forward
often i become aware of the gap between where i am and where i want to be. the gap usually is not just in one area, but in several. at other times i find myself looking back or drifting in reverse to things of the past (habits, hurts, hang-ups, etc.) in both cases (of the gap or the drift) the problem is that i’m not moving forward and forward is where God is always calling me.
God’s Word is crystal clear that He wants us to go forward:
- God’s first words to adam = take dominion over everything (that means go forward & conquer)
- first words of Christ - “follow me” / He has invited us to a life of forward
- Jesus also said, “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me”
- last words of Christ = “go” into all the world / go everywhere, tell everyone
- david sang a song that had these lyrics - “my soul followeth hard after thee…”
- paul said, “follow me as i follow Christ / “press on”, “this one thing i do (this is my one aspiration) forgetting what lies behind and straining (reaching) forward” / “run to win”
in life (right now) i bet you are not where you want to be and you are wondering how to get there? right? the only way to get from where you currently are to where you know God wants you to be is FORWARD!
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God’s Word deals often and harshly with anyone who chooses not to move forward:
- Jesus said, “remember lot’s wife!” why? because he wanted us to grasp the severity of turning back, longing for the past and failing to follow God forward
- “no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back (to the things behind) is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus, luke 9:62 (amp)
- “the people God accepts will live because of their faith. God isn’t pleased with anyone who turns back.” hebrews 10:38 (cev)
- paul said, “i’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. i’m off and running, and i’m not turning back.”
- “forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. see, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way…” isaiah 43:18-19 (niv)
- God: “My people… went backward instead of forward.” jeremiah 7:24 (nlt)
deep down we all have a longing to take that first step in the right direction, a step closer to God and closer to the goals He has set for our lives. resolve to press on, determine to get some forward momentum going in your life - refuse to go backwards, give up, coast or be comfortable - can the excuses - choose forward.
take a few minutes right now and seek God, ask for His help and pledge to Him that you commit to closing the gap / breaking free from the backward drift and that from this moment on you will passionately follow Him forward.
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“God loves those who run straight for the finish line.” proverbs 15:9b 9msg)