Overcome the Past

“I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons.”

Acts 22:4

This is what the Apostle Paul said about himself.  He was the enemy of the church, of God and mankind but when He met Jesus on the road, this changed.  God revealed Himself to him and His purpose for his life.  Paul was a changed man.

Yet, did this radical transformation change people’s perception of Paul?  No, initially people were still afraid of him and did not trust him.  It was through hard work and consistently living to serve Jesus that Paul was able to win the confidence of Christians and become one of the greatest evangelists on earth.  Paul gained a status equal to that of the Twelve Disciples chosen by Jesus.

So, why then are we surprised that it takes a lot of hard work to overcome people’s perceptions of us if we made terrible mistakes in our past?  We are redeemed by Jesus but we must change our actions, thoughts and lives to reflect that transformation.  If we were thieves before we became Christians and we continue to steal, then it will difficult for others to accept us as changed people.  

So, what then can I say?  When we become new people in Christ, we leave behind the old things which we know are things that we should not be doing. If we need help with this, then we need to seek help.

It may not be easy, but we have God’s promise, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   (Isaiah 41:10)”

Our God is the God of the do over.  There is nothing you have done that you cannot overcome with God’s help. 

Sing, Be Thankful

Sing to the Lord a new song;

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day,

Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples,

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised….

Psalm 96:1-4

Work

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

My Plan Is God's Plan

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

After we experience many trials we learn to recognize what trials we need to work on fixing, and what trials are just trials which we must go through and come out on the other side.  Let’s face it, there are somethings which we cannot do anything about and worrying and concocting possible solutions will do nothing to change the outcome. 

In all trials we can turn to God and ask for direction and the strength to do that which He would have us to do.  If the answer is “nothing” then we need to have faith that God has it under control and stop stressing and worrying about it. 

So, give those pesky trials over to God and have faith that God’s plans are far superior to anything we can concoct on our own.

I am praying for you, and if you will, pray for me.

Amen.

The Message We Need

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

It is always a good time to read the Word of God.  The Bible encourages us and strengthens us.  

Read the Word of God, be renewed.