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Turning Point: Fail (5/5)

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Now that we've finished the week, how did you like the changes to the blog? Instead of posting blogs spread out over time, I posted a blog on the same topic every day for the entire week. In addition, I created a video to help with the communication of the concept of Turning Point. Were these changes helpful? I'd love to hear your comments, questions, and suggestions. Please contact me at: PastorKevin@FreeChurchNetwork.com

Turning Point: Fail (5/5)


The risk of every turning point is a failure to make the turn. That risk was very real for Jesus’ disciples. In fact, we see that Jesus’ ministry appeared to fail at the turn. Judas betrayed him. Peter denied him. His disciples went back to fishing. And tens of thousands of followers collapsed to only 120 (Acts 1:15). It appeared to be a massive failure representing a loss of more than 99%.

And yet, when we look at the world today, we find more than 2.2 billion people call themselves Christian. Think about that: a discouraging fall from 10,000 plus to a mere 120, only to rise to an astounding 2.2 billion and still increasing. That is quite a successful failure. It is falling forward through a turning point.

Your turning point may be the result of factors beyond your control or it may be the consequence of poor decisions on your part. You may have lost much, hurt much, and cratered your reputation and relationships. And you’re left wondering if there even exists a path forward.

I assure you: this turning point, like every turning point, is an opportunity for growth and blessing. Like Jesus’ followers, you can fall forward.

Jesus told his disciples all of these things so that they would not fail (John 16:1). And yet, fail is exactly what they did. At least at first. It took a couple of months, but they finally turned it around. They began implementing those things Jesus taught about the turning point ahead (Acts 1:14). By the time the Holy Spirit arrived, they were ready for the next stage of growth.

Now it is your turn. Take another look at the turning point you stumbled through. What relationships should you have developed? What relationships should you have let go? What skills did you ignore because you didn’t think you needed them? Who can you ask for mentoring or coaching? How did you squander your time on things that were unproductive or even destructive from before the turn?

It took the disciples a bit of time to get things right. Until they did, they looked like spectacular failures. But turnaround they did.

The LORD knows you can do it. I believe you can as well. May the LORD bless you as you navigate the turning point.

Watch the Turning Point video (1 minute) here.

Love. Hope. Light.

It's great to be FREE!

Pastor Kevin
PastorKevin@FreeChurchNetwork.com

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