Here is a wonderful message from our sister in Christ Arlene. I think this is a great message. Pastor Bob

“DON’T FOCUS ON YOUR PAST!”

Isaish 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past

See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it”?

Let me first explain something very important as a child of God and co-worker in the His Kingdom. I would never ask anyone or instruct someone to do something I’m not already dealing and trying to cope with myself. St. Paul tells us in Phil. 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and striving toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. This is my goal for daily living. I pray that it will be your goal as well.

First, we as Christians should hate our sin, but not ourselves. In 1 John 1:9 tells us–”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 2:1-2 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin: But if anybody does sin, the Father in our defense Jesus Christ, the Righteous one. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. In Romans 8:1-2 it says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death”. We’ve been redeemed! Redeemed from sin, sickness and death. What Jesus did at Calvary was sufficent for every part of our lives. There is nothing we can do to add to anything that He did on the cross. When He said, “It is Finished–It was!

Second, be quick to repent. Always go to God with a contrite heart. A prayer of the psalmist King David in Psa. 17:3 says, “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing. He says in Psa. 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. Isa.1:18 tells us “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord”. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”.

Third, always pray about all things pertaining to life. Eph. 6:18 “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Jesus tells us in Matt. 26:4–”Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak”.

Fourth, we as Christians, must listen to the Holy Spirit for learning and guidance. In 2 Tim. 3:16-17- “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. James tells us in James 1:25 - “but the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does”. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide. God loved us so much He sent the third person of the God head to be our comforter and to take care of us.

Fifth, always follow peace concerning all things in your life. Romans 8:6-8 tells us,”The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace, the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God”. In Isa. 26-3 tells us, “God will keep you in prefect peace, whose mind is stayed on God: because he trusts in God”. In Phil. 4:6-7 it instructs us–”Not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

Sixth, don’t focus on yourself and your problems. Get your mind off “YOU”! The enemy wants you to dwell on you and your problems. As long as you do this, your mind is not on Jesus–our Savior, Redeemer, Healer and our provider in all things. I love the way Job instructs us in Job 11:13-16, “If you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your life, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. The psalmist David in Psa. 141:8-10 said, “But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge–do not give me over to death. Keep me from snares they (the enemy) have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets while I pass by in safety”.

Seventh, always stay focused on the future and be self-controlled. We must take care of ourselves. We must use wisdom in taking care of our health: getting plenty of rest, eating properly, taking vitamins and supplements to insure good health, along with the word of God. We can’t effectively and efficiently serve the Lord if we are not on top of our wellbeing. I Peter 1:11-13 tells us, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Also, in I Peter 1:13-16 it tells us, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy”. We can strive to be holy, because the word of God instructs us.

Eighth, we are never to stop learning, being opened to the word of God and His will for our lives. In Joshua 1:8 the word tells us–”Don’t let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. In Romans 15:4 it tell us–”For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scripture we might have hope”. In 2 Tim. 2:15 it says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”.

Ninth, you are to know your talents and gifts that God has given you. Everyone in the Body of Christ has been given special gifts to further the Kingdom. Remember don’t do what you don’t have gifts and calling to do. When you do frustration and discouragement will come into your life. In other words, ’square pegs will not fit into round holes’. Seek God for your calling. In Eph. 1:13-14 says, “And you also were included in the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of these who are God’s possessions–to the praise of this glory. Eph. 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.

Tenth, also study to know your calling. Don’t get ahead of God and His training for your life. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test, and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will”. In Eph. 1:11-12 it tells us, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will”. In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ might be for the praise of His glory”.

Dear Saints, always remember you can always begin again. You’re not a failure. You’re only a failure if you choose to allow the enemy to keep you down, stay stagnant, and wallow in self-pity. All of this activity drains precious energy and time from you. Stop listening to the lies of the enemy. Jesus told us that our enemy is a liar and the father of all lies. He’s the accuser of the brethren. In Phil. 4:13 it tells us, “We can do all things through Christ which strengthens you”. In II Cor.12:9 it tells us, “God’s grace is totally sufficient for you — for His power is made perfect in our weakness”. So don’t fear, for God is with you; do not be dismayed, for He’s your God. He will strengthen you and help you; He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.

You are a child of the Most High God. You are blessed to be in the family of God. We belong to a covenant keeping God. What God has promised will come to past. God is whom He says He is, and you must believe that He is too. Keep your eyes on Him and Him alone for your life, and everything that pertains to your life.

Seek Him and study to know who you are in Christ and Christ alone. Keep your focus fixed on the future and the past will continue to be the past. I’ve strived to give you the word of God and what it says to me. This is what’s important for us as Christians. To know what God says about all aspects of our lives and not so much what I have to say. There’s power in the word of God. It’s quicker, more powerful and shaper than any two-edged sword!

With much love and prayers,

Arlene Kilgore Gaspard

This entry was posted on Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 3:00 am and is filed under Weekly Message, Sermons, Bible Study. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.