Kerry Shook: Plunder the Past

As we go through life, we all pick up As we go through life, we all pick up baggage from the past that we carry with baggage from the past that we carry with baggage from the past that we carry with us into the future. And one of the bags us into the future. And one of the bags us into the future. And one of the bags from the past that none of us can avoid from the past that none of us can avoid from the past that none of us can avoid is a bag given to us by our family as we is a bag given to us by our family as we is a bag given to us by our family as we grow up. It's a bag filled with grow up. It's a bag filled with grow up. It's a bag filled with dysfunction. All families are dysfunction. All families are dysfunction. All families are dysfunctional to some degree. dysfunctional to some degree. dysfunctional to some degree. So, growing up we learn some incorrect So, growing up we learn some incorrect So, growing up we learn some incorrect ways of relating that cause problems, ways of relating that cause problems, ways of relating that cause problems, some unhealthy ways of coping that we some unhealthy ways of coping that we some unhealthy ways of coping that we get stuck in. So, we all take with us get stuck in. So, we all take with us get stuck in. So, we all take with us some baggage from our family. some baggage from our family. some baggage from our family. Really, it's a whole set of luggage Really, it's a whole set of luggage Really, it's a whole set of luggage packed overflowing. packed overflowing. packed overflowing. I'll give you just one example, birth I'll give you just one example, birth I'll give you just one example, birth order. order. order. How many of you are firstborns? Raise How many of you are firstborns? Raise How many of you are firstborns? Raise your hand. your hand. your hand. Some of you overachievers already were Some of you overachievers already were Some of you overachievers already were raising your hand before I finished raising your hand before I finished raising your hand before I finished asking the question. asking the question. asking the question. You're definitely firstborns. You're definitely firstborns. You're definitely firstborns. You firstborns think you're the most You firstborns think you're the most You firstborns think you're the most important because you set the standards, important because you set the standards, important because you set the standards, you make the rules, and yes, you are you make the rules, and yes, you are you make the rules, and yes, you are important, but you got some issues. important, but you got some issues. important, but you got some issues. You see, when you were born, your You see, when you were born, your You see, when you were born, your parents were new at this parenting parents were new at this parenting parents were new at this parenting thing, and they had a steep learning thing, and they had a steep learning thing, and they had a steep learning curve. They really didn't know what they curve. They really didn't know what they curve. They really didn't know what they were doing. So, you were the experiment.

were doing. So, you were the experiment. were doing. So, you were the experiment. Yes. Yes. Yes. When the second child came along, they When the second child came along, they When the second child came along, they said, "We're not going to make the same said, "We're not going to make the same said, "We're not going to make the same mistakes that we made with that first mistakes that we made with that first mistakes that we made with that first one." And you firstborns started realizing And you firstborns started realizing early on at about 1 that your parents early on at about 1 that your parents early on at about 1 that your parents were clueless, and you better step up were clueless, and you better step up were clueless, and you better step up and be responsible and help them out or and be responsible and help them out or and be responsible and help them out or the whole family is going to crash and the whole family is going to crash and the whole family is going to crash and burn. burn. burn. So, you got some real issues. So, you got some real issues. So, you got some real issues. You got some baggage. Now, how many of You got some baggage. Now, how many of You got some baggage. Now, how many of you guys are lastborns? Raise your hand. you guys are lastborns? Raise your hand. you guys are lastborns? Raise your hand. Yeah, and you're proud of it, I know. Yeah, and you're proud of it, I know. Yeah, and you're proud of it, I know. Uh-huh. You didn't do anything to earn Uh-huh. You didn't do anything to earn Uh-huh. You didn't do anything to earn it or deserve it, but you're proud of it or deserve it, but you're proud of it or deserve it, but you're proud of it. Yeah. The baby of the family. it. Yeah. The baby of the family. it. Yeah. The baby of the family. And some of you lastborns, you didn't And some of you lastborns, you didn't And some of you lastborns, you didn't raise your hand raise your hand raise your hand because you don't want to, and I can't because you don't want to, and I can't because you don't want to, and I can't make you. I get it. If you're a lastborn, you got some If you're a lastborn, you got some issues. issues. issues. By the time you came along, your parents By the time you came along, your parents By the time you came along, your parents were just tired. were just tired. were just tired. I mean, they've they've been worn down I mean, they've they've been worn down I mean, they've they've been worn down by your siblings. So, you got away with by your siblings. So, you got away with by your siblings. So, you got away with a lot because your parents were just too a lot because your parents were just too a lot because your parents were just too tired to care. I call it the law of tired to care. I call it the law of tired to care. I call it the law of diminishing concern.

diminishing concern. diminishing concern. I mean, with our firstborn, we were I mean, with our firstborn, we were I mean, with our firstborn, we were determined to do everything right. We determined to do everything right. We determined to do everything right. We decided we're going to feed him homemade decided we're going to feed him homemade decided we're going to feed him homemade baby food because that'd be a lot baby food because that'd be a lot baby food because that'd be a lot healthier than that baby food in the healthier than that baby food in the healthier than that baby food in the jars down the store. So, we got a food jars down the store. So, we got a food jars down the store. So, we got a food processor, fresh fruits and vegetables processor, fresh fruits and vegetables processor, fresh fruits and vegetables every day. We're going to be perfect every day. We're going to be perfect every day. We're going to be perfect parents. parents. parents. By the time our second came along, it's By the time our second came along, it's By the time our second came along, it's like, "You know, if you read the label like, "You know, if you read the label like, "You know, if you read the label on those jars, on those jars, on those jars, I I don't know what every one of those I I don't know what every one of those I I don't know what every one of those chemicals are, but I do know there's chemicals are, but I do know there's chemicals are, but I do know there's some fruit and vegetables in them. some fruit and vegetables in them. some fruit and vegetables in them. And I think they're pretty healthy." And I think they're pretty healthy." And I think they're pretty healthy." By our last child, I mean, he'd be By our last child, I mean, he'd be By our last child, I mean, he'd be crawling around eating out of the dog crawling around eating out of the dog crawling around eating out of the dog bowl. It was no big deal to us, you bowl. It was no big deal to us, you bowl. It was no big deal to us, you know. He's getting nutrition. He'll be know. He's getting nutrition. He'll be know. He's getting nutrition. He'll be okay. It's the law of diminishing okay. It's the law of diminishing okay. It's the law of diminishing concern. concern. concern. Now, how many of you are a middle child? Now, how many of you are a middle child? Now, how many of you are a middle child? Raise your hand. Yeah. Raise your hand. Yeah. Raise your hand. Yeah. Some of you going, "Are you asking me a Some of you going, "Are you asking me a Some of you going, "Are you asking me a question? Why?" question? Why?" question? Why?" I mean, I mean, I mean, you're the middle child. If you're a you're the middle child. If you're a you're the middle child. If you're a middle child, you're really messed up. I middle child, you're really messed up. I middle child, you're really messed up. I know because I am one. know because I am one. know because I am one. Cuz your parents would forget your name Cuz your parents would forget your name Cuz your parents would forget your name at times.

at times. at times. They would leave you at the mall. And They would leave you at the mall. And They would leave you at the mall. And they wouldn't realize until a couple they wouldn't realize until a couple they wouldn't realize until a couple days later when someone said, "Hey, wait days later when someone said, "Hey, wait days later when someone said, "Hey, wait a minute. Aren't we missing that one a minute. Aren't we missing that one a minute. Aren't we missing that one kid?" You know, it's like, kid?" You know, it's like, kid?" You know, it's like, Now, I think everyone feels bad about it Now, I think everyone feels bad about it Now, I think everyone feels bad about it now because there is actually This is now because there is actually This is now because there is actually This is true. There's actually a national middle true. There's actually a national middle true. There's actually a national middle child day where middle children are child day where middle children are child day where middle children are celebrated. celebrated. celebrated. But nobody remembers when that day is. But nobody remembers when that day is. But nobody remembers when that day is. Nobody cares. It's true. I I don't know Nobody cares. It's true. I I don't know Nobody cares. It's true. I I don't know it's true, but I don't know when it is. it's true, but I don't know when it is. it's true, but I don't know when it is. So, if you're a middle child like me, So, if you're a middle child like me, So, if you're a middle child like me, you got some baggage. you got some baggage. you got some baggage. And if you're an only child, wow. And if you're an only child, wow. And if you're an only child, wow. I mean, you got the baggage of a I mean, you got the baggage of a I mean, you got the baggage of a first-born, a last-born, and you've first-born, a last-born, and you've first-born, a last-born, and you've never learned to share. never learned to share. never learned to share. You got some baggage. You got some baggage. You got some baggage. Now, birth order is just a small part of Now, birth order is just a small part of Now, birth order is just a small part of what gets packed into our bag of what gets packed into our bag of what gets packed into our bag of dysfunction from the past. But, we also dysfunction from the past. But, we also dysfunction from the past. But, we also carry the baggage of our own past carry the baggage of our own past carry the baggage of our own past failures. Those are the heavy bags that failures. Those are the heavy bags that failures. Those are the heavy bags that weigh us down with shame. weigh us down with shame. weigh us down with shame. They keep us stuck making the same They keep us stuck making the same They keep us stuck making the same mistakes, stuck in the same destructive mistakes, stuck in the same destructive mistakes, stuck in the same destructive habits or addictive behaviors.

habits or addictive behaviors. habits or addictive behaviors. But, then there's the baggage from the But, then there's the baggage from the But, then there's the baggage from the past past past that we didn't choose to pick up, but that we didn't choose to pick up, but that we didn't choose to pick up, but life just dumped on us along the way. life just dumped on us along the way. life just dumped on us along the way. Those constant problems and burdens that Those constant problems and burdens that Those constant problems and burdens that over time just get bigger and heavier over time just get bigger and heavier over time just get bigger and heavier and so overwhelming that it's hard to and so overwhelming that it's hard to and so overwhelming that it's hard to see a bright future. It's hard to see see a bright future. It's hard to see see a bright future. It's hard to see that anything could ever change, that that anything could ever change, that that anything could ever change, that this is the way it'll always be. this is the way it'll always be. this is the way it'll always be. And then there's some deep and And then there's some deep and And then there's some deep and devastating hurts that come crashing devastating hurts that come crashing devastating hurts that come crashing into our lives from out of nowhere, and into our lives from out of nowhere, and into our lives from out of nowhere, and they make no sense. they make no sense. they make no sense. It may be a devastating loss. It may be a devastating loss. It may be a devastating loss. It may be a trauma. It may be a trauma. It may be a trauma. The trauma of abuse or betrayal. Those The trauma of abuse or betrayal. Those The trauma of abuse or betrayal. Those deep and traumatic wounds that deep and traumatic wounds that deep and traumatic wounds that just never seem to heal. just never seem to heal. just never seem to heal. We all carry We all carry We all carry a lot of baggage from our past. a lot of baggage from our past. a lot of baggage from our past. But, we're in a series that I'm calling But, we're in a series that I'm calling But, we're in a series that I'm calling this time next year because God wants us this time next year because God wants us this time next year because God wants us to make some personal and powerful to make some personal and powerful to make some personal and powerful changes in our lives over the next 12 changes in our lives over the next 12 changes in our lives over the next 12 months that take us to a new level of months that take us to a new level of months that take us to a new level of living. I don't want to be the same living. I don't want to be the same living. I don't want to be the same person I am today, stuck in the same person I am today, stuck in the same person I am today, stuck in the same destructive patterns, making the same destructive patterns, making the same destructive patterns, making the same old mistakes at this time next year.

old mistakes at this time next year. old mistakes at this time next year. But, to be different, But, to be different, But, to be different, I have to deal with my past. I have to deal with my past. I have to deal with my past. If the future's going to be different, If the future's going to be different, If the future's going to be different, then I have to deal with my past. We get then I have to deal with my past. We get then I have to deal with my past. We get so weighed down with baggage from our so weighed down with baggage from our so weighed down with baggage from our past pain that we can't move forward past pain that we can't move forward past pain that we can't move forward into the future. And God wants to break into the future. And God wants to break into the future. And God wants to break us free from the things in our past that us free from the things in our past that us free from the things in our past that hold us back. hold us back. hold us back. But, he wants to do even more than that. But, he wants to do even more than that. But, he wants to do even more than that. Today, we're going to see that the Today, we're going to see that the Today, we're going to see that the greatest treasure that can take us into greatest treasure that can take us into greatest treasure that can take us into our future is buried in the greatest our future is buried in the greatest our future is buried in the greatest pain from our past. pain from our past. pain from our past. I'm so excited about this message today. I'm so excited about this message today. I'm so excited about this message today. Some of the things that God's been Some of the things that God's been Some of the things that God's been showing me in his word that showing me in his word that showing me in his word that it really it speaks to me that I need it really it speaks to me that I need it really it speaks to me that I need that I'm seeking to apply and I've got that I'm seeking to apply and I've got that I'm seeking to apply and I've got so much more to learn. so much more to learn. so much more to learn. But God's going to do some setting free But God's going to do some setting free But God's going to do some setting free today. God's going to give some treasure today. God's going to give some treasure today. God's going to give some treasure today. Hey, God's going to give a wealth today. Hey, God's going to give a wealth today. Hey, God's going to give a wealth of wisdom today through his word. of wisdom today through his word. of wisdom today through his word. And God's going to do some miracles And God's going to do some miracles And God's going to do some miracles today. today. today. We're going to look at We're going to look at We're going to look at the people of Israel after they've been the people of Israel after they've been the people of Israel after they've been slaves in Egypt for over 430 years.

slaves in Egypt for over 430 years. slaves in Egypt for over 430 years. And then God comes to Moses And then God comes to Moses And then God comes to Moses out in the desert. out in the desert. out in the desert. God through a burning bush says, "Moses, God through a burning bush says, "Moses, God through a burning bush says, "Moses, I've chosen you to be the liver. You are I've chosen you to be the liver. You are I've chosen you to be the liver. You are going to be the one to lead my people going to be the one to lead my people going to be the one to lead my people out of slavery after 430 years and out of slavery after 430 years and out of slavery after 430 years and you're going to take them to the you're going to take them to the you're going to take them to the promised land and promised land and promised land and and Moses like, "I've already failed and Moses like, "I've already failed and Moses like, "I've already failed God. I can't be used of you. I've been God. I can't be used of you. I've been God. I can't be used of you. I've been in the wilderness for 40 years and and in the wilderness for 40 years and and in the wilderness for 40 years and and and I thought you'd forgotten about me and I thought you'd forgotten about me and I thought you'd forgotten about me and he makes all these excuses and God and he makes all these excuses and God and he makes all these excuses and God says, "It's not about you, Moses. I'm says, "It's not about you, Moses. I'm says, "It's not about you, Moses. I'm going to use you but it's about me and going to use you but it's about me and going to use you but it's about me and my power and I'm going to do signs and my power and I'm going to do signs and my power and I'm going to do signs and wonders. I am going to do miracles wonders. I am going to do miracles wonders. I am going to do miracles that's going to show Pharaoh that he that's going to show Pharaoh that he that's going to show Pharaoh that he better let you go." better let you go." better let you go." And eventually he's going to let you go. And eventually he's going to let you go. And eventually he's going to let you go. And so he he tell this is all at the And so he he tell this is all at the And so he he tell this is all at the burning bush and this is what's so burning bush and this is what's so burning bush and this is what's so amazing to me. Here Moses not even sure amazing to me. Here Moses not even sure amazing to me. Here Moses not even sure what he's what he's what he's going to do or he's not even sure that going to do or he's not even sure that going to do or he's not even sure that he's going to do it. He's trying to he's going to do it. He's trying to he's going to do it. He's trying to decide, "Am I going to do this? This is decide, "Am I going to do this? This is decide, "Am I going to do this? This is crazy." And crazy." And crazy." And but God already gives him all the but God already gives him all the but God already gives him all the instructions instructions instructions that he'll need and he says this. that he'll need and he says this. that he'll need and he says this. Would you stand in honor of God's word Would you stand in honor of God's word Would you stand in honor of God's word in Exodus chapter 3 in Exodus chapter 3 in Exodus chapter 3 beginning with verse 20.

beginning with verse 20. beginning with verse 20. So I will stretch out my hand and strike So I will stretch out my hand and strike So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will Egypt with all the wonders that I will Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it. After that, he will let you do in it. After that, he will let you do in it. After that, he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in go. And I will give this people favor in go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians and when you the sight of the Egyptians and when you the sight of the Egyptians and when you go, you shall not go empty. go, you shall not go empty. go, you shall not go empty. But each woman shall ask of her But each woman shall ask of her But each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house for silver and gold jewelry and house for silver and gold jewelry and house for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. You shall put them on your for clothing. You shall put them on your for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall sons and on your daughters. So you shall sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians. God says, "Now plunder the Egyptians. God says, "Now plunder the Egyptians. God says, "Now Moses, Moses, Moses, forget about all your excuses here. forget about all your excuses here. forget about all your excuses here. You're going to do this and I'm going to You're going to do this and I'm going to You're going to do this and I'm going to do miracles. do miracles. do miracles. And so but I want you to know after I've And so but I want you to know after I've And so but I want you to know after I've done all these 10 miracles and Pharaoh done all these 10 miracles and Pharaoh done all these 10 miracles and Pharaoh let you go, let you go, let you go, don't go empty-handed. You're going to don't go empty-handed. You're going to don't go empty-handed. You're going to plunder the Egyptians. You're going to plunder the Egyptians. You're going to plunder the Egyptians. You're going to ask them, "Hey, ask them, "Hey, ask them, "Hey, you know, could you give me everything you know, could you give me everything you know, could you give me everything you got?" you got?" you got?" And they're going to do it. And they're going to do it. And they're going to do it. And they're going to leave with their And they're going to leave with their And they're going to leave with their wealth. wealth. wealth. And then you move ahead And then you move ahead And then you move ahead to the end of the story to the end of the story to the end of the story when um God does the 10 miracles and the when um God does the 10 miracles and the when um God does the 10 miracles and the plagues and then Pharaoh lets them go plagues and then Pharaoh lets them go plagues and then Pharaoh lets them go and and and they do they do they do what God told Moses to tell them to do.

what God told Moses to tell them to do. what God told Moses to tell them to do. And here's what it says And here's what it says And here's what it says in Exodus 12:33. in Exodus 12:33. in Exodus 12:33. The Egyptians urged the people to hurry The Egyptians urged the people to hurry The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country for otherwise they and leave the country for otherwise they and leave the country for otherwise they said, "We will all die." The Israelites said, "We will all die." The Israelites said, "We will all die." The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the did as Moses instructed and asked the did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and Egyptians for articles of silver and Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made gold and for clothing. The Lord had made gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people. the people. the people. I love the way the Bible puts that I love the way the Bible puts that I love the way the Bible puts that there. there. there. They're The Egyptians were favorably They're The Egyptians were favorably They're The Egyptians were favorably disposed to give them whatever they disposed to give them whatever they disposed to give them whatever they wanted as long as they just get out of wanted as long as they just get out of wanted as long as they just get out of there because they're afraid they're all there because they're afraid they're all there because they're afraid they're all going to die. going to die. going to die. And so God's hand And so God's hand And so God's hand was upon them and then it says, "And was upon them and then it says, "And was upon them and then it says, "And they gave them what they asked for. So they gave them what they asked for. So they gave them what they asked for. So they plundered the Egyptians." Now you they plundered the Egyptians." Now you they plundered the Egyptians." Now you see God said, "You're going to plunder see God said, "You're going to plunder see God said, "You're going to plunder the Egyptians." And then what happens? the Egyptians." And then what happens? the Egyptians." And then what happens? They plundered the Egyptians. You can be They plundered the Egyptians. You can be They plundered the Egyptians. You can be seated. seated. seated. After the Israelites have been stuck in After the Israelites have been stuck in After the Israelites have been stuck in slavery for over 400 years, after slavery for over 400 years, after slavery for over 400 years, after they've been stuck for 400 years in a they've been stuck for 400 years in a they've been stuck for 400 years in a painful past, God comes to Moses in the painful past, God comes to Moses in the painful past, God comes to Moses in the burning bush and says, "I'm going to use burning bush and says, "I'm going to use burning bush and says, "I'm going to use you to be the deliverer because I'm you to be the deliverer because I'm you to be the deliverer because I'm getting ready to break my people free getting ready to break my people free getting ready to break my people free from this painful past and lead them to from this painful past and lead them to from this painful past and lead them to a bright future in the promised land."

a bright future in the promised land." a bright future in the promised land." And he tells Moses, "I'm going to use And he tells Moses, "I'm going to use And he tells Moses, "I'm going to use you. I'm going to perform miracles and you. I'm going to perform miracles and you. I'm going to perform miracles and wonders to make Pharaoh have to let you wonders to make Pharaoh have to let you wonders to make Pharaoh have to let you go, and you're going to finally, after go, and you're going to finally, after go, and you're going to finally, after all these years, leave your painful past all these years, leave your painful past all these years, leave your painful past behind." behind." behind." Then he says something Then he says something Then he says something that I miss so many times when I read that I miss so many times when I read that I miss so many times when I read this passage. God says, "I'm breaking this passage. God says, "I'm breaking this passage. God says, "I'm breaking you free from your painful past. You're you free from your painful past. You're you free from your painful past. You're leaving the past behind for good. leaving the past behind for good. leaving the past behind for good. But, But, But, don't leave the past without plundering don't leave the past without plundering don't leave the past without plundering it. Don't leave the past without it. Don't leave the past without it. Don't leave the past without plundering it. Don't leave the past plundering it. Don't leave the past plundering it. Don't leave the past behind until you take all the treasure behind until you take all the treasure behind until you take all the treasure from it." from it." from it." That's the title of my message this That's the title of my message this That's the title of my message this weekend, Plunder the Past. weekend, Plunder the Past. weekend, Plunder the Past. Plunder the past because God doesn't Plunder the past because God doesn't Plunder the past because God doesn't just want us to break free from the past just want us to break free from the past just want us to break free from the past pain. He wants us to plunder the past pain. He wants us to plunder the past pain. He wants us to plunder the past for all the treasures that are there. for all the treasures that are there. for all the treasures that are there. God told the Israelites, "Before you God told the Israelites, "Before you God told the Israelites, "Before you leave Egypt and the painful past behind leave Egypt and the painful past behind leave Egypt and the painful past behind you, look right into the face of those you, look right into the face of those you, look right into the face of those who caused the pain, and you ask for who caused the pain, and you ask for who caused the pain, and you ask for their wealth, and they're going to say, their wealth, and they're going to say, their wealth, and they're going to say, 'Sure.'" 'Sure.'" 'Sure.'" God was saying, "Don't leave the pain of God was saying, "Don't leave the pain of God was saying, "Don't leave the pain of the past until you look right at the the past until you look right at the the past until you look right at the cause of the pain, and and ask it to cause of the pain, and and ask it to cause of the pain, and and ask it to give you its treasure."

give you its treasure." give you its treasure." Because there's treasure underneath the Because there's treasure underneath the Because there's treasure underneath the tears. tears. tears. That's where God provides, That's where God provides, That's where God provides, right underneath the pain. right underneath the pain. right underneath the pain. And the greater And the greater And the greater the hurt, the hurt, the hurt, the greater the healing. the greater the healing. the greater the healing. The riches are there. And God says, "I I The riches are there. And God says, "I I The riches are there. And God says, "I I want you to plunder the past because the want you to plunder the past because the want you to plunder the past because the very thing you need to take with you very thing you need to take with you very thing you need to take with you into the future is the treasure from the into the future is the treasure from the into the future is the treasure from the past. I don't want you to leave past. I don't want you to leave past. I don't want you to leave empty-handed because I never waste a empty-handed because I never waste a empty-handed because I never waste a hurt," God says. "I never waste a hurt," God says. "I never waste a hurt," God says. "I never waste a teardrop. I never waste pain. I never teardrop. I never waste pain. I never teardrop. I never waste pain. I never waste any of your failures, but you can waste any of your failures, but you can waste any of your failures, but you can waste them waste them waste them if you just leave the past and move into if you just leave the past and move into if you just leave the past and move into the future without taking the treasure the future without taking the treasure the future without taking the treasure with you. Mine the gold out of that with you. Mine the gold out of that with you. Mine the gold out of that past, out of your pain." past, out of your pain." past, out of your pain." You You see, we carry around all that You You see, we carry around all that You You see, we carry around all that baggage, all the luggage. A lot of times baggage, all the luggage. A lot of times baggage, all the luggage. A lot of times we don't even realize we're carrying it we don't even realize we're carrying it we don't even realize we're carrying it around from our past. All the around from our past. All the around from our past. All the dysfunction, all the hurt, the pain, the dysfunction, all the hurt, the pain, the dysfunction, all the hurt, the pain, the trauma, all these things from our past, trauma, all these things from our past, trauma, all these things from our past, we're carrying that around all the time.

we're carrying that around all the time. we're carrying that around all the time. We wonder why we're so weighed down. We wonder why we're so weighed down. We wonder why we're so weighed down. Why we don't have any joy. Why we don't have any joy. Why we don't have any joy. We wonder why we can't move into the the We wonder why we can't move into the the We wonder why we can't move into the the present present present in such a way where we have victory. in such a way where we have victory. in such a way where we have victory. Where our relationships are healthy and Where our relationships are healthy and Where our relationships are healthy and growing and we have all this baggage growing and we have all this baggage growing and we have all this baggage we're carrying around. we're carrying around. we're carrying around. And and then when we know it and we feel And and then when we know it and we feel And and then when we know it and we feel weighed down by it, what we want to do weighed down by it, what we want to do weighed down by it, what we want to do is just go, "Okay, God, I'll get rid of is just go, "Okay, God, I'll get rid of is just go, "Okay, God, I'll get rid of that. I'm leaving that behind. that. I'm leaving that behind. that. I'm leaving that behind. I'm leaving that behind." It's like we I'm leaving that behind." It's like we I'm leaving that behind." It's like we got all this luggage that we're carrying got all this luggage that we're carrying got all this luggage that we're carrying with us. And it's so heavy. And it's so heavy. And we think, you know, it's just And we think, you know, it's just And we think, you know, it's just garbage in there. It's just so heavy, garbage in there. It's just so heavy, garbage in there. It's just so heavy, but that garbage is really heavy. but that garbage is really heavy. but that garbage is really heavy. And so I just want to get rid of it and And so I just want to get rid of it and And so I just want to get rid of it and leave it behind. leave it behind. leave it behind. But God says, "Wait a minute. But God says, "Wait a minute. But God says, "Wait a minute. You know, yeah, there's some garbage in You know, yeah, there's some garbage in You know, yeah, there's some garbage in there. there. there. But there's also gold in there. And you But there's also gold in there. And you But there's also gold in there. And you dig you open that up. You dig in there. dig you open that up. You dig in there. dig you open that up. You dig in there. You throw away the garbage. You take the You throw away the garbage. You take the You throw away the garbage. You take the gold cuz that's your gold. That is your gold cuz that's your gold. That is your gold cuz that's your gold. That is your gold. That gold is for you. That that is gold. That gold is for you. That that is gold. That gold is for you. That that is your wealth that I have right there in your wealth that I have right there in your wealth that I have right there in the pain.

the pain. the pain. And I want you to dig in there. I want And I want you to dig in there. I want And I want you to dig in there. I want you to get it. I want you to take it you to get it. I want you to take it you to get it. I want you to take it with you because with you because with you because you don't need the garbage. you don't need the garbage. you don't need the garbage. But you're going to need that gold when But you're going to need that gold when But you're going to need that gold when you move into your future. you move into your future. you move into your future. That's what I have for you. That's what I have for you. That's what I have for you. You going to walk out of that wilderness You going to walk out of that wilderness You going to walk out of that wilderness and you're going to walk out with and you're going to walk out with and you're going to walk out with wealth, the wealth and the wisdom and wealth, the wealth and the wisdom and wealth, the wealth and the wisdom and the gold that I have for you. the gold that I have for you. the gold that I have for you. And it's going to change everything And it's going to change everything And it's going to change everything about your future. about your future. about your future. So how do I So how do I So how do I plunder the past? plunder the past? plunder the past? How how do I take that treasure out of How how do I take that treasure out of How how do I take that treasure out of the tears? the tears? the tears? How how do I get that gold How how do I get that gold How how do I get that gold from all the pain and the problems? from all the pain and the problems? from all the pain and the problems? Well, the first thing is let God rewrite Well, the first thing is let God rewrite Well, the first thing is let God rewrite your story. your story. your story. I love 2 Samuel I love 2 Samuel I love 2 Samuel 22 22 22 verse 25 from the message paraphrase. verse 25 from the message paraphrase. verse 25 from the message paraphrase. God rewrote the text of my life when I God rewrote the text of my life when I God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes. opened the book of my heart to his eyes. opened the book of my heart to his eyes. I love that. When I open the book of my I love that. When I open the book of my I love that. When I open the book of my heart to God, he writes the story of my heart to God, he writes the story of my heart to God, he writes the story of my life. life. life. And he can rewrite And he can rewrite And he can rewrite your past into purpose if I'll give him your past into purpose if I'll give him your past into purpose if I'll give him the pen.

the pen. the pen. You see, for 430 years You see, for 430 years You see, for 430 years is the worst time is the worst time is the worst time in the Israelites' history. Those 430 in the Israelites' history. Those 430 in the Israelites' history. Those 430 years of slavery, those 430 years of years of slavery, those 430 years of years of slavery, those 430 years of defeat. defeat. defeat. Those 430 years in captivity, those 430 Those 430 years in captivity, those 430 Those 430 years in captivity, those 430 years of years of years of just devastation and death. just devastation and death. just devastation and death. I mean, that was the story. I mean, that was the story. I mean, that was the story. And God says, "No, that's not going to And God says, "No, that's not going to And God says, "No, that's not going to be the story. be the story. be the story. In fact, In fact, In fact, you're going to plunder the past because you're going to plunder the past because you're going to plunder the past because I'm going to rewrite the story when you I'm going to rewrite the story when you I'm going to rewrite the story when you give me the pen." give me the pen." give me the pen." And this is a story that you're going to And this is a story that you're going to And this is a story that you're going to tell over and over again. Can you tell over and over again. Can you tell over and over again. Can you imagine? imagine? imagine? You know, just a few years before, there You know, just a few years before, there You know, just a few years before, there they are in slavery and going, "Hey, you they are in slavery and going, "Hey, you they are in slavery and going, "Hey, you know what? We're going to tell this know what? We're going to tell this know what? We're going to tell this story to our kids and our grandkids and story to our kids and our grandkids and story to our kids and our grandkids and great-grandkids this story." And it's great-grandkids this story." And it's great-grandkids this story." And it's like, "Why? I mean, they're going to be like, "Why? I mean, they're going to be like, "Why? I mean, they're going to be slaves, too. slaves, too. slaves, too. So, what would what what's I mean, yeah. So, what would what what's I mean, yeah. So, what would what what's I mean, yeah. Why would we even need to tell them this Why would we even need to tell them this Why would we even need to tell them this terrible story? It's an awful story. terrible story? It's an awful story. terrible story? It's an awful story. It's a terrible story. And they'll know It's a terrible story. And they'll know It's a terrible story. And they'll know it because they'll experience it." No. it because they'll experience it." No. it because they'll experience it." No. God says, "I am going to God says, "I am going to God says, "I am going to take the pen.

take the pen. take the pen. And with one word, I'm going to change And with one word, I'm going to change And with one word, I'm going to change the whole story. the whole story. the whole story. I'm going to change the story and I want I'm going to change the story and I want I'm going to change the story and I want you to tell this story. The new story, you to tell this story. The new story, you to tell this story. The new story, the real story, the reality story. I the real story, the reality story. I the real story, the reality story. I want you to tell this story." want you to tell this story." want you to tell this story." And here's what he says in Exodus 13:14, And here's what he says in Exodus 13:14, And here's what he says in Exodus 13:14, "In days to come, when your son asks "In days to come, when your son asks "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand, the Lord brought us 'With a mighty hand, the Lord brought us 'With a mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of out of Egypt, out of the land of out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.'" You see, he said, "You slavery.'" You see, he said, "You slavery.'" You see, he said, "You whenever you take the Passover and eat whenever you take the Passover and eat whenever you take the Passover and eat the Passover, the Passover, the Passover, you know, 100 years from now, you know, 100 years from now, you know, 100 years from now, and your son says, 'What does this and your son says, 'What does this and your son says, 'What does this mean?' mean?' mean?' Well, this means that we have a God Well, this means that we have a God Well, this means that we have a God who who defeat into deliverance." who who defeat into deliverance." who who defeat into deliverance." You see, he God said, "I'm rewriting the You see, he God said, "I'm rewriting the You see, he God said, "I'm rewriting the story. Your story was one of slavery, story. Your story was one of slavery, story. Your story was one of slavery, but I'm changing it to one of salvation. but I'm changing it to one of salvation. but I'm changing it to one of salvation. It was a story of defeat, but now it's a It was a story of defeat, but now it's a It was a story of defeat, but now it's a story of deliverance." God didn't erase story of deliverance." God didn't erase story of deliverance." God didn't erase the pain from the past. That was the pain from the past. That was the pain from the past. That was reality. reality. reality. He just writes a new chapter that He just writes a new chapter that He just writes a new chapter that changes the meaning of the whole story. changes the meaning of the whole story. changes the meaning of the whole story. Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 7 verse Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 7 verse Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 10. 10. 10. This is a powerful verse that I can This is a powerful verse that I can This is a powerful verse that I can really relate to.

really relate to. really relate to. Distress that drives us to God does Distress that drives us to God does Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us that. It turns us around. It gets us that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never back in the way of salvation. We never back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who regret that kind of pain. But those who regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God let distress drive them away from God let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets and end up on a are full of regrets and end up on a are full of regrets and end up on a deathbed of regrets. deathbed of regrets. deathbed of regrets. It's saying that pain It's saying that pain It's saying that pain that drives you to God is good. Let the that drives you to God is good. Let the that drives you to God is good. Let the pain that you're in now, pain that you're in now, pain that you're in now, the pain from your past that comes back the pain from your past that comes back the pain from your past that comes back up, let it drive you to God. up, let it drive you to God. up, let it drive you to God. Because that kind of pain is good. Because that kind of pain is good. Because that kind of pain is good. But if you let pain drive you away from But if you let pain drive you away from But if you let pain drive you away from God, that's destructive. God, that's destructive. God, that's destructive. Now, we don't like pain at all. We'd do Now, we don't like pain at all. We'd do Now, we don't like pain at all. We'd do just about anything to avoid pain. We'll just about anything to avoid pain. We'll just about anything to avoid pain. We'll anesthetize our pain. We'll run from our anesthetize our pain. We'll run from our anesthetize our pain. We'll run from our pain. We'll ignore it. We'll deny it. pain. We'll ignore it. We'll deny it. pain. We'll ignore it. We'll deny it. We don't like pain. We don't like pain. We don't like pain. It doesn't feel good. But the pain that It doesn't feel good. But the pain that It doesn't feel good. But the pain that drives you to God is good. drives you to God is good. drives you to God is good. So, you can't erase your failures, but So, you can't erase your failures, but So, you can't erase your failures, but you can let the failures drive you into you can let the failures drive you into you can let the failures drive you into the arms of the Father. And I have to the arms of the Father. And I have to the arms of the Father. And I have to say that so many times it's my failures say that so many times it's my failures say that so many times it's my failures when I realize I can't do this on my when I realize I can't do this on my when I realize I can't do this on my own.

own. own. I've tried and I've tried and I've I've tried and I've tried and I've I've tried and I've tried and I've tried, and I finally totally surrender tried, and I finally totally surrender tried, and I finally totally surrender to God. It's those failures that drive to God. It's those failures that drive to God. It's those failures that drive me to the arms of the Father. And I give me to the arms of the Father. And I give me to the arms of the Father. And I give him the pen, and he writes the story. him the pen, and he writes the story. him the pen, and he writes the story. You can't erase the bad parts of your You can't erase the bad parts of your You can't erase the bad parts of your story. story. story. Not talking about denying reality. Not talking about denying reality. Not talking about denying reality. You can't erase the bad parts of your You can't erase the bad parts of your You can't erase the bad parts of your story, but you can give the pen to God story, but you can give the pen to God story, but you can give the pen to God and let him write something good from and let him write something good from and let him write something good from it. You can't erase the pain and the it. You can't erase the pain and the it. You can't erase the pain and the trauma out of your story as much as we trauma out of your story as much as we trauma out of your story as much as we try, but you can give the pen to God and try, but you can give the pen to God and try, but you can give the pen to God and he can write a story of purpose from the he can write a story of purpose from the he can write a story of purpose from the pain. We're always trying to erase our pain. We're always trying to erase our pain. We're always trying to erase our failures, but God says, "I'm going to failures, but God says, "I'm going to failures, but God says, "I'm going to take those very failures and turn them take those very failures and turn them take those very failures and turn them into a faith story. I'm going to take into a faith story. I'm going to take into a faith story. I'm going to take your biggest mess your biggest mess your biggest mess and rewrite it so that it's a miracle." and rewrite it so that it's a miracle." and rewrite it so that it's a miracle." God doesn't go back and erase the pain, God doesn't go back and erase the pain, God doesn't go back and erase the pain, but he writes something new and powerful but he writes something new and powerful but he writes something new and powerful that changes the meaning of every word, that changes the meaning of every word, that changes the meaning of every word, of every sentence, of every paragraph of every sentence, of every paragraph of every sentence, of every paragraph of your whole life story. of your whole life story. of your whole life story. The one word, Jesus, changes the meaning The one word, Jesus, changes the meaning The one word, Jesus, changes the meaning to everything.

to everything. to everything. So, it changes it from one of defeat to So, it changes it from one of defeat to So, it changes it from one of defeat to one of one of one of Hey, we were so defeated, but look how Hey, we were so defeated, but look how Hey, we were so defeated, but look how God delivered. God delivered. God delivered. Look how God delivered and it points to Look how God delivered and it points to Look how God delivered and it points to God. It points to God. God. It points to God. God. It points to God. It's those scars that you have that It's those scars that you have that It's those scars that you have that point back to the healer. point back to the healer. point back to the healer. He's the one who healed them. He's the one who healed them. He's the one who healed them. When you give God the pen, he'll begin When you give God the pen, he'll begin When you give God the pen, he'll begin to write something from the pain that to write something from the pain that to write something from the pain that changes it to purpose. It will change changes it to purpose. It will change changes it to purpose. It will change your story from a story of tragedy to a your story from a story of tragedy to a your story from a story of tragedy to a story of triumph. It will change your story of triumph. It will change your story of triumph. It will change your story from a story of hurt to a story of story from a story of hurt to a story of story from a story of hurt to a story of healing. It will change your story from healing. It will change your story from healing. It will change your story from a story of death to a story of life in a story of death to a story of life in a story of death to a story of life in Jesus Christ. He'll change the meaning Jesus Christ. He'll change the meaning Jesus Christ. He'll change the meaning of your whole life story if you let him of your whole life story if you let him of your whole life story if you let him have the pen. have the pen. have the pen. But many times I want to write the But many times I want to write the But many times I want to write the story. story. story. I want it to go the way I want it to go. I want it to go the way I want it to go. I want it to go the way I want it to go. And I want to erase all the pain out of And I want to erase all the pain out of And I want to erase all the pain out of it. it. it. I want to erase all my mistakes and I want to erase all my mistakes and I want to erase all my mistakes and failures and sins out of it. failures and sins out of it. failures and sins out of it. I I want to get that all out of the I I want to get that all out of the I I want to get that all out of the picture. I don't want you to know about picture. I don't want you to know about picture. I don't want you to know about those, you know. those, you know. those, you know. I I want to just keep the successes in I I want to just keep the successes in I I want to just keep the successes in there. there. there. Not the defeats.

Not the defeats. Not the defeats. And God says, And God says, And God says, "I don't erase that stuff, but I write one word and it changes but I write one word and it changes everything." everything." everything." And God can take the ugliest chapter of And God can take the ugliest chapter of And God can take the ugliest chapter of your life and somehow bring something your life and somehow bring something your life and somehow bring something beautiful out of it. beautiful out of it. beautiful out of it. If I give it to God. If I give it to God. If I give it to God. So, let God rewrite your story. And then So, let God rewrite your story. And then So, let God rewrite your story. And then secondly, if you want to plunder the secondly, if you want to plunder the secondly, if you want to plunder the past, let God release you from your past, let God release you from your past, let God release you from your past. past. past. Sometimes we're just still stuck to the Sometimes we're just still stuck to the Sometimes we're just still stuck to the past. past. past. And there's this chain from the past And there's this chain from the past And there's this chain from the past that's still holding us today. And and that's still holding us today. And and that's still holding us today. And and we haven't broken free like God wants us we haven't broken free like God wants us we haven't broken free like God wants us to. That pretty much happened to. That pretty much happened to. That pretty much happened to the Israelites. to the Israelites. to the Israelites. I I want you to look at I I want you to look at I I want you to look at the passage is in Exodus chapter 14, the passage is in Exodus chapter 14, the passage is in Exodus chapter 14, verse 12. verse 12. verse 12. After they left Egypt and they went out After they left Egypt and they went out After they left Egypt and they went out in the wilderness in the wilderness in the wilderness and Moses led them to the Red Sea and and Moses led them to the Red Sea and and Moses led them to the Red Sea and there they were at the Red Sea and you there they were at the Red Sea and you there they were at the Red Sea and you know the story, the Egyptian army is know the story, the Egyptian army is know the story, the Egyptian army is coming after them, Pharaoh changes his coming after them, Pharaoh changes his coming after them, Pharaoh changes his mind, he's heading after them, they look mind, he's heading after them, they look mind, he's heading after them, they look back and they see Egyptians coming after back and they see Egyptians coming after back and they see Egyptians coming after them and the army coming to kill them, them and the army coming to kill them, them and the army coming to kill them, the Red Sea is in front of them, they're the Red Sea is in front of them, they're the Red Sea is in front of them, they're trapped. Completely trapped. So, what do trapped. Completely trapped. So, what do trapped. Completely trapped. So, what do they do? Because they've seen those 10 they do? Because they've seen those 10 they do? Because they've seen those 10 great miracles of God and God has set great miracles of God and God has set great miracles of God and God has set them free and Moses is following God and them free and Moses is following God and them free and Moses is following God and they see how God used in Moses, what do they see how God used in Moses, what do they see how God used in Moses, what do they do? They they just praise God and they do? They they just praise God and they do? They they just praise God and they go, "Oh, this is no big deal." No.

they go, "Oh, this is no big deal." No. they go, "Oh, this is no big deal." No. They're about to kill Moses, basically. They're about to kill Moses, basically. They're about to kill Moses, basically. And they say in Exodus 14:12, "Didn't we And they say in Exodus 14:12, "Didn't we And they say in Exodus 14:12, "Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone. say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone. say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians. It would Let us serve the Egyptians. It would Let us serve the Egyptians. It would have been better for us to serve the have been better for us to serve the have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this desert.'" Egyptians than to die in this desert.'" Egyptians than to die in this desert.'" They're saying, They're saying, They're saying, "We had it made back there "We had it made back there "We had it made back there in Egypt and now you brought us out here in Egypt and now you brought us out here in Egypt and now you brought us out here and they're going to kill us." and they're going to kill us." and they're going to kill us." "We had it made." And you see, their "We had it made." And you see, their "We had it made." And you see, their bodies were free, bodies were free, bodies were free, but their minds still had that slavery but their minds still had that slavery but their minds still had that slavery mentality. They're they're still, you mentality. They're they're still, you mentality. They're they're still, you know, stuck there in the past. And they know, stuck there in the past. And they know, stuck there in the past. And they needed for their mindset to break free. needed for their mindset to break free. needed for their mindset to break free. And here's the interesting thing, so And here's the interesting thing, so And here's the interesting thing, so many times many times many times I'm looking at the past, "Now, this is I'm looking at the past, "Now, this is I'm looking at the past, "Now, this is the way it's always been, so it always the way it's always been, so it always the way it's always been, so it always will be. Nothing's ever going to change. will be. Nothing's ever going to change. will be. Nothing's ever going to change. I can't break free from this. I'm stuck I can't break free from this. I'm stuck I can't break free from this. I'm stuck in this." in this." in this." And a problem comes my way, "Oh, there And a problem comes my way, "Oh, there And a problem comes my way, "Oh, there it goes again." it goes again." it goes again." And I'm stuck in the past, I start And I'm stuck in the past, I start And I'm stuck in the past, I start griping and grumbling. griping and grumbling. griping and grumbling. And here's the amazing thing. And here's the amazing thing. And here's the amazing thing. They were standing at the Red Sea. They were standing at the Red Sea. They were standing at the Red Sea. The Egyptian army was coming in.

The Egyptian army was coming in. The Egyptian army was coming in. To them, in their mindset, it looked To them, in their mindset, it looked To them, in their mindset, it looked like it's over. like it's over. like it's over. And they're thinking back on their time And they're thinking back on their time And they're thinking back on their time in Egypt. It was great back there. I in Egypt. It was great back there. I in Egypt. It was great back there. I mean, you know, we we had some decent mean, you know, we we had some decent mean, you know, we we had some decent meals. You know, I mean meals. You know, I mean meals. You know, I mean um they didn't kill all of us. That was um they didn't kill all of us. That was um they didn't kill all of us. That was nice. nice. nice. Um Um Um You know, yeah, you know, we worked all You know, yeah, you know, we worked all You know, yeah, you know, we worked all day and day and day and they didn't care about us at all and we they didn't care about us at all and we they didn't care about us at all and we didn't get paid a dime and we were didn't get paid a dime and we were didn't get paid a dime and we were slaves, but yet it wasn't that bad. slaves, but yet it wasn't that bad. slaves, but yet it wasn't that bad. I mean, what are they thinking here? I mean, what are they thinking here? I mean, what are they thinking here? And right in front of them is the Red And right in front of them is the Red And right in front of them is the Red Sea. And so, here's what Moses does. The Sea. And so, here's what Moses does. The Sea. And so, here's what Moses does. The very next thing he does after they very next thing he does after they very next thing he does after they complain and they gripe complain and they gripe complain and they gripe in Exodus 14:13, Moses answered the in Exodus 14:13, Moses answered the in Exodus 14:13, Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the and you will see the deliverance the and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see you see today, you will never see you see today, you will never see again." again." again." Moses says, "You stop looking back and Moses says, "You stop looking back and Moses says, "You stop looking back and you look forward because guess what? you look forward because guess what? you look forward because guess what? You're getting ready to experience one You're getting ready to experience one You're getting ready to experience one of God's greatest miracles. The parting of God's greatest miracles. The parting of God's greatest miracles. The parting of the Red Sea that they would tell of the Red Sea that they would tell of the Red Sea that they would tell their kids and their grandkids and their their kids and their grandkids and their their kids and their grandkids and their great-grandkids about." And here they great-grandkids about." And here they great-grandkids about." And here they are looking back, stuck in the past are looking back, stuck in the past are looking back, stuck in the past still, when just moments into their still, when just moments into their still, when just moments into their future future future God's about to part the Red Sea and for God's about to part the Red Sea and for God's about to part the Red Sea and for them to walk through.

them to walk through. them to walk through. And are you looking back? And are you looking back? And are you looking back? Griping and complaining about what's Griping and complaining about what's Griping and complaining about what's going on in your life right now, that going on in your life right now, that going on in your life right now, that things aren't changing. things aren't changing. things aren't changing. Same thing in that relationship where Same thing in that relationship where Same thing in that relationship where it's just going round and round and it's just going round and round and it's just going round and round and nothing's ever improving. nothing's ever improving. nothing's ever improving. Same problem, same financial stresses, Same problem, same financial stresses, Same problem, same financial stresses, the same things that are happening over the same things that are happening over the same things that are happening over and over, and you're you're looking back and over, and you're you're looking back and over, and you're you're looking back and you feel like it'll never change and you feel like it'll never change and you feel like it'll never change when just in front of you when just in front of you when just in front of you moments ahead is the greatest miracle moments ahead is the greatest miracle moments ahead is the greatest miracle that God that God that God will ever do in your life. It's just will ever do in your life. It's just will ever do in your life. It's just getting ready to come. getting ready to come. getting ready to come. And you're missing it. You're missing And you're missing it. You're missing And you're missing it. You're missing it. And then Moses says, "Hey, stand it. And then Moses says, "Hey, stand it. And then Moses says, "Hey, stand firm because firm because firm because these these these guys that have been your problem for the guys that have been your problem for the guys that have been your problem for the last four and three years, you're never last four and three years, you're never last four and three years, you're never going to see them again. You're going to going to see them again. You're going to going to see them again. You're going to be done with them. Here they are, still be done with them. Here they are, still be done with them. Here they are, still stuck back there in the past going, "Ah, stuck back there in the past going, "Ah, stuck back there in the past going, "Ah, you know, we should have never done what you know, we should have never done what you know, we should have never done what we did. This you know, we're never going we did. This you know, we're never going we did. This you know, we're never going to break free. It's always the way it's to break free. It's always the way it's to break free. It's always the way it's going to be." And God says, "This going to be." And God says, "This going to be." And God says, "This problem, you're never going to have this problem, you're never going to have this problem, you're never going to have this one again. You're going to have 100 one again. You're going to have 100 one again. You're going to have 100 other problems, yes. If you have a other problems, yes. If you have a other problems, yes. If you have a pulse, you have problems. pulse, you have problems. pulse, you have problems. But you're not going to have this one.

But you're not going to have this one. But you're not going to have this one. They're going to be drowned there They're going to be drowned there They're going to be drowned there in in the sea and and you're going to be in in the sea and and you're going to be in in the sea and and you're going to be free from them forever. Now, do you have free from them forever. Now, do you have free from them forever. Now, do you have a problem in your life right now that's a problem in your life right now that's a problem in your life right now that's manageable, seems like it never goes manageable, seems like it never goes manageable, seems like it never goes away, that mountain that can never move, away, that mountain that can never move, away, that mountain that can never move, that issue in your life, a relationship, that issue in your life, a relationship, that issue in your life, a relationship, that issue in your character, that issue that issue in your character, that issue that issue in your character, that issue in your finances. I don't know what it in your finances. I don't know what it in your finances. I don't know what it is, but but that thing is always there, is, but but that thing is always there, is, but but that thing is always there, always there. always there. always there. Could it be that God's saying, Could it be that God's saying, Could it be that God's saying, "That one's done. I'm taking care of "That one's done. I'm taking care of "That one's done. I'm taking care of that one. It's right there in your that one. It's right there in your that one. It's right there in your future. Just tell them I'm taking care future. Just tell them I'm taking care future. Just tell them I'm taking care of that one." of that one." of that one." Now, you'll have a lot more in the Now, you'll have a lot more in the Now, you'll have a lot more in the wilderness, that's for sure, till you wilderness, that's for sure, till you wilderness, that's for sure, till you get to the promised land of heaven. get to the promised land of heaven. get to the promised land of heaven. But this one's over with. And you're But this one's over with. And you're But this one's over with. And you're missing it. missing it. missing it. Is it God's greatest miracle just ahead, Is it God's greatest miracle just ahead, Is it God's greatest miracle just ahead, but you're looking back in the past? And but you're looking back in the past? And but you're looking back in the past? And God says, God says, God says, "It's time. "It's time. "It's time. It's time to take a step into the It's time to take a step into the It's time to take a step into the future. future. future. It's time, but you got to change the It's time, but you got to change the It's time, but you got to change the mindset." And that's why Romans 12:2 mindset." And that's why Romans 12:2 mindset." And that's why Romans 12:2 tells us, tells us, tells us, "Be not conformed to this world, be "Be not conformed to this world, be "Be not conformed to this world, be transformed by the renewing of your transformed by the renewing of your transformed by the renewing of your mind." Our mind We come to Christ, we mind." Our mind We come to Christ, we mind." Our mind We come to Christ, we get saved, we're new new creation, the get saved, we're new new creation, the get saved, we're new new creation, the Bible says, but yet our minds still have Bible says, but yet our minds still have Bible says, but yet our minds still have some of those same ruts and those old some of those same ruts and those old some of those same ruts and those old habit patterns habit patterns habit patterns because of the lies we believed for so because of the lies we believed for so because of the lies we believed for so long. That's why you want to memorize, long. That's why you want to memorize, long. That's why you want to memorize, meditate on God's word because it meditate on God's word because it meditate on God's word because it actually changes your brain.

actually changes your brain. actually changes your brain. The brain science is now caught up with The brain science is now caught up with The brain science is now caught up with the Bible. Your mind can be transformed, the Bible. Your mind can be transformed, the Bible. Your mind can be transformed, renewed when you focus on God's word. renewed when you focus on God's word. renewed when you focus on God's word. You focus on the truth of God's word, You focus on the truth of God's word, You focus on the truth of God's word, not your feelings, not your past not your feelings, not your past not your feelings, not your past experiences, but you focus on the truth experiences, but you focus on the truth experiences, but you focus on the truth of God's word, then those lies start to of God's word, then those lies start to of God's word, then those lies start to evaporate, and new synapses actually evaporate, and new synapses actually evaporate, and new synapses actually grow in your brain, new connections grow in your brain, new connections grow in your brain, new connections happen. Your brain gets rewired. happen. Your brain gets rewired. happen. Your brain gets rewired. And you start thinking And you start thinking And you start thinking differently. differently. differently. Instead of thinking defeat, Instead of thinking defeat, Instead of thinking defeat, the story becomes deliverance. And look the story becomes deliverance. And look the story becomes deliverance. And look what God's about to do. Look what God's what God's about to do. Look what God's what God's about to do. Look what God's about to do. about to do. about to do. They're still stuck looking back and They're still stuck looking back and They're still stuck looking back and they don't even realize one of the they don't even realize one of the they don't even realize one of the greatest miracles of God is right there greatest miracles of God is right there greatest miracles of God is right there ahead of them. ahead of them. ahead of them. Just right there. Just right there. Just right there. And so they're still stuck to the past. And so they're still stuck to the past. And so they're still stuck to the past. But also we get stuck But also we get stuck But also we get stuck because of resentment and bitterness in because of resentment and bitterness in because of resentment and bitterness in the past. The hurts, the wrongs that the past. The hurts, the wrongs that the past. The hurts, the wrongs that people have done to us. But we can people have done to us. But we can people have done to us. But we can really get stuck there. You know the really get stuck there. You know the really get stuck there. You know the story of Joseph, how Joseph was thrown story of Joseph, how Joseph was thrown story of Joseph, how Joseph was thrown into that pit by his brothers who were into that pit by his brothers who were into that pit by his brothers who were jealous. They sold him, you know, to jealous. They sold him, you know, to jealous. They sold him, you know, to slave traders in Egypt and then slave traders in Egypt and then slave traders in Egypt and then he gets put in prison, falsely accused he gets put in prison, falsely accused he gets put in prison, falsely accused in Egypt, and then he's rotting away in in Egypt, and then he's rotting away in in Egypt, and then he's rotting away in prison, but God takes him out, raises prison, but God takes him out, raises prison, but God takes him out, raises him up to be second in command to him up to be second in command to him up to be second in command to Pharaoh, and he saves Pharaoh, and he saves Pharaoh, and he saves his family.

his family. his family. He saves the future He saves the future He saves the future Israelite nation. He saves all of Egypt Israelite nation. He saves all of Egypt Israelite nation. He saves all of Egypt from famine because of his wisdom. And from famine because of his wisdom. And from famine because of his wisdom. And so his brothers actually have to come so his brothers actually have to come so his brothers actually have to come back to him. His brothers that wronged back to him. His brothers that wronged back to him. His brothers that wronged him have to come back to him to get food him have to come back to him to get food him have to come back to him to get food because he's in charge of giving out the because he's in charge of giving out the because he's in charge of giving out the food in all of Egypt. They didn't know food in all of Egypt. They didn't know food in all of Egypt. They didn't know who he was and then finally he reveals who he was and then finally he reveals who he was and then finally he reveals himself and his brothers himself and his brothers himself and his brothers I mean they're shaking in their boots I mean they're shaking in their boots I mean they're shaking in their boots because he's going to take vengeance on because he's going to take vengeance on because he's going to take vengeance on us. He's going to have us all executed. us. He's going to have us all executed. us. He's going to have us all executed. This is Joseph, the one that we sold This is Joseph, the one that we sold This is Joseph, the one that we sold into slavery and into slavery and into slavery and And what does Joseph say to them? And what does Joseph say to them? And what does Joseph say to them? I love Genesis 50:20. Joseph says, "You I love Genesis 50:20. Joseph says, "You I love Genesis 50:20. Joseph says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it intended to harm me, but God intended it intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being for good to accomplish what is now being for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." done, the saving of many lives." done, the saving of many lives." Joseph looks at them and he says, Joseph looks at them and he says, Joseph looks at them and he says, "I'm not going to deny reality. You "I'm not going to deny reality. You "I'm not going to deny reality. You intended to hurt me. intended to hurt me. intended to hurt me. You wanted to harm me. That was your You wanted to harm me. That was your You wanted to harm me. That was your purpose. But God had another purpose. He purpose. But God had another purpose. He purpose. But God had another purpose. He took the pain you inflicted on me and he took the pain you inflicted on me and he took the pain you inflicted on me and he turned it into my purpose because I let turned it into my purpose because I let turned it into my purpose because I let him write the rest of the story. And in him write the rest of the story. And in him write the rest of the story. And in a way I want to thank you guys because a way I want to thank you guys because a way I want to thank you guys because if it wasn't for you throwing me into if it wasn't for you throwing me into if it wasn't for you throwing me into that pit and selling me to slave that pit and selling me to slave that pit and selling me to slave traders, I wouldn't be here today saving traders, I wouldn't be here today saving traders, I wouldn't be here today saving your life and saving our family and our your life and saving our family and our your life and saving our family and our nation.

nation. nation. Yes, you intended to harm me, but God Yes, you intended to harm me, but God Yes, you intended to harm me, but God meant it for good and I've already meant it for good and I've already meant it for good and I've already forgiven you. I forgave you a long time forgiven you. I forgave you a long time forgiven you. I forgave you a long time ago. How powerful is that? ago. How powerful is that? ago. How powerful is that? And there are people out there who want And there are people out there who want And there are people out there who want to harm you. There are people out there to harm you. There are people out there to harm you. There are people out there that want to see your life fall apart. that want to see your life fall apart. that want to see your life fall apart. There are people out there who intend There are people out there who intend There are people out there who intend to hurt you. to hurt you. to hurt you. And there are people out there who have And there are people out there who have And there are people out there who have harmed you. harmed you. harmed you. And some of you have been wounded so And some of you have been wounded so And some of you have been wounded so deeply and it's not fair. Some of you deeply and it's not fair. Some of you deeply and it's not fair. Some of you have gone through such trauma and been have gone through such trauma and been have gone through such trauma and been hurt so deeply by someone and it's not hurt so deeply by someone and it's not hurt so deeply by someone and it's not fair. It doesn't make sense. fair. It doesn't make sense. fair. It doesn't make sense. But I know this, God can take that harm But I know this, God can take that harm But I know this, God can take that harm and God can take that hurt. God can even and God can take that hurt. God can even and God can take that hurt. God can even take that trauma and somehow bring take that trauma and somehow bring take that trauma and somehow bring something purposeful and beautiful out something purposeful and beautiful out something purposeful and beautiful out of it. They intended to harm you, but of it. They intended to harm you, but of it. They intended to harm you, but God has a greater purpose and your story God has a greater purpose and your story God has a greater purpose and your story is not written yet and he's going to is not written yet and he's going to is not written yet and he's going to finish the story and he will have the finish the story and he will have the finish the story and he will have the last word on the last page before the last word on the last page before the last word on the last page before the book is closed. book is closed. book is closed. No one else is going to have the last No one else is going to have the last No one else is going to have the last word. He'll have the last word and he'll word. He'll have the last word and he'll word. He'll have the last word and he'll take care of it one day.

take care of it one day. take care of it one day. And that's why he says we're to forgive. And that's why he says we're to forgive. And that's why he says we're to forgive. Like Joseph, we're to forgive all along Like Joseph, we're to forgive all along Like Joseph, we're to forgive all along the way. the way. the way. Maybe the whole reason why I'm preaching Maybe the whole reason why I'm preaching Maybe the whole reason why I'm preaching this message is someone out there this message is someone out there this message is someone out there needs to forgive someone today. needs to forgive someone today. needs to forgive someone today. Because you see, forgiveness is not Because you see, forgiveness is not Because you see, forgiveness is not denying reality. Joseph know, you you denying reality. Joseph know, you you denying reality. Joseph know, you you intended to hurt me. intended to hurt me. intended to hurt me. It's not saying, "I'm a Christian. Yeah, It's not saying, "I'm a Christian. Yeah, It's not saying, "I'm a Christian. Yeah, okay, no big deal. You're forgiven." No, okay, no big deal. You're forgiven." No, okay, no big deal. You're forgiven." No, it's saying, "What you did hurt me it's saying, "What you did hurt me it's saying, "What you did hurt me deeply." deeply." deeply." It hurt me deeply. It hurt me deeply. It hurt me deeply. You wronged me. Hurt me deeply. But I You wronged me. Hurt me deeply. But I You wronged me. Hurt me deeply. But I choose to forgive you because Christ choose to forgive you because Christ choose to forgive you because Christ commands me to and for my own sake commands me to and for my own sake commands me to and for my own sake because I don't want to be stuck in the because I don't want to be stuck in the because I don't want to be stuck in the past. You see, when you choose not to past. You see, when you choose not to past. You see, when you choose not to forgive and you hold on to that hurt, forgive and you hold on to that hurt, forgive and you hold on to that hurt, you're not you're not you're not You think, "Well, I'm not letting them You think, "Well, I'm not letting them You think, "Well, I'm not letting them off the hook." No, you're just hooked up off the hook." No, you're just hooked up off the hook." No, you're just hooked up to them because basically you're still to them because basically you're still to them because basically you're still hooked up to the past. You're still hooked up to the past. You're still hooked up to the past. You're still letting someone who hurt you in the past letting someone who hurt you in the past letting someone who hurt you in the past hurt you again today and keep hurting hurt you again today and keep hurting hurt you again today and keep hurting you and keep hurting you. And so you you and keep hurting you. And so you you and keep hurting you. And so you forgive because Christ commands us to forgive because Christ commands us to forgive because Christ commands us to and because it's for your own sake for and because it's for your own sake for and because it's for your own sake for healing. healing. healing. And you don't let them off the hook. God And you don't let them off the hook. God And you don't let them off the hook. God will take care of it one day. Vengeance will take care of it one day. Vengeance will take care of it one day. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. He'll take care is mine sayeth the Lord. He'll take care is mine sayeth the Lord. He'll take care of it. Then you leave it to him, but you of it. Then you leave it to him, but you of it. Then you leave it to him, but you release release release by forgiveness.

by forgiveness. by forgiveness. You say, "God, You say, "God, You say, "God, I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. It doesn't make sense. I don't know why It doesn't make sense. I don't know why It doesn't make sense. I don't know why you allowed it, but they hurt me deeply. you allowed it, but they hurt me deeply. you allowed it, but they hurt me deeply. They wronged me. It wasn't fair. They wronged me. It wasn't fair. They wronged me. It wasn't fair. Made no sense, Made no sense, Made no sense, but I choose but I choose but I choose to forgive them. to forgive them. to forgive them. I choose to forgive them. I choose to forgive them. I choose to forgive them. And I give them over to you. I choose to And I give them over to you. I choose to And I give them over to you. I choose to forgive them because you command me to forgive them because you command me to forgive them because you command me to and because I want to be healed. and because I want to be healed. and because I want to be healed. I don't want to keep getting hurt." You I don't want to keep getting hurt." You I don't want to keep getting hurt." You see, we hold on to that hurt and it see, we hold on to that hurt and it see, we hold on to that hurt and it hurts our relationships in the present. hurts our relationships in the present. hurts our relationships in the present. We allow people from our past who hurt We allow people from our past who hurt We allow people from our past who hurt us to keep hurting us and keep hurting us to keep hurting us and keep hurting us to keep hurting us and keep hurting us and it messes up things in the us and it messes up things in the us and it messes up things in the present. It comes out in all kinds of present. It comes out in all kinds of present. It comes out in all kinds of crazy ways and I mean crazy ways and I mean crazy ways and I mean when you hold on to a hurt it turns into when you hold on to a hurt it turns into when you hold on to a hurt it turns into bitterness. It's like a cancer that eats bitterness. It's like a cancer that eats bitterness. It's like a cancer that eats away at you. And maybe today somebody's away at you. And maybe today somebody's away at you. And maybe today somebody's like, "I need to forgive. I'm going to like, "I need to forgive. I'm going to like, "I need to forgive. I'm going to choose to forgive." It's not about how choose to forgive." It's not about how choose to forgive." It's not about how you feel because you never feel like you feel because you never feel like you feel because you never feel like forgiving. forgiving. forgiving. When someone hurts me, When someone hurts me, When someone hurts me, my first prayer is, "God, kill them." my first prayer is, "God, kill them." my first prayer is, "God, kill them." Then you know, it's like He's never Then you know, it's like He's never Then you know, it's like He's never answered it. But anyway, um answered it. But anyway, um answered it. But anyway, um that's my first you know, I'm not that's my first you know, I'm not that's my first you know, I'm not praying in His will. That's for sure. praying in His will. That's for sure. praying in His will. That's for sure. But it's like that's what I feel like.

But it's like that's what I feel like. But it's like that's what I feel like. You know, it's God, I mean show them, You know, it's God, I mean show them, You know, it's God, I mean show them, you know? I mean don't let them get hit you know? I mean don't let them get hit you know? I mean don't let them get hit by a bus. Just let the bus run over by a bus. Just let the bus run over by a bus. Just let the bus run over their foot or something. Maybe, you their foot or something. Maybe, you their foot or something. Maybe, you know, maybe just to wake them up, God. I know, maybe just to wake them up, God. I know, maybe just to wake them up, God. I mean we feel You know, it's like you mean we feel You know, it's like you mean we feel You know, it's like you want to want to want to get even. get even. get even. But it's God, I don't get it. But it's God, I don't get it. But it's God, I don't get it. I don't know why you allowed it, but I I don't know why you allowed it, but I I don't know why you allowed it, but I choose to forgive them because choose to forgive them because choose to forgive them because I need your healing and strength. I need your healing and strength. I need your healing and strength. I choose to forgive them. If you even if I choose to forgive them. If you even if I choose to forgive them. If you even if you don't feel like God says pray for you don't feel like God says pray for you don't feel like God says pray for your enemies. When you do that, all of a your enemies. When you do that, all of a your enemies. When you do that, all of a sudden the burden lifts. And some of you sudden the burden lifts. And some of you sudden the burden lifts. And some of you today are going to experience a healing today are going to experience a healing today are going to experience a healing from God like you've never experienced from God like you've never experienced from God like you've never experienced before. before. before. Now, just understand forgiveness and Now, just understand forgiveness and Now, just understand forgiveness and trust are two different things. Some trust are two different things. Some trust are two different things. Some people say, "Well, I can't forgive them people say, "Well, I can't forgive them people say, "Well, I can't forgive them because they're going to hurt me again." because they're going to hurt me again." because they're going to hurt me again." No, you forgive whenever someone hurts No, you forgive whenever someone hurts No, you forgive whenever someone hurts you, you forgive, the Bible says, you, you forgive, the Bible says, you, you forgive, the Bible says, because you choose to forgive, not because you choose to forgive, not because you choose to forgive, not because you feel like it. because you feel like it. because you feel like it. But trust takes time to build back. So, But trust takes time to build back. So, But trust takes time to build back. So, if someone business partner wrongs you, if someone business partner wrongs you, if someone business partner wrongs you, you forgive them instantly, but you you forgive them instantly, but you you forgive them instantly, but you don't have to get back in business with don't have to get back in business with don't have to get back in business with them. them. them. You know, in in a marriage relationship, You know, in in a marriage relationship, You know, in in a marriage relationship, you got to let trust get built back. You you got to let trust get built back. You you got to let trust get built back. You forgive instantly, but you got to let forgive instantly, but you got to let forgive instantly, but you got to let trust get built back trust get built back trust get built back but before you but before you but before you you know, start trusting again.

you know, start trusting again. you know, start trusting again. You got to watch. And so, it's like You got to watch. And so, it's like You got to watch. And so, it's like trust and forgiveness are two different trust and forgiveness are two different trust and forgiveness are two different things, but we're choose to forgive. things, but we're choose to forgive. things, but we're choose to forgive. Some of you are going to choose to Some of you are going to choose to Some of you are going to choose to forgive today, and you're going to I forgive today, and you're going to I forgive today, and you're going to I don't feel like it, but I'm going to got don't feel like it, but I'm going to got don't feel like it, but I'm going to got I choose to forgive them. I choose to forgive them. I choose to forgive them. And you're going to feel the healing And you're going to feel the healing And you're going to feel the healing begin in your life in a powerful way. begin in your life in a powerful way. begin in your life in a powerful way. And those chains from the past are going And those chains from the past are going And those chains from the past are going to be cut, and you're going to be to be cut, and you're going to be to be cut, and you're going to be walking into a bright future that God walking into a bright future that God walking into a bright future that God has for you. has for you. has for you. Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Forgiveness, giving forgiveness, and then making sure giving forgiveness, and then making sure giving forgiveness, and then making sure that you experience God's forgiveness. that you experience God's forgiveness. that you experience God's forgiveness. Sometimes we want to minimize, Sometimes we want to minimize, Sometimes we want to minimize, you know, our our sins and our failures you know, our our sins and our failures you know, our our sins and our failures and our wrongs and our wrongs and our wrongs and act like it's not that big a deal. and act like it's not that big a deal. and act like it's not that big a deal. And sometimes we get stuck in shame and And sometimes we get stuck in shame and And sometimes we get stuck in shame and think that, you know, it's like, "Well, think that, you know, it's like, "Well, think that, you know, it's like, "Well, God can't forgive me of this." God can't forgive me of this." God can't forgive me of this." But God says, "Walk into the light. Step But God says, "Walk into the light. Step But God says, "Walk into the light. Step into the light and just admit it to me into the light and just admit it to me into the light and just admit it to me and you'll experience forgiveness. And and you'll experience forgiveness. And and you'll experience forgiveness. And then, just admit it to someone that you then, just admit it to someone that you then, just admit it to someone that you love that you trust. Say, 'Hey, I'm love that you trust. Say, 'Hey, I'm love that you trust. Say, 'Hey, I'm struggling with this sin.' And you'll struggling with this sin.' And you'll struggling with this sin.' And you'll get victory." get victory." get victory." Forgiveness comes from God, and then God Forgiveness comes from God, and then God Forgiveness comes from God, and then God says, "Tell someone else you trust so says, "Tell someone else you trust so says, "Tell someone else you trust so you can walk in victory and healing."

you can walk in victory and healing." you can walk in victory and healing." That's what God wants to do to bring you That's what God wants to do to bring you That's what God wants to do to bring you out of those things from the past that out of those things from the past that out of those things from the past that hold you back. hold you back. hold you back. And it all comes down And it all comes down And it all comes down to Jesus. You know, the tenth plague, to Jesus. You know, the tenth plague, to Jesus. You know, the tenth plague, the plague of the death of the firstborn the plague of the death of the firstborn the plague of the death of the firstborn in Egypt, God said I and for the in Egypt, God said I and for the in Egypt, God said I and for the Israelites, I want you to take a lamb. Israelites, I want you to take a lamb. Israelites, I want you to take a lamb. And and and I want you to kill the lamb, And and and I want you to kill the lamb, And and and I want you to kill the lamb, a perfect unblemished lamb, and I want a perfect unblemished lamb, and I want a perfect unblemished lamb, and I want you to spread the blood around the you to spread the blood around the you to spread the blood around the doorpost. doorpost. doorpost. What was that a symbol of? Jesus Christ, What was that a symbol of? Jesus Christ, What was that a symbol of? Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God who was to come. the perfect lamb of God who was to come. the perfect lamb of God who was to come. He's saying in the death angel will pass He's saying in the death angel will pass He's saying in the death angel will pass over you. Every doorpost that has the over you. Every doorpost that has the over you. Every doorpost that has the blood of the lamb on it will be passed blood of the lamb on it will be passed blood of the lamb on it will be passed over because over because over because there'll be no shame, no guilt. there'll be no shame, no guilt. there'll be no shame, no guilt. Totally covered. You'll be covered by Totally covered. You'll be covered by Totally covered. You'll be covered by the blood. And that's what Jesus does. the blood. And that's what Jesus does. the blood. And that's what Jesus does. Look at Exodus 12:13. It says, "The Look at Exodus 12:13. It says, "The Look at Exodus 12:13. It says, "The blood will be a sign for you on the blood will be a sign for you on the blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the houses where you are, and when I see the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you," says the blood, I will pass over you," says the blood, I will pass over you," says the Lord. "No destructive plague will touch Lord. "No destructive plague will touch Lord. "No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." And so it's you when I strike Egypt." And so it's you when I strike Egypt." And so it's the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. You the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. You the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. You know, we can say God, know, we can say God, know, we can say God, yeah, yeah, yeah, I've sinned. I've messed up so much. I'm I've sinned. I've messed up so much. I'm I've sinned. I've messed up so much. I'm broken, but I bring it to you, and I broken, but I bring it to you, and I broken, but I bring it to you, and I thank you your blood cleanses me, and I thank you your blood cleanses me, and I thank you your blood cleanses me, and I am clean.

am clean. am clean. And I don't have to be ashamed anymore. And I don't have to be ashamed anymore. And I don't have to be ashamed anymore. I can walk in the light because you are I can walk in the light because you are I can walk in the light because you are light, and I thank you for your light, and I thank you for your light, and I thank you for your forgiveness that I could never earn, I forgiveness that I could never earn, I forgiveness that I could never earn, I could never deserve. could never deserve. could never deserve. It's not diminishing our sin. It's not diminishing our sin. It's not diminishing our sin. Our sins are bad because they caused the Our sins are bad because they caused the Our sins are bad because they caused the God of the universe to die God of the universe to die God of the universe to die excruciatingly painful, humiliating excruciatingly painful, humiliating excruciatingly painful, humiliating death on a cross. death on a cross. death on a cross. But we're totally forgiven because of But we're totally forgiven because of But we're totally forgiven because of the blood of Christ. We just step into the blood of Christ. We just step into the blood of Christ. We just step into that. Don't run from his grace. Run that. Don't run from his grace. Run that. Don't run from his grace. Run right into his grace. right into his grace. right into his grace. And he takes the weight, the shame. Your And he takes the weight, the shame. Your And he takes the weight, the shame. Your sins are covered by the blood of the sins are covered by the blood of the sins are covered by the blood of the lamb of Jesus Christ. Max Lucado tells lamb of Jesus Christ. Max Lucado tells lamb of Jesus Christ. Max Lucado tells of a guy who was doing Yeah, let's just of a guy who was doing Yeah, let's just of a guy who was doing Yeah, let's just praise God for praise God for praise God for for Jesus, our only hope. Max Lucado tells of a guy who was doing Max Lucado tells of a guy who was doing some shopping at a commissary on a some shopping at a commissary on a some shopping at a commissary on a military base, and and the guy didn't military base, and and the guy didn't military base, and and the guy didn't need much. He just had some coffee, a need much. He just had some coffee, a need much. He just had some coffee, a loaf of bread, and some Blue Bell. And loaf of bread, and some Blue Bell. And loaf of bread, and some Blue Bell. And he's standing in line at the checkout, he's standing in line at the checkout, he's standing in line at the checkout, and behind him is a woman with a full and behind him is a woman with a full and behind him is a woman with a full cart, just overflowing. She probably cart, just overflowing. She probably cart, just overflowing. She probably needed two carts, but she had two little needed two carts, but she had two little needed two carts, but she had two little ones with her.

ones with her. ones with her. And her basket's just overflowing with And her basket's just overflowing with And her basket's just overflowing with groceries and the guy stepped up to the groceries and the guy stepped up to the groceries and the guy stepped up to the register and the girl at the checkout register and the girl at the checkout register and the girl at the checkout invited him to draw a piece of paper out invited him to draw a piece of paper out invited him to draw a piece of paper out of a fishbowl. She said, "If you pull of a fishbowl. She said, "If you pull of a fishbowl. She said, "If you pull out the the correct ticket, then all out the the correct ticket, then all out the the correct ticket, then all your groceries are free." And he said, your groceries are free." And he said, your groceries are free." And he said, "Well, how many uh winning tickets are "Well, how many uh winning tickets are "Well, how many uh winning tickets are in this?" She says, "One out of a in this?" She says, "One out of a in this?" She says, "One out of a thousand." thousand." thousand." And they're all mixed up and And they're all mixed up and And they're all mixed up and Okay, well, and he he drew one out and Okay, well, and he he drew one out and Okay, well, and he he drew one out and sure enough, it was the winning ticket. sure enough, it was the winning ticket. sure enough, it was the winning ticket. What a surprise, you know, he couldn't What a surprise, you know, he couldn't What a surprise, you know, he couldn't believe it. But then he realizes he's believe it. But then he realizes he's believe it. But then he realizes he's only buying coffee and bread and ice only buying coffee and bread and ice only buying coffee and bread and ice cream. What a waste. But this guy's cream. What a waste. But this guy's cream. What a waste. But this guy's quick. He turns to the lady behind him quick. He turns to the lady behind him quick. He turns to the lady behind him and proclaims, and proclaims, and proclaims, "Well, what do you know, babe? We won! "Well, what do you know, babe? We won! "Well, what do you know, babe? We won! We get everything free! Wow, what a We get everything free! Wow, what a We get everything free! Wow, what a lucky day. I'm so glad. Girls, can you lucky day. I'm so glad. Girls, can you lucky day. I'm so glad. Girls, can you believe that?" believe that?" believe that?" And she stares at him. He winks at her And she stares at him. He winks at her And she stares at him. He winks at her and somehow she has the wherewithal to and somehow she has the wherewithal to and somehow she has the wherewithal to play along and she steps steps up right play along and she steps steps up right play along and she steps steps up right beside him and and puts her arm in his beside him and and puts her arm in his beside him and and puts her arm in his and smiles, gives him a big kiss on the and smiles, gives him a big kiss on the and smiles, gives him a big kiss on the cheek, says, "Yeah, this is our lucky cheek, says, "Yeah, this is our lucky cheek, says, "Yeah, this is our lucky day, babe."

You know, that's kind of what God did You know, that's kind of what God did for us. Other than it's a little shady, for us. Other than it's a little shady, for us. Other than it's a little shady, I know that. I mean, you know, I don't I know that. I mean, you know, I don't I know that. I mean, you know, I don't know there are a lot of They're lying, know there are a lot of They're lying, know there are a lot of They're lying, okay? But otherwise, this works really okay? But otherwise, this works really okay? But otherwise, this works really good. Just bear with me. You see, You see, she could pay for those groceries even she could pay for those groceries even she could pay for those groceries even though they were a lot. though they were a lot. though they were a lot. But we have a cart full of sins and But we have a cart full of sins and But we have a cart full of sins and we have we can't pay our debt. we have we can't pay our debt. we have we can't pay our debt. And God, he said, "You know what? And God, he said, "You know what? And God, he said, "You know what? You're mine. You're mine. You're mine. You're with me. You're with me. You're with me. You're with me. You're with me. You're with me. You're my bride. You're with me. You're my bride. You're with me. You're my bride. You're with me. You're forgiven. Your debt has been You're forgiven. Your debt has been You're forgiven. Your debt has been paid. paid. paid. All the blessings are yours. All the blessings are yours. All the blessings are yours. That's what Jesus did for us. That's what Jesus did for us. That's what Jesus did for us. Praise God. Praise God. Praise God. He breaks us free from our past to move He breaks us free from our past to move He breaks us free from our past to move into our future. into our future. into our future. But there's a last thing, let God But there's a last thing, let God But there's a last thing, let God restore your future. restore your future. restore your future. Let God restore your future. I went back Let God restore your future. I went back Let God restore your future. I went back and looked at the plagues and it's and looked at the plagues and it's and looked at the plagues and it's interesting as it gets toward the end interesting as it gets toward the end interesting as it gets toward the end there, there, there, one of the last plagues is one of the last plagues is one of the last plagues is the locust. In Exodus 10:12, it says, the locust. In Exodus 10:12, it says, the locust. In Exodus 10:12, it says, "And the Lord said to Moses, stretch out "And the Lord said to Moses, stretch out "And the Lord said to Moses, stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locust your hand over Egypt so that locust your hand over Egypt so that locust swarm over the land and devour swarm over the land and devour swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything growing in the fields, everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail." And so everything left by the hail." And so everything left by the hail." And so locust swarmed in and ate everything locust swarmed in and ate everything locust swarmed in and ate everything there in Egypt, all the harvest. There there in Egypt, all the harvest. There there in Egypt, all the harvest. There was a time in the Old Testament when the was a time in the Old Testament when the was a time in the Old Testament when the people of God had turned away from God, people of God had turned away from God, people of God had turned away from God, they weren't putting God first in their they weren't putting God first in their they weren't putting God first in their finances, their schedule, in their finances, their schedule, in their finances, their schedule, in their relationships. They'd turned away from relationships. They'd turned away from relationships. They'd turned away from God and every year God would allow God and every year God would allow God and every year God would allow locust to come in and eat most of the locust to come in and eat most of the locust to come in and eat most of the harvest.

harvest. harvest. And they're like, "What is happening?" And they're like, "What is happening?" And they're like, "What is happening?" You know, every time they would get You know, every time they would get You know, every time they would get ahead, you know, then the locust would ahead, you know, then the locust would ahead, you know, then the locust would come in and just steal it all away. come in and just steal it all away. come in and just steal it all away. Finally, they woke up and it's like they Finally, they woke up and it's like they Finally, they woke up and it's like they repented and you know, and God said, "If repented and you know, and God said, "If repented and you know, and God said, "If you'll turn to me, you'll turn to me, you'll turn to me, then I'll stop the locust from coming. then I'll stop the locust from coming. then I'll stop the locust from coming. But I'll do something even more." But I'll do something even more." But I'll do something even more." And I love this promise. And I love this promise. And I love this promise. In Joel 2:25, In Joel 2:25, In Joel 2:25, God says, "So I will restore to you the God says, "So I will restore to you the God says, "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has years that the swarming locust has years that the swarming locust has eaten." I love that. Restore the years eaten." I love that. Restore the years eaten." I love that. Restore the years the locust has eaten. Not only will I the locust has eaten. Not only will I the locust has eaten. Not only will I stop the locust, but I'll restore the stop the locust, but I'll restore the stop the locust, but I'll restore the years. I'm going to give you back years. I'm going to give you back years. I'm going to give you back all that was stolen from you. all that was stolen from you. all that was stolen from you. All that you let the enemy take, I'm All that you let the enemy take, I'm All that you let the enemy take, I'm going to give it back. I'm going to give going to give it back. I'm going to give going to give it back. I'm going to give it back. I'm going to give it back. I'm it back. I'm going to give it back. I'm it back. I'm going to give it back. I'm going to restore to you the years. He going to restore to you the years. He going to restore to you the years. He says to you today, "I can restore the says to you today, "I can restore the says to you today, "I can restore the years the locust have eaten. All those years the locust have eaten. All those years the locust have eaten. All those wasted years. wasted years. wasted years. All those painful years. All those All those painful years. All those All those painful years. All those selfish years. All those lonely years. selfish years. All those lonely years. selfish years. All those lonely years. All those years All those years All those years that have been wasted." God says, "I can that have been wasted." God says, "I can that have been wasted." God says, "I can restore them all." How does he do that? restore them all." How does he do that? restore them all." How does he do that? He gives you more peace than you could He gives you more peace than you could He gives you more peace than you could ever imagine, more joy, ever imagine, more joy, ever imagine, more joy, more healing, more strength, and he more healing, more strength, and he more healing, more strength, and he starts restoring the years. He starts starts restoring the years. He starts starts restoring the years. He starts working in your life in such a powerful working in your life in such a powerful working in your life in such a powerful way. How does he do that? Only God can way. How does he do that? Only God can way. How does he do that? Only God can restore the years. Do you have some lost restore the years. Do you have some lost restore the years. Do you have some lost years that you want to get back?

years that you want to get back? years that you want to get back? You let God restore your future. You let God restore your future. You let God restore your future. And then one day, there's the great And then one day, there's the great And then one day, there's the great restoration. restoration. restoration. You know, those two realities that work You know, those two realities that work You know, those two realities that work right now, where it's like it's right now, where it's like it's right now, where it's like it's problems, really bad problems, and yet problems, really bad problems, and yet problems, really bad problems, and yet purpose come together. purpose come together. purpose come together. A greater reality is God's purpose, but A greater reality is God's purpose, but A greater reality is God's purpose, but it's reality the problems are reality it's reality the problems are reality it's reality the problems are reality here. here. here. And there's And there's And there's there's trauma. Trauma that doesn't make sense, and yet Trauma that doesn't make sense, and yet there's that greater reality, there's there's that greater reality, there's there's that greater reality, there's treasure there that God's working treasure there that God's working treasure there that God's working somehow in that. somehow in that. somehow in that. But when we get to heaven, But when we get to heaven, But when we get to heaven, there's only one reality. there's only one reality. there's only one reality. And that is Jesus Christ, and he And that is Jesus Christ, and he And that is Jesus Christ, and he restores all things, and all things restores all things, and all things restores all things, and all things become new. And all the pain down here, become new. And all the pain down here, become new. And all the pain down here, it's all reversed, and we look back and it's all reversed, and we look back and it's all reversed, and we look back and go go go there's that one reality. there's that one reality. there's that one reality. It's all purpose. It's all beauty. It's all purpose. It's all beauty. It's all purpose. It's all beauty. It's all God's glory. It's all God's glory. It's all God's glory. It's all healing. It's all wholeness. It's all healing. It's all wholeness. It's all healing. It's all wholeness. All those things, those wrongs, those All those things, those wrongs, those All those things, those wrongs, those sins, all the evil, everything totally sins, all the evil, everything totally sins, all the evil, everything totally reversed, and all things made new.

reversed, and all things made new. reversed, and all things made new. Everything Everything Everything restored. That's how God restores the restored. That's how God restores the restored. That's how God restores the years because years because years because there'll never be a shortage of years there'll never be a shortage of years there'll never be a shortage of years for a Christ follower because all those for a Christ follower because all those for a Christ follower because all those years will be made up, eons and eons of years will be made up, eons and eons of years will be made up, eons and eons of time for all eternity. There'll be no wasted years. There'll be no wasted years. No hurtful years. No lonely years. No lonely years. All the years restored. I want us to All the years restored. I want us to All the years restored. I want us to stand, Woodland Church, and I want you stand, Woodland Church, and I want you stand, Woodland Church, and I want you right now right now right now as we sing this song to the Lord, as we sing this song to the Lord, as we sing this song to the Lord, I want you to ask yourself I want you to ask yourself I want you to ask yourself have I plundered my past? And I want you have I plundered my past? And I want you have I plundered my past? And I want you to ask yourself right now to ask yourself right now to ask yourself right now am I standing am I standing am I standing right next to the greatest miracle that right next to the greatest miracle that right next to the greatest miracle that God wants to do in my life, God wants to do in my life, God wants to do in my life, is it right there in my future? is it right there in my future? is it right there in my future? Just a moment or two ahead, a day or two Just a moment or two ahead, a day or two Just a moment or two ahead, a day or two ahead, ahead, ahead, a week or two ahead, a week or two ahead, a week or two ahead, a minute ahead, a minute ahead, a minute ahead, and I'm looking back, griping and and I'm looking back, griping and and I'm looking back, griping and grumbling, thinking I'm always going to grumbling, thinking I'm always going to grumbling, thinking I'm always going to be stuck, and God's getting ready to be stuck, and God's getting ready to be stuck, and God's getting ready to open up the Red Sea for me?

open up the Red Sea for me? open up the Red Sea for me? I want to look to him. I want to look to him. I want to look to him. And then let me ask you, And then let me ask you, And then let me ask you, what is it that you need? what is it that you need? what is it that you need? What is it you need? You see, and God What is it you need? You see, and God What is it you need? You see, and God said, "Hey, before you leave said, "Hey, before you leave said, "Hey, before you leave and go into freedom here, I want you to and go into freedom here, I want you to and go into freedom here, I want you to ask the Egyptians ask the Egyptians ask the Egyptians to give you whatever you want them to to give you whatever you want them to to give you whatever you want them to give you." It's like, you know, "Hey, give you." It's like, you know, "Hey, give you." It's like, you know, "Hey, could you guys give me everything there could you guys give me everything there could you guys give me everything there you got because I'm going to need it." you got because I'm going to need it." you got because I'm going to need it." Okay, sure, take it. Okay, sure, take it. Okay, sure, take it. I love that because they were the enemy. I love that because they were the enemy. I love that because they were the enemy. We have a God who loves us, and he says, We have a God who loves us, and he says, We have a God who loves us, and he says, "I want to give you good things." And we "I want to give you good things." And we "I want to give you good things." And we can ask him, "God, I need this. I need can ask him, "God, I need this. I need can ask him, "God, I need this. I need healing here. I need your strength here. healing here. I need your strength here. healing here. I need your strength here. I need your miracle here. I need you, I need your miracle here. I need you, I need your miracle here. I need you, Lord God, in this situation." And be Lord God, in this situation." And be Lord God, in this situation." And be specific. "God, I need this." Because specific. "God, I need this." Because specific. "God, I need this." Because God is working. God is working. God is working. And and God can give you what you need. And and God can give you what you need. And and God can give you what you need. God can meet that need. God can meet that need. God can meet that need. Ask him. Ask him. Ask him. Say, "God, I need this. I need this. I Say, "God, I need this. I need this. I Say, "God, I need this. I need this. I need this." And ask him for that miracle for him to And ask him for that miracle for him to part the Red Sea. part the Red Sea. part the Red Sea. Only he can do it.

Only he can do it. Only he can do it. But let me ask you if you've given him But let me ask you if you've given him But let me ask you if you've given him the pen. the pen. the pen. Cuz if you haven't given him the pen, he Cuz if you haven't given him the pen, he Cuz if you haven't given him the pen, he can't write something beautiful can't write something beautiful can't write something beautiful out of the brokenness. He He can't write out of the brokenness. He He can't write out of the brokenness. He He can't write purpose out of the pain. purpose out of the pain. purpose out of the pain. He can't write something that's a He can't write something that's a He can't write something that's a treasure out of that trauma that you're treasure out of that trauma that you're treasure out of that trauma that you're in. So, give him the pen. If you've in. So, give him the pen. If you've in. So, give him the pen. If you've never given him the pen of your life, never given him the pen of your life, never given him the pen of your life, sometime during this song, just say, sometime during this song, just say, sometime during this song, just say, "God, I give up. I give it to you. I "God, I give up. I give it to you. I "God, I give up. I give it to you. I need your forgiveness of all my sins, need your forgiveness of all my sins, need your forgiveness of all my sins, and I need you to take over my life and and I need you to take over my life and and I need you to take over my life and write the rest of the story." write the rest of the story." write the rest of the story." And I want you to know, And I want you to know, And I want you to know, if you're right in the middle of the if you're right in the middle of the if you're right in the middle of the pain, God's not finished with your story pain, God's not finished with your story pain, God's not finished with your story yet. yet. yet. God's not finished with your story. How God's not finished with your story. How God's not finished with your story. How do I know? Because you're still do I know? Because you're still do I know? Because you're still breathing. breathing. breathing. And as long as you're breathing, God's And as long as you're breathing, God's And as long as you're breathing, God's not finished yet. not finished yet. not finished yet. He's got He's got more to write. It's He's got He's got more to write. It's He's got He's got more to write. It's not the end of your story. not the end of your story. not the end of your story. Give God the pen because he will write a Give God the pen because he will write a Give God the pen because he will write a story of purpose and beauty and meaning story of purpose and beauty and meaning story of purpose and beauty and meaning and triumph and deliverance and triumph and deliverance and triumph and deliverance out of any defeat. God's ready to do out of any defeat. God's ready to do out of any defeat. God's ready to do that. Give him the pen and let him that. Give him the pen and let him that. Give him the pen and let him write. And you hold on. And let me say write. And you hold on. And let me say write. And you hold on. And let me say this, this, this, you're no longer slave to fear. Some of you're no longer slave to fear. Some of you're no longer slave to fear. Some of you, you, you, you've come in here and you've got a lot you've come in here and you've got a lot you've come in here and you've got a lot of fear and anxiety. I get it.

of fear and anxiety. I get it. of fear and anxiety. I get it. Uh a lot of things have happened this Uh a lot of things have happened this Uh a lot of things have happened this week just overwhelmed you with fear. week just overwhelmed you with fear. week just overwhelmed you with fear. God says, "You're no longer a slave to God says, "You're no longer a slave to God says, "You're no longer a slave to fear. You're my child and I'm going to fear. You're my child and I'm going to fear. You're my child and I'm going to take care of my child. I'm going to take take care of my child. I'm going to take take care of my child. I'm going to take care of you. You're going to make it care of you. You're going to make it care of you. You're going to make it through. I'm going to see that you make through. I'm going to see that you make through. I'm going to see that you make it through. I am going to carry you it through. I am going to carry you it through. I am going to carry you through." through." through." You're a child of God. Hold your head up You're a child of God. Hold your head up You're a child of God. Hold your head up high and let's sing to the Lord and high and let's sing to the Lord and high and let's sing to the Lord and let's ask him for what we need and let's let's ask him for what we need and let's let's ask him for what we need and let's thank him for the miracle that's about thank him for the miracle that's about thank him for the miracle that's about to happen and let's give him the pen and to happen and let's give him the pen and to happen and let's give him the pen and let him write the way he wants cuz he let him write the way he wants cuz he let him write the way he wants cuz he knows what's best. You are no longer knows what's best. You are no longer knows what's best. You are no longer slave to fear. You are child of the slave to fear. You are child of the slave to fear. You are child of the living God. Let's praise him. Let's living God. Let's praise him. Let's living God. Let's praise him. Let's thank him. Let's sing to him. >> You unravel me >> You unravel me with a melody. with a melody. with a melody. You surround me with You surround me with You surround me with a song of deliverance of deliverance from my enemies till all till all my fears my fears my fears gone.

I'm no longer I'm no longer a slave slave fear. I'm no longer I'm no longer a slave to a slave to a slave to fear. From my mother's womb, From my mother's womb, you have chosen me. you have chosen me. you have chosen me. Your Your Your love has called my name. I've been born again I've been born again into your family. Your blood Your blood flows through flows through flows through my veins. And I'm no longer And I'm no longer a slave to a slave to a slave to fear.

Oh, I am Oh, I am a child of a child of a child of God. >> I am >> I am surrounded by the by the arms of the Father. I am I am surrounded by songs of by songs of deliverance. We've been We've been delivered For we are the For we are the sons and the daughters.

So now So now I sing our I sing our I sing our freedom. You split You split the sea so the sea so the sea so I could walk I could walk I could walk right through right through right through it. My it. My it. My fears were drowned in fears were drowned in fears were drowned in perfect You rescued me so You rescued me so I could stand I could stand I could stand and sing, and sing, and sing, I am I am I am a child a child a child of God. of God. of God. You split the sea You split the sea You split the sea You split the You split the You split the sea so sea so sea so I could walk I could walk I could walk right through it.

right through it. right through it. My fears were drowned in >> Hey, let's pray about that. God, we love >> Hey, let's pray about that. God, we love you. And we are just so grateful And we are just so grateful that we get to be known as children of that we get to be known as children of that we get to be known as children of God because of what you've done for us.

God because of what you've done for us. God because of what you've done for us. So, God, So, God, So, God, we look to our past. we look to our past. we look to our past. We consider every hurt, every trial, We consider every hurt, every trial, We consider every hurt, every trial, every hardship that we have been every hardship that we have been every hardship that we have been through. through. through. And we receive it as being a part of And we receive it as being a part of And we receive it as being a part of your purpose in preparing us for who we your purpose in preparing us for who we your purpose in preparing us for who we are today and what we're going to face are today and what we're going to face are today and what we're going to face tomorrow. God, thank you that we are tomorrow. God, thank you that we are tomorrow. God, thank you that we are more than conquerors because of you. We more than conquerors because of you. We more than conquerors because of you. We love you and we go forward into this love you and we go forward into this love you and we go forward into this week ready to step into all that you week ready to step into all that you week ready to step into all that you have for us as a church. We love you and have for us as a church. We love you and have for us as a church. We love you and this week is yours. It's in your son's this week is yours. It's in your son's this week is yours. It's in your son's name we pray. Everybody said, "Amen." name we pray. Everybody said, "Amen." name we pray. Everybody said, "Amen." Church, we love you.