The Promise of "Remember No More"

What does 'Remember no More' mean?

From Jerry Bridges --

"To remember no more is God's way of expressing absolute forgiveness.

In Hebrews 8:12 (which quotes Jeremiah 31:34) God says, 'For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'

And again in Hebrews 10:17-18, He says, 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.'

Psalm 130:3-4 states the same in a somewhat different way -- "If You, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O LORD, who should stand? But with You there is forgiveness."

It is a rhetorical question -- God does not keep a record, instead, He forgives."

     __ From The Gospel for Real Life

If God did keep a record in His memory, we'd all be in trouble. The really good news is that He doesn't! All our sins -- past,  present, and future are paid for by Jesus --paid in full -- no balance left due -- forever!

And Jesus tells us we should also forgive each other, 'just as God in Christ has forgiven us' (Ephesians 4:32)

....and that raises the bar pretty high!

When the Bride Looks at the Groom

 A diving accident left Joni Eareckson paralyzed. Her handicap didn't keep her from marrying Ken Tada, but it almost kept her from the joy of the wedding. While waiting to go down the aisle, she discovered a big, thick, black grease mark, courtesy of her wheelchair. The bouquet of daisies on her lap slid off center, her paralyzed hands unable to arrange them.

She felt far from a picture-perfect bride. But as she looked down the aisle, she saw her groom. She says, "Grease stain? Flowers out of place? Who cares? The love in Ken's eyes washed it all away. That's what changed me!"

She forgot about herself. Everything changes when you look at your groom!

Isaiah gives us a picture of our future when the church becomes the Bride of Christ. In Isaiah 62:5 we read:

"As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over His bride, so will your God rejoice over you."

The Book of Revelation gives us more about the marriage ceremony and feast.

And I love this last verse of the hymn, "The Sands of Time are Sinking" 

"The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom's face;

I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth, but on His pierced hands;

The Lamb is all the glory, in Immanuel's land!"

And "Turn your eyes upon Jesus -- look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in  the light of His glory and grace!"

Maranatha, Lord Jesus!

Who is Your Accuser?

 God tells us about him. He is often called "the accuser of the brethren."

We see him beginning his campaign against us in Genesis 3. Then witness him in action in Job. And finally see him destroyed forever in Revelation 20.

In some places he is called "Satan," the "adversary," "the enemy," the "serpent," "deceiver," and "tempter."

John gives us this picture of him in Revelation 12:

   "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.'"

Think of it...he is working against us 24 hours a day!

But we can, through Christ, defeat him!

He is described as "subtle" and "shrewd." We are told he keeps records of our shortcomings and anything he can use against us in order to dishonor and discredit us before God.

Remember the song we used to sing? -- "Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world!"

I remember my friend who told me that whenever Satan knocks at her door to tempt her, she turns her eyes on Jesus and says, "Jesus, could you get the door?"

Sounds like a good plan to  me!

He can't take away our salvation -- that is secured forever by Jesus Himself -- but he can tarnish our testimony, destroy our joy, and try to make us feel shame, guilt and condemnation...IF WE LET HIM!

Pour Out Your Heart!

"Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart to Him. God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8).

"Every once in a while we just need to cry it out. Our heavenly Father is always there, watching and waiting for the opportunity to hold His children. His love is freely given and knows no bounds when it comes to those who seek Him for sanctuary."  Cindy Boyd

He is there - waiting to give comfort...and courage....

The prophet Zephaniah understood it. He know God as his loving Father, holding His child, quieting him and bringing him rest and peace during times of anxiety. As soon as we cry out, He is there -- already there -- watching over us as a parent watches over His beloved child.

"The LORD, your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you in His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

Make It A Better Day!

 This day is beginning as a perfect day!

I started it with this wonderful prayer hymn -- written by Kate Wilkinson 100 years ago! I highly recommend it to you -- just pray the words and feel God's love and joy and peace fill your heart.

   "May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in me from day to day,
    by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

    May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
    so that all may see I triumph only through His power.

    May the peace of God, my Father, rule my life in everything,
    that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

    May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the seas;
    Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory!

    May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,
    looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

    May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win 
    and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him!"

Best suggestion for sure -- ask your magic music box to play it for you - just ask for "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior" and be blessed!