STARTING OVER
Have you ever wanted to start your life over?
Or
Maybe not your entire life, just certain aspects.
The sad truth is we can’t. But with Christ, we can start over, and that’s GOOD NEWS.
Psalms 145:14 (NCV)
The Lord helps those who have been defeated and takes care of those who are in trouble.
To be able to start over with Christ will require us to take a step of faith. When we step out in faith and trust God with our life, He rewards us.
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95)
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
5 Decisions To Make For Your Next Step Of Faith
Mark 10:46-52 NLT
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
Decide to Seize the Moment
Every day you have the opportunity for a fresh start. Yet, you don’t take you. You procrastinate or think you do not deserve a fresh start or blessing from God.
Maybe you even asked or attempted a fresh start in the past, and it didn’t work, so you’ve given up hope.
Seize the moment.
In the passage above, Blind Bartimaeus seized the moment. He didn’t listen to his inner voice or the external voices of the crowd. He SHOUTED out to Jesus for help.
Seize the moment and shout out to God for help. Take ownership of the help you need, be active, not passive.
Luke 9:62 (MSG)
Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”
Decide to Face Your Fears
We often fear life change because we fear what others might think of us.
Here’s a secret, MOST Times, they are not thinking of you. They are thinking of themselves and how it will be bad for them if they change (for the better).
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.
Sometimes, we get trapped, “If I do what God wants me to do if I do what is right, what will people think of me?”
If you fear what people will think of you, you have put them in a place of being a god in your life.
Face your fears, and live YOUR life for God’s Glory, not the approval of others.
As a youth pastor, a teen in the student ministry (Evie) faced her fears. She launched a Bible study in her home for students and influenced dozens of others. When Evie met her fears and took a step of faith, it CHANGED her life.
Decide to Declare What You Want
A secret faith is a small faith. Go big and declare what you want God to do for you.
Mark 10:51 (NLT)
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
God is about being specific. Read the Old Testament; He is precise about His laws, procedures, and how to Worship Him.
In Mark 10:51, Blind Bartimaeus is very specific with His request, “I want to see!”
What do you want God to do for you? Be specific. He can handle it. He might not answer it the way you want, but what does it cost to ask? NOTHING
We have not because we ask not.
Jesus is asking you right now, “What do you want me to do for you?”
How will you answer Him?
Decide to Walk With God
Mark 10:52a (NASB95)
And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight…John 1:16 (NIV)
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.Philippians 4:13 (NASB95)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
God wants to give us a fresh start in life. It starts with us walking by faith in His grace.
God expects us to do what we CAN do (this is being an adult) and give Him the things we cannot do.
Three years ago, I prayed for my coaching practice, “God show me what I need to know.”
He answered that prayer by opening my eyes to getting my Masters’s Degree from The Townsend Institute at Concordia. But here’s the big part, I had to take the step. As a 47 y/o, I had to enroll in school and hone my skills.
Decide to Take THE Step
Mark 10:52b (NASB95)
“…he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
What’s your next step of faith?
Are you going to stay on the side of the road, hoping something changes?
Are you going to get “on the road” and follow Jesus?
There is always a “next step” what will yours be?
1 Corinthians 1:30 (MSG)
Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.
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