What about the past
Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Acts 26:9-10
It’s been about 20 years now that I have been living my life by listening to and following the Holy Spirit’s direction and leading. I don’t always get it perfectly, of course, but when I feel like I’m not sure about steps to take, I quickly run to Him for help. I do not want to get off course again like I spent so many years of my life. For the first few years, I struggled with forgiving myself for the messes I had made and the bad decisions I carried out. I didn’t know how to keep my thoughts from going to the past and despising myself for getting so far away from my heavenly Father. I remember specifically the day the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about letting go of that unforgiveness. He showed me that I was raising my sinful past above the power of the blood of Jesus to forgive me. In holding on to these detestable feelings, I was actually putting a wall between my Savior and me. From that day on, when those feelings tried to raise up inside my heart, I immediately began to thank God every time, for rescuing me and pulling me out of the pits I had falling into so many times.
Now years later, I still do not like many of the things I did, but now God is using many of my experiences as a testimony to others. He has put me in positions where I am able to help so many that are struggling now the way I once did. My prayer is that I can help some from falling as far as I did and help them to stay close to their Father when the temptations come.
Today’s reading is about Paul giving his testimony before King Agrippa. Paul started from the beginning of his life telling how all the things that he was experiencing on that day were proceeded by many bad decisions early in his life. At the point of his testimony, God was now using his life as a witness of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Paul was able to tell them exactly how he got there, and that God was with him. God had turned Paul’s regrettable decisions of his past into an avenue to reach others with the gospel.
He will do that for you too. If you have made some mistakes in the past or if you just haven’t followed the plan of God for your life and are doing things your own way, you can change that today. Much like the apostle Paul did on the road to Damascus, you can turn your life over to God and He will make a testimony out of it. He will lead you on a path to help others who are struggling through the same things that you have, and you will be able to come along side them and help the step closer to their Father in heaven.
Today I want to encourage you if you have something in the past that you are holding against yourself. Let go of it and forgive. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you get beyond it and then when you do, ask Him to lead you to others that you can minister to because of what you have been through. Then thank Him for the peace that He has put in the place of your pain. Let Him use your past as a testimony of His goodness to rescue and help you get back up when you fall down.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:1-11
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
The Daily Dose 