Category: Character

iMPACT QUESTION (iQ):  What are aspects of your current life that you regret and wish you could change?

Psalm 119:1-8  You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.  You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.  That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.  You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.  Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.  I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.  I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.

There are a number of things that I regret and wish I could change about the things that I have done and said.  My life has had scattered moments of which I am not proud.  It is true that the imperfect actions of our lives teach us humility and hard lessons that are not easy to stomach.  Yet the road we travel does have the hope of signs that prevent us from making sporadic lane changes and premature exits.  Often times, we make those decisions before consulting the God of our inner-state.  God does not guarantee a life of cruise control, but He does assure that He is in control for those who will allow for him to take the wheel.  We cannot change our past, but we can allow for God to guide our future.  His road leaves behind no potholes of regret, for when you look back, those have been covered by Jesus.  Regret, for those who have received Jesus, is no longer necessary, because blessings await.

iMPACT FULFILLED (iF):

1.   Receive revelation from the Word regarding your next faithful steps.

2.  Recognize that you no longer walk alone.  The Holy Spirit is with you.

3.  Remain consistent with your resolve to trust His direction.

iMPACT QUOTE (i QUOTE): written by Rev. Eric Levels

Don’t let regret bind what Jesus has already freed you from.

iMPACT CHALLENGE (i CHALLENGE):

Write down your regrets on a sheet of paper.  Pray to God regarding them and allow Jesus to forgive them.  Forgive yourself, then rip and throw the sheet away.  God has forgiven you, so do the same for yourself.

iMPACT QUESTION (iQ):  What would your life say about your faith?

Matthew 6:1 Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. (Message version) I love watching movies. When I see that the actors from my favorite movies have their own lives outside of them, I have a tough time realizing that their written character is not who they really are. Could the same be said of our Christian walk? Is our actual and actor one in the same? We must remember that we are only performing for an audience of One. There is nothing wrong with receiving compliments from God’s creations, but they are just that. Comments from people that compliment God’s concrete character within us. If we really want an Oscar, don’t worry about that because instead of holding gold, we’ll be walking on it in eternity by total dedication to God through the acceptance of Jesus. That’s what amazes people. People see actors every day and are not shocked by them. As a matter of fact, most are considered fake until proven the real thing. However, when the reality of our actions extend beyond cut, those watching, are in awe. That’s when faith has a face.

iMPACT FULFILLED (iF):

1. Set a consistent daily appointment in prayer with God.

2. See God’s love for us in His Word shown while we were yet sinners.

3. Squash the need for people approval.

 

iMPACT QUOTE (i QUOTE): Written by Rev. Eric Levels

God specializes in the real thing. Don’t waste your time with an imitation of life.