Hard To Go Forward If You Keep Looking Back

Brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 3:13

How many people do you ever hear of yearning for the good old days? I, for one, am happy just where I am. There is no time machine to transport me back to fix things I messed up at. Our enemy Satan likes to drag up the past. The past is gone and we can learn from it good or bad, and move forward to new experiences. The natural progression is to keep looking ahead and know you might have done things you regret but God is full of mercy, it is Satan who is not. 

I serve a big God and He is able to forgive, restore, redeem, and set free. He is your friend when humans friends or family want nothing to do with you. His love endures forever. He is not limited by our human rules. 

Today why not get going making up your mind you will not allow Satan to torture you with things from the past you can do nothing about. Move ahead with peace and joy. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and forgiving. Your love knows no bounds. You love me when the world runs out and for that I am thankful. In Jesus' name. Amen, 

FRIEND OF SINNERS?

Jesus is, are you? Guess what? We are all sinners! "Oh but no way my sin is not nearly as bad as so and so. Do you know what they did?" Hey God does not like that self righteous attitude either. There aren't good sins and worse sins. It is all sin.

There are people that think homosexuality is the ultimate sin or murder or adultery. Show me where in the Bible it says that?  Instead of condemning those caught in these "worse" sins we need to stop judging and start praying. Isaiah 64:6(NIV) says ' All of us have become like one who is unclean,and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags, we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.'

Romans 3:23(NIV) reminds each of us when we start to look down on others 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'

Take a moment and clean yourself up. I do not mean to take a bath but mentally stop and think and confess those things to God that keep you from being closer to Him. Do not worry or condemn others. Point the finger at yourself for just a moment. 

1 John 1:9(NIV) 'If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'

PRAYER: Father each day I need to come to you in my quiet time and cleanse myself from the things I have said or dense that have not pleased you. I need to focus on working on myself and not trying to fix everyone else. Help me to pray and not judge.I am thankful you forgive us and forget our sins. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

THE MARRIAGE

 

One year ago today, my answers to 28 years of praying came to fruition when our younger son was joined in Holy matrimony to his best friend and soul mate. It was a wonderful Christian wedding and an exciting day for not only them but for family and friends who were in attendance to celebrate with them. Weddings are indeed a time of joy and celebration especially when families like each other and vows are taken seriously. It is an anticipated event joining a man and a woman as one in the eyes of God, even though society may try to redefine it. It is a commitment and a vow not to be entered into flippantly.

With weddings we think of love as well. What better way to celebrate love than when you go to a Christian wedding. At times this is a great time for those already married to think about what marriage really means. It is till death do you part with no escape clauses. I have readers who have been in failed marriages and it is not my intent to guilt you in any way. God can and does forgive and at times the divorce may not have been your fault.

Love indeed is a good thing. 1 Corinthians chapter 13, which I am copying from the NIV in it's entirety, is the definition of love. Read it out loud today whether you are married or single.

'If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in partand we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes,what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.'

Love like this verses says even to your friends. Love like God. God is love. Is there someone you need to show this type of love to today?
PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the gift of love. I know I am to love others with your love. I am not to hate or be ugly but to be an imitation of your love wherever I go. I will seek always to love like you love no matter if others love me back. In Jesus' name. Amen!
Click on link for a song of love.

http://youtu.be/3rPvrXoIVl0

GRADUATION DAY

This is the time of year that lots of graduations are occurring. High school, college, graduate school, medical school and even kindergarten and eighth grades often times have graduations. It is a special time families look forward to almost as much as the individual graduating! Receptions, open houses, and parties are held in honor of the graduate.

Another even more "special graduation" awaits the believer who has accepted Jesus Christ into their heart as Lord and savior and that is our "graduation" into the heavenly kingdom. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9(NIV) that '

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him' or in other words as there is no way a human can possibly conceive of what awaits those who have asked Jesus into their hearts. In Isaiah 65:17(NIV) it says 'see I will create new heaven and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.' In our mere human minds we often wonder if "papa or mama are looking down on us" but apparently they are overcome by the beauty and grandeur of the heavenly kingdom it sounds like by this verse. Are you ready for heaven? There have been stories told of believers who have died and miraculously been brought back to life after getting a glimpse of heaven and wished they could have stayed. We friends and family members want our loved ones to live, and rightfully so, but it sounds like by these stories that they are much better off in the splendor that awaits us with Jesus. Everything down here is so temporary. Heaven is forever. It is eternity. I did not ask if you were a church member or have been baptized. In Matthew 7:21-23(NIV) it says 'Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day "Lord Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" and I will tell them plainly "I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers."' I am not saying this to scare anyone but to truly search your heart. There is not one special denomination that has all the answers. Many people do lots of good "church things" but their heart really is not right with the Lord. James 1:12(NIV) says 'Blessed is the one who has persevered under trial for having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that is promised to those who love him. ' Many denominations think their way is the only way to heaven. I have news for you. There will no doubt be many surprises in heaven. We human "judges" think we have all the answers and even wonder at someone's death if they "got in". It is not our job to do that. We simply pray. I remember many years ago hearing a friend relate to me how this elderly woman had said to her mom that she did not think it was "fair" for someone to have a "death bed conversion" when she had served Jesus almost all her life. Say what? Like I said, there will be surprises in heaven. Murderers, thieves, rapists, those who committed suicide, and all sorts of people we humans like to say "probably did not get in". If they asked God to forgive them and asked them into their heart they are redeemed and set free. We all have sinned. There is not a big chart classifying which is "the ultimate worst one". We humans do that, not God. 1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.' Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Are you ready for your "heavenly graduation day"? In Hebrews 3:15(ESV) 'As it is said "Today if you hear His voice harden not your hearts as you did in the rebellion."' Do you hear God's voice? Do you want to? If only you could stop and make time for Him today. If you are not sure you have asked Him into your heart it is a simple prayer. "Lord Jesus forgive me for doing my own thing. Forgive me Lord for shutting you out. I want you to come in and live in my heart today." Next find a growing dynamic church where you can grow in Christ and one that shows love and forgiveness. Finally get into your Bible each day and get to know Jesus better. You can not "know" friends without spending time with them. Same with Jesus. It is not just one hour on Sunday. Get ready to graduate!! PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for being my Lord and savior. Forgive me if I have made judgments on where another person stood or whether or not they would go to heaven because of something they had done. I do not know their heart. I want to know you better and I know that Satan does not want me to. I choose this day to live for you. In Jesus' name.Amen. Click on link for an awesome praise song. http://youtu.be/9La_4svq8JI

KEEP LOOKING AHEAD

Remember the story in the Bible about Lot's wife looking behind her and turning into salt? See Genesis 19:26. Scripture tells us in many places to forget what is behind and to "press on" to what is ahead. Looking back does no good. Yesterday is over and tomorrow is ahead of you. 

Philippians 3:13-14(AMP) says ' I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.'  Notice those words, "press on".  We should do just that. When we suffer a set back sometimes we feel like giving up but God wants you to charge on with confidence, faith,and courage. The enemy, Satan, wants to defeat all believers and get them giving up and living in the past.

In life it is good to stay focused ahead of you, not behind. Driving a car requires focus on the road ahead and not look to the back and end up in a collision. Alpine skiing requires looking ahead down the mountain so you will not run into a tree.  When running a race it is necessary to focus on the course and finish line ahead of you. 

Proverbs 4:25(NIV) says 'Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.' Deuteronomy 5:32(NIV) says '

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

The past is just that. Learn from it but do not wallor in it. God forgets our sins and He looks ahead to the future so why not try doing the same. Bury mistakes, "shake the dust from your feet" over things you can do nothing about. Commit all that you do to the Lord from here on out. Try to memorize this scripture from Proverbs 3:5-6(NKJV). 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus my desire is to fix my eyes straight ahead on you and run the race to win not allowing Satan to distract me, make me turn around, or get off course. I look to you to light my path ahead of me. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

DON'T WORRY ABOUT MAN

 

Have you ever put your trust or faith in a 'mere man' only to be let down and disappointed? Take a sports figure who is caught doping or cheating. Maybe it is a preacher who fell from grace. Perhaps a respected school teacher caught in a criminal act. Maybe it is a friend who has betrayed you in some way. For some maybe it is finding out a spouse has cheated on you. It could be an individual you trusted that it is found they embezzled money. Perhaps you shared something in confidence and found out it was not kept a secret. These are just a few examples. The point is humans can let us down but God never let us down.

When bad things happen to people, and they will at times, we are not to be the judge. Beware or the same scenarios occurring in your life. Pray for protection and for individuals caught in these traps. God does and can restore, redeem, and forgive. Often tragedies and downfalls in life cause the individual to get closer to the Lord.

Our hope and our trust should not be placed in mere man. Now in the case of the mention of an unfaithful spouse, those individuals, if they had a Christian marriage, took a vow before God to stay true to each other so that in fact should be followed as you grow in love daily putting God first and your spouse second. Don't ever put yourself in a tempting situation where you might fall. If one of the partners failed it is time to seek reconciliation and counseling to restore what God brought together. Stay best friends and this is unlikely to occur but still make sure God is number one.

Turn to the Lord and look to Him for your strength. Pray for you to stay strong and not led away by temptations and roadblocks man may put in your path.

Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint."

Who do you trust today?

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for being there for me when it seems the world around me and people are faltering. Lord I thank you for being supremely in control. I look to you for my source of strength as I go through life. In Jesus name.

Click on link for a wonderful song of praise:
http://youtu.be/W48NfLLSFNc

STOP LYING

You may say "I do not lie"  but it was pointed out in a sermon I heard recently that all of us probably lie when asked "how are you" and we flippantly in a robotic manner answer "fine". Are you really fine? If we are not why do we say that? Maybe because we do not want to unload our problems on whoever it is. Sometimes you may be really fine and say "If I were any better I'd be twins". I actually have said that before. That gets a look too, but in the case, when  I said it, I meant it!  I feel like most of us do not want to share what is happening. Wouldn't the person who asked the question be shocked if we replied "well I am glad you asked. My dog died. My toilet is backed up. I have overdue bills I can not pay. I just flunked a class I was taking." There may be times when we say something partially truthful but most the time most folks probably just reply "fine'. It is probably more of a habit and you do not mean to actually lie.

In Proverbs 6:16-19 it elaborates on what the Lord hates and it says "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." Get that! He hates a lying tongue, not the liar just the lie!

Lying in general is not a good thing. The Bible says not to do it. Seems many in high up places of Government have lied to us lots. That is between them and God. But what does the Bible say? Why do people think they can lie and pay no consequence? In the Christian life it is a no no. How many out there have ever been guilty of having your children say "I'm not home" when the phone rings? Shame on you, for that is a lie too. You are teaching your children to lie when you do that.

In general it is not good to EVER lie. At times we may stretch the truth or do what the world calls a 'white lie' but is any lying really right? We probably all have lied. If you are ever in court you have to take an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God. When you tell one lie you have to keep up lying to cover up for the other one. It is best just to be honest. What about when someone asks "Do I look fat"? Then what do you do? Do you hurt their feelings or say that is not a fair question to ask?When you fill out a job application you have to sign that the information is correct and you give your word by your signature. Here it is tax time and how many have lied a little bit when it came to taxes? I sure would not mess with the IRS. It is better to always be honest.

Here is a good example of lying. You say you are a believer and go to church and love the Lord. 1 John 2:4 says "Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Are you guilty of this? In John 8:32 it says "The truth will set us free" but also in John 8:44 it says "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Do you want to be like Christ or the devil? Proverbs 12:22 says "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight."  

Colossians 3:9 says "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices." If someone asks you a question, be truthful with them. It is best to be honest and truthful. Proverbs 13:5 says "The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace." When you accept Christ you are a new creation and old things and old habits are to pass away, this includes lying. Ephesians 4:25 says "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Put it off. Stop it. Do not spread falsehoods by gossiping. Gossiping easily ends up in lies as people start adding their own spin to a story. If you say you will keep a confidence do not share something with someone as then you have lied to the friend you promised. "Do not lie" is one of the Ten Commandments as well. Seems like today's world feels it is okay to not be 100% truthful. God is watching at all times so why not be sure to tell the truth.

We have all made mistakes and we can all be forgiven. Just ask God. He is ready to forgive you and help you have the ability to tell the truth.

PRAYER: Lord I want to be honest and truthful and share your love with others. Help me be full of integrity and never tell any kind of lie. Forgive me for when I have lied in the past. If my lies have caused hurt or pain help me go and ask forgiveness then seek restoration. Lord I know it pleases you when I am truthful and I intend to do that with your help.I want a reputation for being a person people can trust and I want to always be truthful. Help me do this.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link to enjoy and be blessed by a song of victory and freedom.
http://youtu.be/ZWv-UOHzaIc

FOLLOWING GOD BUT STILL IN PAIN

Struggles, problems, heartaches. Just because we are a believer does not mean we are not going to ever have a problem or feel any hurt or pain. We will be better able to cope with it but it will not necessarily be absent from our lives. Yesterdays devotion dealt with this somewhat and today I wanted to mention it again. Things will happen in life and they are not always caused by God. He allows some things in life to shape us. Sometimes we make wrong choices that cause us to end up in bad situations. It is not always God's doing. Most the time it is not. Free will, you know.

You want to forget the past and you feel like God can not forgive you so you continue to  lead a life away from God. Perhaps addicted to porn, watching X rated movies, doing drugs, becoming an alcoholic, having sex before marriage, or looking on someone lustfully. Maybe 'lighter sins' such as gossip, judging, bitterness, and unforgiving spirit plagues you. Whatever it is you have done or are doing God can help you be set free. He can forgive. He can heal. He can mend your broken heart. He can set you free from the pain you are living in if only you will call on Him. Nothing shocks God. And news flash, all sin is sin, period! And we are all sinners!

Jeremiah 33:3 is affectionately known as 'God's phone number' and it says "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." God is not mad at you. As a matter of fact, he loves you. So why not call out to him in prayer today? Psalm 50:15 says "and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

John 8:36 says "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Isaiah 43:18 says "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."

We do not always understand the whys of things. Job 37:5 says "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding." We do not always have to 'get it' but trust God in your situation. He is waiting to hear from you. Job 5:9 says "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."

So where you are at today? God can heal, deliver and set you free if you sincerely want to be. Maybe you have never accepted Christ as your savior. You can do that right now by praying "Lord Jesus come into my heart. I want to live for you and serve you." If you are already a believer but have strayed he can forgive you and get you back on the right path again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Let him clean up your life and set you free today.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for being just a prayer away. I do not want to let the cares of this world or things I have done stand in the way of getting to know you better and serving you. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link for an 'amazing' song:
http://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I