God forgets the past.

Hallelujah.

We should, too.

Next time we hear a story of something amazing that someone is doing, let’s fight the urge to say [and think] the following words:

-I remember them from high school……

-Weren’t they the one that ……..

-Yeah, but their momma (daddy) did ….

-Yeah, but their kid did ……….

-They used to be…….

I’m going to be honest, I’m glad that I’m a used to be. That just means that God loved me enough to intervene. He loved me enough to say – woah, let’s do away with that path and start down this one.

He loves me, and He loves you.

Do you want to join me in being a “Used to Be”?

Message me. I won’t stop praying, and that’s a promise.

“Do not remember my youthful sins and transgressions; but remember me in light of your gracious love, in light of your goodness, LORD.” – Psalm 25:7

Ladies, your worth is not in your weight. I used to struggle with this big time, so I get it. In high school I was too skinny. After I had my children I was too big. That’s according to the world’s standards – not God’s.

The devil would love for you to believe that if you were skinnier you could — fill in the blank. It’s time to stop this thinking in its tracks.

How many times have we:

Hesitated

Held back

Kept quiet

Tip-toed

Backed down

Lost an opportunity

All because we are insecure. God doesn’t care about the size of your body – He cares about the size of your heart.

It doesn’t matter if you’re big, small, or in between – you are God’s, and you are beautiful. He has equipped you to step out, speak up, and do mighty things in His name.

Your weight doesn’t make you inadequate.

Your weight doesn’t make you a Christian.

Your weight doesn’t define you.

God defines you, and God designed you. So, be confident, be healthy, and be bold.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Our reactions reflect our heart.

Ouch.

When the dog strews trash all over the place.

When your child brings home a bad grade.

Traffic.

A bad ball game.

Hurt feelings.

It’s easier to twist off than it is to hold your tongue. It’s easier to explode than it is to pause and keep your composure.

That’s why we need Jesus so desperately.

When things happen to us it’s important to remember that our reactions shouldn’t reflect other’s actions or how they made us feel; they should reflect our heart. That’s tough.

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” – Proverbs 27:19

 

I can’t, but God can.

When I want to say yes to the temptations of this world, God steps in and says no.

When I’m exhausted and can’t put one foot in front of the other, God gives me strength.

When I’m frustrated with the way things are going, God calms me.

When I feel like everything surrounding me is spinning out of control – including myself, God is stable.

When things are unraveling, God ties them back together again.

I can’t, but God can. I’m so glad.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

We all have ghosts – sins of the past that continue to linger day after day.

Ghosts that whisper you’re not strong enough. Ghosts that say you can’t overcome.

Ghosts that taunt you.

Ghosts that constantly nag, remind, and regurgitate the pain of days long gone.

It’s time to bury them for good, guys. The devil would love for you to believe that you still are who you used to be. Guess what? You’re not. You are a brand new creation in Christ Jesus.

From now on the only ghost I’m going to allow to whisper in my ear is the Holy Ghost. Can someone say amen?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Seasons. Before you know it they’ve come and they’ve gone. They grow you, stretch you, and carefully form you into what God needs you to become.
Seasons are the bookends of the stages of life – each marking important junctures that connect us to the next road of our journey.

And although seasons are just that – time marked by circumstances – whether good or bad it is oftentimes absolutely gut-wrenching to move ahead.

Good seasons, bad seasons, and all of the in betweens – God is with us.
He is holding our hand and holding our heart.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” – Ecclesiastics 3:1

Sad – focus on God

Mad – focus on God

Worried – focus on God

Sick – focus on God

Tired – focus on God

Seriously. Mediate on Him. Redirect your thinking. He will show you what to do. He will comfort you. He will bring you unexplainable peace.

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” – Psalm 16:8

You don’t know who needs to hear your story. Your testimony, as tattered and torn as it may be, could be the catalyst that ignites the change in someone else’s life.

Our past mistakes [sins] are often associated with shame, negative thoughts, and guilt. However, if you look in the Bible God often uses these exact type of stories to minister to the multitudes.

Guys, the hardest thing in the world to overcome is pride – admitting we are jaded, that we are broken. Nonetheless, the struggles and sins that ripped us apart are in fact the trials and tribulations that built us.

I’m not saying to brag about past wrongdoings because sin isn’t cool. I am saying that we should use our past mistakes to help others get a glimpse of the fiery furnace that God pulled us out of.

Let’s flip the script. Let us boldly proclaim what God has done in our life.
If we don’t tell our stories, how will others — who are struggling with the exact same temptations and guilt — ever know that there is hope and restoration?

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” – 2 Timothy 1:8

This morning you may feel like everyone in your whole world is against you, and they currently just may be. If you are feeling like it’s you against the world please hold on to this truth – God is for you, and He is all you need by your side.
He is your provider.

He is your best friend.

He is your father.

He is your forgiver.

He is your healer.

He is your advice giver.

He is your teacher.

Seek Him. Listen to Him. Thank Him. And don’t forget that He loves you. He will always be here for you.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Being the bigger person isn’t fun, and it certainly isn’t easy. When someone wrongs us our human flesh tends to puff up and lash out, but that’s not the example that Jesus set.
 
Jesus was humble, man. 

Being humble, holding your tongue, pushing your pride to the back, those things aren’t for the faint of heart. Accomplishing those things can only be done by the power of Jesus living in your heart, and you know that’s the truth. 
I am so thankful that when I am so very weak, that when I want to lash out, twist off, and show my backside I can call out to Jesus. He can unruffle my feathers, calm my heart rate, and hold my tongue. Thank God for that truth today. 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32