Moving Pass The Past

John the Baptist was a humble man who had been called from his mother’s womb. John was a simple man and did not require much to live on because of the purpose in which he was called. He was a man of little means living in a desert; and ate locust and wild honey. He also did not have fancy clothing to wear. However, John’s humble lifestyle was not an issue, because God had called him to preach the coming of the Lord before he was even born. Even though John the Baptist had been called to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord: the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One who takes away the sin of the world; John felt inadequate to fulfill his purpose to completion.

Howeve, Jesus knew what must be done to fulfill the scriptures. He spoke to John, and gave him assurance with the Word concerning his destiny. Jesus did not condemn John the Baptist for saying that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus did not accuse John of not having faith. He encouraged John the Baptist to fulfill his calling; just like He encouraged Peter when Peter had denied Him three times.

Just imagine the shame that Peter must have felt, when he denied the Lord of lords, and the King of kings; even to the point of using profanity to make it look like he was not associated with Jesus. I am sure Peter felt unworthy to do what Jesus was calling him to do; but then again, Jesus is the perfect example of grace and forgiveness. He knew what was in John, he knew what was in Peter, and He knows what is in us.

God knows that we will feel unworthy of the calling on our lives because of the weakness of our flesh. He knows that sometimes we will be fearful, have doubts and even question the call He has spoken over us. However, no weakness within the flesh of man can reverse what God has spoken. All things happen for a reason, and all things are revealed through the Word of God concerning His creation. God does not make mistakes; He makes miracles happen through faith in Him to do what He says He will do. We must recognize that if God has given us promises through his Word He will perform what he has spoken. Do not become so discouraged that you loose sight on the call of God in your life or the grace of God. He loves us to much to let us wallow in fear, doubt, self-pity, shame, or lack of faith. If God has counted you worthy to fulfill your purpose, rely on Him to bring it to completion; and do not beat yourself up when you make a mistake, but continue to rely on God to finish what He has begun in you.

 Have you been too hard on yourself?
 Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself?
 Is your value based on what God has said?
 Do you believe what God has said about you?
 Is there someone you need to forgive?

Definitions:

Assurance: The act or action of assuring, pledge, guarantee, security, being certain in the mind, confidence of mind or manner, easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty; something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence, to make safe.

Destiny: something to which a person or thing is destined; fortune. A predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency. SYN: Fate.

Encourage: to inspire with courage, spirit or hope: Hearten, to spur on; stimulate, to give help to or patronage; foster.

Forgive: to cease to feel resentment against an offender; pardon, to give up resentment of or claim to requittal for an insult.

Grace: unmerited divine assistance given to man for his regeneration or sanctification, a virtue coming from God, a disposition to or an act or instance of kindness or clemency; mercy.

Resent: to feel or to express annoyance or ill will, a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult or injury, or offense.

Worthy: having worth or value, estimable, having sufficient worth or importance.

Reflection:

If we repent (turn away from) and are genuinely sorry for something that we have said, or done, God will forgive us. However, we must learn to forgive ourselves and move forward into the purpose of God for our lives.

Scripture References:
Matthew 3:14, 6:14, Psalms 139:14

Definition References:
Webster's Dictionary, 1990

Higgins, S. (2009). Moving Pass the Past (RP). Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing from http://devotionsforthought.blogspot.com.