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Key Bible Verse: If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong (1 John 1:9). Bonus Reading: Psalm 103:1-14

"I can't understand how you put up with those cold winters!" The comment was directed to me by a Florida friend as I was visiting him in February a couple of years ago. He was speaking of my home in Montana, where winter temperatures often drop below zero.

Actually, I was thinking something similar about his winter climate. The outside temperature was 42 degrees, but because of the damp Florida climate, I felt colder than I do in Montana with the temperature in the teens.

But my feelings were deceiving me. They can do that in many areas of life. Today's Key Bible Verse tells us that God forgives us as we confess our sins. This isn't hard to believe—except for those times when we really blow it or, worse, keeping blowing it over and over. Then we may feel like God can't or won't forgive us.

But like a thermometer that tells the true temperature regardless of how we feel, God's Word tells us the truth about Him irrespective of our feelings. When we confess, He forgives. Every time. No exceptions. When we accept the truth about God's complete and unconditional forgiveness, we're released from feelings of doubt and guilt, and begin to feel forgiven.

—Mike Raether

My Response: If I don't feel forgiven, I'll read today's Bonus Reading out loud until I do.

Thought to Apply: If his conditions are met, God is bound by His Word to forgive any man or any woman of any sin because of Christ.—BILLY GRAHAM (evangelist)

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank you, Lord, that my standing with You has nothing to do with deserving, and everything to do with receiving the forgiveness You've offered.

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