CHANGED! And Changing Still..Sample

I'm Not Who I Used To Be

Key Thought

The great thing about change is that it becomes obvious to everyone. These changes can be big or small, but they are still changes.

I have a friend with tattoos all over him. Many of them speak of his past and some of the things that he is ashamed of. He's not like that anymore, but he carries the scars (tattoos) of his past. We are all like that. We have a past. Maybe you can't see my tattoos, or maybe your scars look a little different? The point is we all have a past. But we are not our past. You're not who you used to be.

The bible is very clear. Your old way of life was nailed to the cross. Jesus came down from heaven to rescue us. When He died on that cross, He broke the power of sin. When Jesus rose from the grave, He defeated the finality of death. Now, what awaits us, is this new extravagant life in God.

Physical death is merely a curtain for the believer. It's a doorway into everlasting life. There is nothing in the past that can keep you there. In fact, there is nothing in the past that is worth returning to. New life in Jesus is your bright new future.

Together, with all God's saints, we can confidently say, I might not be all God wants me to be yet but I'm not who I used to be!

Time To Think

What parts of your old life try to haunt you?
Are there any parts of your old life you need to say goodbye to?

Prayer

Father, thank you for this new gift of life. Thank you that sin does not have to rule me or control me. Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me. Your resurrection power is in me to live a new life for You. I'm not who I used to be. Now I'm who You want me to be. Amen.