In the previous message I mentioned that in addition to accepting God's forgiveness and forgiving ourselves, the second thing we need to do is focus on reaching forward to what lies ahead! To press on! Knowing that we may not be able to change what happened yesterday but we can change how we respond, and how we allow it to affect us from moving forward. I said that the responsibility rests with us to take control over the remainder of our days. That it starts with forgiving ourselves, moving on from the regret of the past, and focusing on all that God can still achieve in and through us in the days, months and years ahead!
In today's message I'd like us to reflect on the below passages:
1 Timothy 1:12-17
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
2 Corinthians 12:9
but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough-always available-regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
"For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
From the above we see that the Apostle Paul makes mention of how God showed him mercy and grace. That it was grace that empowered him in moments of weakness, that it was by God's grace that he became the man he had become and that is was through God's grace that he was able to accomplish all that he did.
What stands out about these passages is that in spite of all the knowledge he had about the scriptures (Acts 22:3, Phil 3:4-6), the visions he received from God (Acts 9:3-6, Acts 16:9-10, Acts 18:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Acts 22:17-21), his journeys as a missionary and the letters he wrote via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), etc., he still attributes all of "his success", not to his own efforts, diligence or faithfulness, but to the grace and mercy of God. It tells us that his dependence/reliance was always on God.
My friend, God's grace and mercy is still available to us today! (Lamentations 3:22 and Hebrews 4:16), and just like the example of the Apostle Paul, that grace and mercy has reached out and transformed the lives of millions of people. The example of his transformation and success is of great encouragement to us because it shows us that if God's love, mercy and grace could reach out to someone like him (referring to the things he did to the church) and transform his life for the better, then I believe He can most definitely do the same for you and I ... It shows us that no matter our past mistakes, they're not too big for God to mend and transform for His glory! ... That we can depend on His mercy and grace to keep us, sustain us, empower us and help us every step of the way, where we too, can reach the end of our journey say that I am who I am because of the grace of God. Amen!
As long as God is around, there remains hope, there remains grace, there remains mercy - there remains the power to heal, restore, mend, transform and empower. There remains purpose, destiny and eternal life! There remains the potential to Begin Again and Finish Strong!
So let's be encouraged through this series to receive God's forgiveness, forgive ourselves, focus on what lies ahead and embrace God's mercy and grace to help us every step of the way. Amen.
I really hope that you were encouraged by this series and that God was able to use His word to bring refreshing, renewal and reinvigoration to your spiritual life as you begin to believe that there's an opportunity to begin again, to start over, to start afresh and that God hasn't forgotten about you - and if anything, is reminding you through this series that not only hasn't He forgotten about you - but He's calling you to take your place - to take a stand - to believe in yourself - to have faith in Him and what He's able to do/work out/accomplish in and through your life ... to trust Him with this process - for He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6)
I'd like to encourage you to share this series with others whom you know may be in need of similar encouragement.
Amen!