Hi, and welcome to the Five Word Prayers Daily, a five-day-a-week daily devotional where we share the

word prayers in our heart. I'm Lisa Whittle, and I welcome you to just five minutes with me,

which I trust and pray will be five minutes well spent. I've loved talking about letting go and

holding on and how both are hard and possible, of course, only because of Jesus.

Today I'm talking about both in a way

because both are necessary if we're going to accept God's provision of forgiveness and disown

the guilt that has hovered over many of our lives. I have something meaningful I want to offer

today on the daily, so stick around for that. As I was thinking about what I wanted to say on today's show, I kept reading and rereading this part in the chapter and the seven hardest things that my mother wrote.

And it moved me and I decided just to read it for you.

Just settle in for a couple of quick minutes, maybe even close your eyes as I read you this that I pray will be a healing word to your soul.

When Satan accuses and torments us over a past sin that shames us constantly, the one we so

desperately regret and wish we could change, God looks lovingly at us and says, what sin?

Divinely, it is as if we had never ever sinned, not even once. By his mercy and grace,

he chooses to completely forget our sins for all eternity and to make our hearts brand new.

Therefore, we need to let go of guilt. Jesus paid the price for our sins and made us brand new people.

Old things have passed away. All things have become new. We need to let go of guilt

over sins, mistakes, mischances, bad choices, and hold on to the provision of God for forgiveness

and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Philip Yancey depicts an inspiring scene in his book,

So What's So Amazing About Grace, as he describes the lives of several worshippers who participate

in a communion service together. As I read his moving account of real people whose lives have

been changed by the power of God, I picture believers whose lives have crossed mine over the years

and whose testimonies of grace inspire me daily. Imagine with me that you're leaving the church

...