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Connect Devotionals

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans‬ 8‬:34‬-35‬
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When I have free time, I love to go on walks and just think about whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I think about other people, how I can improve in school or sports, or sometimes just about God and if he’s leading or calling me to do anything. 

But the worst thing that happens is when I think about all of the things that I've done wrong recently. Sometimes it's that I was too harsh with someone, or that I said something that other people wouldn’t like, maybe it’ll make them think I’m stupid. But whatever it is, it always hurts to keep thinking about it over and over again, wondering why I could have done something so obviously stupid.

But if I lived the rest of my life regretting what I’ve done in the past, then how can I focus on the present? The important thing to remember is that it’s already happened, and there’s nothing we can do now to change that.   Jesus told his disciples, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).

On the other hand, sometimes we can do something, like trying to make things right with a friend. But what makes worrying pointless is either when we do nothing to fix what we’re worrying about, or what we’re worrying about can’t be changed or made right anyway.

The reality of being human means that we don’t live perfect lives, no matter how hard we try. It can be really hard when we mess up, but sinning doesn’t make us further from God, because we are forgiven. 

One of the most common things in our society is to be treated like our lives are defined by their biggest mistakes, whether it's by ourselves or by other people. But that is far from the truth.

What's the truth that we need to know? That Jesus died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to live the rest of our lives having our worth defined by how many times we fall. The forgiveness that was so graciously given to us is not something for us to earn. No matter what we do, we are forgiven. 

But the way to feel free from our past sins is simple; accept that our sins are forgiven. We may know that our sins are forgiven, but are we going to receive it? 

The guilt of yesterday's sins does not affect how we should live our lives in the present moment. The most important part is to not sulk in our sin, it's to receive Christ’s forgiveness, make things right when we can and ought to, and then move on to become a better Christian.

Dear Jesus, help me to remember that dying on the cross for our sins isn't just a fact to know, it's a truth to live by. You forgive the sins of yesterday, today, and the many days to come, and we thank you for that.

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