Hold on, Pappy! Didn't you have a checkered past?

 

Yes, and God says that all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. So, you too are included in that bunch--"all."

I even belonged to a Bible study men's group called "The Church of the Checkered Past"--it met in a coffee shop named Checkers!

That's the whole point of why Jesus came to die for our sins. We all have had a checkered past, but Jesus offers forgiveness for our past.

How? By praying to our Heavenly Father or Jesus, something like this (or your own):

Pray a prayer like this (use this or your own):

Heavenly Father,
I believe You came to earth to save someone like me. I believe you died as a once-and-for-all sacrifice in order to wipe away my sins, known (name them), and unknown. Today I seriously commit to turning away from my sin, with Your forgiveness and help. If I fail from time to time, please prompt me to again seek your forgiveness. Thank You, Lord! You are worthy of praise, honor, Glory and power!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Prayer is not one and done. It's a daily habit. Jesus' disciples asked Him how to pray, and He gave them this example in Matthew 6:9-13 (some repeat this word-for-word, but I have reason to believe that it is an example, and we should use our own words to cover the same thoughts):

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’
(Some translations add the beloved ending:)
For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.

Amen

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