Based on “Forgetting My Past” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 6/4-5/11,Message #6066; Daily Devotional #3 - “Restored”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Life’s choices of the past can tie us up today if we let them. Everyone makes bad decisions. Now as a Christ follower, we know there is one decision that trumps all others to control our destiny: our decision for Christ. Yet, the rest of our decisions will show who we are today. One bad decision does not have to lead to another. I have a friend who made some bad choices and now punishes herself with more bad choices because of the original ones. She is trapped in the straight-jacket of the past. Because her mind is focused in the past, she cannot see the present clearly. I continue to pray for her to see the truth. When the Holy Spirit brings the opportunity, I speak the truth to her, yet, she stays trapped to this day.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): You and I are no different. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)
It is so easy to see, when we are on this side of Christ, what keeps others from coming and the past is usually a large part of it. Many people are waiting to come to God until they get their lives cleaned up. They do not understand that it is only through the renewing of their minds that those old patterns of life can be broken. Even many Christians today do not experience Christ fully because of something in their past that they will not hand over to God to live in freedom and forgiveness. When you ask for forgiveness, it is yours. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) It is your choice whether you will live in forgiveness or not. The past can tie you up or reveal freedom to those around you.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Today is the day to make a choice. You can choose to live in the past or try to ignore it. Or, you can live in freedom, no longer in bondage, no longer trying to run from it. You can live in victory over your past. You think what you did was bad; yet, did you go out and try to kill Christians? Paul did and he was able to live in victory. How? He did not hide his past. He talked about it to bring glory to our great and forgiving God. Did he try to pretend he was perfect and had it all together? No. He was upfront with his mistakes of the past. Paul was a great example of living in freedom even when he was in prison. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 emphasis added) Remember what you once were to bring glory to a loving, restoring God. The world needs to see real people - real hurts - real mistakes - really restored by a loving God.
Cultivating: http://www.calvaryccm.com/changed/Stephanie_Nickson.aspx
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.