When Yesterday Loses Its Grip
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:18–19
Your past has a voice, but it doesn't have a vote in your future. The enemy loves to use your history as a weapon against your destiny. He whispers that because of what you've done or what was done to you, you are disqualified from God's best. But God specializes in making all things new.
The Israelites had a habit of looking backward instead of forward. When things got difficult in the wilderness, they would romanticize their slavery in Egypt. They forgot the pain and remembered only the familiarity. Sometimes we do the same thing with our past sins and hurts. We become comfortable with our dysfunction because it's what we know.
God is not asking you to pretend your past didn't happen. He is asking you to stop letting it define your future. Your mistakes can become your message. Your pain can become your purpose. Your test can become your testimony. But only if you are willing to let God transform your yesterday into tomorrow's victory.
I know people who have been set free from drug addiction and are now helping others find freedom. I know people who survived abuse and are now advocates for victims. I know people who failed in business and are now teaching others how to succeed. God doesn't waste anything when you surrender it to Him.
Identify one area of your past that you have been allowing to limit your future. Ask God to show you how He can use that experience for good in your life and the lives of others.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You that my past does not determine my future. Help me to stop looking backward and start looking forward to what You are doing in my life. Transform my pain into purpose and my mess into a message. I trust You to make all things work together for good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Your past has a voice, but it doesn't have a vote in your future. The enemy loves to use your history as a weapon against your destiny. He whispers that because of what you've done or what was done to you, you are disqualified from God's best. But God specializes in making all things new.
The Israelites had a habit of looking backward instead of forward. When things got difficult in the wilderness, they would romanticize their slavery in Egypt. They forgot the pain and remembered only the familiarity. Sometimes we do the same thing with our past sins and hurts. We become comfortable with our dysfunction because it's what we know.
God is not asking you to pretend your past didn't happen. He is asking you to stop letting it define your future. Your mistakes can become your message. Your pain can become your purpose. Your test can become your testimony. But only if you are willing to let God transform your yesterday into tomorrow's victory.
I know people who have been set free from drug addiction and are now helping others find freedom. I know people who survived abuse and are now advocates for victims. I know people who failed in business and are now teaching others how to succeed. God doesn't waste anything when you surrender it to Him.
Identify one area of your past that you have been allowing to limit your future. Ask God to show you how He can use that experience for good in your life and the lives of others.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You that my past does not determine my future. Help me to stop looking backward and start looking forward to what You are doing in my life. Transform my pain into purpose and my mess into a message. I trust You to make all things work together for good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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January
When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
February
A Prophetic EarLearning the Voice You Hear Every DayAdopted, Not ToleratedThe Same Spirit Lives in YouWhy Jesus Chose DependenceExisting Versus Truly LivingWhen God Interrupts Your RoutineConviction Calls You Up, Not OutHe Who Gets the Son Gets It AllLet the Word Get in YouThe Book You Never FinishWhen You Finally Taste What’s BetterGod Is Speaking Every Time You Open the BibleFreedom Comes from Knowing the TruthThe Holy Spirit Works with What You StoreYou Might Be the Only Bible They ReadThe Word You Read Today Might Be for Someone Else TomorrowA Love Letter, Not a Rule BookFaith That Moves Without ProofWhen Desperation Strips Away DignityTrusting God in the SmokeThe Miracle Was Not Just for YouWhen Familiarity Kills ExpectationThe Timing of God Is Never AccidentalA Savior Who Shows Up to Ordinary MomentsWhen the Wine Runs OutTake It to Jesus FirstDo Whatever He Tells You to Do
March
The Promise Of New LifeBreaking Free From The PastThe Power Of TransformationWalking In Your New IdentityThe Gift Of GraceLiving By FaithRenewed Mind, Renewed LifeThe Fruit Of New LifeGrowing Through TrialsThe Power Of God's WordWalking In LoveThe Joy Of SalvationLiving In FreedomEquipped For Good WorksResisting TemptationFighting Spiritual BattlesOvercoming FearDealing With DoubtPersevering Through HardshipStanding Against The EnemyFinding Strength In WeaknessSharing Your StoryMaking DisciplesServing OthersLiving With PurposeShowing Christ's LoveBeing Salt And LightPreparing For EternityCelebrating God's FaithfulnessCommitting To GrowthLooking Forward With Hope
10 Comments
Thank you Pastor Ed. I know we go over today’s and yesterdays verse quite often but I really needed to see those. I remember last year I had a very strong positive outlook on this year being smooth sailing and blessings at every corner. Someone commented after mine “or it could be a year of just grinding it out.” I even got offended like why are you raining on my parade. Well it has definitely been a year of grinding it out. Difficulties really coming down on me. But you know what it has also been a blessing at every corner too. Thank you for helping me walk this path. They call it a flimsy reed where I come from and it has always turned out to be a strong Hand there to keep me up instead. I really do love you guys and I am grateful to have such wonderful people in my corner. God bless you all.
I want to encourage you, Cj; when things are "smooth sailing" with blessings at every corner, that's really a WARNING sign to me ... not a sign that I'm walking in God's will. Jesus prepares his followers for reality, saying, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Our beloved apostle, Paul, WARNS us that "there will be terrible times in the last days" and describes a society that will become increasingly self-centered and difficult" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). 1 Peter 4:12, James 1:2-3 and numerous other scriptures offer a GUARANTEE of hardships—while also providing a foundation of peace, endurance, and hope. The world we live in today is NOT meant to be heaven. We are just passing through and spiritual warfare for those who are in Christ is evidence that you are HIS and you are doing more than just "grinding it out". You will one day hear Him say "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT"!!
Amen & Amen!!!
Amen.
This message was just what my soul needed today. A breakup of a relationship that was not healthy is hard to break from. The old ways and routine of 8 years are hard to forget. Time to look forward and the good things the lord is doing for me .
Amen to that., sister I'm sorry you've struggled, but hopeful this serves as an encouragement.
Amen
Amen!
amén!
Thank you Pastor Ed for this message. I struggled with things that have happened in my past, I try and struggle to leave everything in the past , I thank God for everything He is doing for me and my husband He never fails us. Thank You Lord for everything you are doing for us