Remember the days of old

This morning I asked the Lord to help me to never forget my life prior to knowing Him. For the past weeks, the Lord has provided many opportunities for me to become more acquainted with some of the women in our neighborhood. God has given me such favor with the women; they have opened up immensely. One of the ladies shared about being in and out of jail because of relational issues. Some have shared their inability to trust other women because of fear of being slandered in the streets. Some have even asked “why” did God choose a certain life for them. The questions and conversations I have had with a few women always leave me with a brokenness for people and the hope of knowing that only God can mend that which is broken. Yesterday, a mother shared with me her wish of having another opportunity to start over, to make different choices and to do things differently. What a joy it was for me to share that God is in the business of making beauty out of ashes. He is able to restore! I hope she was encouraged about the great hope that there is and the opportunity to start over in Christ! “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Please pray for wisdom for me as I share the Redemption and Transformation that comes as a result of knowing Christ. Please pray for the hearts of the women that they will truly understand the forgiveness, hope and newness of life that comes in knowing Jesus Christ!

So, what is it that I want to Remember? This morning I read 2nd Corinthians 6 & 7:1. This is a great passage for ministry as it is titled, “Marks of the Ministry.” What stuck out to me in this passage is the statement, “Not to receive the grace of God in vain.” A constant prayer for me in ministry is to not have a heart of indifference or passivity towards the circumstances and hearts of the people I minister to. I also read in the book, “Respectable Sins,” the ungodliness of pride in, “moral superiority.” There are some things that I cannot relate to with the ladies I minister to. However, there are many things I can definitely relate to, I am a sinner, I have failed to live a perfect life, I have failed in many ways, we all have. The temptation for many of us, including myself is to look judgingly and even condemningly at people who seem to be morally impure, especially when the consequences are so visible. But then I remember that the same message of grace that I preach to others is the same message of grace I have been a recipient of and therefore need to preach to myself. Grace that is greater than all of our sins! My sins, my rebellious agnostic heart has lead me to think, say and do things that are so not pleasing to God, of this I am ashamed, yet hopeful, in that I can remember the days prior to knowing Christ, and see and be reminded of His amazing grace that was extended to me. Then I can put my hands over my mouth and repent of my ungodliness. But not only repent, but also cultivate a heart of humility that knows that, “But for the grace of God, go I.” Like Lots wife I want to look back, I want to remember the days of old, not with the sinful desire to preserve my life, but to look back and be reminded of the degree in which I have been rescued from my sins. I want such remembrance to motivate me to serve the Lord in meekness of heart, and sharing in the plight, sufferings and brokenness of others.

“Let me not forget where you have rescued me from Lord, give me a healthy remembrance of my life prior to knowing you; not so I can have a fatalistic attitude; but so that I continue to see the magnitude of your grace in my life and as a result extend it to others.”

For He says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” (2nd Corinthians 6:2)

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people" (Psalms 77: 11-15)