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Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 12:47:08 AM
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dredlockguy
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Joined: 10/7/2008
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I know the Bible states that when we accept Jesus as out Lord and Savior we are born again...That the person we were has died away and that we are born anew. And that all we must do is repent and our sins are forgiven.
However, looking back at how I lived before becoming saved, I still feel regret towards many of the things I did and how selfishly I lived. I have asked for forgiveness and repented. However I look at how fulfilled I feel now and I regret that I wasted so many years of my life out in the world chasing things that did not bring happiness. I regret that I allowed the devil and his lies to deceive me. I regret the way I treated some good people along the way.
How do you move beyond the regret of your past sins to live the life you want in Christ? I feel like I realize just how off I was and I am very sad about it.
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 1:14:06 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
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You just keep walking the walk, living the life, and the old things pass away, way back, because all things have, indeed, become new. The day comes when you startle yourself, standing there with your mouth hanging open in a silly-looking grin, and you ask, "Is this really me? I am so unlike who I was! And it isn't the me, it is the L-rd in me!" His righteousness keeps on growing in you, His works keep compiling. Then someone walks up and says, "So, are you righteous yet?" And you answer, "I don't have any righteousness of my own, but I sure am enjoying His!
Time continues, and those old things are pushed so far back. And the next thing you know, you have been a believer twice as long as you were an unbeliever -- then three times as long -- then four.
At this point in my life, I have (where's my trusty computer calculator?) been a believer close to 4.25 times as long as I was a non-believer. The main things I need to watch for now are that I don't become proud, stagnant, or complacent about it.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 1:33:44 AM
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OneJohn410
Posts: 1231
Joined: 6/1/2008
Status: online
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Well, it looks like I'll have to take this honor and post this notice, too.
(Welcome to the community, by the way. Nice dreds. Looks like you are keeping it all clean and conditioned too. Some people lose their hair wearing it like that because they don't take care of it.)
Hey everyone, welcome Dredlockguy before he gets buried in advice, okay? He's new here. 
That's some hard feelings you are talking about. Sometimes the past just really fights to stay in the way, to accuse, to bring down, to cry out come back!, or to insist that it hasn't really gone anywhere, and are you sure you aren't making the same mistake even now?
One thing that could be awesome to do, if you really feel like you've wronged someone and you know they are still around, could well be to meet back up with them, or just give them a call, and let them know your life has been forever changed, and that you have carried some hard feelings with yourself about what happened in the past. Let them know you felt led by God to bring the incident up again, if you do, and that you are wanting to apologize for what happened and move on in life. Something like that, but not without some prayer first, and maybe even talking about what you want to do with another brother or older brother at church.
Your post made me think of a short parable (I think it is in there with the story of those who wanted to follow Jesus but wanted to do other things before leaving). His comment was about someone setting out to plow a field and is distracted, or not being mindful of what he's doing, and he looks back behind him. Jesus talks about that not being the way to go about doing things- probably because the plowman could get thrown forward while looking back, while the plow blades keep going forward. Letting your yes be yes, and your no be no. That as you mature in your walk with the Lord, the past has to become as past- it may be hard to think of anyone forgiving you of all of it at one time, but that's what has happened in your life.
Now I have an early Amy Grant song (at least she sang it) 'Got to Let it Go' going through my mind. If you are fairly recently born again, then what you have going is a feeling of being brand new, experiencing life in a wondrous new way, and yet most of your experiences are in the BC days. Giving it time, staying active with a church, with a mixed church Bible study maybe- eventually you'll be adding 'new life' memories to your past, and be able to reflect on those as an alternative. Praying about freedom from the old guilt and negativity is going to be a real plus, and a personal daily devoitional and maybe journaling too.
I hope this helps, it's not an easy thing to think about, yet you can't walk backwards very far, and you aren't experiencing anything unique, so if there's people at church you are comfortable talking to, they'd probably have some even better advice.
OneJohn410
quote:
ORIGINAL: dredlockguy
I know the Bible states that when we accept Jesus as out Lord and Savior we are born again...That the person we were has died away and that we are born anew. And that all we must do is repent and our sins are forgiven.
However, looking back at how I lived before becoming saved, I still feel regret towards many of the things I did and how selfishly I lived. I have asked for forgiveness and repented. However I look at how fulfilled I feel now and I regret that I wasted so many years of my life out in the world chasing things that did not bring happiness. I regret that I allowed the devil and his lies to deceive me. I regret the way I treated some good people along the way.
How do you move beyond the regret of your past sins to live the life you want in Christ? I feel like I realize just how off I was and I am very sad about it.
_____________________________
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 2:03:14 AM
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peacebearer
Posts: 19
Status: offline
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Inasmuchas the good Lord who saved you is also the Lord who makes all things work for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,
Pray that whatever bad you did be turned into something that works for those people's good. And if you think that you need to apologise and tell them that things are forever different in your life because now you are walking with the Lord, well, pray that the Holy Spirit go before you to prepare them to hear. And when you speak to them, ask the Holy Spirit to be with your words, looking through your eyes, and speaking through your heart.
And then don't look at the past anymore. Only if the Lord directs you to look at something in particular, then ok, look. Because He might want to weed something out. But in general, don't fall for the trick of condemning yourself and being self-focussed. Focus on the One you love. Your Savior.
_____________________________
"For to me to live is Christ, to die is gain" Philippians 1: 21
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 5:23:23 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 1488
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: dredlockguy
I know the Bible states that when we accept Jesus as out Lord and Savior we are born again...That the person we were has died away and that we are born anew. And that all we must do is repent and our sins are forgiven.
Keep remembering:
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
quote:
ORIGINAL: dredlockguy
However, looking back at how I lived before becoming saved, I still feel regret towards many of the things I did and how selfishly I lived. I have asked for forgiveness and repented. However I look at how fulfilled I feel now and I regret that I wasted so many years of my life out in the world chasing things that did not bring happiness. I regret that I allowed the devil and his lies to deceive me. I regret the way I treated some good people along the way.
I would suggest that you read the book of Joel (particularly Chapter 2) alongside a good Bible commentary.
quote:
ORIGINAL: dredlockguy
How do you move beyond the regret of your past sins to live the life you want in Christ? I feel like I realize just how off I was and I am very sad about it.
Here is a link to some good advice:
Don't look back you are not going that way!
_____________________________
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 6:05:41 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1602
Joined: 1/17/2008
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Welcome to the Forums.
If we're honest, we all have regrets about something we may have done, or omitted to do, in the past.
Regrets weigh us down, and slow our progress towards God. If we're to move forward we should cast off the excess baggage of past lives which we now no longer need. Sure, we must learn from our past experiences and our past mistakes, and, having learnt, we should resolve not to repeat those mistakes.
So do just that. Remember what you did wrong. Learn from your mistakes. Resolve not to repeat them.
And now the easy bit .... drop all your regrets right now on the floor. Move on.
See ... doesn't it feel lighter already.
CAUTION: Do NOT go back and dwell on your past mistakes and pick up your regrets again. You'll be back to where you started.
Join a Bible Study Group which will help you on your journey to Christ.
God bless.
_____________________________
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
My Book My Blog
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 5:30:58 PM
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small_creation
Posts: 341
Joined: 10/30/2007
From: midwest
Status: offline
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Hi dredlockguy, and welcome to the forums. This is a great place to lurk or post, whatever your pleasure.
As for your concerns about regrets from your past, consider Philippians 3. It was a touchstone for me 10 years ago, when the Love of God rested upon my soul.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
j
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 5:53:53 PM
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1love1God1way
Posts: 2402
Joined: 5/16/2005
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My regrets come from the mistakes I have made after my salvation.
_____________________________
love.ben
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 6:32:35 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 905
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way
My regrets come from the mistakes I have made after my salvation.
I have to agree with 1love. While I had regrets from the old life I lived, it was that old regret filled life that led me to Jesus.
The regrets I have now come from how much I feel I let Him down at times. I know I am not perfect, but He deserves better than what I have given Him so far.
Praise be to God for second chances, and third, and fourth......
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 6:59:43 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way
My regrets come from the mistakes I have made after my salvation.
I have to agree with 1love. While I had regrets from the old life I lived, it was that old regret filled life that led me to Jesus.
The regrets I have now come from how much I feel I let Him down at times. I know I am not perfect, but He deserves better than what I have given Him so far.
Praise be to God for second chances, and third, and fourth......
Oh, good night! Do I have to count all that, too? I am in BIG trouble!
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 7:38:36 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1264
Joined: 4/12/2005
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I don't allow regret about my old live to even come into my mind. That life is over, gone, past. You must push those thoughts aside, those are from the enemy trying to make you stumble. Tell the devil that life is gone, Jesus took it to the cross and you are moving forward with Christ. If he has a problem with it, then I'm sure Jesus would love to hear about it.
kim
quote:
ORIGINAL: dredlockguy
I know the Bible states that when we accept Jesus as out Lord and Savior we are born again...That the person we were has died away and that we are born anew. And that all we must do is repent and our sins are forgiven.
However, looking back at how I lived before becoming saved, I still feel regret towards many of the things I did and how selfishly I lived. I have asked for forgiveness and repented. However I look at how fulfilled I feel now and I regret that I wasted so many years of my life out in the world chasing things that did not bring happiness. I regret that I allowed the devil and his lies to deceive me. I regret the way I treated some good people along the way.
How do you move beyond the regret of your past sins to live the life you want in Christ? I feel like I realize just how off I was and I am very sad about it.
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 7:59:58 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
Joined: 9/22/2008
From: Arkansas
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: dredlockguy
I know the Bible states that when we accept Jesus as out Lord and Savior we are born again...That the person we were has died away and that we are born anew. And that all we must do is repent and our sins are forgiven.
However, looking back at how I lived before becoming saved, I still feel regret towards many of the things I did and how selfishly I lived. I have asked for forgiveness and repented. However I look at how fulfilled I feel now and I regret that I wasted so many years of my life out in the world chasing things that did not bring happiness. I regret that I allowed the devil and his lies to deceive me. I regret the way I treated some good people along the way.
How do you move beyond the regret of your past sins to live the life you want in Christ? I feel like I realize just how off I was and I am very sad about it.
Hey dredlockguy
I know exactly what your feeling, I felt the same way, I hated the way I felt, and from time to time, if I allow this mind of mine to go there, it will. You just have to remember, you're not that person anymore, you said it, "You are born again!" And satan never wants us to forget the person we once were, you have to remember, you arent serving him now. Just continue to pray, read the Word of God, meditate on His Word and talk to the Lord with what your feeling, He's always there!
Your Friend,
Misty
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 8:49:37 PM
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KnowJesus
Posts: 269
Joined: 7/21/2006
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I was new in the Lord, I knew he forgave me for my sins of the past. I knew, I was clean in him. But, still I had so much hate for what I'd done. I remember talking with a sister in Christ, and saying I know He's forgiven me, but I cannot ever forgive myself for how I once lived. After a time of growth, I was able to understand the reason for my life before Christ...and to realize we ARE all sinners and to celebrate the victory we have in Jesus! He set us free from our pasts (new birth)...It is the enemy who continues to beat us down with it, keeping us captive to take our time away from our relationship with the Lord. Don't let him steal God's time with you...Resist the thoughts of the past. Refuse to dwell on them. But instead dwell on the Lord's blessings of your new life in Christ. It takes discipline to turn from them, but you got the Lord with you, to make it possible.
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 9:19:08 PM
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dredlockguy
Posts: 2
Joined: 10/7/2008
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Wow God bless you all, you have no idea how much you have lifted my spirit....Your words, all of you, were just the blessing i needed on this path...May the Lord bless you all!
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/7/2008 11:53:47 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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^^^ Wow, what a sweetheart! ^^^
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/8/2008 8:48:40 AM
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kmangel
Posts: 467
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Yes, I'm sure all Christians have regrets in their lives. I'm glad you're feeling better having come here to speak about your regrets.
I was saved at age 43, so I had some regrets, too. One of my biggest regrets was not raising my sons in the faith to know and love the Lord. When my relationship with Jesus began my sons were 13 and 17--and boy did they notice a change in me and they were not very pleased! I thought to myself after hearing some of their comments that I should have started my journey when they were young! Maybe they would have accepted my new found faith better had they grown up with it. Maybe they would have given their hearts to Jesus already had they grown up in the faith. I have found peace with myself over the years (it's now 11 years since I became a Christian). My sons are grown up and though they have yet to put their faith in Jesus, they respect me for who I am and I them. God loves my boys far more than I do. I know He's doing all He can to bring them home to Him.
Let go of your past and give it to Jesus. He is the one Who desires to carry it for you!
_____________________________
Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
--Mark Twain
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/8/2008 9:21:23 AM
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buckifn
Posts: 1788
Joined: 5/23/2006
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It's part of the denying ourselves daily...letting God keep the past in the past and reaching forward to the newness of life in Christ Jesus.
Things like Baptism are 1 way we announce to the world we have allowed that old man to die and are now choosing to walk in new life with Christ.
The way I deal with the regrets is speak aloud when the enemy brings them up and say a Scripture that proves God's perfect plan will be carried out in my life. All things work together for good to them who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose. That includes you and me.
Remember the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt? God used the bad for something good. He is still doing that- sometimes we see it and sometimes we don't.
So in EVERY THING GIVE THANKS for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5:18.
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/8/2008 9:24:34 AM
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deermousie
Posts: 1899
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: offline
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Welcome to the forum, Dredlockguy!
Some wag once said,
quote:
When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
LOL It's so true.
The one thing we all have in common in blazing technicolor is that we are sinners. Everyone one of us has things we regret, and some of them are horrendous. The Apostle Paul had the murder of Christians to deal with; his hands were stained with innocent blood. How did he handle that?
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3
It's all about God, and not about us. We are forgiven sinners, and trophies in God's trophy shelf so all the world can see God's kindness (Eph. 2:7). Our changed lives brings God glory.
And the devil can go sit on a tack. 
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/8/2008 10:52:20 AM
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Kat_D
Posts: 3142
Joined: 9/2/2005
From: Where We Shake, Rattle & Roll!
Status: offline
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"(When I) remember my affliction and wandering, The wormwood and the bitterness. My soul remembers And sinks within me. (But) this I recall to my mind, (and) therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; Great is His faithfulness." -Lamentations 3:19-23
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/8/2008 11:28:44 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
Status: offline
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Beautiful, Kat.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Regret From Your Pre-Saved Life - 10/8/2008 4:57:37 PM
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drussell52
Posts: 208
Joined: 4/24/2008
From: Michigan
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way
My regrets come from the mistakes I have made after my salvation.
Amen to what all has been said here. Just to add, I pray we all have the thing within us that despite our sin nature, still craves to be right on with our Savior, the blatent sinner simply doesn't care one twit.. I guess regrets are a common trait put in us and perhaps that's a good trait to have if it keeps leading us back to God. Make wrongs right where you can, and if you can't pray for the ones you wronged. Keep pressing on in the Master.
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