Failure is Not Final

Failure is Not Final

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Philippians 3:13, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

Are you down on yourself today because of past mistakes you’ve made or because you’re not where you want to be in life? God knows every poor choice, every difficulty, every wrong turn you may have made, and He’s already planned your comeback! In scripture, Jonah took a detour, so to speak. It took him a little bit longer, but because he called out to God, because he believed, God not only rescued him, but God got him to his final destination.

Friend, know today that failure is not final. God always has the final say. Mistakes don’t have to keep you from your destiny. God’s plan can override every setback. Your world may be in turmoil today in a relationship, in your finances or health. But know this: not only will God rescue you; He will set your feet on a rock and lead you to your final destination in life. Remember, the promise He placed on the inside of you didn’t go away because you had some personal failures. No, that failure is only temporary but His Word remains forever! Keep hoping, keep believing because He will move you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory and blessing that is on my life. Today, I shake off the past, I shake off failure, I shake off poor choices and trust that You are restoring me and leading me into the plan You have for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

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An Anecdote About an Antidote 3 hours ago  Jon Walker “Jesus said to her, ‘Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.’” (Mark 5:34 MSG) When I was writing for my high school newspaper, the teacher used to say, “The difference between this class and other classes is that when students in the other classes turn in their homework, usually the only one to see their mistakes is the teacher. In this class, if you make a mistake on your homework, we publish it for everyone to see.” A couple of days ago we made a mistake, running the headline, “Unselfish Giving Is the Anecdote to Materialism.” No doubt God could use someone’s funny or interesting little story — an anecdote — as an antidote to materialism, but the headline should have read, “Unselfish Giving Is the Antidote to Materialism.” We are imperfect people serving a perfect God, and I ask your forgiveness. As I’ve mentioned before, one of the things Pastor Rick says is, “I want everyone on my staff to make at least one big mistake a week. If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not trying anything new.” His point is that he doesn’t want us to be afraid to try something innovative and creative, even if it means risking failure. There was a woman who “suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years,” and she’d gone to all types of doctors; that not only left her poor, but it also left her in worse health than before. One day she saw Jesus walking through a crowd, and she thought, “If I could just touch his robe, I know I will be healed.” “The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with” (Mark 5:28-29 MSG). Jesus turned around and said, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague" (Mark 5:34 MSG). There may be a “plague” in your life that you’ve been bearing, not believing things could ever change and not believing you could ever be healed. Or maybe there’s a risk Jesus is telling you to take, but you’re a little frightened about reaching out for his robe. Take the risk, and watch what God does. In fact, taking the risk is one of the ways that he helps you deepen your faith — because each little step gives you the confidence to take bigger steps. Talk About It It won’t be long before we’ve slipped right past Christmas and have moved on to the New Year. What area of your life needs to be transformed in 2013? Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV).