Should you let your past determine your future? – Part 3

Should you let your past determine your future? – Part 3

As humans we can tend to “dwell” on the past in order to receive guidance or lesson’s learned for planning the future. I have heard that “we are a sum of our experiences”, true or not, I am sure we can all come up with our own decision on that thought. We have examples in world leaders, leaders in our countries, industry, education and the list will go on. But this entire example is only on the human level. We can be judged or judge ourselves on past performance, memories and action, but what really matter? This week I will talk about our past and how it ought to “inform” how we move forward on our day to day walk here on earth, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, Hold fast to YOUR faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. He will be justified and glorified in you and in this world in due time… Ultimately, rest in Jesus’ perfect Spirit, the Holy Spirit, this Spirit gives life; it will renew us, cleanse us, forgive us, purify us and prepare us for any obstacle that may find its way in between our relationships with God and others… (John 6:63, Romans 8:6, 2 Cor. 5:17-21).

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Should you let your past determine your future? – Part 2

Should you let your past determine your future? – Part 2

As humans we can tend to “dwell” on the past in order to receive guidance or lesson’s learned for planning the future. I have heard that “we are a sum of our experiences”, true or not, I am sure we can all come up with our own decision on that thought. We have examples in world leaders, leaders in our countries, industry, education and the list will go on. But this entire example is only on the human level. We can be judged or judge ourselves on past performance, memories and action, but what really matter? This week I will talk about our past and how it ought to “inform” how we move forward on our day to day walk here on earth, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Even Jesus said, “That whoever loves human family more than Him cannot be His disciple” (Matt. 10:37). Basically, our Creator comes first! Ultimately the past is the past, and the present is what is important today. We need to focus on moving forward in our relationship with Jesus Christ and others to allow the Spirit of God to fulfill our life’s purpose here on earth with Him and His creation… The other way of looking at it is a “new” perspective on the “world” and our past experiences, from a more pure and godly point of view (2 Cor. 3:18). We may ask, “Why did this happen to me?”, or “why was I put in this situation?”. God has a plan for each of us and He does not make mistakes, so certainly you will receive your answers (2 Peter 3:9). Sometimes it does not require answers though; this is where the testing of our faith comes in…

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Should you let your past determine your future? – Part 1

Should you let your past determine your future? – Part 1

As humans we can tend to “dwell” on the past in order to receive guidance or lesson’s learned for planning the future. I have heard that “we are a sum of our experiences”, true or not, I am sure we can all come up with our own decision on that thought. We have examples in world leaders, leaders in our countries, industry, education and the list will go on. But this entire example is only on the human level. We can be judged or judge ourselves on past performance, memories and action, but what really matter? This week I will talk about our past and how it ought to “inform” how we move forward on our day to day walk here on earth, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

The Bible talks about the God of our forefathers…, so when living we need to consider are we following good example or are we worshipping the works of men or “ancestor worship” (Genesis 46:3, Exodus 3:6, Lev. 26:1, Deut. 18:11, Acts 7:32, 1 Cor. 7:23, Eph. 6:6). “Generational” sin or “genetics” can also play into this factor of illness, doubt, guilt from family dynamics, etc. (Exodus 20:5, Deut. 5:9). The Bible says, “We are a new creation in Christ, the former things have passed away” (2 Cor. 5:17). We can and ought to love family, friends and our communities, but we do not need to “take on” the curses, unhealthy habits, etc., that have through the fall, time and our own forefathers trials, influenced us in some form or another. The Bible does talk about sharing each other’s burdens, and we are all one body. So the body of Christ that is alive and well today inevitably suffers if only in spirit with other members of the body who may be suffering in a more physical form… But we must remember that we do not only have Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us, we also have the Father God (Ephesians 4:6)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Were you created to be very good? – Part 3

Were you created to be very good? – Part 3

The earliest memory of life that I have is when I was probably around 2 or 3 and I remember that I was supposed to be “afraid”. Not of anything tangible but just afraid. Of course the Bible does say that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But what if we could live without fear? What would life be like then? I imagine similar to what life was like in the garden before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This week I will talk about the idea of being created to be “very good”, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

When we have fully accepted Christ in our lives, we know that we are no longer our own, and likely realize we never were (1 Cor. 6:19). Our spirits are in an intertwined and intimate relationship with our Creator’s. The Bible says our spirit is one with His (1 Cor. 6:17). As Ecclesiastes says, “the body goes to the earth and the spirit goes back to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). The point is that we do have a spirit in us that is divine. Our flesh is temporary, but our spirit will live if we give it to God to nourish (Luke 12:5, 1 Thess. 5:23). As God breathed life into Adam, so again, will he breathe life into us if we believe (Genesis 2:7, 2 Timothy 3:16, Rev. 11:11, Rev. 21:6)!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Were you created to be very good? – Part 2

Were you created to be very good? – Part 2

The earliest memory of life that I have is when I was probably around 2 or 3 and I remember that I was supposed to be “afraid”. Not of anything tangible but just afraid. Of course the Bible does say that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But what if we could live without fear? What would life be like then? I imagine similar to what life was like in the garden before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This week I will talk about the idea of being created to be “very good”, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

After the fall and flood came the “law” and although spiritual and good cannot save us (Romans 7:12). It is through grace we are saved by faith and this is a gift (Ephesians 2:8)! It is the faith that we have a God who gave us His Son to die on the cross for our transgressions and was raised again to give us hope (1 Peter 1:3). Not only hope that He lives again, but that we also can live with Him, even after our physical death here on earth (John 14:3)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Were you created to be very good? – Part 1

Were you created to be very good? – Part 1

The earliest memory of life that I have is when I was probably around 2 or 3 and I remember that I was supposed to be “afraid”. Not of anything tangible but just afraid. Of course the Bible does say that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But what if we could live without fear? What would life be like then? I imagine similar to what life was like in the garden before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This week I will talk about the idea of being created to be “very good”, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

Adam and Eve are our earthly ancestors from the beginning. They were without shame and were told to be fruitful and multiply on the earth. And have dominion over it. And this was all before they fell for the cunning influence of the serpent (Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:1-7). They were created and seen as “very good” in the eyes and mind of God (Genesis 1:31). They were made in His likeness… Is this not a wonderful thought? So the question is, can we find that same state of being in this life, if only even temporarily, to get a taste of “heaven” on earth to understand what we were actually created to be like? There is no doubt in my mind. As I know I have experienced it…

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Murder, Death and Suicide – Part 4

Murder, Death and Suicide – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 4

All are affected by death, all ages and all demographics. As the Bible says, “We are all pronounced once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). I have been affected by death and suicidal thoughts…, especially during some of the most trying times in life, as a growing adolescent and into my young adulthood. And these thoughts are not unique to this generation, as the Bible says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So what are we to do about these types of thoughts and the topic of death in general? This week I will discuss the topic of death, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, there are various reasons’ why we might want to quicken our leave from this world, and one of them could be because of our guilt from sins we have committed or possibly, from something we feel ashamed of that someone else has done to us. Two things can be said about this; first, God knows your thoughts, and everything that has happened to you in your life, intimately (Psalm 139:2). And two, God loves you! He is always with you, waiting with “open arms” to forgive, and/or heal and comfort you (Deuteronomy 30:19, Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10). He is our protector and comforter (Isaiah 41:10). If you are struggling with some past or present experience and need help, go to Him in prayer first, submitting all of your cares, troubles and worries to Him and ask Him for His Holy Spirit to heal, protect and make His home in you and when or if needed, for somebody here on earth to open up to for the human side of God’s divine healing touch! And last give God the glory and praise and thanksgiving for the life He has given you to experience in all of His glory (Genesis 1:27, 1 Thess. 5:18)!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Murder, Death and Suicide – Part 3

Murder, Death and Suicide – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 3

All are affected by death, all ages and all demographics. As the Bible says, “We are all pronounced once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). I have been affected by death and suicidal thoughts…, especially during some of the most trying times in life, as a growing adolescent and into my young adulthood. And these thoughts are not unique to this generation, as the Bible says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So what are we to do about these types of thoughts and the topic of death in general? This week I will discuss the topic of death, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

To leave this world, is not necessarily an abnormal desire either. There are many versus in the Bible that talk about looking for another country, another place, heaven, etc. where everything will be more “peaceful” (Hebrews 11:14-16). But taking control of that desire ourselves without submitting to the will of God, is not necessarily the best option. As the Bible says, “…though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3 KJV). I have heard multiples times during my life the advice, “you need to forgive yourself”. This indeed is great advice, but it can be easier said than done, try it, if it works great, but if not, ask God to help or better yet do it for you! Most importantly, put your faith in Christ. He is the way to eternal life and peace in your body, mind and soul on earth and in “heaven” and eventually in all of us, God willing!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Murder, Death and Suicide – Part 2

Murder, Death and Suicide – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 2

All are affected by death, all ages and all demographics. As the Bible says, “We are all pronounced once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). I have been affected by death and suicidal thoughts…, especially during some of the most trying times in life, as a growing adolescent and into my young adulthood. And these thoughts are not unique to this generation, as the Bible says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So what are we to do about these types of thoughts and the topic of death in general? This week I will discuss the topic of death, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Jesus said one statement about how we ought to think about our lives, in comparison to our relationship with Him that may on some level explain the “extreme” thoughts that may come into our heads about taking our own lives. He said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate … their own life–such a person cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26). Now of course He was not talking about committing suicide, because how could those apostles be disciples of Jesus at the time or at any time if they took their lives, before they learned what it means to actually live for Jesus? But the point is, Jesus is not asking us to “kill” ourselves literally, but to give our own life; soul, mind and body, to Him. So that we can be used for His glory in this world! Which is a form of dying, not to God and our own spirit, but to the world and its ways and our own selfish desires of human control, this is the key. Sometimes when we are struggling with thoughts of murder, death or suicide, the most important thing we need to do is reach out to God in prayer, and submit our minds, bodies and souls to Him for deliverance. Not trusting in our own actions to calm our temporary “torment” of the mind or body (Proverbs 3:5, 6, Philippians 3:8-11). Because, Jesus is the great physician of the Mind, Body and Soul!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Murder, Death and Suicide – Part 1

Murder, Death and Suicide – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 1

All are affected by death, all ages and all demographics. As the Bible says, “We are all pronounced once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). I have been affected by death and suicidal thoughts…, especially during some of the most trying times in life, as a growing adolescent and into my young adulthood. And these thoughts are not unique to this generation, as the Bible says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So what are we to do about these types of thoughts and the topic of death in general? This week I will discuss the topic of death, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

First, as I had said, I have struggled with thoughts of death at times in my years as an adolescent growing up and during my young adulthood. But are we alone in these thoughts compared to other “normal” people? Well in fact, there are a few stories in the Bible that mention a person’s struggle with death and suicidal thoughts. Job seems to be the first obvious one (Job 3:11). David also struggled with his existence as well (Psalm 22). And Jonah was so frustrated he asked for death because of it (Jonah 4:9). So if you are struggling with the “why” of your life, then trust me you are not alone…

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom