We started a new series at South Bay Church last week titled, “Where Is God When I…“. We heard a message from Craig Groeschel and Chris Beall from LifeChurch.tv. They talked about what happens when we fail, mess up, and/or get caught in a web of sin.

What do we do when we fail?
Where do we turn when we realize we screwed up big time?

Craig & Chris gave some great points that I wanted to share here on the blog. I feel like what they talked about is such a huge thing and what keeps so many people from living the life God desires for them. Maybe you are one of them and need to understand these truths. I believe these truths have such power to change whatever situation you are currently in. As hopeless as life may seem, as deep as you’re in, God longs for you to reach out to Him and let Him begin to restore you. He longs to give you an abundant future.

Many people live in bondage to our past. Past mistakes, past hurts, past failures, past sins. They are bound so tight to it that they are walking around with it dragging behind them. It affects their present and will continue to affect their future if they don’t break free and rid themselves of it. I can tell within a few (deep) conversations with someone if they are being controlled by a haunting past or if they are living in the freedom Christ offers. By the way, He offers it to anyone who asks Him.

Craig said one line over and over, and I’ve had it rolling around in my head ever since. He said,
“Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future (in Christ).”

Three Truths to Remember:

  • Your biggest sins are not too big for God’s grace.
    No matter what you’ve done, you haven’t sinned too much for God.

    What is the worst crime/sin you can think of?
    What is the worst thing you’ve ever done?
    Remember Jesus came to forgive that one too.

    I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

  • You are not what you have done. You are who God says you are.
    If you are a follower of Christ, you are not defined by your sin, but by who God says you are.

    Who is that? Here’s just a few:
    You are a new person. 2 Cor. 5:17
    You are more than conquerors through him. Rom. 8:37
    You are not condemned any more. Rom. 8:1
    You are part of the family of God. Rom. 8:17

  • You can’t change your past, but Christ can change your future.
    Whatever happened yesterday, last week, or two decade ago cannot be undone. It may have been unfair, ugly, tragic, or despicable, but it cannot be undone. What you can do if put it behind you and leave it where it belongs- in the past. You can stop dwelling on it, choose to move forward, and ask for God to change your future.

    In Philippians 3:13-14 Paul says, “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

I don’t know what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, but I do know a God who understands and who can help you. It doesn’t matter how bad it is, He is waiting for you to call out to Him.
Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to heal you. Ask Him to help you know what you should do (or what you shouldn’t do). James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and He will give it to you.”
God is with you even when you mess up. 

Where Is God When I… from South Bay Church on Vimeo.