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Moving Past the Past
Luke 7:50 'Jesus said to the [sinful] woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."' (NIV)
 Some people believe that human actions are completely dictated by a powerful outside entity - either God, or the fates. These people are called fatalists and predestinationists. For them, everything works according to the details of some pre-ordained plan, so that my choices make no difference at all to the way things pan out. In fact, even my choices are pre-ordained. Extreme determinists believe that free will is a myth, or worse, a lie. Through the centuries, some Christians have held the extreme predestination view, but it is not the view of most believers. Jesus himself was big on the idea that we are, more than anything, the product of our choices. In fact, he said that we can overcome a bad start in life by making right decisions in the present, and they will set us up for the future. Some of Jesus' closest followers were people who'd had questionable reputations in the past. Some had been social outcasts. Yet he did not reject them on that basis, in fact he lauded some of them for their great faith and their devotion to him. Jesus recognized that it was not their past that shaped them, but the decisions they were making in the present. No matter what you're facing right now, you have that same awesome power of faith. You, too, can change the outcome of your life through solid, righteous and faith-filled choices.
Prayer: 'Lord Jesus, thank you for believing in me and for giving me the power to change my life through faith. Help me not to be bound by my past, but to make faith decisions that will change my future.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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Mal, I would like to congratulate you for your TV show,
I find it very interesting and informative.
Juan, Denmark
I watched Mal's inspiring EDGES presentation on bioethics. Scientists who do genuine research are a boon to humanity. Physicians do everything they can, fighting to save a life. This is based on the image of the Creator in every human being.
Rev Canon Dr Lakshman Peiris
Mal, your message is revolutionary - the prophetic voice our nation and world needs. Your insight into how things are, have been and will be never cease to amaze me and move me to a higher level. Thankyou for inspiring me to grow. You rock!
Ben, United Kingdom
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