I wish, I wish, I wish......
Don't we catch ourselves saying these words as our past comes to mind. I wish I hadn't done that or I wish I had've done this. What would people think of me if they knew....., Lord, you want me to do what? You know my past and so do others. How can I be used by you?
How can I be used by you? That is my question as I think of some of the stupid things of my past. There are so many things I would have done differently. So many regrets of missed opportunities. So many times I let myself be led down a wrong path. These thoughts are not from God. These thoughts take my eyes off the things I should be doing and make me feel unworthy.
As children of God we need to keep looking forward. Moving away from our past and moving on toward our goal. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, taught of the "entire sanctification". This speaks of the power of God's grace to move us away from the sin in our lives and push us towards holiness.
Look at Paul. He was a persecutor of the Christians. He was even there at the stoning of Steven. Look what he has to say in Philippians 3:12-14....
I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward-to Jesus. I am off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Do you think that Paul might have had a greater compassion for the Jews and the Christians because of his past? Maybe all that you have experienced will give you a better understanding of the people God has put in your life. But don't dwell on a past that God has already forgiven. Look what Jesus did for the woman who was going to be stoned in John 8...
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "the sinless one among you, go first; throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you? " No Master". "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin".
Jesus changed her that day. I wonder what she went on to do? How many people she went on to help change because of the forgiving power of Christ?
Sweet friends, don't let your past be your guide. Instead say "what past"? Keep your eyes and your heart looking forward. Remember Christ hasn't condemed you, He has forgiven you and wants you to go on your way and sin no more. With God's help that is exactly what we all can do!
Blessings!
Don't we catch ourselves saying these words as our past comes to mind. I wish I hadn't done that or I wish I had've done this. What would people think of me if they knew....., Lord, you want me to do what? You know my past and so do others. How can I be used by you?
How can I be used by you? That is my question as I think of some of the stupid things of my past. There are so many things I would have done differently. So many regrets of missed opportunities. So many times I let myself be led down a wrong path. These thoughts are not from God. These thoughts take my eyes off the things I should be doing and make me feel unworthy.
As children of God we need to keep looking forward. Moving away from our past and moving on toward our goal. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, taught of the "entire sanctification". This speaks of the power of God's grace to move us away from the sin in our lives and push us towards holiness.
Look at Paul. He was a persecutor of the Christians. He was even there at the stoning of Steven. Look what he has to say in Philippians 3:12-14....
I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward-to Jesus. I am off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Do you think that Paul might have had a greater compassion for the Jews and the Christians because of his past? Maybe all that you have experienced will give you a better understanding of the people God has put in your life. But don't dwell on a past that God has already forgiven. Look what Jesus did for the woman who was going to be stoned in John 8...
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "the sinless one among you, go first; throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you? " No Master". "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin".
Jesus changed her that day. I wonder what she went on to do? How many people she went on to help change because of the forgiving power of Christ?
Sweet friends, don't let your past be your guide. Instead say "what past"? Keep your eyes and your heart looking forward. Remember Christ hasn't condemed you, He has forgiven you and wants you to go on your way and sin no more. With God's help that is exactly what we all can do!
Blessings!
I wish, I wish, I wish......
Don't we catch ourselves saying these words as our past comes to mind. I wish I hadn't done that or I wish I had've done this. What would people think of me if they knew....., Lord, you want me to do what? You know my past and so do others. How can I be used by you?
How can I be used by you? That is my question as I think of some of the stupid things of my past. There are so many things I would have done differently. So many regrets of missed opportunities. So many times I let myself be led down a wrong path. These thoughts are not from God. These thoughts take my eyes off the things I should be doing and make me feel unworthy.
As children of God we need to keep looking forward. Moving away from our past and moving on toward our goal. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, taught of the "entire sanctification".
This speaks of the power of God's grace to move us away from the sin in our lives and push us towards holiness.
Look at Paul. He was a persecutor of the Christians. He was even there at the stoning of Steven. Look what he has to say in Philippians 3:12-14....
I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward-to Jesus. I am off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Do you think that Paul might have had a greater compassion for the Christians because of his past? Maybe all that you have experienced will give you a better understanding of the people God has put in your life. But don't dwell on a past that God has already forgiven. Look what Jesus did for the woman who was going to be stoned in John 8:6-11...
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "the sinless one among you, go first; throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you? " No Master". "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin".
Jesus changed her that day. I wonder what she went on to do? How many people she went on to help change because of the forgiving power of Christ?
Sweet friends, don't let your past be your guide. Instead say "what past"? Keep your eyes and your heart looking forward. Remember Christ hasn't comdemed you, He has forgiven you and wants you to go on your way and sin no more. With God's help that is exactly what we all can do!
Don't we catch ourselves saying these words as our past comes to mind. I wish I hadn't done that or I wish I had've done this. What would people think of me if they knew....., Lord, you want me to do what? You know my past and so do others. How can I be used by you?
How can I be used by you? That is my question as I think of some of the stupid things of my past. There are so many things I would have done differently. So many regrets of missed opportunities. So many times I let myself be led down a wrong path. These thoughts are not from God. These thoughts take my eyes off the things I should be doing and make me feel unworthy.
As children of God we need to keep looking forward. Moving away from our past and moving on toward our goal. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, taught of the "entire sanctification".
This speaks of the power of God's grace to move us away from the sin in our lives and push us towards holiness.
Look at Paul. He was a persecutor of the Christians. He was even there at the stoning of Steven. Look what he has to say in Philippians 3:12-14....
I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward-to Jesus. I am off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Do you think that Paul might have had a greater compassion for the Christians because of his past? Maybe all that you have experienced will give you a better understanding of the people God has put in your life. But don't dwell on a past that God has already forgiven. Look what Jesus did for the woman who was going to be stoned in John 8:6-11...
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "the sinless one among you, go first; throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you? " No Master". "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin".
Jesus changed her that day. I wonder what she went on to do? How many people she went on to help change because of the forgiving power of Christ?
Sweet friends, don't let your past be your guide. Instead say "what past"? Keep your eyes and your heart looking forward. Remember Christ hasn't comdemed you, He has forgiven you and wants you to go on your way and sin no more. With God's help that is exactly what we all can do!
