Freedom in Forgiveness

Words from Max Lucado

Freedom in Forgiveness

They sinned against me, but I will wash away that sin.  Jeremiah 33:8

The next time you see or think of the one who broke your heart, look twice.  As you look at his face, look also for His face—the face of the One who forgave you.  Look into the eyes of the King who wept when you pleaded for mercy.  Look into the face of the Father who gave you grace when no one else gave you a chance…And then, because God has forgiven you more than you’ll ever be called on to forgive in another, set your enemy—and yourself—free.

Heaven Defies Imagination

No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.  I Corinthians 2:9

Anything you imagine is inadequate.  Anything anyone imagines is inadequate.  No one has come close.  No one.  Think of all the songs about heaven.  All the artists’ portrayals.  All the lessons preached, poems written, and chapters drafted.

When it comes to describing heaven, we are all happy failures.

Stand Strong in God’s Grace

This is the true grace of God.  Stand strong in that grace.  I Peter 5:12

Up the hill we trudge.  Weary, wounded hearts wrestling with unresolved mistakes.  Sighs of anxiety.  Tears of frustration.  Words of rationalization.  Moans of doubt…

Jesus stands on life’s most barren hill and waits with outstretched, nail-pierced hands.  A “crazy, holy grace” it has been called.  A type of grace that doesn’t hold up to logic.  But then… grace doesn’t have to be logical.  If it did, it wouldn’t be grace.

Gentle Thunder

When you were in trouble, you called, and I saved you.  I answered you with thunder.  Psalm 81:7

God is as creative as he is relentless.  The same hand that sent manna to Israel sent Uzzah to his death.  The same hand that set the children free from Egypt also sent them captive to Babylon.  Both kind and stern.  

God’s Choice

You are…God’s own possession.  I Peter 2:9

God loves you simply because He has chosen to do so.

He loves you when you don’t feel lovely.

He loves you when no one else loves you.

Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you.  Always.  No matter what.