sin

I woke up this morning having one of those dreams that feel so very very real. It was not a good dream because I was doing something horrific and unthinkable. What makes it even worse is that I had committed that sin decades before. I woke up with a feeling of horror and a whole range of emotions that I can't even begin to explain. Then I pretty much immediately fell into despair. Will my past sins, and current sins, ever quit torturing me?!? Scripture starts flooding into my mind and my heart about how Jesus paid the price for our sins . . . I am forgiven . . . do not let this separate you . . . but I was just in blackness. The huge sucking pit of despair.

Turned on the radio so I could hear good news and start to focus on Christ. I started to peruse Facebook and Instagram looking for uplifting scriptures. It took a while but then they started showing up and I want to share two here:

The only good thing about my past sins is that they have helped me realize that people can change. There is hope. Just because you have done that thing. That thing does not make you into that thing. There is hope. I just have to say it again - there is hope.

Hope's name is Jesus Christ our Living Lord who intercedes for us with The Father. Jesus has promised us to keep us. 

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!

Amen

Jude 1:24,25

Able to keep you from falling

Jude 1:1-2, 20-25

[1] Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:

[2] Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance

[20] But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. [21] Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

[22] Be merciful to those who doubt; [23] snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear -- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

[24] To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- [25] to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.