|
Good morning. This week's video Forget It, is on the topic of "you can't carry the old into the new"; you have to forget those things behind so that you can reach forth to that which is in Spirit and in truth. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 6:9-11 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (KJV)
If you notice throughout the Bible our Lord encourages us to keep in the now, today, nothing more nothing less. Our thoughts and ideas deal in the past, could a, would a, or should a, none of which has any bearing on today. Another deception the enemy will try and bog down the people of God with is thinking too far ahead, trying to figure out or analyze situations one claims were given over to God, you know that stuff about casting all your care upon Him? Finding that just balance and staying there will keep you more grounded in the realm of the Spirit while anything else will keep you stuck in your own little world. When you look at the manner or pattern our prayer life should be you notice God deals with us today, dealing with what is on our plate for this day. Just like with our physical body, you wouldn’t eat enough in one sitting to last you all week or month; neither should you be praying and thinking past today, as either scenario would not be healthy. By the way, this example of prayer is just an outline, not something that should be recited word for word on a continual basis like some robotic clone. You know how healthy you would be if you monitored your intake on a daily basis and only ate the right healthy portions that were needed, now translate that into the spiritual so that you can get and stay healthy spiritually as well. Exodus 16:11-15 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (12) I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. (13) And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. (14) And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. (15) And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. (KJV) When you look at the above examples we see mankind murmuring and questioning our Lord and His ways, which if I was to ask for a show of hands I am sure we all have been guilty of this at some time in our walk, I know my hand would go up. Like with the phrase, “when all is said and done, a lot more will be said than done”, many times the murmurings and doubts were a result of our own thinking rather than coming into agreement with someone else’s thoughts which are so much higher than ours. The Lord has never forgotten His people and He hasn’t forgot about you or your need; in fact before the foundation of this world He already planned your life out and provided the provisions needed for your walk. Now, this day are you willing to walk the path He set in place for you, the one path of life that leads to your eternal reward? If you find yourself lacking or short of what is needed then maybe that time you have spent murmuring could be put to better use; like thanking our Lord instead of doubting. Maybe you need to recheck to make sure you are on the right path also so that you don’t miss out as well. Being a truck driver in my past I am quite familiar with how a small deviation or wrong turn can totally cause me to miss my delivery appointment as well as pick up, causing some rather loud tumultuous murmurings. Point is, with what is being discussed are you where you need to be for today, doing and taking thought for what the Lord is asking, and not on what you think you are lacking, or what the enemy is trying to distract you with? Exodus 16:16-19 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. (17) And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. (18) And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. (19) And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. (KJV) Can you imagine a world where mankind just took what was needed and didn’t stockpile things that many times they don’t end up using anyways? How about a realm where people that were able to gather a bit more were willing to share with those that could not? Talk about a campaign promise, there’s one that will get someone elected, well at least with God it will. What if you only dealt with today, right now, and did not think so far ahead, or be concerned with tomorrow; how much easier would your life be without so much excess baggage? How about your own household; if you were to do a personal inventory would you find things that you haven’t put to use for years, yet when it was purchased it was something you had to have? Having just dealt with finding a different place to live I know I have found things that the Lord describes as ‘if not in use then it is abuse’. It is amazing when talking with other home owners how they all say the same thing; that they need to do personal inventory and get rid of the excess. So before you go asking the Lord for more maybe He is asking you to check to make sure you are using all that has been given already before He wants you stockpiling on top of the stockpile. Exodus 16:20-21 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. (21) And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. (KJV) Spiritually we have all asked for more wisdom and insight into the things of God; however, if the truth be known we still haven’t utilized all that the Lord has given us already, sometimes overlooking smaller simple areas of our walk. Remember, it’s those that have been faithful in that which is least, which translates into something many consider small and trivial, are those that will then be faithful in much. So before you go overlooking the small things thinking you can leapfrog unto bigger and better it’s the simple areas that can cause one to trip and fall, not the big and obvious ones that many are looking for. So for today, keep it simple, deal in the now so that your life won’t be a breeding ground for worms and any other stinking thinking. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Williams New Testament translation of Romans 7:1-6
1. Do you not know, brothers -- for I speak to those who are acquainted with the law -- that the law can press its claim over a man only so long as he lives? 2. For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is freed from the marriage bond. 3. So if she marries another man while her husband is living, she is called an adulteress, but if he dies, she is free from that marriage bond, so that she will not be an adulteress though later married to another man. 4. So, my brothers, you too in the body of Christ have ended your relation to the law, so that you may be married to another husband, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5. For when we were living in accordance with our lower nature, the sinful passions that were aroused by the law were operating in the parts of our bodies to make us bear fruit that leads to death. 6. But now we have been freed from our relation to the law; we have ended our relation to that by which we once were held in bonds, so that we may serve in a new spiritual way and not in the old literalistic way. A cease and desist order has been issued from heaven so all of God’s people could walk in a newness of life and not according to the old literal, unrealistic way man thinks they can please God. Now the question is, ‘how many are willing to give heed to the call of God and worship Him in spirit and in truth’? In order to move ahead in your walk you have to be facing forward, operating in the now and not in the has been. There is a new law of faith that was established and instituted on behalf of God’s people which is apart from the works of the old law. So only those that have separated themselves from these dead rituals will be able to walk in a newness of life; while others are walking blindly in the realm of the flesh seeking something alive amongst the dead. What happens when people don’t give heed to the cease and desist order our Lord gave to His people concerning the old law and the things of it? Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (KJV) When you entered the realm of the Spirit you entered a new realm of faith, and those that look back to their old thoughts or ways are basically declared unfit and not ready to serve our Lord. With all the Lord had His people write for our benefit concerning the law and the things of it, why are so many still looking behind and not pressing forward in their pursuit of the spiritual? When the Lord issued a cease and desist order concerning these dead things it was done for our benefit and liberty so that we could walk in a deeper more intimate relationship with our Lord. By adding works of the law into the mix it’s like trying to combine oil and water which just doesn’t gel together because it was never intended to. By trying to mix the old with the new you will get the same results as well. Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV) Now, right this moment, those that seek justification will only find it by faith, hearing the words of Christ that bring Spirit and life to the believer, that’s it, that simple, nothing else. A simple belief in the good work Jesus Christ has begun in you and desires to continue to do if you will only be willing and obedient to the simplicity of Christ and not some old dead complex carnal laws. Many people draw back without being aware of it by reverting back to the law and its rituals, which now adds works to the equation instead of a simple faith in Christ. It’s like mapping out a journey and driving all day only to find out you were going in circles ending up right back where you started. Hebrews 3:12-15 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (KJV) Take heed to what is being said, the word clearly tells us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Where is your confidence today, and what are you holding to? Is it the message the Lord has for you and what He has done on your behalf, or are you still holding to dead works that man thinks they still need to do? Today, will you hear the voice that is speaking to your heart, building up your confidence in the word of God, or are you leaning back to your own understanding? While many people categorize sin and put it at different levels, sin is nothing more than unbelief. Sin is sin people, no matter how it manifests, it is all a result of unbelief; for many because they don’t spend enough time with the Lord hearing His message for themselves and rightly dividing the word of truth. This same kingdom of God you walked into can certainly be walked out of as well, because many don’t hold God to be true to His word and remain confident in His realm. Will you hear His voice today? Will you put your hand to His plow and continue moving forward in the realm of the Spirit and not try to establish your own righteousness by the works of a dead law? 2 Peter 2:18-22 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (19) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (20) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (KJV) When I listen to some of these so called preachers standing in the pulpits and strutting around like some peacock it reminds me of a bunch of loud mouth drunks in a bar, the more intoxicated they become with themselves the more the exaggerations and a stretching of their versions of truth. Any area that a man escapes from with the help of the Lord only to end up entangled and overcome by it again results in a situation where they end up in worse shape than they were in the beginning. Those that walk in the liberty in Christ are those that continue to grow strong in the Lord and the power of His might, in all things more than conquerors through Him that loved us. I can do all things through Christ and without Him we can do nothing, which when I read the above verses tells me somewhere along the line these people separated themselves from the Lord giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Many well intended people put their hand to a spiritual plow and work the Lord’s field for a season only to look back to something in the flesh that they think will make them perfect, sometimes the deception manifests in the form of the old law and rituals. Move forward, walk in liberty, stand fast in your faith and remain rooted and grounded in the realm of the Spirit so that you don’t fall from some cheap thrill in the flesh. God bless and stay renewed. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (KJV)
Paul gives an interesting account of his life before Christ, when he himself was caught up in the letter of the law and not the Spirit. I can relate to what is being said as well knowing my life was dung before the Lord, even though I attended religious organizations that in reality were dead and lifeless. Are you willing to suffer loss even though the fact that what is being given up in the physical realm will be replaced with a deeper understanding of the Lord? This is where many hit a snag in their walk; they allow the enemy to tell them that what they are walking away from is more important than what they are walking into, which is a deeper more intimate relationship with the Lord. The loss you may suffer through is only for a short time or season so that you can keep the lines of communication open with the Lord, which is what the word faith means, your ability to hear the message of Christ and know that what you are following is of Him. Again, keep in mind that when it comes time to let go of things that the Lord says is hindering our walk the payoff is a more excellent knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, who Himself was willing to die for our sake so that we could live. Philippians 3:10-14 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV) You know, before you can get to heaven you have to die first; are you dying to get there? In order to walk in the Spirit one needs to leave old things and old thoughts at the door before entering in and being seated with Christ. Like with airports these days, one has to go through metal detectors in order to gain access to their flight. The same holds true when entering the kingdom of God; one needs to discard any foreign object at the gate, something that may be deadly and harmful, in order to take off. Remember how our Lord died? Before the resurrection there was a crucifixion; well the same holds true with each and every believer today, we too are made conformable unto his death so that a new man can resurrect within us as well. Are you willing by any means to attain this resurrection, or are you still holding the baggage of this fallen world, baggage Paul described as dung? Romans 6:1-3 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (KJV) When you are baptized into Christ you get the whole package, which means He in turn expects a whole hearted effort. When you become baptized into the family of God it is like a company or any organization, you become initiated into their set of rules and regulations which then identifies you as one of them. The spiritual meaning of baptism is so much deeper than just getting water poured over you and having a bunch of watered down people jumping up and down and getting excited. Carnal people only have a carnal view of the true meaning of the word of God, and those that hold to water baptisms are holding to nothing more than watered down empty doctrines of man. I wish it was that easy folks, just pour some water over my head and then I could go merrily on my way, but that is nowhere near the answer to what Paul is truly describing. Keep in mind also that the grace of God is not a ticket to justify sin but rather His love and longsuffering that allows us to overcome the hindrances of our lower fallen natures so that we can partake of His new one in Christ. Are you dying daily, taking up your own spiritual cross and crucifying the flesh with its desires and lusts, or are you dying daily in the letter of the old law, still stuck in carnal dead end rituals which were done away in Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (KJV) You know folks, not much has changed over the years with people that claim they are God’s people. The children of Israel moaned and groaned for hundreds of years seeking deliverance from the Egyptians. So along comes Moses and introduces the people to their deliverance, baptizing, or introducing them into the things of God and how He operates, only to have them complain and wish to go back to the old. Those that should have been walking in a new life to a promised land ended up perishing and displeasing God because He didn’t operate the way they thought He should. Many people today are being overthrown in the wilderness also, because rather than follow the path of life the Lord had laid out for them, they end up off course and perish because of a lack of provisions. The Lord has laid out a path of escape for you also and supplied all your need before the foundation of the world. Are you on course today or are you following your own, you know that one Paul described as dung? Luke 12:49-50 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? (50) But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (KJV) John baptized with water because he was still under the old law and limited to that realm. While our Lord clearly points out that there is a baptism He wishes His people would partake of, one He was living in Himself. Is there a fire in you today; one that is a burning desire to serve the Lord, or have you doused it with man’s watered down doctrines that are stuck in dead end rituals that look good to the outward but do nothing for the inward man? Are you baptized and immersed in the living spiritual waters, one that will bring life to a spiritual seed which is Christ, or is your life a dung deal, something stinking to the high heavens? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for ‘press’: 1377 dioko (dee-o'-ko); a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of 1169 and 1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute: KJV-- ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press forward. Williams New Testament translation Philippians 3:13-15 13. Brothers, I do not think that I have captured it yet, but here is my one aspiration, so forgetting what is behind me and reaching out for what is ahead of me, 14. I am pressing onward toward the goal, to win the prize to which God through Jesus Christ is calling us upward. 15. So let us all who are mature have this attitude. If you have a different attitude, God will make it clear to you. When pressing or moving forward in your walk with the Lord, sometimes or some situations you will find it a struggle, at times overwhelming to the mind. Like with a long distance runner, at times it seems like their body just can’t take anymore but they know they have to continue moving forward if they wish to attain their goal at the finish line. You will find your walk at times with the Lord similar in the aspect that the Lord is asking you to move forward, whether a job situation, a different fellowship, or He is asking you to answer your own calling in an area He sees as your place in the body even though you may see different. Remember, the Spirit is willing it’s our flesh and our carnal thinking that is weak and limited; so for a season whatever the new area is that the Lord is moving you into it may take a while for your understanding to catch up with the Lord. What’s that saying, “no pain no gain”, well at times change seems painful, grievous; never the less afterward you will see the peaceable fruit of the Spirit manifest as long as you persevere. In order to continue moving forward in your walk with the Lord you will find that some of the old ways and old thoughts that you got by with in the past are no longer effective anymore and thus the need for change is in order to mature. So like we see Paul explaining, he was forgetting things which were behind him, old thoughts and ways that were no longer beneficial to his spiritual growth, and reaching forth or looking forward to find his new life in Christ. The point is, just because you have entered a place in your walk where it may seem to be a struggle for the time being, know that as you persevere and continue seeking the things of God you will adapt to what the Lord is asking, or where He is asking you to operate, and it will yield peaceable fruit. Luke 3:4-6 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (5) Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; (6) And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (KJV) Ever hear the term “making a mountain out of a molehill”? Well those that endure and continue in their walk with the Lord are able to see the mountain turn into a molehill. Things that you thought in the past were impossible are now possible with Christ; and areas in your life that seemed so rough are now smooth and easy to walk in. Now that the valleys are filled in and that thing in your life that seemed like such a mountain is brought low the path is much steadier and your life is not such a roller coaster ride of emotional highs and lows anymore. Just like with a runner, the more they exercise and keep the body fit and built up the more they are able to endure the race that is before them as well as remain healthy. Spiritually these same principles work, by keeping your body in subjection to the Spirit you are able to endure this day the path the Lord has for you and make it to the finish line the way He intended you to. Yes there will be opposition and persecution along this path of life, and there may be times you get knocked down, but it’s not how many times you get knocked down that matters it is how many times you get back up and continue forward, that is what counts. Matthew 17:18-21 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. (19) Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? (20) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (21) Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (KJV) A mountain can be anything that is in your path that appears to be a huge obstacle and hard to get past. Sometimes what seems simple to one person can be a huge distraction to another; while others struggle in things and are unable to move forward because they are still holding onto beliefs from their past. Whatever the situation is, it is important to pray one for another that they may be healed and find the comfort and deliverance through Christ. You will find your answer in prayer, continuing to communicate with the Father on a daily basis, seeking your answer in His word. Many fail to stay in communication with the Lord; rather they wait till a crisis arises before they seek His answer, a crisis that could have been avoided had the lines of communication stayed open. While fasting can refer to going without food it also refers to abstaining from anything that is feeding an area of our flesh that needs to be subdued and put into subjection. So rather than starve the flesh one spends more time feeding the flesh and its desires, then wonders why doubt and fear have crept in and kept them from achieving their goal. The more one feeds the Spirit the more they will see spiritual results that cannot and will not happen according to the carnal way of thinking and its dead ways. For you to grow and mature in the Lord you will be constantly going through changes in your life as you continue to step into the new realm the Lord has for you. Now the question is, ‘will you let go of the old childish things in order to press forward in your walk’? 1 Corinthians 13:10-11 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV) When you are able to see and come to a perfect (mature) understanding of what the Lord is asking and requiring of you in order to move forward in your walk with Him, then that which is in part or any obstacle that has been impeding your sight is done away. Many people fail and fall short of the glory of God because they put their hand to the plow but keep looking back to find peace rather than pressing forward and maturing in the things of the Lord. So today, even though something may seem like a huge obstacle or mountainous in size, by pressing forward in your walk and persevering in the Lord you will find that you can do all things through Christ who is strengthening you. Those that have and continue to walk the path of life and grow up into the Lord find that many things that at one time were a distraction and an obstacle were nothing more than a mirage, an optical illusion of the devil. Just like watching old monster movies when I was a child I used to be frightened by the illusions of these movies, but as I grew up and matured I was able to see the cheap silly special effects of imaginary events and beings. God bless and press on. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
In a time and a realm where we are constantly trying to remember things, and remind ourselves of things that are vital in our daily walk, there are certain things that we need to forget as well and leave behind us. Once you have put your hand to the plow it is important not to be looking behind you, but rather forward so that you will be able to work in whatever field our Father has you in today. The prize is in front of you and not behind you. So if someone is trying to remind you of your past or bring any transgressions from that imaginary realm, be certain it is not of God. Psalms 103:11-13 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. (KJV) Did you know that the Lord not only has forgiven our trespasses but has forgotten them as well? We still at times try to equate God to our thinking and standards rather than realizing how much higher His mercy is. God is not bound by emotions and mood swings, but is longsuffering to all; not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Although mankind may try to bring up the past and hold it against us the Lord has already forgotten our past transgressions that we have asked forgiveness for, and we are now walking in a newness of life. Any time we start wandering in the past it is similar to a grave robber, digging up dead things that are buried and unhealthy. Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (KJV) It is our Father’s delight to take our iniquities and throw them into the depths of the sea. It is like a parent who is able to watch a child that has been addicted to drugs take a boat ride out to the deepest part of the sea and dump their stash into the depths of it and begin a new life free from the addiction. You forget the heartache of the past and rejoice in the joy, peace, and liberty of the new life that is brought forth. Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (KJV) Are you as willing to forgive others the way you were forgiven? Not only forgiving, but how about the forgetting part also? Are you able to forgive yourself or are you deep sea diving in the sea of forgetfulness trying to dig up dead things that should be left buried there? Your answer is not down below wallowing in the mire, but it is in front of you; look forward and walk in the new life God has given you. You wonder at times why you don’t have peace, well quit digging up dirt, whether it is on others or yourself, because basically you end up calling God a liar and saying His mercy didn’t cover the transgression. Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (KJV) Is every day new to you also? Are you walking in the newness of the life given you in Christ, and not bogged down with your old fallen nature? Are you staying in the word of God, and renewing your mind with all the spiritual blessings you have been blessed with? Or are you drifting out to sea in uncharted troubling waters being blown to and fro with every wind of doctrine? The Lord never fails, so if you are not experiencing the peace and joy you should be, most likely you have fallen overboard and have forgotten your life preserver. Luke 6:36-37 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (KJV) Are you as merciful to others as our Father is to you? Are you as forgiving to others also? The key is learning to rightly divide the word of truth, as well as being able to identify the difference between the voice of God and the voice of a stranger, the enemy. God is dealing with us today, right now, this moment, while the enemy is trying to get us to go deep sea fishing in the dead sea to get us to dredge up another distraction that is vain and empty. Knowing the difference will save you from a lot of heartache and misery so that you will be reminded not only of the forgiveness for yourself, but that of others also. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (KJV) Have you noticed in political campaigns how the first thing the candidates do, is try to dig up some dirt on their opponents? So to add insult to injury, they then go out and about broadcasting their opponent’s former transgressions, or alleged ones that are only meant to discredit them. The devil runs his own smear campaign on the body of Christ also, making false accusations to discredit them as well. For those that know the truth and keep their minds renewed in it, they will not be pulled into these mudslinging campaigns, but rather they will continue in the liberty in Christ, and walk in the freedom of mercy and forgiveness; not continually asking or seeking forgiveness for things that are not only forgiven, but forgotten. The reason some keep laying this foundation of repentance from dead works is because they are still entrapped in the works of the law. And rather than receiving the grace and mercy afforded by the new law of faith, they continue to seek justification through the works of the old law and its dead rituals. It is so much easier to forget the past if we are no longer living in it and the dead works of our youth; which, what we thought would bring us closer to God was actually drawing us farther away and sinking our ship. Out of sight, out of mind; so the further removed we are from our old way of thinking the more we are able to walk in a newness of life; each day being a new opportunity to worship our Father in spirit and in truth. So if there is something or somebody trying to remind you of your past, forget it and keep pressing forward. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:12-15 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (KJV)
Paul didn’t claim to be perfect but he was mature in Christ and was able to grow up into Him in all things. Paul had quite a past, one that included his involvement in persecuting the Church and wasting it. We all have our own past and for every different believer there is a different one. But as we clearly see, Paul found that his answer was before him, the path in front of him this day, right now. How much easier would your path be if you only dealt with the things God has for you this day, at this moment; not thinking on things behind, neither getting caught up with things too far down the road ahead of you. Are you open to change and willing to walk a new path of life the Lord has for you, or are still trying to get results by doing things the same old way? Does your life seem stagnant at times; like on a treadmill, you keep exerting energy but don’t get anywhere and always end up at the same place you started from? If you keep doing the same thing trying to get to your spiritual destination by old watered down doctrines you will find yourself coming up short and missing the mark. If you desire new results it will require a new mindset and a willingness to walk in it as well. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (KJV) The reason Paul was able to forget the past is because the old things were passed away and he wasn’t reliving them over and over again. The reason many Christians have a hard time forgetting their past and moving forward is because they are not willing to let go of the old so that they too can walk a new path in Christ. Similar to a movie that came out years ago called Groundhog Day; the character in the movie kept living the same day over and over again and getting the same results. When something is passed away it should be buried and left there. So if there is someone or something reminding you of your past get out of the cemetery and move on to a new life the Lord has for you. Is every day a new experience for you? One of joy and peace, with a confidence and trust in the Lord that builds you up more and more on a daily basis, or are you being let down again because you expected to get new results from your old ways? A new life means you will need to walk a new path, one that draws you closer to the Lord not further away. Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (KJV) Paul was well versed in the Old Testament and the things of the old law. It was his zeal in holding to the law that caused him to be at odds with the early Church. It was his willingness to let go of the old ways that set him free to walk in the newness of the Spirit; and in the end he went from being one of the Church’s worst enemies to one of its best assets. Is there something you are hanging onto from the past that keeps you from walking in the new instead of being a new creation in Christ, walking in the victory afforded you? Are you hanging onto something from your past and because of this you can’t get past the hindrance in your walk that keeps you buried in defeat? 2 Kings 5:9-12 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. (KJV) Naaman was a great captain of Syria and had leprosy. He was instructed to go to Elisha a man of God to find a cure. Naaman was angry at the answer he received because he had his own preconceived ideas and notions on how God should provide the answer. Sound familiar? Ever wonder how in reading the Old Testament our own lives correlate with these situations, and how similar our old way of thinking is at times? How we at times have been trapped in our own spiritual leprosy and are unable to be set free because we were not willing to follow through with the spiritual prescription God had for us. If you desire something new, then you have to let go of the old; otherwise, instead of leaving the past behind we end up left behind, and falling short of the mark of the prize. 2 Kings 5:13-14 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (KJV) If the Lord sends someone to give you sound advice, will you give heed to it or throw a hissy fit and keep trying your old stagnant ways? Will you walk in a newness of life today, walking by faith and not by sight, a faith in that which the Lord has promised? He is more than able to deliver, but only on His terms and conditions, which are at times so much different than our way of thinking. You have a Bible, the word of God, full of first-hand accounts of what the Lord is ready, willing, and able to provide for any that are willing to leave the past behind and partake of the river of life that will make them clean and renewed. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
AuthorWe are stewards of the mystery of Christ. Ambassadors on His behalf to share the conditions of peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|