A Clean Slate

Are you a "New Year's Resolution" person? We tend to often think of New Year's as an opportunity to start over - with a clean slate. I was thinking this week, about how God gives us that opportunity everyday. He forgives our sins, washes them away, and remembers them no more! How awesome is that! We don't have to live in guilt or regret over all our past mistakes. They need not control us. We don't need to wait for a New Year or a birthday or anything else to start over.

If you are working on some resolutions today, consider including Hebrews 10:22-25 in your thoughts.

Hebrews 10

 ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also gives witness to us about this. First he says

 ¹⁶ "This is the covenant I will make with them
      after that time, says the Lord.
   I will put my laws in their hearts.
      I will write my laws on their minds." —(Jeremiah 31:33)
¹⁷ Then he adds,
   "I will not remember their sins anymore.

      I will not remember the evil things they have done." —(Jeremiah 31:34)  ¹⁸ Where those have been forgiven, there is no longer any offering for sin.  ¹⁹ Brothers and sisters, we are not afraid to enter the Most Holy Room. We enter boldly because of the blood of Jesus. ²⁰ His way is new because he lives. It has been opened for us through the curtain. I'm talking about his body.  ²¹ We also have a great priest over the house of God. ²² So let us come near to God with an honest and true heart. Let us come near with a faith that is sure and strong. Our hearts have been sprinkled. Our minds have been cleansed from a sense of guilt. Our bodies have been washed with pure water.  ²³ Let us hold firmly to the hope we claim to have. The One who promised is faithful.  ²⁴ Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return.

Psalm 103
  ⁸ The Lord is tender and kind. He is gracious.
      He is slow to get angry. He is full of love.
 ⁹ He won't keep bringing charges against us.
      He won't stay angry with us forever.
 ¹⁰ He doesn't punish us for our sins as much as we should be punished.
      He doesn't pay us back in keeping with the evil things we've done.
 ¹¹ His love for those who have respect for him
      is as high as the heavens are above the earth.
 ¹² He has removed our lawless acts from us
      as far as the east is from the west.
 ¹³ A father is tender and kind to his children.
      In the same way, the Lord is tender and kind
      to those who have respect for him.
 ¹⁴ He knows what we are made of.

      He remembers that we are dust.

With the kids: Ask your kids what they'd like to learn or accomplish this year. Could be fun!

Memorizing: "A father is tender and kind to his children. In the same way, the Lord is tender and kind to those who have respect for him." Psalm 103:13