Day One Face It to Fix It: Acknowledge Failures and Flaws

Transcription

1 by Pastor DeLishia A. Davis Day One Face It to Fix It: Acknowledge Failures and Flaws As I look back on my life, I realized that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better. 1

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3 Personal Assessment Rate yourself by the following statement on a scale of 1 to = poor, 10 = excellent I kept my word on every promise last year My family can trust me I gave my all to accomplishing goals in the last six months I read my Bible every day last month When I encounter a personal trial, I talk to God first I never doubt God God can trust me I am a tither I do not overindulge in anything I help those in need I sacrifice for others I am unselfish I am humble I care about how I make other people feel I am not addicted to anything I read books and articles to stimulate my intellect weekly I study God s word I attend public worship on a regular basis I do not complain when people ask me to do something I pray daily I do not lie or omit the truth I love my enemies I have not abandoned my family or loved ones in a time of need I have asked for forgiveness every time I hurt someone in any way I am in right relationship with God I do not hate anyone I am faithful to every commitment I made I have never used or abused anyone I do not harbor any anger or resentment I am ready to move forward in my life A failure is not a loss. It s a gain. You learn. You change. You grow. It is better to make a thousand failures than to be too cowardly to ever undertake anything. - Clovis G. Chappell 3

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5 Biblical Passages for Today I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. (Isaiah 41:9) Jeremiah, say this to the people of Judah: This is what the Lord says: You know if a man falls down, he gets up again. And if a man goes the wrong way, he turns around and comes back. (Jeremiah 8:4) The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble. (Proverbs 24:16) Daily Meditation Dear friend, as you and I begin this journey together, there are some foundational truths that we must share. I know you have wonderful gifts and skills to share with the world, and I know you have been through some tough ordeals in life. This is the reason we are sharing in this time. Positive moments and negative moments combined have afforded us an opportunity to reevaluate our past, re-focus for the present and plan our future. Yet, there is one important thing that must be dealt with first the failures of our past that have created flaws within us. I know we are in this journey to write wonderful visions and plan for a prosperous future. I agree and I am ready. However, we must deal with the issues of the past to ensure that we do not spend another year repeating the same issues. In the sacred texts, there is a people named the Nation of Israel. These aren t just any people; these are God s chosen people. God loved them so much that while they were in captivity, God raised up a leader named Moses to demand their release from Pharoah. Pharoah was a hard hearted leader who took delight in the oppression, but even he had to release when he heard the word from God. God promised the children of Israel that they were going to Canaan land, also known as the land of milk and honey. God gave them rules to live by, provided everything they needed and sent them on their way. You would think that the children of Israel would do everything God said because he went through such extraordinary efforts to save them and bless them, but they did not. They worshipped idols which God specifically forbade them to do, they argued and mistreated their pastoral leaders by blaming them for their path and they were disgruntled people full of complaints. And to top it all off they even asked to return to the place God delivered them from as if God could not be trusted to keep God s promise! The children of Israel, God s chosen people, made grave mistakes in this journey. They failed themselves, Moses, Aaron and God. Nevertheless, their story does not end there because God does not simply abandon God s children over their failures and flaws. Note, there were severe consequences for their behavior, but God kept the promise and a generation of the children of Israel did reap the benefits. God s chosen people failed to honor God properly and to live the way God intended for them to live. Yet, they are not alone. Eve failed by partaking of the forbidden fruit. Adam failed to properly 5

6 lead and exercise dominion. Moses failed by the blood shed. Jacob failed through disobedience. David failed and committed adultery and murder. Down through history, many Christians have failed. It is not our failures that define us, but what we learn from those failures. The author Tony Evans shares these words, God allows failures to happen because He knows that when you come back, you will be better prepared for ministry your perspective will be purer, and your commitment with be stronger. At times God allows Satan to trip you up in order to teach you something about yourself. There is a reason that God allowed you to experience the failure in the last season of your life. Perhaps it was a failed relationship, a lay off from work, a missed opportunity, a tragic mistake, loss revenue, bankruptcy or more It does not mean that you are a failure, it means that you experienced failure. Failure is not the opposite of success; it s part of success. Through the experience of failure, you gain opportunities for strength, rebuilding and personal growth. As you prepare to lunge forward into your divine destiny, it is time to think about the things that were not positive in the last season and your responsibility therein. Some of the things we experience are because of the choices we made, and some are unfair experiences we did not opt to have. Nevertheless, each one is a learning experience. During this 7 Days of Spiritual Renewal, God is going to expose the obstacles in your path, so they will be transformed into opportunities for your future. Today, admit the things you have not done your best in, and give it to God. Allow God to transform you for greater glory to be revealed in you. This first step is not a fun step, but a necessary step for your personal growth and advancement. As you release the past, God will propel you forward. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your prevailing grace in my life. Please forgive me for anything that has caused separation in my relationship with you or anyone else. Please give me a clean heart and a right spirit to serve you. As I reflect on my failures and flaws today, please give me wisdom so I will not repeat them, and vision to move in a better direction in the days ahead. Bless me throughout this seven day journey to be renewed and restored. I praise you in advance. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 6

7 Personal Growth Assignment 1. Review your Personal Assessment. Write down the areas that you rated yourself at 7 or above. Celebrate your success in these areas. 2. Write below the areas that you rated yourself at 4 or below. 3. Pray through each of the areas from question #2 and ask God to guide you in a path so you will not repeat the same mistakes this year. 4. Recite the Daily Affirmation again after this exercise. 7

8 Personal Reflection Take time to journal by completing the sentences below in your own words. Lord, I acknowledge my sins and failures. Please forgive me for. I will change I submit 8