>>>BACK TO HOME PAGE<<<

Hey there, I’M BACK! After much contemplation, I’m finally here with my comeback message. Today, fueled by inspiration from a recent sermon (well, part of it—I’ll explain in a moment), I’ve decided to stop procrastinating and just dive in!

But before we dive into my favorite sermon, let me extend a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all! Yes, I know it’s already March, but better late than never, right?

Now, let me share something mind-blowing with you. Back in early 2022, my favorite pastor and speaker, Steven Furtick, delivered a sermon titled “Do The New You.” Although I was on holiday at the time, I made a vow to myself that this would be the first sermon I’d blog about in 2023. However, as life often goes, procrastination got the better of me, and before I knew it, 2023 had come and gone. But here’s the kicker: Just when I thought I’d missed my chance, Pastor Steven announced the release of his new book, “DO THE NEW YOU.” Talk about divine timing! Now, not only do I have a plethora of sermons to choose from, but I also have an entire book to draw inspiration from. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!

In his introspective book, penned as a personal guide, Pastor Steven unveils six transformative mindsets and actionable steps cultivated through his own faith odyssey. Let’s delve into these profound insights:

1. I’m not stuck until I stop – Commit to progress (Action Step)
2. Christ in me, I’m enough – Accept yourself
3. With God there’s always a way and by faith I will find it – Focus on possibility (check out this motivational message)
4. God is not against me- He’s in it with me, working through me and fighting for me (Check out the song) – Walk in confidence
5. My joy is my job – Own your emotions
6. God has given me everything I need in the season I’m in – Embrace your now

Based on the title of this message, I guess you can already tell that No.2 is my focus today.

At the heart of this book and its profound message lies the understanding that each of us is uniquely crafted by God, with a purpose only He comprehends. Delving into passages like Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1, we uncover God’s refusal to accept our excuses of inadequacy. Despite knowing every flaw and misstep, He intentionally fashioned us and placed us in this world, endowed with a distinct identity and divine purpose. Consider the calling of Jeremiah, deemed too young yet chosen by God, or the testament of David, flawed yet deeply loved. As we reflect on these truths, who are we to doubt our worth?

Similarly, this concept extends to individuals in your life who may doubt you or question your worth. Whether it’s those who believe they know you better than even God does, or strangers on social media who cast judgment without knowing you, Pastor Steven refers to them as “THE CROWD.” Surprisingly, this crowd can also manifest within us, in the form of inner voices that undermine our confidence and self-worth. However, Pastor Steven emphasizes that these voices hold no authority over us. He advises us to remind both ourselves and our critics that they did not create us, therefore they cannot define us. According to him, what they say about you only holds the power you grant it by your own self-perception.

Furthermore, Pastor Steven cautions against seeking validation from the wrong crowds. He asserts that our true identity is still unfolding, guided by God’s vision for us. Our present circumstances do not determine our worth; rather, it’s rooted in who God knows us to be at our core. Recognizing the immense potential within us, we must prioritize listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance rather than external or internal voices of doubt. By surrendering our shortcomings to God’s care, we allow Him to shape us into the individuals He designed us to be.

I remind myself continually of God’s sufficiency in creating me. His unchanging love depicted in the song “Jireh” co-written by Pastor Steven, underscores the profound truth that God’s love for me remains constant and unwavering. This powerful song serves as a poignant reminder that I am cherished by God in the present moment, and His love for me will never diminish. It inspires me to love myself despite my imperfections. God crafted me uniquely for a divine purpose, and any perceived deficiencies will be addressed through His divine intervention.

This profound truth liberates us from a scarcity mindset and restores the power we’ve unwittingly surrendered to external influences. Our focus shifts to embracing the journey of becoming the person God intended us to be—a process that unfolds over time, as we align our thoughts and actions with Christ. As Pastor Steven draws from Paul’s message in Ephesians 4: 22-24, we’re reminded of the transformative power of renewing our minds in Christ.

Therefore;

I’m committing to refraining from comparing myself to others or rushing towards an idealized version of myself. As Pastor Steven wisely advises, this only traps me in a relentless cycle of pursuit, leading to frustration and stagnation. Instead, I choose to focus on my own journey, embracing growth at my own pace.

I embrace the journey of continuous growth, finding joy in the process as I work with the resources available to me at present. My focus remains on nurturing both my personal and spiritual development. As Pastor Steven wisely advises, ”don’t ever let what you don’t have keep you from using what you do”

I’m committed to ceasing the habit of making excuses for my ongoing struggles. As Pastor Steven concisely puts it, “Stop advocating for your past.” Instead, I aim to acknowledge that while I cannot alter my past, I can glean valuable lessons from it and extend forgiveness to both myself and others. I firmly believe in God’s unwavering love for me, flaws and all.

Today, I leave you with these poignant words from Pastor Steven, “Imagine yourself free. God knows that you. Imagine yourself whole. God knows that you. The truth of YOU is still unfolding to you, but it is fully known by God. He knows that version of you because he made that version of you.”

With love and prayers,

Resty Kansiime