This morning I woke up with the thoughts of the decisions of my past, mistakes and missed opportunities. I thought isn’t this interesting! that these thoughts would come up now when the government are not far off making decisions on a date to stepping into lockdown 3. The Bible says to take every thought captive;
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Why? This enables us to stop, sift through and evaluate whether these thoughts are from the Lord or the enemy or us . So we know whether to let these thoughts into our heart and act on them.
As I looked at these thoughts of the past, I felt a sense of fear and uncertainty. I realized that these thoughts were not from the Lord, as He never reveals things in our life to bring, fear, shame or uncertainty. On top of this, I knew I don’t own my past, I only own the present and future.
In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul talks about what we own, the list includes the world, life, death, present and future.
1 Corinthians 3:22 (Passion Translation NT)
……..whether it’s the world or life or death, or whether it’s the present or the future—everything belongs to you!
Did you notice in this verse there was no mention of the past? That’s because as Christians we don’t own the past, that belongs to the Lord and is covered with the blood He shed on the cross. It will be part of the evidence the Lord will use against the devil on Judgment day.
Here’s a challenge for you today. What are you holding onto from the past? Mistakes; failed opportunities or decisions. Perhaps today it is time to give them up? Ask the Lord to show you those things of your past you still are holding on to?
Maybe by saying a prayer such as;
Father God, reveal to me those things of my past that I still am holding onto? (Remember the Lord reveals things only as an invitation never as an accusation). What the Lord is showing you is for a greater tomorrow for you and others. May I encourage you to give these areas of your past over to Him totally today.
You could say a prayer like this
Father, today I choose to give you all my past wrong decisions, mistakes and disappointments. I ask you to forgive me for holding on to them. I believe that these areas are now covered by the blood of Jesus. Today I am free from any accusations, blame, shame and I am forgiven. Thank you, Jesus, Amen!
My prayer for you today;
Father, I thank you for your leading today, as you came and died to set the captives free. I thank you that today you are offering us an invitation to a decision for freedom in your lives. Help us all to walk through this process, to shed the past, own the present and walk boldly into the future. Amen!
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastor/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
