Tag: Inspiration

WHO WILL YOU DOWNLOAD INTO YOUR ‘HEART DRIVE’?

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When we CHOOSE to download or install an APP, that APP asks for permission to ACCESS what is INSIDE our device…

Our images

Our videos

Our audio

Our contacts

Our storage.

Our HARD DRIVES.

In other words before we can begin using an app, it asks for AUTHORITY over our smart phone, device or computer.

The same thing occurs in our spiritual lives. Both God and the enemy are asking for permission and access into us…

Our hearts

Our minds

Our spirits

Our contacts

Our storage/memory

Our ‘HEART DRIVES’.

In other words, both God and the enemy are asking for AUTHORITY and influence over our lives. Some apps even ask if they can post or act on our behalf.

But just as with a smart device, no one gets access and authority unless we DOWNLOAD them by choice and give them permission.

Some APPS are good, but there are many that are bad and can even infect our devices…but none of them get access unless we give them permission.

Don’t give the enemy permission to infect your HEART DRIVE. Don’t give him the permission to ‘post’ on your behalf …only allow the Good Shepherd access into YOU.

Who will you give permission to today?

For whom will you click…ACCEPT?

John 10:1-5

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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ONLY GOOD NEWS?

As we come to the close of a CHALLENGING YEAR,
I’m REBLOGGING this important post IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Minister Aldtric Johnson M.A.'s avatarBE BLESSTIFIED!

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On Sunday, January 3, 2016, Pastor W. Michael Martin of Oak Spring Church in Arlington TN, stood boldly but lovingly before the congregation for which God holds him responsible and declared, “This year will be a year of challenges…” I remember getting a chill when that prophetic warning was declared. He didn’t promise…”This is your season!” “This is the year God is going to make it happen for you!” He declared challenges for our local body of Christ. That prophetic warning has proven to be true…

Deuteronomy 18:22 (NKJV)

22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Watch out and beware of preachers and prophets who ONLY deliver good news! Who ONLY promise ‘breakthrough’!…

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WHAT DID YOU CALL ME??!!

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‘Colorful Language Ain’t Cool”

Years ago, I remember hearing, and reading Richard Pryor say after a trip to Africa, “ I ain’t never gonna call another Black man ni**a”. Now I’m in no way bringing this up to disparage Richard Pryor, but to make a point. He passionately made this statement and changed his behavior. He stopped using the N-WORD, which offends many people, but continued to use profane and vulgar words that offend God.

Colossians 3:8 (NKJV)

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

 Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers

 Ephesians 5: 3-4 (NKJV)

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks

There are many words that offend us. Some more than others. Which words offend you, in many cases has much to do with who you are.  People CHOOSE to use the words for various reasons.

It’s interesting to me how many Christians are MORE offended by…

  • The N-Word
  • The Fa-Word
  • The Hon-Word
  • The Ho-Word
  • The B-Word
  • The K-Word
  • The Sp-Word
  • The Ch-Word

…than they are offended by other profane, offensive, vulgar or even blasphemous words that offend God. Some even seem completely comfortable using the GD-WORD.

Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 12..

Matthew 12:36 (NKJV)

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

The words that we use and that offend us give great insight into what is in our hearts. Yes, some words are offensive racially, but God expects us to put Him even above our race.

 Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

What’s more important to you? What offends you? Or what offends God?

Let us be careful not to put what offends us above what offends God.
BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

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ARE YOUR RESPONSIBLE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE?

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There are many celebrities, politicians, athletes and ministers who have huge audiences. They have great NAME RECOGNITION, people know them nearly everywhere they go, listen to what they have to say and even imitate their behavior. They have huge influence with their fans or followers. It’s disappointing to see what some people do with their voice and influence. Some are blessed with a social stage or public platform only to squander their voice and influence on foolishness or themselves.

We may not all be celebrities, but God has given all of us an audience and a voice. In your home, job, school, church, the park, the shopping center, in traffic, the restaurant people are watching you and listening to you. What are you doing with your audience? Many times we claim we want God to ‘enlarge our territory’ just as Jabez prayed in 1 Chronicles 4:10. We ask Him to give us more resources and influence, but are we being responsible with that we already have? Are we being responsible with those in our circle of influence, no matter how small?

How do you handle disappointment on the job?…in front of your children? 

How do you act when you get bad service in the restaurant?…or in a store?

How do you behave when frustrated in traffic?…(That one hit me!)

Do you speak up for the right things when it’s not popular to do so or remain silent? 

How do you represent yourself on social media? 

How do you dress? 

God tells us in 1 Peter 2:12 …

“Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 

Colossians 4:5 says… “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” 

And of course In Matthew Jesus says…

Matthew 5:14-16… “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. God expects us to be His Light in the world. 

Too many people want God to move them to bigger and better when they aren’t even thriving where they’re planted. 

Are you thriving where you’re planted? 

What are you doing with your voice and influence? 

How are you perceived in your circles? 

Whether you have an audience of  one or one million, God expects you to honor Him and be light. Men, Women and Children of God…let’s be responsible with our audience.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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WORK YOUR GENIUS!

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Identify…

Perfect…

and Work YOUR genius

to the glory of GOD!

That’s why HE gave it to YOU…

and only YOU!

No one else can do what YOU were placed here to do, so don’t leave it undone.

YOU are GOD’S gift to the world that He wrapped in your skin!

No one else can do what YOU were created to do…

You’re EXPERT and GENIUS at being YOU!

So be unapologetically YOU!

Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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GOD’S CREDIT REPAIR

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One of the most frustrating things for some people is trying to repair bad credit. Good credit gives you access to a world of material things and services. Good credit makes navigating the material world much easier, but on the flip side, bad credit makes the material world more difficult, more expensive and in some ways…impossible. Bad credit closes some doors. Buying homes, cars and other things can be a fun experience with many choices when one has good credit, but bad credit makes it a stressful, limited, and dreaded experience for many. Even if one changes their behavior, it can take years to establish good credit after it’s been bad, with bad items still coming up on your credit report years after…AREN’T YOU GLAD GOD ISN’T LIKE THE CREDIT BUREAUS?

From the earliest days of God’s interaction with His people, not only can GOOD CREDIT be instant, but easy, and best of all, it’s not based on your past behavior.

Abraham believed God and it was CREDITED to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:22).

When we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, then we shall be saved (Romans 10:9).

Once we accept Christ, the old things are passed away and all things become new ( 2 Corinthians 5:17).

God promises that when we repent, He will be merciful to the righteous, and He will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more (Hebrews 8:12).

I could go on and on with scriptures to support that with God, you can have EXCELLENT CREDIT instantly, in spite of your prior foolish behavior, mistakes or misfortune. Isn’t that GREAT NEWS?! When Christ died on the cross, he made salvation available to everyone!

So, even if you have bad credit in the material world. Even if you are constantly being told DENIED in the material world. Even though you may not be able to purchase a home in the material world. When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and repent of your sins as you walk through life…when it’s time to move into your heavenly home that Jesus has already prepared for you (John 14:2,3)… GOD’S CREDIT REPAIR will give you a good report….your spiritual credit score can instantly go from BAD to EXCELLENT…from 300 to 900! When the world says DENIED…God say’s you’re APPROVED!!!!

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BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

 

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YOUR HIDDEN TALENT

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You’re more talented than you may think, and those around you may notice…it’s hidden, but still SOOOOO OBVIOUS! So many people have jobs they don’t particularly like, or have burned out in a job they used to love. They have to work with people with whom they don’t click, or just don’t like. They have to manage their lives with not enough money or resources…but yet they still MAKE IT HAPPEN EVERY DAY.
I think it’s a greater accomplishment to be great at what you hate than to flourish at what you love.

If that’s you, stop right now and give God a praise…HALLELUJAH!!!! God gives us everything we need that pertains to life and Godliness…

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

God gives you the ability to make it every day without losing your mind. Yes, you might lose your cool sometimes. Yes, you get discouraged sometimes, but you haven’t lost your mind…Those who ARE fortunate enough to do what they love and get paid for it… Those who are blessed to click with everyone they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis…Those who are fortunate enough to pursue their passion daily…Stop right here and give God a praise…HALLELUJAH!!!!! Then stop and say a sincere prayer for those who don’t.

 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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ARE YOU BRICKS OR MORTAR?

Sometimes we get discouraged because we aren’t noticed for what we do, even though it is as important as those who get noticed. Every beautiful building needs a strong foundation, but who notices the foundation? 

When we see a beautiful brick home, everyone notices the bricks, but no one notices the mortar holding it together. Who says, “wow look at that beautiful mortar”! No they say, “look at those beautiful bricks”! The cornerstone may have the glory of the names, but no one would see it if it weren’t for the bricks and mortar supporting and holding.

Some of us are bricks and some of us are mortar. Some of us are an architectural roof, and some of us are the foundation. We have been placed in some relationships to hold them up, and hold them together.

Rather than complain, we should recognize that it’s an anointing and an honor.

Christ is our foundation.

David couldn’t have been the mighty warrior that he was without his armor bearer.

There were many disciples and people martyred for the Gospel, and we don’t even know their names.

If you feel you bear the emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual WEIGHT in some of your relationships, then maybe that’s your PURPOSE in those relationships. Maybe that marriage, family, church or organization wouldn’t remain together if it wasn’t for your strength. Romans 15:1 says, We who are strong must bear the infirmities/failings of the weak and not please ourselves.

Let’s stop complaining if we aren’t noticed. Let’s stop complaining if we are bearing the weight in some our relationships, and always remember to thank God for those who are holding us up. If you get upset and fall apart…everything your holding together  and supporting may collapse.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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CAN WE BE TOO RIGHTEOUS?

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Most cake recipes call for a little salt. Many of us like to satisfy our sweet tooth with a good slice of cake. In fact, when it’s really good, one bite just makes you want another. The right amount of salt makes cakes taste just right…making you want more with each bite. However, too much salt will make us quickly spit it out of our mouth.

Colossians 4:6 tells us to let our speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Ecclesiastes 7:16 says, “Do not be overly righteous,” Nor be overly wise:..”

It’s good to have passion for the Kingdom of God, but when we are over-zealous, arrogant, mean-spirited  self-righteous, we can turn people away rather than attract them to Christ. All things in moderation. If we are trying to talk about the Lord in EVERY conversation, claim we never do anything wrong, or down people who are unbelievers, we can make people avoid us, dread seeing us coming and destroy any influence we may have. But, if we cleverly chose the right moments to ‘sprinkle the salt of the word’ when it’s applicable, people are more likely to listen, receive it, and even soften hardened hearts.

We need to ‘love out loud’ and ‘live out loud’ to let people see God in our character rather than beating them with the bible, making every conversation about God, or punctuating every sentence with a spiritual cliché. Wisely ‘sprinkling the salt’ of God’s word in conversations can make people hungry for more, and establish you as the go-to person on your job, your team, your school, your family when people want to know more about God. Being over zealous makes us seem crazy, and people can conclude, “I don’t want what they have.” God expects us to use wisdom and do everyone His Spirit of excellence. Notice how Paul reasoned with the Epicureans, Stoics, and people of Athens with respect and wisdom in Acts 17. He didn’t ‘beat them over the head’ or talk down to them. He wetted their appetite so that some wanted to hear more.

Psalm 19:10 proclaims God’s word is sweeter than honey in the comb. Yes it is! I love it. But if we don’t handle it wisely, people will spit it out, and we can do more harm than good.

 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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WHY GOD DOESN’T ALLOW US TO ‘KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS’…

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Be careful of what’s in your heart when you decide to “KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS”.

That IS NOT what God told us to do. He told us to love our enemies.

Love’s intention is to give life, not kill.

Love’s intention is to build up, not tear down.

God says don’t seek revenge, that belongs to Him. God says don’t repay evil for evil, but instead to help your enemy.

The problem is, that many of us choose to ‘kill them with kindness’, ONLY to “heap coals of fire on their heads“. Many of us are only being kind because we see heaping coals of fire on their head as just another way to get even.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we may just be showing kindness to show them up, to annoy them, to make them feel bad…if that’s the intention then we’ve totally missed God’s meaning.

Helping your enemy is an exercise in developing God’s character. It is planting seeds of  love for the enemy and those who witness. It’s allowing everyone to see the power of God. The goal is overcoming evil with good. Well, what about the coals of fire on their head? That’s just the end result of how acts of kindness affect an enemy…it’s a result, not an intent.

The goal is REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION. Remember, ‘kill them with kindness’ is catchy, but not of God.
Romans 12:19-21
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

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LEMONADE WITHOUT SUGAR…

wp-1472302013866.jpgPeople love clichés.

A well-placed cliché makes conversations, speeches and even sermons more interesting. One very popular cliché used when people have misfortune is or difficulty is, “When life gives you lemons make lemonade”.

BUT WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANY SUGAR?

What if you have a health condition that doesn’t allow you to have sugar?

Sometimes in life we have to faith our way through some difficult days…

Sometimes we have to take some medicine that just doesn’t taste good…

Sometimes you have to swallow a really big pill that’s hard to get down…

Some people can’t have sugar in their diet…

Sometimes your healing comes from something bitter.

AREN’T YOU GLAD THAT JESUS DIDN’T MAKE LEMONADE ON THE CROSS?

2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 teaches us to look to Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him.

People love quoting Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me” when they are trying to make their dreams come true, but this verse is most powerful when we are enduring life’s most difficult situations.

God wants us to always be able to make something good out of difficult situations, and to always see His will in them. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, sometimes there’s nothing to make some situations feel ‘or taste’ better.

We just have to faith our way through and learn to sometimes drink lemonade without sugar.

 Psalm 3:19 (ESV)
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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BOOMER-ANGER

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You’ve seen it happen before. Anger always comes back…usually harder.
Words and actions released in anger always come back, but rarely return in peace. Only love can cool anger’s searing heat.

Put your anger in check before it turns into wrath, because even though love conquers wrath, sometimes the damage remains.

Wrath kills…both figuratively and literally.

Anger is a seed, if it is used wisely, it can ignite passion that allows love to diffuse the anger and plant seeds that lead to good fruit…

Such as being angry enough at wrong to do something about it…

Such as not returning an insult, can end an argument and lead to a lifelong friendship.

If anger is NOT put in check, it ignites emotions that allow wrath to plant weeds instead of good seeds…

Such as returning an insult can lead to a fight, and animosity that lasts for years and spreads to others…anger is a seed.

The next time you’re angry, stop, think…let your anger cease before you speak or act, if you don’t, not only will come back, but it can come back harder…JUST LIKE A BOOMERANG.

Psalms 37:8
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.”
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
1 Peter 4:8.”
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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God Bless the Penny Pincher…

Many people respect those who manage millions, but I salute those who are holding things together with ‘a little’. May God establish the works of your hands…

Psalm 90:17(NKJV)

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

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EXPLAINING GOD…

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John 6:30
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”

The Pharisees, Scribes, and skeptics continually asked Jesus for a sign, when totally ignoring all of the miracles that He performed.

The fact is that they had signs all around them and refused to see them, in fact they couldn’t see them because their hearts were hard.

The story is the same today.

People say that they don’t believe in God because they can’t see Him. People want an EXPLANATION FOR GOD. They want physical evidence of God.

Jesus told Nicodemus…

John 3:8

 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

People feel they don’t need an explanation for the wind because even though they can’t see it, we see evidence of the world reacting to its presence (trees swaying etc.) and we can feel it.

No one has to EXPLAIN THE WIND.

Wow…then why can’t they accept the same for God? Unbelievers want an EXPLANATION.

Well, Romans 1:20…

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”.

God proves Himself not only through everything He created, but the remarkable order of His creation. Nature…life…the universe in all its splendor is evidence of God, but man wants to attribute it to some random act.

In fact, it takes the same amount of faith in the wisdom of man to believe that the sun is 93 million miles away, with no way to actually measure or prove it, as it does to believe that God is real based on the bible.

Just as the Pharisees, some people can’t believe because their hearts are hard, as implied by…

1 Corinthians 2:13

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The internet is everywhere, and transmits enormous amounts of information and knowledge. You can be on your laptop, smart phone, tablet, television… and it’s the same internet. You can be at home, work, Tennessee, Europe or orbit…and it’s the same internet. The internet is everywhere at the same time and accessible – when you’re connected. Sounds like God doesn’t it? If people can believe in an ‘omnipresent’ internet, created by man, they should be able to believe in an omnipresent, omniscient (all-knowing) God who created man.

Can you see the internet? No.

Can you feel the internet? No.

Can you touch the internet? No.

Can you smell the internet? No.

Can you hear the internet? No.

Be bold in your belief in God the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because atheists and agnostics are bold in their stance. When someone asks you to EXPLAIN HOW GOD IS REAL, respond…WITH ALL THE EVIDENCE AROUND US, EXPLAIN TO ME THAT HE’S NOT.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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FORGETTING THE PAST (HOW TO LOOK BACK)

wp-1483190396732.jpgPhilippians 3:13 (NIV)
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

Forgetting the past…We are encouraged that in order to move forward that we must forget the past…but how? It’s impossible to not think of things that hurt us? shameful things we did? painful days? Some of those things, when we’re honest with ourselves, we will always remember. So, why does Paul say, “forgetting the past?” How can you say you will never look back again? The key isn’t in not remembering, but how you remember. It’s not in not looking back, but why you look back.

It’s your frame of mind. Remember Lot’s wife? God allowed Lots family to escape the destruction of Sodom, but was warned to not look back. (Genesis 19:17). They were leaving behind an evil city. They were leaving behind friends, they were leaving behind belongings. The bible doesn’t say why she looked back, but why do we look back on something that we liked or enjoyed and are forced to suddenly leave it? We sometimes look back with fondness and regret of leaving it behind. Paul used to persecute the church. It’s certain that he never ‘forgot’ those shameful days, so how could he say ‘forgetting the past’? The key is forgetting how you view the past. It’s forgetting your frame of mind. Paul didn’t look back fondly on his shameful days. In fact, his mind couldn’t see how he could have let himself behave that way. HE FORGOT HOW TO THINK THAT WAY. Have you ever dated someone, or been in a relationship that at one time you felt you couldn’t live without that person? You were sooooo deep in love. But, after that relationship ended, suddenly one day you just didn’t feel that way anymore. You couldn’t even see, or remember how you felt so deeply in love with them. You may even say, “I can’t even see what I saw in them”. Think about it and fill in the blank in this statement…”I can’t even see what I used to enjoy about________.”

See how you can remember your past and forget it at the same time? When your frame of mind changes, the way you think about something, your attitude towards something changes…you have forgotten that aspect if your past. You CAN’T think of it that way any more, even if you try. It’s like a food or drink that you used to love, and now not only can you not stand the taste, but can’t remember how you once enjoyed it.That’s the essence of repentance. Repentance isn’t asking for forgiveness to avoid punishment, but it’s godly sorrow over what you’ve done, and committing to turn from that behavior (2 Corinthians 7:10), but that’s another lesson…coming soon:-) For now, see I told you that you can FORGET THE PAST.
Luke 17:32
Remember Lot’s wife

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