“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? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isa. 43:18-19)

Writer and philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That’s true. It is good to learn from the past. However, dwelling on the past and becoming stuck there is not beneficial. As the passage at the top says, God brings new beginnings, both for the present and for the future.

When joined to Christ the old is gone, the new has come

“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 GNTD)

God gives strength needed for the present and for the future

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12-13 NIV)

Ask for a new and loyal spirit

Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.” (Psalm 51:10 GNT)

Therefore

“So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Heb. 12:1-2 GNT)

Quote

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” - Oswald Chambers

“But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments.” (Nehem. 9:16 ESV)

The word “stubborn” is defined in the dictionary as “refusing to change one’s mind or course of action despite pressure to do so; unyielding or resolute.” Depending on its use, it can convey either a positive or negative characteristic. Understanding the distinction is crucial.

Are you acting mulish or being resolute?

“Stubborn” has two meanings, one negative (mulish) and one positive (resolute). You can be mulish (stiff-necked) against God, or you can be resolute (unbending, resolute) concerning truth and righteousness.

1) MULISH: unreasonably or perversely unyielding as in bullheaded, obstinate, self-willed or stiff-necked.

2) RESOLUTE: justifiably unyielding, unwavering, tenacious, unbending, steadfast, not giving up, remain uncompromising in course or purpose.

Examples of MULISH

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” (Prov. 29:1 ESV)

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” (Psalms 81:11-12 ESV)

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51 ESV)

“But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 7:11-12 ESV)

Examples of RESOLUTE

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” (Acts 11:23 NASB)

“Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16-18 CEV)

Therefore

“Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!” (Psalm 51:10 NET)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58

Quotes

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. - Oswald Chambers

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” (Psalm 195:4 NIV)

What it means to seek God’s face

Many times in Scripture, God’s people are encouraged to seek the face of God. The Hebrew word for “face” in the Old Testament is often translated “presence.” Therefore, when you seek the face of God, you are seeking His presence.

God said to seek His face

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” (Psalm 27:8 ESV)

Humble yourself and seek God’s face

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14)

Therefore

“Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” (Psalm 105:2-4) 

“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:3-6)”

 Quote

“I want the presence of God Himself, or I don't want anything at all to do with religion... I want all that God has or I don't want any.”  - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 NIV)

Peace in decision-making

Over the years, Susan and I have faced numerous significant decisions, including the purchase of a specific home, the decision to homeschool our children, and the acceptance of certain job opportunities. Sometimes decisions were easy to make when everything was perfectly clear. But other times they were not, and we occasionally got it wrong. In retrospect, and of course hindsight is 20/20, we realized that we had not “let the peace of Christ rule” before making the decision. If we had, we probably would have made different decisions. However, it's crucial to avoid letting fear interfere and refrain from proceeding with a crucial decision just because you're afraid. In reality, most big decisions are scary, yet God can still provide deep inner peace in the midst of it. Knowing the difference and not allowing yourself to be unjustifiably troubled or afraid is crucial. If you lack wisdom, ask God for it! (James 1:5)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

If you make having the peace of God the gage you use for making big decisions, things will generally turn out better for you.

To have God’s peace in decision making… 

·      Pray about the decision and don’t be anxious - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV) 

·      Keep your mind stayed on Jesus when making the decision - “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa. 26:3 ESV)

·      Ask God for peace when you need to make a decision - “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thess. 3:16 ESV)

·      Strive for peace while making a decision - “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 ESV) 

·      If the decision contains any element of evil, don’t - “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:11 ES)

·      If your decision is against God’s Word, don’t - Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 118:165 ESV)

Therefore

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33 ESV) 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18 ESV)

Quote

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” - Saint Francis de Sales

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 NLT) 

When you’re self proud, watch out!

We usually think of pride as good thing, but God does not when it’s about self pride as in being self righteousness or conceited, which is the opposite of humility. Self pride puffs up a person and humility does not. Self pride is the sin that entered Satan and got him cast out of heaven. There is a difference between the kind of pride that God hates (Proverbs 8:13) and the kind of pride we can feel about a job well done (Galatians 6:4) or the kind of pride we express over the accomplishment of loved ones (2 Corinthians 7:4). The kind of pride that stems from self-righteousness or conceit is sin, and God hates it because it is a hindrance to seeking Him.

Pride vs humility

• Pride precedes destruction

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18 ESV) 

• Pride precedes disgrace

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Prov. 11:2 ESV) 

• Humility precedes honor

“Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.” (Prov. 15:33 ESV)

• Humility precedes exaltation

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10 ESV)

Therefore

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (Rom. 12:16 ESV)

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Prov. 27:2 ESV)

Quote

“Humility says you can learn from anyone. You don’t know it all. No one does! That’s why we need to remain teachable, humble, and lifelong learners.” - Rick Warren

“And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze.” (Exo. 35:31-32 ESV)

Being able to create things is a wonderful gift from God

You see how God has given His creatures the knowledge and ability to create what they need. Birds instinctively know how to build their nests, and beavers know how to cut down trees and build dams. Every creature knows how to do what it needs to do. God has gifted humans to do much more than what animals can do. They can endlessly create as much as they can imagine. The above passage says that God gives us “intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs.”

God provides creative skill for any sort of workman or designer

“He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.” (Exo. 35:35 ESV)

The Lord be with you as you work

“You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!” (1 Chron. 22:15-16 ESV)

Therefore

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:11 ESV)

“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3 ESV)

“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” (Gal. 6:4 ESV)

Quote

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” - Albert Einstein

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb 4:12 NIV)

What God’s Word did to a biker

Many years ago, I heard the conversion testimony of a Hell’s Angel-type biker who recounted how, during a drunken stupor, he tore up an old lady's front lawn as she stood watching helplessly from her front porch. But instead of receiving the usual negative reaction when he did things like this, she calmly recited a Bible verse to him as he sped away. He described how the verse clung to his mind like glue, consuming his thoughts until he ultimately collapsed onto his knees, pleading with God for forgiveness. That shows the power of what God’s Word can do!

What Jesus said about the Word

“But he answered and said, It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)

The foundation of successful ministry

When I was being trained for ministry many years ago my instructors repeatedly told me, "The Word of God does the work of God!" And they said if I wanted to be successful in my ministry, I must make God’s Word the emphasis and foundation in everything that I do. And the Bible repeated confirms it.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11) 

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)

“But the word of God grew and multiplied.” (Acts 12:24)

Therefore

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16 ESV)

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” (Prov. 4:29-22 ESV)

Quote

“Sharper than any double-edged sword." A sword with two edges has no blunt side; it cuts both this way and that. The Word of God is edge all over. It is alive in every part, and in every part keen to cut the conscience and wound the heart. Depend on it: not a verse in the Bible is superfluous or a chapter that is useless.” - Charles Spurgeon

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Rev. 12:9 ESV)

The devil is your adversary

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

The devil is a murderer and the father of lies

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 ESV)

The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

 The devil blinds minds to prevent people from believing

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:4)

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  (1 John 3:8)

Therefore

“Neither give place to the devil.” (Eph. 4:27 ASV)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:11-12) 

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Rom. 16:20)

Quote

“I’m not afraid of the devil. The devil can handle me - he's got judo I never heard of. But he can't handle the One to whom I'm joined; he can't handle the One to whom I'm united; he can't handle the One whose nature dwells in my nature.” - A. W. Tozer

“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:14 ESV)

Test the spirits to see if they are from God

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV)

Discernment to approve what is excellent

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:9-10 ESV)

Ask for understanding to discern  good from evil

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9 ESV)

Therefore

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Quote:

“One of the most subtle burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them. It is not that we bring God into touch with our minds, but that we rouse ourselves until God is able to convey His mind to us about the one for whom we intercede.” - Oswald Chambers