River of Life Church
  • Home
  • How Can I Serve
  • Map
  • Pastor Mark Radeke
  • Giving
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact
  • ReMarkablog
  • Beliefs
  • Event Photos
  • Daily Bible Reading
  • Online Messages
  • Service Volunteer Sign-up

Going Back in Order to Go Forward

9/25/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Peter Scazerro’s book, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” is based on the premise that it is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. One of the ways we remain emotionally immature is by failing to break free from the power of our past.

When we say, “Yes” to Jesus Christ, are sorry for our sins, and completely commit our lives to Jesus, we become a new creation. The Bible says the old is gone and the new has come. You and I are new people in Christ Jesus. My mistake was believing my past no longer had any implications on my present and my future.

Scazzero sums it up in two essential biblical truths:
1.       The blessings and sins of our families going back two or three generations profoundly impact who we are today.
2.       Discipleship requires putting off the sinful patterns of our family of origin and relearning how to do life God’s way in God’s family.

The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis gives us a model of how to go back to go forward. Young Joseph was immature and he grew up in a family that brought lying, half-truths, secrecy, and jealousy to a whole new level. Joseph became an emotionally and spiritually mature adult who lived out his destiny in God.  

>  Joseph had a profound sense of the bigness of God.
    o   Know that God is at work in every situation.
>  Joseph admitted honestly the sadness and losses of his family.
     o   Do not resist going back and feeling the hurt and pain of your past.
>  Joseph rewrote his life script according to scripture.
     o   Consider the script handed to you by your past and then open a door to God’s future by rewriting it with God.
> Joseph partnered with God to be a blessing.
     o   Daily choices centered around your own walks with God are critical for you to serve as an instrument of blessing to many.

Going back is a journey to be made with trusted companions in the faith. Going back in order to go forward is something you must do with mature friends, a mentor, or counselor – people who will help pull you back from the gravitational pull to past sinful destructive patterns of your family.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Mark Radeke

    Husband of one, father of five, pastor and friend of many.

    Archives

    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    December 2022
    March 2021
    April 2020
    January 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All
    10 Commandments.
    Bible
    Business
    Christian Living
    Church
    Dreams
    Easter
    Evil
    Famous People
    Finishing Well
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Global Poverty
    God
    Grace
    Heaven
    Holidays
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Kingdom Of God
    Love
    Marriage
    Money
    New Ventures
    Outreach
    Parables
    Parenting
    Peace
    Poverty
    Prayer
    Prophecy
    Retreat Highlights
    Salvation
    Senior Citizens
    Spiritual Gifts
    Trinity
    Trust
    Valentine's Day Stats
    Water Baptism
    Wisdom
    Worship

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.