Growth Do you Live in the Past?

[Sandy Zalecki]

"Forgetting those things which are behind...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Do you ever listen to older people talk about "the good ole days?" They recall a time when things were better. I am not sure why they think the depression and World War II were better than things are now, but for some reason they do. Even I look back at my younger years and think they were somehow better than they are today. Why, I don't know.

I was not saved back then and I struggled through life with addictions and one bad relationship after another. Now, because of my salvation, I have been happily married for over 10 years and the Lord has saved me from my addictions. I have a much happier life than I had when I was younger.

The apostle Paul warned us about holding on to the past and forgetting about those things which are behind us and looking for the things which are ahead. He admonished the Philippians to "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call for God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14)

While it is good to learn from the past, we shouldn't live in the past. We can't redo the past, but with God's grace we can press forward and serve God faithfully today and in the future. We have a great prize in serving Jesus so why relive the past, press forward toward that prize!

 

[Christ_empowered]

I've taken to praying "God, you've thrown my past into the sea of forgetfulness. Please give me what it takes to agree with that and stand upon that." Works wonders.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

I live in the middle and its still a hard road. The past haunts and the future is scary. Feels like a lose lose situation. I need to win for once. Oh, well, i may as well go pour myself another drink. .

Its not that funny, really.

I have been in a win win situation for a long time now. Jesus is the Victorious One Always. Outside of Him is loss, lose lose as you put it.
Inside of Him is Victory (NOT the way any of man's groups put it, use it, or say it).
So the challenge is to get the Son.
"Whoever has the Son, has life; whoever does not have the Son, does not have life"
1 John 5:12
Amplified Bible (AMP)
12 He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.

and He won't let you if you don't do it His Way. that's a clincher.

but if you do do it His Way, it is FINAL - TRUE and SURE.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

His_nee (Jeff)
Many brothers and sisters drive me to drink and get me down with the amount of fear and paranoia they are spreading.
How is a newbie in the Lord suppose to feel comfortable and loved when its always about the negative.
Can i not say a word as a christian because ' agents' are 'watching my every move' and they going to come and 'get me'?.
People need to stop trying to freak others out. Some of us suffer mental illness, major anxietys and panic attacks.

"Peace" and "Be not afraid" is what Jesus says to you , as He said to His disciples when He appeared to them.
"Be still and know that I am God" is not just a cliche or a saying - God really wants you to know He is near and with you and will never, no never, no never depart from you.
Jesus said they will deliver you over to the authorities for your faith(for speaking out the truth), and to REJOICE ! for then they are giving you an audience for the Truth, to testify of Jesus, and He will give you the words to speak at the moment they are needed.

Get away from those who are fearful and paranoid, if God permits you to get away. Don't depend on them people at least.

Or if you remain, find peace and joy in Christ Jesus right in the middle of where you are. ASK HIM , as HE is the One Who shows you how. He is possibly the only One you know Who can show you how to live with Joy and Righteousness and Peace right where you are, or He can and will deliver you as He pleases.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

I live in the middle and its still a hard road. The past haunts and the future is scary. Feels like a lose lose situation. I need to win for once. Oh, well, i may as well go pour myself another drink.

The Lord can turn any lose, lose into a win, win. I have seen it in my own life. Sometimes it takes a lot of patience, but put it in the Lord's hands and He can do miracles!

 

[Northman]

I live in the middle and its still a hard road. The past haunts and the future is scary. Feels like a lose lose situation. I need to win for once. Oh, well, i may as well go pour myself another drink.

Remember where things come from. Only the enemy will bring out your past for rehashing. The future is uncertain for all, but for us its supposed to be filled with hope. If it isnt then something is messing around.

You speak of lose lose and the need to win. Im going to tell you that God has been win winning for you for quite some time now and anyone who even pokes their head in here once in a while can plainly see your fruit, and its overflowing out of the top of the bowl. For this reason the enemy has levied its artillery in your direction.

Keep your head up, Jesus wants you looking at him, not the ground. Youre doing great.

 

[Deborah13]

Remember where things come from. Only the enemy will bring out your past for rehashing. The future is uncertain for all, but for us its supposed to be filled with hope. If it isnt then something is messing around.

You speak of lose lose and the need to win. Im going to tell you that God has been win winning for you for quite some time now and anyone who even pokes their head in here once in a while can plainly see your fruit, and its overflowing out of the top of the bowl. For this reason the enemy has levied its artillery in your direction.

Keep your head up, Jesus wants you looking at him, not the ground. Youre doing great.

:amen

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Remember where things come from. Only the enemy will bring out your past for rehashing. The future is uncertain for all, but for us its supposed to be filled with hope. If it isnt then something is messing around.

You speak of lose lose and the need to win. Im going to tell you that God has been win winning for you for quite some time now and anyone who even pokes their head in here once in a while can plainly see your fruit, and its overflowing out of the top of the bowl. For this reason the enemy has levied its artillery in your direction.

Keep your head up, Jesus wants you looking at him, not the ground. Youre doing great.

Great post. We have to remember that the devil will try to destroy anyone who is serving the Lord. Sometimes we get discouraged, but we have to remember that if we aren't being attacked we aren't being used of God. I would rather be attacked then sitting on the sidelines.

 

[for_his_glory]

When Satan reminds me of my past, I remind him of his future. I would never relive my past as I hated my past. Now I only use it as a witness and testimony of Gods grace and mercy to give others hope that are going through what I have already gone through.

 

[eddif]

I Corinthians 15:9-10
Paul remembers his negative actions of his past, but uses those thoughts as a motivation to labor more abundantly (not with his own strength, but with the grace of God with him).

When we are reminded of our past sins, there seems to be a way to allow indwelling Holy Spirit to act on transforming us (if you opened the door when Jesus knocked). He works in us to will and to do of his will, and confession of sin seems to be one of the methods. Not to drown in condemnation, but to strive toward the prize of the high calling, which is in Christ Jesus.

eddif

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

When Satan reminds me of my past, I remind him of his future. I would never relive my past as I hated my past. Now I only use it as a witness and testimony of Gods grace and mercy to give others hope that are going through what I have already gone through.

There you go. For some reason many people try to relive the past thinking it was better than it really was. My past was full of sin, addictions, bad relationships. Why would I want to relive that!

 

[for_his_glory]

Mine was filled with a lot of mental and physical abuse mixed in with some of the good times. What doesn't break you strengthens you as what I went through in my past is what brought me to be who I am today now in the Lord. Praise the name of Jesus and a big Hallelujah, amen.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Mine was filled with a lot of mental and physical abuse mixed in with some of the good times. What doesn't break you strengthens you as what I went through in my past is what brought me to be who I am today now in the Lord. Praise the name of Jesus and a big Hallelujah, amen.

Amen!

 

[ironmonk]

All the time, and what's wrong with it.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

All the time, and what's wrong with it.

I believe the Bible says "Forget about things which are behind.." Philippians 3:13 Is there something great in you past your want to remember? I know there isn't much in mine worth remembering. Addictions, abuse, bad relationships. That was about it. Since I dedicated my life to the Lord however, I look forward to a time when I reach the ultimate goal; heaven!!

 

[ironmonk]

I believe the Bible says "Forget about things which are behind.." Philippians 3:13 Is there something great in you past your want to remember? I know there isn't much in mine worth remembering. Addictions, abuse, bad relationships. That was about it. Since I dedicated my life to the Lord however, I look forward to a time when I reach the ultimate goal; heaven!!

You will find that alot of the world's wisdom has crept into the christian belief system. And when the bible says something similar to the world's wisdom it's never saying the same thing the world means it to be. Also please mind my presupposition here, but I just don't get this christian nervous disposition to be in heaven with jesus.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

I'm confused. Are you saying you don't want to be in heaven with Jesus?

 

[ironmonk]

I'm confused. Are you saying you don't want to be in heaven with Jesus?

No, I am saying that you miss all the stops in the middle if you think the train is the express.

 

[turnorburn]

Ironmonk.. please explain your comment: I just don't get this christian nervous disposition to be in heaven with jesus

When your a Christian Jesus is spelled with a capital J unless you prefer not to..

Thanks..

tob

 

[ironmonk]

Ironmonk.. please explain your comment: I just don't get this christian nervous disposition to be in heaven with jesus

When your a Christian Jesus is spelled with a capital J unless you prefer not to..

Thanks..

tob

No.