…

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

HIS forgiveness is HIS key to our hearts:

• with faith in HIM as our response to know
• with hope toward HIM as our realization to grow
• with love from HIM as our reward and to do unto others owe…
• with HIS Word as our reason into others sow…
• with HIS Living Water refilling our cups as a reservoir to overflow into channels of HIS grace, mercy, and compassion to show…

These 3

There is faith transcending

There is hope befriending

There is love unrelenting 

So these 3 remain never ending

 

There is grace tending

There is mercy defending

There is compassion mending

So these 3 HE’s ever sending

 

There’s HIS stripes healing

There’s HIS crown of thorns taking the shame revealing

There’s HIS cross to lay down HIS life re-appealing

So these 3 for us stand against the enemy shielding

 

There’s HIS blood outpouring, forgiving, covering

There’s HIS Living Water restoring for a new beginning; recovering

There’s HIS Spirit for soaring, getting help with living; hovering

So these 3 HE gives toward wondering and focus above for inner restructuring

 

There’s more than we can ask for provision when HE listens toward Salvation’s decisions until arisen

There’s more than we can think to envision others forgiven and setting those free from prisons until unhidden

There’s more than we can imagine for a greater mission driven storing up treasure in Heaven as  true pure wisdom

So these 3 HE gives to fulfill the Great Commission

 

There’s our mind to renew HIS will to find

There’s our heart to be made pure HIS face to remind

There’s our soul to be restored in HIS Vine abide

So these 3 HE offers to realign reflecting HIS Light continually shine

 

There’s HIS Spirit HE gives to find counsel that won’t cease

There’s HIS Spirit HE gives to find inner peace

There’s HIS Spirit HE gives to find truth that will increase

So these 3 are evidence from that which HE seals within us as a deposit guaranteeing our entrance into Heaven upon release

Life Revisit

Life is next to nothing everything

Might as well revisit the exquisite

Life is found when abound in love surround

Might as well revisit most to listen close

Life holds the history so behold the Mystery

Might as well revisit memories then store up Heaven’s treasuries

Life is not about me alone to own

Might as well revisit to make known to others HIS wonders to become sisters and brothers

Life is faith, hope, and love sown to be shown

Might as well revisit to make known HIS salvation plan unto ovation stand

Life is lived from a place of quiet try it and then aloud allowed

Might as well revisit the solitary momentarily for when a missionary extraordinary

Life is hard pressed on every side abide, yet not crushed to be rushed forth

Might as well revisit how we make it through anew 

Life is perplexed reflexed, but not in despair aware to care

Might as well revisit those who are under par broken apart in scars near and far

Life is persecuted reputed, but not forsaken awaken to truth unshaken

Might as well revisit to be there for the burdens to bear and love to share

Life is struck down upon the ground, but not destroyed to be deployed 

Might as well revisit to fight the good fight in view of Heaven’s witnesses to join as future citizens setting free those in prisons lost and afraid with no decisions until arisen 

Life is eternal going on and on and you’re not forgotten

Might as well revisit the reason why you cry and then apply why you are alive born to do more than just survive, today arrive at a crossroads decide who you can confide in, tomorrow into a hope and future abide under HIS wings of mercy hide no longer cast aside or denied this side of eternity until into HIS arms open wide ride on the heights when fears subside HE will always and forever guide…

Words

 

Words illicit strong emotion

Word are set in motion

Words expressed capture attention

Words impressed capture meaning mentioned

Words spoken catch fire

Words open to inspire

Words count for something

Words amount to nothing

Words end up free falling

Words start a higher calling

Words brought about meaning

Words sought for gleaning

Words I write make sense or not

Words of insight will climax the plot

Words to tell my story

Words uplifted for HIS glory

 

HIS Words are alive and active

HIS Words are to your heart attractive

HIS Words are to your life refractive

HIS Words lead to the ONE who guides and forgives to find salvation

HIS Words plead for you to know new life to give -remind of its translation, designed for a firm foundation, and aligned for a pure relation

HIS Words indeed are truth, abide to live, bind to your heart elation

HIS Words last forever as eternal insight into JESUS

HIS Words cast purpose and vision needed to trust

HIS Words forecast service and provision heeded a must

HIS Words spoken bring about faith to the hearer when listened

HIS Words open to bring about hope to be clearer in acquisition

HIS Words chosen bring about love to be nearer come into fruition, with addition for the Great Commission

HIS Words acclimated are driven within by the Spirit into all Truth to be known, to be grown, and to be shown no longer wander prone

HIS Words activated are given into oneself meaning, healing, and revealing from HIM as the Way, the Truth, and the Life sown no longer falter alone

HIS Words are forever eternal… for YOU have exalted YOUR Word above all YOUR Name Psalm 138:2

 

 

Isaiah 55  

Invitation to the Thirsty

55 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
² Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
³ Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David.
⁴ See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
    a ruler and commander of the peoples.
⁵ Surely you will summon nations you know not,
    and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.”

⁶ Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

Shine Like Stars

 

Reach for the stars

However far

 

What’s better by far

Save souls to shine like stars

 

Dream of Heaven’s Light

However bright

 

What’s brilliance beyond sun to earth so bright

Reflect HIS love walking in the Light

 

Get to know to do GOD’s will

However difficult

 

What’s the cost and then count it all joy to takes steps difficult

Overcome fears more than a conqueror to carry out HIS perfect will

 

Wait on HIM for renewed strength

However long

 

What’s the difference it will make, to walk the extra mile, to help others along the way all life long

Depend on HIM in trust and humility to provide all that is needed found in HIS strength

 

Long for HIS appearing 

However busy

 

What’s the focus need to be as a priority that is worthy to keep us busy

Delight oneself in HIM above it all ready with faith to show at HIS great appearing

 

Live pure to be secure

However tempting

 

What’s the purpose other than to order one’s steps aright to set face like flint forward on the straight and narrow right on past tempting

Seek Heaven’s wisdom to find pure motives being pure lived out continually until one day see GOD and be found in HIM secure

Fades to What Remains

 

Everything fades

Far away

 

Except the Word

Forever stay

 

The Word made flesh did portray

In life, in death, in risen life again convey

 

Gone in a day

Tomorrow come what may

 

HE is yesterday, today, and forever the same

Faith, hope, and love remain

 

Past memories may replay

Missing parts and broken hearts somehow slay

 

Let it go as you pray

Move forward beyond the black and white through even gray

 

Burdens so heavily upon you weigh

Place them down at HIS feet lay

 

Darkness and confusion led astray

For HIS Light and peace inside for trade

 

You’re fearfully and wonderfully made

You’re meant to live forgiven and free displayed

 

A future and a hope with HIM survey

Ordered steps HE gives as seen in the night sky of stars arrayed

 

Don’t give up if there’s delay

HE promises for you, HE will make a way…

 

All you are to HIM trust and obey

Through every time you are afraid

 

Choose courage to be brave

Remembering all that HE gave

 

Spend time in HIS Presence only crave

Delight in HIM who gives your desires even beyond the grave

 

A 3 chord strand not easily broken braid

A firm foundation on the Rock of Salvation is laid

 

So stand strong to build your life upon HIM pave

HIS love for you will relinquish the fear that HE died for you to save

 

Salvation For All~Redemption To Recall

Make me faithful within

A heart pure and open

Not turn left or right into sin

Walking forward even if broken

Grace filled spaces taken

Straight and narrow not forsaken

Mercy and compassion awaken

Encouragement gladly given

All sin can be forgiven

Cast to the bottom of deepest ocean

As far as east to west forgotten

YOU gave all for many ransom

To be in that number not random

Drawn by HIS Spirit to the Son tandem

Find faith, hope, and love start to fathom

Into Living Water spring forth in rhythm

Overflowing cup no longer hidden

No longer run to what is forbidden

Run to seek the prize on mission

Now that I am set free from prison

All because HE died, buried, risen

HE is worth it to accept HIM

Now is the day of salvation’s decision

Words of life -time to listen

Better than into a well wishin’

There is faith to perceive new vision

There is hope to believe anew driven

There is love to conceive and newly breathe in

There is grace to receive for victorious livin’

There is mercy to leave guilt and shame ridden

There is compassion to grieve until you mend reopen

Know HE loves you when HE chooses to discipline again and again

Know HIS anger lasts only a moment, but HIS favor lasts a lifetime your heart to win

Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning when the sun will glisten