Past Defines Me

13-15 (Early Teen) Male

"My family's reputation ruins any chance I have at a fresh start."

LIE: My family's past limits me. TRUTH: You don't inherit your father's guilt—you inherit Abraham's blessing (Ezek 18:...

See Truth Ezekiel 18:20

80-89 (Eighties) Female

"My divorce decades ago disqualified me from God's best and marked me as damaged goods forever."

LIE: My divorce marked me permanently. TRUTH: God betroths you to HIMSELF forever in righteousness—you're the Bride of...

See Truth Hosea 2:19-20

19-24 (Young Adult) Female

"My abortion means I've lost my chance at being a godly mother"

LIE: Abortion disqualified me. TRUTH: God RESTORES years the locust ate (Joel 2:25). David caused a child's death but st...

See Truth Joel 2:25

50-59 (Fifties) Male

"My business failure means I missed God's will and He won't give me another chance."

LIE: Business failure = missed God. TRUTH: Forget what's behind. Disciples caught nothing, then 153 fish. Phil 3:13-14

See Truth Philippians 3:13-14

30-39 (Thirties) Female

"I had a child out of wedlock, so I'll always carry the shame of that choice."

LIE: Child out of wedlock means permanent shame. TRUTH: Psalm 127:3—children are a REWARD. Tamar's scandal is in Jesus...

See Truth Psalm 113:9

90+ (Nineties Plus) Male

"I wasted my best years on the wrong things; it's too late for my life to matter."

LIE: Wasted years can't be redeemed. TRUTH: God restores years the locust ate—Joel 2:25. 11th hour workers got full pa...

See Truth Joel 2:25

25-29 (Late Twenties) Male

"I got a DUI. I'm an alcoholic failure who put lives at risk. I'll never escape this."

LIE: DUI makes you a failure forever. TRUTH: Romans 5:20 - Grace abounds MUCH MORE than sin. Noah got drunk naked, still...

See Truth Romans 5:20

50-59 (Fifties) Female

"I had an abortion. God may forgive me, but I'll always carry the guilt and wonder about that child."

LIE: Abortion guilt is permanent. TRUTH: ALL sins cast into sea DEPTHS (Mic 7:19). David: murderer still 'after God's he...

See Truth Micah 7:19

10-12 (Pre-Teen) Female

"I failed at something important, so I'll always be seen as a failure and disappointment."

LIE: My failure defines me forever. TRUTH: I'm FORGETTING the past and REACHING FORWARD. (Phil 3:13-14)

See Truth Philippians 3:13-14

50-59 (Fifties) Female

"My reputation is ruined. The gossip and false accusations will follow me forever in this community."

LIE: Gossip ruined me forever. TRUTH: Every tongue against you FAILS (Isa 54:17). Joseph: prison to palace in ONE DAY.

See Truth Isaiah 54:17

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"I was the mean girl. I bullied people. God can't use someone who destroyed others like that."

LIE: My cruel past disqualifies me. TRUTH: Christ came to save the chief of sinners—that includes me. (1 Tim 1:15)

See Truth 1 Timothy 1:15-16

25-29 (Late Twenties) Male

"I have a criminal record. My past mistakes will block opportunities for the rest of my life."

LIE: Criminal record blocks your future. TRUTH: Psalm 103:12 - Transgressions removed east to west. Paul the murderer be...

See Truth Psalm 103:12

19-24 (Young Adult) Female

"My addiction relapse means I'm back at square one with God"

LIE: Relapse means starting over. TRUTH: When I fall, I WILL ARISE (Mic 7:8). Peter denied Jesus 3x and Jesus cooked him...

See Truth Micah 7:8

25-29 (Late Twenties) Male

"I abandoned my kid. I'm a deadbeat dad. That makes me irredeemable trash."

LIE: Abandoning your kid makes you irredeemable. TRUTH: Psalm 68:5 - God fathers the fatherless. Prodigal abandoned fath...

See Truth Psalm 68:5

25-29 (Late Twenties) Male

"I declared bankruptcy. I'm financially marked as a failure who can't be trusted with money."

LIE: Bankruptcy marks you as failure. TRUTH: Matthew 18:27 - Billions in debt FORGIVEN instantly. Widow: all debts paid ...

See Truth Matthew 18:27

13-15 (Early Teen) Female

"I started cutting last year. Even though I stopped, I'm damaged goods. The scars prove I'm broken an..."

LIE: Scars prove I'm broken. TRUTH: God gives me a completely NEW heart—I'm a survivor, not damaged (Ezekiel 36:26)

See Truth Ezekiel 36:26

80-89 (Eighties) Female

"I failed my children and can never undo the damage I caused as a mother."

LIE: I failed my children permanently. TRUTH: God's mercy for thousands of generations floods over any maternal mistakes...

See Truth Exodus 34:7

19-24 (Young Adult) Male

"I dropped out and now I'm permanently behind everyone else"

LIE: Dropping out means you're behind. TRUTH: God doesn't despise small beginnings; your gifts make room (Zech 4:10; Pro...

See Truth Zechariah 4:10

70-79 (Seventies) Female

"My abortion decades ago makes me unworthy of being called a grandmother now."

LIE: Abortion disqualifies me. TRUTH: Blood of Jesus cleanses ALL sin—God remembers NO MORE (1 John 1:7, Heb 10:17)

See Truth 1 John 1:7

13-15 (Early Teen) Female

"I come from a broken home. Everyone else has a normal family, but mine is a mess, so I'll always be ..."

LIE: Broken family = broken future. TRUTH: God is Father to the fatherless and brings you into PROSPERITY (Psalm 68:5-6)

See Truth Psalm 68:5-6