Rev. Bassey Ekong

Use What God Has Given You For His Glory

By Rev Bassey Ekong

It is a sign of repentance and humility to allow your conscience to condemn you of your sinful ways. The Psalmist states, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17 NIV). God sees our humility when we come to Him with a penitent heart; it moves Him to compassion for our forgiveness and redemption through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for your past to give you a good present and a future of freedom and joy.

Some people, ignorantly, remind themselves of the guilt in their minds and keep condemning themselves for their past experiences or failures. People’s short-comings could be anything such as educational, social, marital or spiritual. The fear from such could make them think that their failures or shortcomings preclude them from pursuing the purpose for their lives. Please realize this: God is not against you. He is for you. He’ll never leave nor forsake you. Do you believe that in your heart? God still has a definite plan for your life in spite of your background or your mistakes. 

We often imagine that our pasts loom larger than our futures. Sometimes we think that what we have done is so bad it is greater than Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. Yet nothing is so bad that it can compete with the forgiveness we receive from the finished work of Jesus. For example: If you have had a baby out of wedlock, if you have been on drugs, if you have been to prison, if you have betrayed someone, if you are living a life of disrespect and don’t know how to honor your husband or your wife, if you constantly dishonor your children by your overt disrespectful behavior in their presence or to their knowledge, whatever your sinful behaviors are, God still loves you and wants to redeem you. He wants to give you back your purpose. Remember, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). This is a very important statement about God. It says that God gives gifts, and that when He gives a gift, He doesn’t change His mind regarding it. Don’t ever believe that your failures are greater than what God gave you birth to do. God is a restorer and a reclaimer. Let me urge you not to allow circumstances to destroy your passion for living. The winds of adversity can be very strong, but your God-given vision will be your anchor in life. Note: The knowledge that God so loves us, His people, is the gospel; the Good News for repentance, salvation, deliverance, and restoration through Jesus Christ. Whatever God has invested in you; He wants to see you use it.

Let’s pray: Father, I will not consider the things that are in my past to be obstacle to my future. I know that You still lead me and will enable me to fulfill my vision by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Today’s reading: Psalm 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Use What God Has Given You for His Glory.

About the writer

Bassey Ekong, Dip Ed, BSc. Ed, B. Ed, M. Ed is an educator/teacher of science on the high school panel of the local board of education in the Ottawa-Carleton region. He’s a psychology of learning specialist. A scholar; always learning, a writer, teacher and trainer, adviser board of directors and pastor of the Light of the Nations Ministry International, a non-denominational ministry with its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He can be reached at: [email protected].