Unconditionally Loved

I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. 
– Isaiah 49:16

No matter what you do, God still loves you.

No matter how far you run away, God lovingly waits for you to come home.

No matter how disappointed you are with yourself, you can forgive yourself because you are forgiven.

As Jesus hung on the cross taking the sins of the world upon His shoulders, He cried out to God saying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”  Jesus asked God to forgive the men who were crucifying Him and who were dividing up His clothes in front of the crowd.  Jesus had unconditional love even for the men who were mocking and killing Him. 

Jesus’ love knows no boundaries.  His love for you is deep and wide, high and long. (Ephesians 3:18)  If you draw those measurements out, you’ll sketch a cross.  When Jesus went to the cross, He took your past, present, and future sins with Him.  When He engraved your name upon His palms, He tossed your sins as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)

As soon as you confess your sins to God, they are gone, remembered no more.  Isn’t that amazing?  Think of all the people in the Bible who messed up big time and God still forgave them.

·             Noah stepped out of the ark, built a vineyard, got drunk and passed out naked. (Genesis 9:21)

·             Abraham lied and said his wife Sarah was his sister. (Genesis 20:2)

·             Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law to get revenge. (Genesis 38:16)

·             David committed adultery with Bathseba.  When he found out she was pregnant, he had her husband killed.       (2 Samuel 11:4, 15)

·             Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.  He even angrily cussed to a servant that he didn’t know who Jesus      was. (Matthew 26:69-75)

All these people were forgiven by God and loved unconditionally.  What they must have struggled with, as we do, is the leap of faith it takes to forgive ourselves.  It’s truly a matter of trust.  Do you trust God to remove your sins?  If you do, leave your baggage behind and travel on, believing you are forgiven and set free.  What Jesus sets free, is free indeed. (John 8:36)

Engage With God - Read and Reflect

DAY 13 – Unconditionally Loved

I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. – Isaiah 49:16

Daily Reminder: 

When Jesus died for your past, present, and future sins, they were removed from you as far as the east is from the west.  Now forgive yourself.  Let go of your emotional baggage and step into the freedom you’ve been given.  If the Son of God sets you free, you are free indeed.

Real Life Reflection Questions:

1.         It is challenging for you to forgive yourself and accept God’s unconditional love?  Why are why not?

2.         Imagine yourself filling up a suitcase with all your mistakes, mess ups, and times you’ve disappointed yourself.  Hand God your suitcase and thank Him for taking it all.  Walk away free… (or jump or skip) What emotions and thoughts are racing through you?

QUICK PRAYER –

Lord God,

Thank you for loving me no matter what I’ve done.  Your unconditional love is the greatest gift in my life.  Help me to accept it, live freely in it, and enjoy my life more fully knowing I am forgiven.  Help me let go of my past mistakes and forgive myself completely.  I will trust in You Lord!

In Jesus’ Precious Name I Pray, Amen

TODAY’S THOUGHTS – You are loved unconditionally!

Personal Bible Study- Read, record, and reflect on these scriptures. Let them seep into your soul.

Psalm 103:12–

John 8:31-36 –