“Karen’s Notes!
Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes
Volume 9 Number 2 “The Sweet, Sweet Joy of Forgiveness”

Post # 403 January 14th, 2026

On a warm day in July of 2013 I preached a message about our awesome God. The message was entitled, “The God Who is Ready to Forgive Me.” It was based upon Deuteronomy 4. As I was reading through one of Karen’s Bible study journals, I discovered that she had taken notes of the message. In fact, she had taken such very good notes I could preach from them today! What I really enjoyed is seeing her application of the message.

Karen took note of the wonderful characteristic of our God that we call “mercy.” Let me share the Bible verses and then the application of what Karen wrote.

“When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your father which He swore to them” (Deuteronomy 4:30-31).

Karen wrote: We all have made choices that we regret. Thankfully our God is a God of compassion. Think of the word “always!”

1. It is always better, even best, to follow the Lord. “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6a).

2. It is always possible to fail and fall short. “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9).

3. It is always wonderful to be forgiven. “For the LORD your God is a merciful God” (Deuteronomy 4:31).

Michael’s observation: It is truly wonderful to be forgiven. It is also wonderful to forgive. At the start of 2026, is there someone you should forgive? Maybe you even need to forgive yourself.

I would encourage all my readers to rejoice in the wonderful mercy of our great God. I can tell you from personal experience, forgiveness is offered and can be experienced in your life too, because of His mercy!