Embracing Your Past Mistakes

"In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong"(Nehemiah 9:33).

I am intrigued by this verse, think about it, the Levites were sharing the Word of the Lord and recounting their history. As the Levites shared the history of what the Lord had done for them it shared the positive things of the blessings of God, but it also shared of the Children of Israel's disobedience to the Father. Think about it, as they were rebuilding, restoring and renewing their lives it seems that the focus would be just on the positive things; however, they recounted the failure of their character and obedience to God.

Why not discard that part of their history? Because it was important and it was a a part of their journey. Even the dificult times are often blessed when we look at the blessings that come out of those experiences. We spend so much energy trying to forget the past and hide our failings from others. But if we embrace them and share them as learning experiences we are liberated by those experiences. As long as we try and hide the past failings we live in turmoil and frustration. The bottom line is that even in spite of our past failings, "God has acted faithfully".

This is Grace of God. Grace is God's unmerited help and favor. It is just his blessing us just because He loves us. Learn the lessons necesary from the past and move forward to being what God would have you to be.

In my almost three decades in ministry I have made many mistakes and have fallen short of the glory of God at different times in my life. I was called to preach the Gospel at the age of 19 and had no clue of the awesome responsibility of ministry. I have at times been caught up in the sin of "pleasing people" and even pride. However, I can clearly say that "God has been faithful." I realize that through all of my failings in leadership that I learned some very valuable lessons that have shaped my life and empowered my ministry. I would not change any lesson that I have learned because it has made me who I am today. It has given me a powerful dimension in my ministry that has been able to bless people all over the world. My friend, learn from your mistakes, embrace them and the lessons and move onward to be what the Lord would have you to be!

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA


Spiritual Prayer Treatment

Father, I embrace my personal history.
I embrace the empowering as well as the disempowering experiences.
Father, I thank you for the lessons that I have learned because
of the sin of the past and mistakes of character and judgment.
Thank you for your forgiveness and grace and the lessons learned.
In the Name of Jesus and Through His Power!
Amen! And So It Is!

Special Note: My memoir "Confessions of a Baptist Preacher and Lessons Learned the Hard Way" will be published this fall. We will be sharing the information within the next few days to reserve your copy. Also, check out www.powerfaithandliving.com