Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day ( Wednesday 1/14/09)

Don't Let Yesterday Hold You Or Control You...

Isaiah 54:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3) For you will spread abroad to the right hand and to the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
4) Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.
5) For your Maker is your Husband--the Lord of hosts is His name--and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.

Have you ever had a friend or family member that took pride in reminding you of the mistakes that you have made or the shortcomings that you have as they see them? I have encountered people like this, been in relationship with people like this. I have allowed these people to hold my past over my head and to keep me imprisoned in some cases by one mistake, or by one word spoken, or even by their opinion that was inaccurate. For many years I had no idea that this was even occurring, to me. But when the realization of these events became revelatory knowledge I had to evaluate why and understand how I let these things happen. Many people have problems that they are not willing to face or deal with so instead, of dealing, growing, maturing and allow God to deal with their issues, it becomes easier to point out others issues as they see them. When we are in these situations and we make people our God and let people define us instead of God we fall victim to the court of humanism and the sentencing of others mind and emotions. We are convicted and brought to a worldly justice and a fleshy contempt.

On Sunday Our Pastor spoke on "Annual Inspection" and some of the points he made in his sermon really struck a cord in me and made to know that my self examination and self discovery was actually God's insight and direction. Our Pastor said that that we need to examine some areas in our lives and see where we are because God has expectation of us and from us. But it was the point he made about the "Expectation of Fellowship" that placed everything in perspective for me. God expects us to fellowship with those who are of like service to the Kingdom. They should be builders of the Kingdom of God and the people of God, not people that are tearing down the Kingdom one believer at a time, because it does not suit "their belief system or their way." Those that we are bond to and in covenant with should have like mind and spirit and that spirit should be the Spirit of God and that mind should be being renewed by the Word of God and by fellowship and covenant with Him through the Holy Spirit. If this is not the case you are going to find God's hand allowing separation and annihilation of these relationships to take place. For God to keep us moving in His desired direction some fellowships especially the ones that keep us bond to condemnation, guilt, insecurity, lack of confidence and courage have to end. You see how can you ever move forward with you mind suck to the past, and the mistakes and/ or immaturity of it? You can't!

It is time to be FREE to be who God made you to be! To be the one who is fruitful, focused, in right fellowship with God and with others, and to grasp a hold of that Future and that hope that GOD says that you have and are worthy of. Man did not make you so man can never really define you for his definition will always be wrong, Don't give people that kind of power, and control to keep you bond to your yesterdays. Let Go and Let God, because He is the only one who really should have a say of who you are and who you will become! Selah!