One of the most frustrating things in all the world is to have to start over! Have you ever spent hours working on a project and realized you messed up and the only answer is to stop and start all over from the beginning?
But guess what? One of the most rewarding things in all the world is to “get to start over.” Sometimes it’s not a burden to start over… it’s actually a blessing. It’s that opportunity to say, “I’ve really blown it and if I could do it all over again, I’d do it differently.” And guess what? You can!
Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches us that we can stop right now and have a new start. A fresh start. A brand new beginning. And that is exciting to think about. Here is the message of Ephesians 4:22-24.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Here are three important steps in starting over with God.
- Put Off the Old Walk of Life.
Be honest with yourself. This is not the time for excuses but the time for real acceptance of your current reality. What is it that you need to “put off” in order to be closer to God than ever before? Call it what God calls it… sin. Confess it to Him and ask for His forgiveness.
- Be Renewed in Your Mind… A new Attitude.
It’s time to accept His forgiveness! Once you have truly taken sin to the Lord and asked for forgiveness… accept that He has forgiven you and ask Him to take away the guilt and feeling of defeat. Ask Him to help you by giving you a new attitude, a new zeal for Him and His word and a renewed joy in living for Him.
- Put On the New Man… A New Walk of Life.
Make a list if specific action steps that will keep you away from the old temptations and defeat. Be serious about this and make a deep heart felt commitment to God that you will follow through relying on Him to give you the strength. Choose a trusted friend and ask that friend to help by holding you accountable and praying for you.
So it may be true that one of the most frustrating things in life is to “have to start over” but it’s also true that one of the most amazing things about God is that when things are terribly wrong in our life He says we “get to start over.”
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
