So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my lambs.  John 21:15

Listen, if you're going to walk in the new beginning that God has for you; then you're going to have to let go of the past. Starting now, forget about what you did, or what they did and look toward a new beginning in your life. Today is your opportunity for a fresh start, but letting go of the past is key.

Peter is a good example of a man who had to forget his past. He denied the Lord three times and he even cursed while doing it. However, when that cock crowed three times, he knew he had blown it.
 

It hurt Peter so much that he had denied his Lord and he had trouble getting past that. In fact, even after Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to the disciples, Peter was still in a depressed state. You see, Peter should have been out preaching that, 'Jesus has risen from the dead and he is alive!' But instead he decides to go fishing and all the other disciples went with him.

So in John 21, verse 15, Jesus asks Peter, Do you love me more than what you use to do, your old profession? Do you love me more than your self-pity?

Remember this: you can't have a new beginning if you're stuck in the past feeling sorry for yourself and drowning in self-pity. Sometimes self-pity feels good because people will sympathize with you and try to cheer you up; but Jesus didn't come to Peter with that stuff. He said, "Peter, do you love me more than this?"
 

And Simon Peter answered, "Lord, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Then Jesus asks Peter the same question two more times and again Peter's reply was Lord, you know I love you, for you know all things." Jesus says, then get out there and feed my sheep.
 

Then Peter gets it. He understands, I'm not supposed to be sitting here doing nothing. I have a new ministry. Jesus has forgiven me. He's telling me to go preach even after I denied him.

Now, you might have denied the Lord and done some things you shouldn't have done, but if you will repent, God will forgive you. There is fresh mercy for you every morning. God is still calling you. He is saying, come to me, I have a new beginning for you.

Bishop Keith Butler

Scripture References: Philippians 3:12-15; John 21:3-17