Redemption Is Here

I know I am not alone in saying there are things I have done in life that I am not proud of. 

As human beings we have archives of regrets.  Its because we are imperfect.

We were born into a sin nature, and a byproduct of that is... well... sin. 

That doesn't make it ok. That doesn't justify it.  It just gives us an idea of why its so easy for us to mess up.

I don't think the enemy's biggest victory is getting us to sin.

I think his biggest victory is making us feel unforgivable.

He gets us to our lowest point, reminds us of our terrible failures, and then whispers lies into our heads about how we aren't even worthy enough to ask our Father for forgiveness. 

And because we feel so inadequate, we run farther away. 

I know exactly how this goes because I have been there. 

I was so surprised and frightened by my sin that I felt like God was surprised and frightened too. I felt like I had somehow shocked God with my actions. 

And instead of falling on my face before Him begging for forgiveness, I allowed myself to believe that His grace wasn't sufficient enough for me. So I stayed, dwelling on my sin, awaiting my next failure. Because that was easier than facing an unforgiving God. 

And thats where the enemy gets the victory. 

He convinces us that we only get one chance. 

He makes us believe that our loving God isn't capable of forgiving us. 

The enemy is the deceiver and the confuser. He always has been. 1 Peter 5:8 says that he is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 

He delights in our weaknesses. He finds joy in our suffering. And he wants us to stay there. 

But God is the complete opposite. 

The God we serve is a God of love. He is the strength in our weakness, He is the joy when we suffer and the last thing He wants to do is leave us in our sin. He is the restorer and the rebuilder. He makes all things new. He is the Father that RUNS to us when we call out to Him. Christ hung on a cross because He knew our wickedness would keep us from spending eternity with Him in Heaven. So He took on our punishment. 

The saddest thing we can do is cheapen His grace. To look at ourselves and say, "You're grace may be sufficient for everyone else, but not for me." 

Who are we to believe that our righteousness was ever our own? 

We are told in Hebrews to approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

Ladies, I encourage all of you to approach that throne today. 

No matter what you have done. 

God wants to redeem you. He wants to make you pure again. 

Stop believing you are the exception to the rule. 

Come out of your hiding place. Be vulnerable before the Lord. 

Restoration is waiting. 

Abundant life is waiting.