31 Days of Hope Day 3

Welcome to day three of our 31 Days of Hope!

We know hope means to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence. We also know the enemy has a purpose to devour us (and our hope). 1Peter 5:8 warns us..."Be of sober spirit, be on alert. Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour". The devil wants us to feel hopeless. He wants us to have a sense that what is desired can not be had. He wants us to give up. I know there have been many times in my life when I gave into the feeling of hopelessness. I think we have all experienced the feeling of, " whatever" or even thought, "why keep trying (or hoping), its pointless anyway,' and many of us have believed the biggest lie of all, and said, "I am not worthy of a second chance, I do not deserve forgiveness."

We must stop believing the lies! We have to focus on the truth!

As far as the east is from the west, so far He has removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

I have wiped our your transgression like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22

In Him we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

The keys to hope are within your reach. You no longer have to be surrounded by hopelessness.

The first key is repentance. Jesus calls us to repent-Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, " Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand". Repentance is an acknowledgment of your sin and a willingness to turn from it.

The second key is forgiveness. Unfortunately, forgiveness doesn't come with an eraser, however it does come with freedom. It's important to not only forgive those who have wronged us, but we must learn to forgive ourselves as well. Sin is sin and forgiveness is forgiveness, whether it is towards others or our self.

Once you hold these keys, it's important that you put them inside the lock, turn the key, and then it will unlock the hope that is within your reach (notice it takes action and willingness on your part)

A reminder of forgiveness is found in the lyrics by Santus Real  Click here to hear the song

Forgiven

Well the past is playing with my head


And failure knocks me down again


I’m reminded of the wrong


That I have said and done


And that devil just wont let me forget

 In this life


I know what I’ve been


But here in your arms


I know what I am

 [chorus]


I’m forgiven


I’m forgiven


And I don’t have to carry


The weight of who I’ve been


Cause I’m forgiven


My mistakes are running through my mind


And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night


When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride


Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry


In this life


I know what I’ve been


But here in your arms


I know what I am

 [back to chorus]


When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere


When I don’t measure up to much in this life


Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause
 
(back to chorus)

*(Don't forget to stop by the other 31 Days bloggers-see their links on the right side)