Sometimes in life an error in judgement can follow us for a long time. Let’s face it; there are times when we all mess up. The best we can hope for is to avoid the mistakes and when they do happen, pray that they don’t have long lasting effects. But what if they do? What if saying we are sorry and paying the bill don’t fix it? What if we can’t change the results, be forgiven by those we have affected, or even forgive ourselves? Then what? Do we have to carry the burden forever? Will it ever go away?
Prisoners, even after serving their sentence and “paying their debt to society” often are still a prisoner to their history. Even when given a chance to start over, it takes a lot of time and effort to prove themselves’ trustworthy again. They are still a prisoner to their past. Have you made mistakes, or have things happened in your life that you feel that you are still paying for? Do you sometimes feel like you are a prisoner?
Are there occasions when wish you could start over again and just like pressing the delete button on the computer, the page of your life would become blank? Good news! You can. That is exactly why Jesus came. God sent Him to show us the way and to give us the key to the prison cell. It is through Him that we can be forgiven by God. When we know that God can forgive us for all of our mistakes, (sins) then we can forgive ourselves and others. It’s like hitting, “delete.” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Are you a prisoner of your past? Do you carry unforgiveness of others? Of yourself? The truth is, we are all prisoners of our sin, because we all mess up. Have you felt God’s forgiveness? Do you want it? Ask Jesus into your life. Ask His forgiveness and talk to someone about it. Don’t let your past make you a prisoner today. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Something to think about…
A professor was giving a big test one day to his students. He handed out all of the tests and went back to his desk to wait. Once the test was over, the students all handed the tests back in. The professor noticed that one of the students had attached a $100 bill to his test with a note saying “A dollar per point.” The next class the professor handed the graded tests back out. This student got back his test, his test grade, and $55 change.
First thing every single morning one of the secretaries in our office opened the newspaper and read everyone’s horoscope aloud. “Gwen,” said our boss finally, “you seem to be a normal, levelheaded person. Do you really believe in astrology?” “Of course not,” Gwen answered. “You know how skeptical we Capricorns are.”
Are you skeptical of God? Come and let Him prove Himself. Lighthouse of Faith, 141 E. Main St. in Canton, (across from Acorn Mkt). Services are Sun. at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.lighthousecanton.com The, “Harp and Bowl” regional worship service will be on Mon. Apr. 20th at 7pm. See you there? Until next time, look up and smile!