Leaving the Past Behind

    Screenwriter and multi-award winning author Marala Scott, after suffering over 17 horrifying years of abuse at the hands of her father said, "One day I smiled back at my reflection in the mirror and  my spirit lit up. Beyond the initial reflection, I could see that my father had caused me pain, but he had not touched my spirit that belonged to God." This courageous woman was then able to put her broken past behind her and forgive her father.

      Taking this bold step ushered in her freedom from the bondage of emotional destruction and set her on a path of healing and restoration. She is now an advocate for those who have experienced domestic violence and has impacted the lives of many.

      What do you need to forget today? Who do you need to forgive? The apostle Paul admonishes us to forget the things that are behind us and to look forward to the things God has in store for us. God has specific plans for us, but they are simply out of our reach when we walk in unforgiveness. How can we not forgive when we ourselves have so desperately needed forgiveness and mercy in our lives? 
     When we hold onto the wrongs that have been done to us, we actually become prisoners in our minds. But, when we let go of the past, the prison doors are opened. Then we are able to receive what we need for today and for the future.      
      Remember, it does not matter what happens to us.....what really matters is what we do about it.  The pain will leave us when we let go. Forgive someone today and go free!

Scripture Links: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 3:13

To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.


To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

The Power of Vision

      A well-known Christian minister said, "The greatest gift God ever gave humanity second to salvation is not sight, but vision. Sight is a function of the eyes, but vision is a function of the heart. When Helen Keller, a deaf and blind author, political activist and lecturer of the early 1900's was asked what was worse than having no sight, she replied, "having no vision." Vision is seeing the future before it comes into being. It is a mental picture of our destinies.

      The first step in birthing our visions is to write things down. This is important to do in every area of life. Several years ago I thought I was doing a good job at handling my daily tasks until I noticed important things began dropping through the cracks. I had no organized plan, and things became one unorganized mess! I reached out for some help and discovered something as simple as a handy calendar connected to my e-mail account. What liberation! It has made a wonderful difference in my life. Once I make a list and check tasks off as I complete them, I am good to go! Now I make lists for just about everything. How simple was that to for organization? 

         When we have no vision, or road map of where we are going, from the small tasks to major dreams and goals, we will simply relive the past with its disappointments and failures.  Therefore, vision is the key to our futures. Begin today by writing down your dreams and goals and then allow God to help you fill in all the details.

Scripture Links: 

Habakkuk 2:2; 

To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):

Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Soap and Water for a Guilty Conscience?

           Remember the words to this familiar song? "What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." 

           Years ago after I rededicated my life to the Lord, my sister looked at me one day and asked, "Why did it take you so long?" I thought for a moment and then replied, "Can you imagine how great the distance is between where we are and a far away continent? You know, it's so far, you can't see beyond the horizon?"

         I didn't quite know how to put it into words, but I was trying to explain to her that I felt my life was so messed up that there had to have been a great gulf between God and me, and He didn't want anything to do with me in my condition. That is honestly how I felt, because I had listened to the wrong voices for so long.

         Oh, but one day I found out I did not have to live my life apart from God, and it only took a decision to make things right,  even in my condition. I was in church that Sunday morning (sinners go church because it's a hospital for the spiritually sick), and I wanted so desperately to respond to the pastor's invitation to get my life right, but I was scared. 

        Long story short, I found out I still had a will! Satan had no power over me, so I took one foot and moved it into the aisle. At that moment something broke over me, and my life was changed forever! I found out I really could have a new life in Christ.

        So, if you are looking for wholeness or restoration today, there is hope. It's not too late! One thing is for sure, though. You can't wash away a guilty conscience with soap and water or with good deeds. If you are  looking for wholeness and cleansing from sin, only the blood of Jesus can make you whole.

       And although church is a good place to be, you don't have to be in a church building to get your life right with God. You just have to mean it in your heart and reach out to Him. He will meet you where you are and help you.

       Only Jesus Christ can do the job. I invite you today to accept Him as Lord over your life or recommit your life to Him if you have fallen away. You'll be so glad you did!

Scripture Links:

II Corinthians 5:17;  John 1:12; Ephesians 2:13; I John 1:7; I John 1:5

To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):

Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

"Where the Mind Goes the Man Will Follow"

         Have you ever wondered why you and a certain person always seem to bump heads? That person could be a spouse or a child, a co-worker or a friend. No matter how hard you try, he always seems to 'hit a nerve' in you (or you in him) each time you communicate. 

       What are your thoughts about this person? Most of the time we can't control negative actions toward people because we have not controlled our thoughts. A well-known minister said, "Where the mind goes the man will follow." Your dominant thoughts about people will always take you in the direction of the thought. So, if you're thinking anger, resentment, disappointment or disgust about someone, then guess what's going to come out of your mouth when you are around him? Nothing good!
       Satan is crafty. He knows our strengths, but he also knows our weaknesses. If he sees us struggling in a particular area, he will subtly and little by little use the power of suggestion through us, or the other person, to create division. We've got to know who our enemy is. It is not people. We are in a war with satan and the rulers of darkness. The good news, though, is that we are on the winning side.
       There is something good about everybody. When we seek to find the good in others and keep it in the forefront of our minds, our communication can be positive and uplifting to others. It is then that we will begin to be conformed to image of our Creator, and people will automatically be drawn to the Jesus in us. It will produce life and peace in our relationships.
       Choose today to think on things that are true, honest, just, lovely and of good report. Then you won't have to relinquish your 'last nerve' to anyone!

Scripture Links:

II Corinthians 10:4-5;  Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8;
To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.