I'm guessing most folks can remember a situation or two from the past they'd like to forget, or an unpleasant event they'd like to go back and do-over and, judging from the commercials and videos for sale on TV, there must be lots n' lots of Americans who, let's be honest, whether physically, financially or spiritually ... are unhappy with themselves ... and feel painfully certain that a complete make-over on the outside could heal the hurt and fix what feels broken inside.
We're talking complete physical, financial and emotional make-overs ... and maybe a time machine, too. Just to make sure we dot every i in the past and start over with a fresh start.
Trouble is that short of time travel, there's simply no way to go back and live life over (and truth be told, we'd probably find new ways to make the same mistakes all over again).
So folks end up feeling their present is anchored to a painful, bitter and unshakeable past.
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And the present?
If only I was thinner. If only I had more money. If only I was more attractive. If only we could stop thinking about If Only ... and start thinking about When.
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If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
- 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
