Facing the Past with Grace and Courage
Facing the Past with Grace and Courage
“Forgetting what lies behind” does not mean pretending our past never happened. Instead, it means our history no longer has the power to define or imprison us. Sometimes, moving forward requires us to revisit the past for confession, restitution, or reconciliation. Grace does not excuse us from responsibility; it empowers us to face our story with hope, trusting that God can redeem even our deepest wounds and failures.
God invites us to bring our whole selves, past and present, into the light of His love. When we do, our trials and mistakes can become testimonies of His transforming power. We are not called to live in denial or shame, but to walk forward in freedom, knowing that nothing in our past is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Joel 2:13-14 (KJV): “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?”
Reflection: Is there a part of your past you need to bring before God for healing or forgiveness? What step can you take today to move forward in grace and responsibility?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
“Forgetting what lies behind” does not mean pretending our past never happened. Instead, it means our history no longer has the power to define or imprison us. Sometimes, moving forward requires us to revisit the past for confession, restitution, or reconciliation. Grace does not excuse us from responsibility; it empowers us to face our story with hope, trusting that God can redeem even our deepest wounds and failures.
God invites us to bring our whole selves, past and present, into the light of His love. When we do, our trials and mistakes can become testimonies of His transforming power. We are not called to live in denial or shame, but to walk forward in freedom, knowing that nothing in our past is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Joel 2:13-14 (KJV): “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?”
Reflection: Is there a part of your past you need to bring before God for healing or forgiveness? What step can you take today to move forward in grace and responsibility?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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Archive
2025
January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
May
Identity and Joy in ChristThe Communal Joy of the GospelLoneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine HealingGrace and Peace Flow from Repentance and ForgivenessGospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All DifferencesChrist Redeems Our Painful MemoriesJoy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s GoodnessFaith Is Forged in the Fires of CrisisObedience Precedes the MiracleGod’s Ways Transcend Human LogicSelfless Faith Becomes a Channel for BlessingSurrendered Resources Become Miraculous ProvisionJoy Grows Through Gospel-Driven PartnershipFaithfulness in the Ordinary Matters Deeply to GodGod’s Transforming Work in You Is Unfinished but CertainReal Fellowship Means Sharing Both Grace and StruggleJoy Flourishes When We Lean on God in WeaknessFreedom’s Cost Echoes in Every Liberty We HoldRemembrance Guards the Heart of Our ValuesGod’s People Are Called to RememberLove That Crosses Every BoundaryThe Cross—Our Everlasting Memorial of Grace
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