NO BACKWARD LOOKS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“Jesus said, ‘No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.’” (Luke 9:62 MSG)

Are you wasting time looking backwards?

Fixated on:

Those mistakes? 

Those missteps? 

Maybe reminders of them come in the mail. Reminders of the divorce, the fines, the settlement, or the obligation. Maybe they come in the form of lies that whisper, “You will always be what you were, nothing more.”

Each month for 7+ years I wrote a check to Uncle Sam for my past indiscretions; consequences of my addiction.  And I will be honest there are times when the pain of that is still palpable, even paralyzing.  And there still are plenty of naysayers who believe I am nothing more than a drunk who used them.  Not too many days go by when the enemy doesn't try to get me looking backwards, taking his shots trying to again convince me that I am still a product of my past with a limited future; an affirmation junkie with feeble and rickety faith

But Jesus said, “no backward looks, seize the day!”  And I am listening and trying!

This is the day HE has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24) 

Hebrews 6:18-20 (MSG)

We…have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past ALL APPEARANCES right to the very presence of God…

Yet far too often we allow the past to kink that LIFELINE to a great “present”

Remember friend, our past, after all, is something we have paid for, something we own. And because we own it, we can do whatever we like with it -- and that includes letting it go. And THAT is the key to a more peaceful, balanced and meaningful “present”.

So NOW is the time to draw a line THROUGH the past and move forward into the PROMISED HOPE of a fresher and freer today.

Emerson said…

"He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety...This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”

Lucado reminds us that each day deserves an opportunity, a shot, a tryout, an audition and a swing at the plate!

So let’s DO as Jesus encourages!

Own this day. 

Wrestle it away from the past that wants to choke it and the future that wants to minimize it.

Do not dilute the power of this new day with the hardship of yesterday. Greet this day the way it has greeted you; with open arms and endless possibility….Seize the wonder and uniqueness of today!” ― Maraboli

I love you ALL!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)