Congratulations! You just won $1,000,000 for being
the one-millionth person to shop at Wal-Mart!
What will the newspaper headline say?
- Mother of 9 wins $1,000,000
- Former Homeless Man wins $1,000,000
- Retired Grandmother wins $1,000,000
- ____________________ wins $1,000,000
- Congratulations! I'm happy for you!
- I know you'll squander it just like your uncle.
- After you pay off all your debt, let's see how much you have and how happy you are!
- You may be excited now, but it won't last.
- _________________________________________.
CNN hears about your winnings and wants to do
a story on you and your life.
Where in your past will you NOT want them to visit?
Who in your past will you NOT want them to interview?
Many times in life we are defined by our past, by our family, or by our baggage. How many times have you read "Former Teacher Arrested for..." or "New Mother earns..."? Likewise, our family can define us. "You'll never..." or "I know you'll be just like your grandfather who..." Sometimes our feelings are dictated by those close to us. If we expect a spouse to rejoice with us, but instead hear "You may be happy now, but just wait until..." it can be a huge blow.
The power of self image, of others' words, and of carried burdens often paint a portrait of who we are.
Whether we like the portrait or want to cast it aside, that picture is not who we are. It is not who YOU are. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord...
- You are a child of God. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
- You are a friend of God. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
- You were made by God to do great things. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
- And, one of my favorites, you are more than just a winner, more than a victor, you are more than a conqueror. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Places and people often remind us of our past. Can you imagine if CNN reported from David's rooftop?
"And this is the exact location where David was tempted by lust and failed."
What if CNN interviewed the girl in the courtyard before Jesus' death?
"Young girl, can you tell us what you heard?"
"Yes, I heard Peter say he didn't even know Jesus and he cursed about it!"
- But in God's eyes, when you accepted Him, you became a new creation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
- God does not hold your past against you. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12
- God does not want us to repeat our past mistakes, but if we do, we can go to Him and ask for forgiveness and help. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1
Sorry to sound so preachy- but you may need these promises today. If not today, maybe tomorrow. Maybe at your next family event, when Aunt So-and-So brings up that story (you know the one). Maybe the next time you run into that friend from the old days. Or maybe the next time you just look into the mirror.
If you are "in Christ” (saved) then these blessings and promises are yours. To be “in Christ” and receive his blessings, you simply must Admit that you have sinned, Believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again, and Confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord (A-B-C). You can pray a prayer just like this: “Jesus, I admit that I have sinned. I believe that you died on the cross and rose again to forgive me of my sins. Please forgive me. I will make you Lord of my life. Amen.” (Romans 10:9-10)
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