New Creation

Looking back

I think one of the most powerful things I’ve learned in the past couple years as a new creation in Christ, is that only the devil wants us looking back. Any time, we start to fixate on the past, that’s the devil’s handy-work. Every morning you wake up and you get a new chance to make new decisions. Every day, you get a new chance to forgive yourself and forgive others. And, one of the most powerful tools that the devil has is You. Your own mind. Your own insecurities. Your own anger. You. And if he can keep you in the past, then you can’t live in the now, and you can’t move forward. Sure, you’re still getting up and going places, but where are you in your head? God knows this. Why do you think He gave us the helmet of Salvation? Because some of the biggest battles you face, are going to be with yourself.

I like how the New Living Translation says it, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” Phillipians 2:12

I know how hard of a battle this can be. I’ve been an addict, an abuser, and been abused. Trust me, there’s been a lot of Salvation to work out. When I was called to write this blog, those were definitely some items that were trying to hold me back. Who is going to believe me? Who is going to want to read my stuff? I’ve been in the lowest of the low places. But, I just have to remind myself that God has forgiven me, and that I’m trying to share his word and bring others to the Faith and have a closer relationship with him. Because if God can forgive Paul (a murderer) who turned out to be one of the biggest advocates for Jesus Christ, He can forgive me, and He can forgive any body else who asks for it. And please believe, I have not admitted some of these things openly before because there are people who read my blog who don’t know these things about me, and could think differently about me because of it. But we all have our own struggles, and I have overcome all of mine. Because God has set me free. And because I serve the one true God who will watch over me and guide me and has been urging me to be honest and open with my audience. Because He has forgiven me, and I have forgiven myself, and I have forgiven others, and I don’t live there anymore. I’m only looking forward. And, now, here I am, a new creation in Christ. And, I’m not special. It’s available for everyone. You just have to work for it.

Looking Forward

Sometimes, it’s crazy to think what my life used to be, compared to what it is now. But that’s part of what’s so amazing about your relationship with Jesus Christ. He removes all your transgressions, as far as the east is from the west. He washes you white as snow. If you ask for forgiveness, He doesn’t just forgive some of the things, He forgives ALL of the things. Sometimes Satan tries to sneak in there and tell me that I’m not worthy of God’s love, that I’m not forgiven, that I’m going to suddenly get in trouble for something that happened 10 years ago. But those are all lies. They’re all in the past. I haven’t lived there for 10 years. And, I’m only looking forward. I continually am working out my Salvation with fear and trembling. But, I just reassure myself that I am a child of God, Holy and Beloved. That God only wants good things for me. I have spent a decade becoming a new creation in Christ. I am sad that Satan had a hold of me for so long, but I have spent 10 years being a new person. 10 years growing into this new creation. And, I am looking forward to the next 10 years, because it can only get better. I am a child of the Overcomer.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your incredible love. Thank You that you forgive ALL things, and that we can all rest assured in Your Salvation. That You are the Overcomer, and that You give us the strength and the Salvation to be overcomers ourselves. Thank You Father, that you only want us moving forward. That we do not live in the past. Thank You Father, that you gave us Paul as an example of anyone who seeks your Salvation and your word can be a Child of God. Thank You that you sent your son to die for us. Thank you for all that you’ve done, and may we all continue to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!

Mission’s Circle

When I was a teenager, I went on a mission trip here to help out for a week. A homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta. Preaching the Good Word and trying to save souls and lives.

Atlanta Mission – The Shepard’s Inn

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